“Close the city gates!”
Miloya stared at the inner city swallowed by black mist in the distance.
The blood-red knight beside her was clearly stunned, turning to look at the figures rushing out of the black mist.
“But those people…”
“I’ll say it again—close the city gates! No matter who comes out of the black mist, even if it’s the Knight Commander, do not let them in!”
Miloya’s voice rose, filled with unwavering resolve.
“We cannot be certain if it’s real. But if it truly is the Knight Commander, he will find his own way back to Her Majesty.”
To them, magic remained a forbidden existence.
Even with issued magic tools, they used them with suspicion, never truly trusting.
Therefore, for the safety of the Empress in the Imperial City, it was best to turn a blind eye.
“I know the order I gave is cruel. I don’t wish to just stand here and watch the inner city fall into chaos, but our primary duty is to protect Her Majesty.”
“If Her Majesty is lost, the entire Imperial Capital will fall—and even the entire Empire may become history!”
She understood the priorities clearly.
Anyone could be sacrificed—except Alexia.
Not only because she was the Empress, but also because of the rising magic formation in the distance.
Only Alexia held the authority to activate and control it.
That was good news for them.
At least the Empress’s location was clear.
Miloya turned to another blood-red knight.
“Order the First Brigade to return and support the main hall. The Second, Third, and Fourth Brigades will patrol the Imperial City. The rest, stand with me to defend the walls.”
“I’ll say it once more—no matter who emerges from the black mist, not a single one is to be let in!”
Miloya looked down at the citizens of the Imperial Capital trying to cross the moat, seeking help, her eyes filled with helplessness.
Without orders from the Empress or the Knight Commander, they could not act on their own.
They stood firm in the Imperial City because it was their duty to defend Alexia’s authority and safety.
Of course, there were other troops stationed in the Imperial Capital.
Maintaining order was their responsibility at this time.
Their approach differed from the blood-red knights; they prioritized the safety of the citizens unless Alexia appeared before them.
Even if the entire Imperial Capital was shrouded in black mist and information could not be relayed, they still entered without hesitation.
Fortunately, the Church of Light reached the city streets before them.
The summoned holy light drove away the black mist, bringing hope to those in despair—and also revealing lurking Undead Creatures.
This clarified their subsequent strategy against the enemy.
The soldiers protecting the Imperial Capital, though not equipped with magic tools as powerful as the blood-red knights, still possessed some of the finest arms in the Empire.
Weapons and armor were issued in full sets, and their numbers allowed them to employ Military Formation, giving them overwhelming superiority against scattered Undead Creatures.
Lines of human shields advanced along the four walls of the Imperial City toward the inner city, gradually compressing the Undead Creatures’ territory and reclaiming chaotic zones.
These Undead Creatures causing havoc on the streets were clearly inferior to the Undead Guards at Terence’s side.
Once their bodies were destroyed, they could not regenerate; if their soul fire was extinguished, it was true death.
As long as they could be physically destroyed, they were not a threat to Imperial soldiers.
But Undead Creatures were not just skeletons and zombies—there were also wraiths that ordinary swords could not touch.
That was when the holy light of the Church was needed.
Everything occurring in the Imperial Capital was under Alexia’s gaze.
With a view of the entire capital, she could adjust the magic formation as needed—helping Imperial soldiers reclaim lost territory, or extending the hope of survivors.
Only when the situation stabilized did her vision gradually contract.
The moment her vision returned to her body, a sharp headache forced her mouth open in a gasp.
Her vision blurred and doubled, clearing only after more than ten seconds.
Such omniscience was powerful, but for her personally, the burden was immense.
If not for Alexia’s strength as a mage, her spirit would have been shattered.
Even so, she still felt faint.
Dizzy and nauseous.
After two minutes, Alexia stood up.
Looking down, she saw countless Undead Guards surrounding Simon.
An impenetrable wall of darkness stood between them.
Just as she expected—no one could break through Simon’s defenses.
Her gaze dropped further.
Alexia looked at Terence, who was also staring up at her, complex emotions in her eyes.
Terence’s death was by her own hand; without her intervention, he might still control the Empire.
But would that Empire have been right?
Taking a deep breath, Alexia steadied herself.
With each step she took downward, complex magic patterns formed behind her, signaling the brewing of a terrifying Forbidden Magic.
“Father, I’m sorry that this has happened again.”
Alexia said helplessly.
“But I think you can understand—just like you, I’m also trapped in this quagmire called the Empire, unable to escape.”
As she spoke slowly, her gaze grew determined, as if she had made up her mind.
“This time, I will end it with my own hands, so you may never rise again.”
She resolved to give Terence eternal rest.
“Alexia.”
Terence looked up at her, his mouth murmuring the unchanged name.
The flickering soul fire in his eyes wavered, as if pondering.
When Alexia rose from the throne and entered battle, the holy light she released effectively suppressed the Undead Guards’ regeneration.
After Simon destroyed their bodies, their recovery slowed significantly.
With each blow, their regeneration became weaker.
Magic remained the best weapon against Undead Creatures.
“Your Majesty, the former king seems not to have used any power. I suspect a trap. Please be cautious.”
Simon cleared a path downward for Alexia as he spoke.
Though Undead Guards continually assaulted his line, such force would have been unimaginable even in their lifetimes.
In individual strength, he surpassed the Undead Guards.
But the Empire did not stand on strength alone.
It stood on united Military Formation.
This was how Lothan, in the past, could slay gods with the Imperial Guards of the Royal City.
Even if the leader of the Imperial Guards then was as powerful as Simon, such feats were impossible alone.
When he stormed the throne, these Undead Guards were far less fragile; breaking their lines took immense effort.
But now, they formed no Military Formation—just scattered sand rushing toward him.
Moreover, from beginning to end, even as Alexia stood from the throne, Terence never issued a command to the Undead Guards.
As if he was waiting for something.