Seventy-two hours after the Fourth Prince Rhine ascended to the position of Regent King, the air in the Imperial Capital was as tense as a bowstring drawn to the full.
The storm had yet to strike, but the wind outside the west city was already lifting the dust.
From afar, the mountains echoed with a rumble akin to war drums, as Duke Raymond and the Second Prince Kaelin's coalition army approached.
Meanwhile, the west city wall of the Imperial Capital had been completely locked down.
All drawbridges retracted, the three-layer gates descended, streets emptied, and the Forbidden Army along with the academy guards were armored and ready.
The entire city resembled a giant beast, curling up and waiting for the first bite of the impending tear.
Rhine stood atop the highest command tower of the west city wall, with a thick crimson carpet underfoot, contrasting absurdly with the muddy battlefield outside the city.
