"They sacrificed," Bordon repeated.
Elisha frowned. "Sacrificed…?"
Bordon exhaled, his expression tightening.
"When the demons invaded the world, everything fell into chaos. Kingdoms collapsed. Armies were wiped out. No one could stop them."
He looked around the table. "Except the Holy Empire."
Celestia leaned in, listening intently.
"The Holy Empire's doctrine was simple: eradicate evil. So they were the first to respond. The paladins—blessed with divine strength—fought at the front lines of every battlefield. The clerics were sent to heal the dying wherever demon traces appeared."
He paused.
"And they won. They beat back the invasion."
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"But… if they won, how did the empire fall?" Mariella asked softly.
"That," Bordon said grimly, "is where the tragedy begins."
He placed the parchment on the table, fingers tracing the faded symbol of the crossed guns.
