The disaster ca without warning.
And disasters, as it turned out, could arise from sothing as simple as a single word.
This was one of those monts.
"Kyahhhh!"
"Execute the traitor!"
The instant the Knight Commander uttered those words, the knights who stood as the protectors of this scenery transford into relentless killers, rcilessly stabbing and slaughtering the divine beings.
The stronger among the divine beings managed to withstand the knights’ attacks with sheer resilience and fled, but the weaker ones were rcilessly cut down on the spot.
Even those who were present at the scene didn’t remain passive.
"So, these damned creatures were harboring treacherous intent all along!"
Fueled by nothing more than the Knight Commander’s single sentence, people suddenly erupted into a fury, chasing down the fleeing divine beings, dragging them back, and beating them to death in mob violence.
Wait.
What…?
I tried to snap back to reality, blinking hard to regain my focus. But this incomprehensible madness left dumbfounded.
Suddenly?
Why?
Watching this collective hysteria unfold, countless questions raced through my mind. Chief among them: “There’s no evidence, and yet they’re acting on nothing but a single sentence?”
What exactly had the Knight Commander done? He had rely grabbed a ten-year-old child with one hand and accused the Empress of assassinating the Emperor.
There wasn’t even any proof of the Emperor’s death—no body, no evidence.
Yet these people, as if following a prearranged script, acted without hesitation, slaughtering the divine beings rcilessly.
"Damn it."
Sothing was seriously wrong. It was impossible to think otherwise.
I had to confirm the situation myself. I couldn’t just stand by and let this insanity continue.
But as I moved to leave, Afta grabbed my arm, her face filled with worry and urgency.
"Don’t go, Raydan."
"Why not? People are dying out there, and you want to just stand here and watch?"
"You’ll put yourself in danger."
Her words hit like a nail driven straight into my chest. Painful.
Surely, Afta didn’t want to stand idly by and watch the divine beings die either. She must have been just as overwheld by this absurd situation. Yet, for my safety, she couldn’t bring herself to let go.
But how could I call myself a knight if I did nothing in such a mont? A true knight must live without a shred of regret or sha for their actions.
"I’m sorry, Afta."
"…!"
Breaking free of her grasp, I sprinted forward. Afta called out behind , her voice urgent as she tried to follow, but thanks to Oko’s blessing, she couldn’t keep up.
It hurt to leave her behind, but there was no other choice.
"Afta!"
Her voice echoed behind as I raced toward the battlefield.
The once peaceful plaza of Lintpia was now drenched in blood. It was a ghastly scene—a living hell, much like the "Ocean of Blood" often depicted in eastern legends.
Unable to endure the slaughter, the divine beings began fighting back.
The knights who had co to kill the divine beings now t the sa grueso ends as their victims.
War had begun.
Still, it was only a small-scale conflict—sothing that could be stopped if the truth were uncovered in ti.
Dodging attacks from both sides, I twisted my body to avoid the chaos and made my way toward the palace.
The scene at the palace gates was even more horrifying. The divine beings had gathered in a frenzy, seeking to kill the Knight Commander who had wronged them.
Magicians unleashed spells upon them, warping their bodies into unspeakable horrors.
"Urgh…"
I felt my stomach churn, but there was no ti for nausea.
Fortunately, the magicians and knights were entirely focused on the divine beings, giving the chance to slip past and infiltrate the palace unnoticed.
Inside, I moved swiftly toward where the Knight Commander would likely be.
"You…!"
"You cannot pass without the Knight Commander’s orders!"
Knights blocked my way, their weapons drawn and their expressions wary. I was unard, which put at a disadvantage.
But there was no reason to fear them.
Thud, thud!
"Urgh!"
"Agh!"
Using the movents I had honed through training, I easily dodged their spears and swords, delivering precise blows to their stomachs and necks to knock them out.
As I looked down at their unconscious faces, a wave of sorrow washed over . These were knights I had fought alongside, comrades I trusted.
Sothing was definitely wrong here. My instincts scread it.
Climbing the stairs without pause, I finally reached the Emperor’s chambers.
As I stood before the doors, fear gripped . What awaited inside was entirely unknown.
Thwack!
I slapped my cheek hard, the sting jolting back to focus.
This was no ti for weakness. Whatever the situation, I had to correct what was wrong so that my loved ones could live in peace.
Creaaak.
The grand doors opened with a heavy sound.
Inside, I saw the Emperor lying in a pool of blood. The Empress knelt beside him, tears streaming down her face.
And there stood the Knight Commander, poised to stab a child with his sword.
I didn’t think.
Before I knew it, I had kicked the Knight Commander, sending him flying out a window and plumting four stories to the ground.
"Aaaagh!"
Oops. I’d just committed treason.
This wasn’t what I intended.
Sighing, I turned my attention to the child, lowering them gently to the floor. They had golden hair and striking red eyes—a beautiful child who would grow into a stunning adult.
The small spider insignia on their chest marked them as the Emperor and Empress’s child.
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
"Y-yes."
The princess’s face was still pale with shock, her body trembling from the ordeal.
As I approached to check her condition, she recoiled, twisting away in fright.
I decided to give her so space. Perhaps she needed ti to collect herself.
"…Father…"
Despite nearly dying herself, the princess’s only concern was for her father.
Running to the Emperor, I found the Empress by his side, her face contorted with grief.
"Your Majesty!"
"…Sir Tantan," the Emperor coughed. "Forgive for showing you such a disgraceful sight. But perhaps it is what I deserve…"
His words were cryptic, and his breathing labored, blood rising in his throat.
Turning to the Empress, the Emperor’s trembling hand brushed her tear-streaked face.
"This was my fault… I let myself be swayed by fear and threats…"
"Your fault? What do you an…?"
"If only I had thought more carefully, things might have been different…"
His voice faltered, and he began to convulse.
"Your Majesty!"
"Don’t leave us!"
The Emperor’s face grew pale, his body losing strength.
"Sir Tantan," he rasped, clutching my arm. "I have one last request… Even if this empire crumbles, ensure that, in the end, everyone can smile."
With those final words, the Emperor passed, leaving only the sound of sobbing in the room.
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