Chapter 524

Chapter 524

C524

From the public's perspective, life was nothing out of the ordinary just a few days ago.

But now, even they could feel a heavy atmosphere looming over the entire empire.

Everyone knew that the Emperor's sword was not aimed at foreign forces but at Hairan, who was called the pillar of the empire.

"I know better than anyone that the Imperial Sword has long been fighting for the Imperial Family and the people."

In front of the Imperial Palace, the Emperor of the Empire, Amir Vermont, stood on a giant golden platform, towering over the crowd.

The platform was supported by about two hundred convicted criminals dressed in red robes.

The crowd felt bewildered by the Emperor's unexpected announcement, but they dared not express it.

The Emperor stated that the cause of the purge was treason and civil war.

"It would be curious. What kind of treason did the lord of Sword Emperor Castle commit? You might dislike it too, but I am also aware that you favor Ron Hairan more than me."

The Emperor slowly looked at the people.

"I, too, as the supreme ruler of the Empire, trusted the most loyal servant Ron Hairan. Additionally, as a human, I respected and admired him, so there's no hiding my frustration. However, Ron Hairan, the lord of Sword Emperor Castle, ignored my orders as well as my fervent pleas, putting the empire in danger of terror, war, and destruction."

As the Emperor gestured, two blackened flags torn from the masts on both sides of the platform unfurled.

They were the flags of the Empire and Hairan.

"Everyone remembers the day when the disaster occurred at Sword Emperor Castle. These flags were destroyed that day, and I will inform the people about the cause of the terrorism that happened that day. It was because of... a single object possessed by Hairan."

The crowd gathered in the square murmured for the first time.

Then, the Emperor cast a sidelong glance, and a Warrior wearing Hairan's armor stepped forward.

He is Ron Hairan's second son and a Flagbearer of Hairan:

"Tion Hairan."

After the terrorist attack on Sword Emperor Castle, traitors appeared one after another within Hairan.

They were all those who were pushed by Dante and treated as 'nonexistent people' by Ron Hairan.

They, who had never imagined betrayal under Ron's majesty, saw an opportunity when the Imperial Sword suffered an unprecedented blow, coupled with the Imperial Family taking a back seat.

Tion was the first and took the initiative to betray Hairan.

"...there is a white stone in my clan that was passed down only from patriarch to patriarch."

Originally, Tion had no idea, but the Emperor informed him about the white stone.

And the Emperor didn't hesitate to reveal the white stone to the public, unlike Hairan, who kept a secret that threatened the world by being passed down from patriarch to patriarch.

The eyes of the crowd watching Tion were tainted with disdain.

Unless one was a fool, it was impossible not to realize that he had betrayed his clan and was in this position to covet Hairan's power, which would soon pass to Dante.

"It may be hard to believe, but if you can melt and use that white stone, it has the power to support all the magical equipment of the empire and make the empire many times stronger in an instant."

From the crowd's perspective, it was an absurd and exasperating story.

Wuuubuuu!

Finally, the crowd booed Tion.

As the Emperor mentioned earlier, Hairan is a clan more beloved by the people than the imperial family.

Those gathered in the square wanted to stone him to death at any moment.

"Your Majesty."

The leader of the imperial guard, 'Alton Hairan,' met the Emperor's eyes.

It meant that if the Emperor gave an order, he would immediately suppress the commotion.

However, the Emperor, with a corner of his mouth raised, silently ordered him to let it be.

"But isn't it just an unpleasant noise? Let them vent their anger at least a little."

Now even Dante was aware of Ron's condition.

In the past few days, Ron's health had deteriorated so rapidly that it was impossible to hide.

Ron was unconscious.

Dante was in command of Sword Emperor Castle in his name.

As time passed, the gathered knights began to doubt if Sword Emperor was really in good health.

The suspicion was becoming undeniable.

Ron's absence equaled the absence of all Hairan.

Although there were still individuals in Hairan without Ron, the result of waging a war without him was as clear as day.

A sense of pressure, powerlessness, and nausea overwhelmed Dante.

Dante felt dizzy after not being able to sleep for several days, and cramps hit various parts of his body if he didn't concentrate.

'A weak body makes it difficult for me even at times like this...'

Dante gritted his teeth and looked into the eyes of the gathered knights.

It seemed that he had to reveal the truth.

"...My grandfather is sick at the moment, and he is unconscious."

At Dante's words, the angry voices of the knights faded away.

Those who had already realized didn't startle too much, but those who didn't know were hit by thunder.

"Ron-nim... unconscious? Could it be that the wounds he suffered that day have worsened?"

"Why are you telling us this now?"

"Without Ron-nim, how will we respond to this...!"

When Dante was about to respond, an old knight opened his mouth, clicking his tongue.

"If Ron-nim is absent, are you saying you won't fight with Hairan? You're talking nonsense. Without Ron-nim, are the rest of you nothing more than a bunch of foot soldiers? We came here to fight against the tyranny of the Emperor, to protect our friendship with Hairan. We didn't come to overthrow the Empire with Ron-nim at the helm."

The one who spoke was Shuras Helter, the patriarch of the Helter Family.

Dante avoided giving an uncomfortable answer to Shuras's words, but as long as Ron remained in bed, Dante had no means to dispel their anxiety.

They faced adversaries who would be difficult to handle even if they united solidly.

However, a significant number of knights couldn't help but contemplate the crack created by Ron's absence.

'Without Ron-nim, the war is lost.'

'If we lose the fight against the Emperor, not only will we die, but our entire family and kin will be brutally murdered...'

Moreover, once they learned of Ron's illness, thoughts like these crossed their minds.

'The white stone the Emperor talked about... What if it really exists?'

'If the Emperor's speech is true, it's best to return the stone and resolve the situation. Should I wait for his absurd story to be real...?'

A tense silence fell.

Just as someone was about to raise the question of whether the Emperor's speech was true, urgent footsteps were heard from outside.

It was the sound of commanders rushing in.

"Young patriarch! The Emperor's forces' movement has been confirmed. The vanguard will reach Sword Emperor Castle in approximately three hours...!"

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