PAID

As midnight approached, the gates of the royal city slowly opened, and out marched the royal guards, followed by a large, grand parade vehicle.

But calling it a “landship” would be more accurate. Equipped with rows of wheels under its hull, it moved forward, surrounded by guards and soldiers on all sides.@@novelbin@@

Such tight security could mean only one thing:

Standing on the deck of the landship was the Empire’s king himself—

Canter.

Alongside him was his wife, Queen Elizabeth.

The king, draped in luxurious attire, held the queen’s arm with one hand and waved to his people with the other, projecting an image of a benevolent and approachable ruler.

According to Lantern Festival tradition, everyone would release their lanterns into the sky at midnight.

And this was also when King Canter and Queen Elizabeth would make their annual appearance to the public.

Back when Leon was in the Dragon Slayer Corps, the royal couple had different ways of making their entrance each year. Sometimes, they arrived by hot-air balloon, sometimes with illusion magic, and on a few occasions, they had hidden in the crowd only to emerge dramatically.

So this year’s “landship” entrance didn’t surprise Leon much.

According to Martin’s intel, the landship was set to arrive right on the border between the royal city and the upper district at exactly midnight.

At the same moment, thousands of paper lanterns, each equipped with recording stones, would be launched into the sky.

Leon took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, watching as King Canter and his army drew closer.

There was a time when he, too, had served his country with pride, even risking his life to defend the king.

But all he’d received in return was betrayal and slander from the Empire.

Everything and everyone were merely tools for the ruling class to exploit, even the war itself, just another piece in their calculated game.

Now, the pawn who had dared to defy the board was back.

Old grievances and new vendettas would be settled tonight with that despicable emperor.

**Dong—Dong—Dong—**