The Sirius Empire, known as the greatest nation on the continent or the strongest country in the world, experienced a terrorist attack.
Terrorist attacks themselves were surprisingly not that rare.
After all, the empire had as many enemies as its vast territory.
However, this was only true for the outer regions where military power struggled to reach.
Even with an unimaginable budget allocated to the Ministry of Defense, it was impossible to maintain enough military force to protect the entire territory.
Thus, the empire supported regional lords in maintaining their own military forces to defend themselves.
A prime example was the Peacock Mountains, the territory of the Selene family, one of the empire’s twin pillars.
The Full Moon Knights, trained in the Lunar Light Swordsmanship modified from the Selene family’s secret technique, possessed a strength that could rival even the royal palace’s guardian knights.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to survive the frequent battles near the borders.
The problem was that this terrorist attack occurred in Milein, the heart of the empire and its capital.
Milein, the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense and home to the ever-present Capital Defense Force, had become the site of a terrorist attack.
Worse still, it was carried out by “heretics.”
This alone was a disgraceful outcome, but what truly enraged the emperor was…
“The Imperial Palace was involved in the terrorist attack.”
“…What is the extent of the damage?”
The emperor asked through clenched teeth, suppressing his anger.
Seated on the most luxurious throne adorned with jewels and gold, the emperor’s feet rested atop a long red carpet. Flanking him, the ministers bowed deeply, not daring to breathe a word.
“One of the unused annex palaces has been engulfed in flames. The servant responsible for managing it is currently under interrogation.”
It was Paulus Gruin Count, the head steward, who responded to the emperor’s question.
The emperor, massaging his throbbing forehead, asked again.
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes, fortunately no other buildings besides the annex caught fire thanks to the swift action of the royal mage in extinguishing the flames.”
“Are there any injured?”
“Since it was an unused building, no one was inside, so there are no injuries.”
“At least that’s fortunate. Have you uncovered any information?”
“…Not yet. The servant doesn’t seem aware of setting the fire himself. If I may venture a guess, it appears he fell victim to some form of mind-control magic.”
Paulus bowed deeply while answering, knowing he bore partial responsibility for the oversight in managing his subordinates.
Considering the future punishment, he added:
“A mysterious magical device was found in his possession. Though it no longer functions, our mages are analyzing the residual mana left within.”
“Who do you suspect as the perpetrator?”
“That…”
Paulus remained silent.
Because the identity of the perpetrator was something the emperor already knew.
Thus, this wasn’t really a question but rather a confirmation of what both already understood.
“Heresy.”
The emperor gripped the armrests of his throne so tightly it seemed they might shatter.
The veins on the back of his hands stood out prominently.
Under the wrath of the ruler of the empire, the ministers bowed even deeper.
“How dare these vermin soil the sacred imperial palace!”
Bang!
Unable to contain his fury, the emperor struck his throne.
The gems embedded in the armrests trembled.
“To what were you all attending?!”
“…”
The nobles serving as ministers dared not respond.
Knowing full well that speaking out of turn could cost them their heads.
With no reply, the emperor shouted at the one clearly at fault.
“Vice-Captain!”
“I am here, Your Majesty. This is Vincent Bernstein.”
The vice-captain of the Guardian Knights knelt on one knee before the emperor, bowing his head.
“What were the Guardian Knights doing that such an incident could occur?! What were you doing while these vermin reached the imperial palace?!”
“Kill me if you must. There is nothing I can say with this unworthy tongue torn into a thousand pieces.”
“You were in charge of guarding this palace during the captain’s absence, were you not? Is the burden on your shoulders so heavy? Then speak now. Let me relieve you of that heavy burden.”
“…Forgive me.”
All Vincent could do was bow his head and hope for mercy from the emperor.
“Your Majesty’s anger is fully understandable. It is not solely Sir Vincent’s fault. Please calm your rage for the sake of your health.”
The one who dared to speak amidst the emperor’s fury was none other than Valkan Helios Duke, the other pillar of the empire.
Moved by his wise counsel, the emperor slowly exhaled and calmed his anger.
“Hmph… Since there was no major damage, we shall let this pass. Vice-Captain, immediately patrol the imperial palace thoroughly to ensure nothing has been overlooked.”
“With gratitude to the stars that light the night.”
Expressing his thanks for the emperor’s decision to end the reprimand, Vincent quietly exited the grand hall, his eyes filled with an indescribable killing intent.
To whom exactly was this killing intent directed?
“…The perpetrator. Who could it be?”
Valkan muttered as he watched Vincent’s retreating back.
His voice was so low that no one else heard it.
“The Gold Eagle Palace will report on the damages in the capital.”
At the emperor’s command, Paulo Robert of the Gold Eagle Palace stepped onto the red carpet.
After lightly bowing, Paulo began his report.
“One-tenth of the commercial district has been completely destroyed, leaving those who rely on it for their livelihood severely affected. Additionally, one-tenth of the residential area has suffered damage, and regarding the administrative district…”
Just how much preparation went into this explosion? The scale of the damage caused by the heretics exceeded imagination.
This was likely the first time since the founding of the empire that the capital had suffered such extensive damage.
That was Paulo’s conclusion.
“…That concludes my report. Casualties are still being counted, but among the local nobles who came to the capital for today’s regular meeting, more than half appear to have lost their lives.”
As Paulo finished speaking, Paulus handed the emperor a document.
It was the list of local nobles attending this meeting.
Among the many names written on the paper, most were marked with either red or yellow lines.
Red indicated confirmed deaths, yellow meant unconfirmed but absent from the meeting.
The colorful spectacle of these lines reignited the barely contained anger of the emperor.
“…How did this happen right after the captain of the knights and the Infantry Palace left their posts?”
Anger seeped into the emperor’s voice.
Crumpling the document and throwing it to the ground, the emperor asked:
“Have all the terrorists been captured?”
“We have sealed off the gates and are conducting a search. We expect to capture them soon.”
There was no way heretics could escape the capital through the magical barriers designed personally by the Infantry Palace.
Even a dragon couldn’t slip through unnoticed, according to the Infantry Palace’s own guarantee.
Furthermore, the gates were currently guarded by Leo Helios of the Lion Palace, Gamifer Altaurphe of the Opposite Palace, and Gliese Antarès of the Celestial Palace.
Unless all remaining high priests arrived, the capital gates would remain impenetrable.
“Find out their purpose at any cost. Why did they choose to attack now? There are many suspicious points.”
“As you command.”
“You hear me, gentlemen?”
“““Yes, Your Majesty!”””
At the emperor’s words, all ministers perked up their ears.
“You’ve said before that we shouldn’t waste energy on insignificant heretics and should focus on strengthening ourselves internally.”
The emperor calmly recited the arguments his ministers had previously made.
The earlier fury vanished, replaced by the cold gaze of someone conducting official business.
Which made it even more terrifying.
No one could predict where the simmering anger would strike next.
“You argued that we should solidify the empire and move towards unifying the continent.”
Everyone loudly advocated for preparing the great empire.
It wasn’t impossible.
With the military strength of the Golden Way Zodiacs and others, the empire’s defenses were insurmountable.
Had there been no war, things might have gone as they suggested.
“Look at the situation now. Witness today’s tragedy.”
Cold fury settled over the grand hall.
Those advocating for continental unification secretly sweated.
“Our majestic capital, my imperial palace, has been defiled by their filthy hands.”
“Our precious citizens have been humiliated by vile creatures.”
“Talented individuals who should serve the nation have lost their lives.”
“Can you still call heretics insignificant?”
“Are you still dreaming of the unrealistic goal of continental unification?”
No one dared to speak.
For they had witnessed firsthand the horrors that unfolded in the capital.
The emperor remembered.
While ordinary people might not know, experts in martial arts fled the horrifying scene reports like rats abandoning a sinking ship.
Those who lived comfortably in the cradle of the capital, indulging in honey and milk, feared fierce wild dogs.
They mistook themselves for dragons.
Thus, they took for granted everything they enjoyed.
Unaware that their sandcastles were built upon the blood and sweat of commoners striving for the empire.
Would they realize their weakness only when evil incinerated the mountains and rivers?
No, they probably wouldn’t even then.
Only when their last breath approached might they understand.
The emperor found their appearance comically pitiful.
And even more pitiful was himself, forced to embrace such repugnant beings for the empire’s sake.
With a self-deprecating smile, the emperor declared:
“From this moment forward, the empire will mobilize all its resources to eradicate heresy. We will have no rest until not even a grain of sand remains of their traces. For future generations, we will leave only the history that such foolish ones once existed.”
One minister urgently spoke up against this strong declaration.
“However, Your Majesty, I believe it to be impossible.”
“Impossible? Are you saying that the mighty military power of the empire you boasted about cannot eliminate the roots of such insignificant heretics?”
As if waiting for it, the emperor shot back fiercely.
Despite the intimidating pressure, the minister held his ground.
“No matter how powerful the empire is, it cannot exterminate cockroaches entirely. Even if possible, we cannot estimate how much effort it would require. Moreover, we have other enemies targeting the empire. I fear showing them any openings. Please consider this kindly.”
“““Please consider this kindly!”””
Seeing their chance, other ministers quickly joined in pleading.
There were quite a few of them.
“…Hmph.”
Valkan frowned at this pathetic performance.
‘Taylor Marquess, huh? Everyone supporting him belongs to the Empress’ faction.’
Garbage that couldn’t have climbed so far without relying on the Empress’ power.
Valkan inwardly mocked them.
Normally, even the emperor would have to compromise or adjust his stance by now, but the current situation was somewhat special.
“Taylor Marquess, do you know what happened at the Eastern Union conference?”
“I apologize.”
Taylor Marquess bowed his head while thinking.
The Eastern Union conference was just yesterday, wasn’t it?
No matter how fast a noble’s information network was, it couldn’t possibly deliver foreign news instantly.
Especially since everyone here stayed in the palace due to the terrorist attack in the capital.
No one paid attention to event updates amid this unprecedented crisis.
‘What could have happened…’
Something significant if the emperor mentioned it?
“At the Eastern Union conference, a terrorist attack occurred, allegedly by ‘heretics.'”
“…!”
“Do you know the interesting part?”
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Taylor Marquess broke out in cold sweat.
“The mastermind behind the attack was reportedly the queen of the Arion Kingdom.”
“Th, that’s…”
“The queen herself was a high priest of heresy. Can you imagine what state the kingdom is in now?”
“…”
Taylor Marquess bowed his head deeply to hide his reaction, grinding his lips.
He had heard rumors of irregularities in recent trade with the Arion Kingdom, but never imagined such an unbelievable event could occur.
The queen being a high priest?
Who could have predicted that?
“If that terrorist attack had succeeded, what do you think would have happened?”
The emperor continued calmly.
“My son and heir to the empire, the crown prince, would have been reduced to a pile of blood. The Eastern Union would have fallen into heretical hands, forcing the empire to face an even greater enemy.”
Moreover, they would have lost major talents like the Infantry Palace and the captain of the Guardian Knights.
Though of course, the emperor didn’t mention that they would have returned alive no matter what.
“According to the crown prince’s report, the queen’s true identity was the high priest of lust. She corrupted and brainwashed many talents with her beauty, bending them to her will… Can you confidently say such incidents won’t happen in our empire?”
“T, that kind of thing will certainly never…”
Attempting to declare it wouldn’t happen, Taylor Marquess accidentally met the emperor’s gaze.
Thus, he couldn’t continue.
The emperor’s icy stare chilled him to the bone.
“Perhaps you’re unaware that there might be those among us who have fallen victim to heretical brainwashing.”
The emperor, having taken control of the atmosphere, spoke lazily.
“How else could there be opposition to merely eradicating ‘mere insects’?”
Anyone opposing from now on will be classified as heretics.
“Taylor Marquess, what do you think?”
Faced with the emperor’s deadly serious words, Taylor Marquess looked at him with trembling eyes.
Right beside the emperor, Duke Valkan subtly generated crimson mana, ready to incinerate him at a moment’s notice.
Shifting his trembling gaze, Taylor saw a middle-aged man smiling predatorily across the room.
The Gold Eagle Palace gave him a subtle thumbs-up, signaling the support of the duke and the Golden Way Zodiacs for the emperor’s decision.
‘A, ah…’
Internally sighing, Taylor Marquess lowered his head.
Lacking justification.
Lacking substance.
Lacking righteousness.
Even if the empress herself were here, she wouldn’t dare oppose this.
Thus, he resigned himself and raised his voice.
“I will follow the resolve of the shining stars.”
“““We will follow.”””
With this, the empire’s blade was now fully turned toward the heretics.
