Varca Baneu Porcana. He had stayed in the imperial palace for a while to gain the emperor's trust. Leaving his kingdom unattended for so long was not the best thing a king could do, but it was better than arousing the emperor's suspicion.0

‘No matter how unstable the empire is right now... I just can’t imagine them falling.’0

Varca looked out the window at the city. It was the city that embodied the essence of the civilized world. It wasn't just about military revival; it was the home of all sorts of academic and cultural achievements.0

‘The empire is the ruler of the world, and Hamel is the center of the world.’0

That was the undeniable fact.0

‘If I hurry back to the kingdom, I will only pique the suspicion around myself. The emperor must be doubting me since Urich and I are close friends.’0

Just thinking about it gave Varca a throbbing headache. The plunderers from the west had brought chaos to the world. Their momentum had even led the barbarians of the north to declare themselves an independent kingdom, claiming divine revelation from Lou.0

‘Bilker, the descendant of Mijorn...’0

Varca, too, had heard his name. Bilker was a boy who confronted the imperial forces with terrifying vigor. He was leading the fierce northern warriors despite his young age, as one would expect from a descendant of Mijorn.0

‘If even the kingdoms turn their backs on the empire, then that will truly mean crisis for the empire,...0