The silence left behind by Zero's aura had barely faded when the doors of the assembly hall suddenly opened.
A messenger rushed inside.
He was breathing heavily.
His armor was covered in dust, and there was a deep scratch across one side of his shoulder guard. He had clearly traveled without stopping.
Every head in the hall turned toward him.
The messenger looked around the chamber before dropping to one knee.
"Commander!"
Rurik immediately stood.
"What happened?"
The messenger struggled to catch his breath.
"We've received an emergency report from the eastern border."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
"Speak."
The messenger swallowed.
"Several border towns are under attack."
A murmur swept through the hall.
"By whom?"
The messenger lowered his head.
"Devils."
The word struck the chamber like a hammer.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then the room erupted.
"How many?"
"Where?"
"How large is the force?"
"Are the towns still holding?"
