A few miles away, a heavily armored convoy arrived at the outer gates of Winterguard.
Leading the procession was Princess Rumina, surrounded by an elite vanguard of the Royal Knight Order.
Though bringing a detachment of the Empire's finest warriors seemed excessive to protect just one person, it was the absolute bare minimum required for a royal to step foot in Winterguard.
"Your Highness, you should turn the carriage back now. We have verified the state of the fortress," a decorated knight riding beside her window spoke in a deeply serious tone. "This place is too unstable. The ambient mana is chaotic, and monsters could break through that failing barrier at any moment."
Rumina, sitting rigidly in the carriage with her piercing eyes fixed on the distant, patched walls, didn't waver.
