Inside the Imperial Castle, everything appeared peaceful.
The halls were quiet. The servants continued with their duties, the guards stood at their assigned positions, and the nobles who remained inside the palace spoke among themselves as though nothing unusual had happened.
However, the calm within the castle did not mean that the entire empire was peaceful.
While the people inside the capital continued with their daily lives, trouble was spreading through the empire like a slow fire.
The recent duel had just ended, but the emperor barely had time to think before another report arrived.
A messenger hurried into the emperor's private chamber and immediately knelt before him.
"Your Majesty, we have an urgent report."
The emperor raised his eyes.
"What happened?"
The messenger lowered his head, his expression solemn.
