On the other side of the battlefield, the Royal Knights stood in formation.
Nearly three thousand soldiers had gathered under the Empire's banner.
At the center of their army were two massive magic weapons—giant siege cannons forged with enchanted metal. Each weapon required more than twenty operators just to move it into position. And to fire even one shot, over one hundred mages had to pour their mana into it at the same time.
When activated, all the mages gathered in a circle, chanting together. Their mana flowed like rivers of light into the core of the weapon. The air trembled as the cannon absorbed the power.
It took time to prepare a single shot.
But once fired—
It could strike targets 10 kilometers away.
The blast would reach its destination in 10 to 20 seconds.
And if it hit, it would erase an entire 1-kilometer area—leaving nothing behind.
Both weapons had already fired once.
Army Formation
The imperial army was divided into four lines, each spaced carefully apart.
First Line – 900 soldiers
Heavy knights with shields, flags, and horses. At the front stood the General himself.
Second Line – 500 mage troops
In the center were the two massive magic weapons.
To the right, 100 soldiers guarded the cannons.
To the left, another 100 soldiers stood ready to defend.
Third Line – 800 soldiers
Battle mages and magic attackers prepared for mid-range combat.
Fourth Line – Around 600 troops
Support division. They handled camps, medical units, food, and supplies.
Each line had its own commander.
This entire operation was under the control of one man.
General Akihiro Fujimoto
The 28th General of the Empire.
Akihiro Fujimoto.
Born into a noble family, he despised commoners.
He was known across the Empire as the "Killer Machine."
He killed anyone who stood in his way.
He spared no one.
Not even children.
A soldier rushed toward him and saluted.
"Sir! Both shots were successful!"
Akihiro's cold eyes narrowed.
"Did we destroy the village?"
"Yes, sir. The village has been completely erased. No villagers remain alive."
Akihiro let out a dark laugh.
"They fools… they didn't even know what happened to them. They died like insects."
Several soldiers nearby laughed with him.
"What about the castle?" Akihiro asked.
"Sir, the castle is our next target."
Akihiro turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
"Any message from the capital about Haruto?"
"Yes, sir. We received word that he left the capital. He took a shortcut route. It is likely he will arrive here soon."
A cruel smile spread across Akihiro's face.
"Good."
"When he arrives, he will see his domain destroyed before his eyes. He will see his people dead like insects."
His voice turned colder.
"Then he will kneel. He will beg for his life."
Akihiro placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"And I will cut off his head… and present it as a gift to the Emperor."
The imperial flags waved in the night wind.
And the next target
Was the castle.
In the Capital…
Rin and the soldiers had already left the capital.
They were now staying in a small village a little far from the city walls.
The night was quiet, but Rin's heart was not.
Inside a small temple, lit only by candlelight, Rin knelt before the altar. Her hands were folded tightly as she prayed.
"Please… God," she whispered softly.
"Help them. Let them reach in time. By now, they should be close to the castle…"
Her voice trembled.
"Please protect our castle… protect the villagers… and Maidan Safiya. Don't let anything happen to them."
The candle flames flickered gently, as if listening to her prayer.
After a few moments, Rin slowly stood up and walked out of the temple.
As soon as she stepped outside, a soldier hurried toward her.
Rin! Our carriage is ready. We finally found horses.
Rin's eyes widened with relief. "Thank God…"
She looked at the horses being prepared.
"In the capital, no one would give us horses," she said quietly. "When they saw our domain's logo, they refused us rooms… they refused us help."
Her expression hardened.
"But now we can finally move."
She clenched her fist, determination filling her eyes.
"We're going back. No matter what happens."
The soldiers nodded firmly.
Under the dim moonlight, Rin climbed into the carriage. The horses began to move, their hooves echoing against the silent road.
Far away, war was already beginning.
And time… was running out.