"It happened today! This news came from the Magic Caster's Guild in the city of Kate Gospel, but the details still need further confirmation."
Jircniv's face darkened. He immediately gave an order to Loren, the newly appointed Head of the Court of Mages. "Immediately have our Air Guards send a small team to investigate. I want accurate information sent back as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Loren bowed respectfully, then hurried away.
Jircniv bit his thumb, lost in chaotic thoughts. The city of Kate Gospel was the Baharuth Empire's easternmost city, bordering the Re-Estize Kingdom. Its location was also close to the Katze Plains, a region famous as a lair for Undead. However, the existence of the Free City of Vadis, jointly funded by the Empire and Re-Estize, which regularly hired Adventurers to clear the Katze Plains, should have made an Undead attack on the city of Kate Gospel impossible.
Suddenly, a sharp flash crossed Jircniv's mind, and his eyes narrowed. Could this be the work of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick? He had just sent adventurers to scout their headquarters. Could they be retaliating in the same way, mobilizing an army of Undead to attack an imperial city?
Although he was sure his actions were very discreet, those monsters turned out to be far more terrifying than he had expected. Piercing through his disguise was not impossible for them. This bad premonition felt so real, and Jircniv felt that this guess was correct. If the culprits were those monsters, the Baharuth Empire would not be able to resist. He had to seek help from Fluder immediately!
Without hesitation, Jircniv immediately called his secretary, "Ronay! Immediately send a message to the old man. Ask him to help us deal with the Undead besieging the city of Kate Gospel!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ronay nodded seriously, then turned towards the Ministry of Magic.
Just then, a heavy thud boomed like thunder, making the entire palace shake violently. Jircniv, surprised and annoyed, immediately walked out of his office to find the source of the commotion.
Stepping out and reaching the balcony railing, Jircniv saw a colossal creature in the large courtyard below. Its body was covered in golden scales, a pair of wide, magnificent fleshy wings spread across its back. Its fangs and teeth were sharp, and a pair of horns adorned its head. The entire creature radiated a terrifying aura. Anyone who had ever heard a tale of adventure would recognize it. It was a Dragon!
On the Dragon's back, there were two small figures. From their pointed ears, Jircniv recognized them as Elves.
As he was still fixated, panicked voices began to sound.
"How can there be a Dragon here!?"
"Quick! Quick! Protect His Majesty!!!"
The Imperial Palace Guards scrambled from all directions, surrounding the terrifying creature. Although they were shocked, they did not panic, showing their professionalism as an elite force.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright!?"
Two warriors in Adamantite magic armor ran to Jircniv's side, standing upright in front of him. They were Lightning Bajed and Gale Nimble, two of the Four Imperial Knights.
"I'm fine," Jircniv replied, his emotions calming slightly under the protection of the knights he relied on so heavily. His eyes returned to the Dragon below. "Are you sure you can face this monster?"
Bajed smiled faintly. "Your Majesty always asks us to do difficult things, doesn't he? This creature is one of the strongest. We will try."
Dragons were indeed a powerful race, but not all were invincible. Adventurer teams had successfully killed Dragons before. Bajed was confident that if the two of them, along with the Palace Guards, attacked together, they might have a chance.
Under the vigilant eyes of the guards, the two dark-skinned Dark Elves sitting on the Dragon's back calmly jumped down. From the Dragon's obedient demeanor, it was clear that these two Elves were its masters.
Should he negotiate? Or attack directly? Jircniv hesitated.
At that moment, a man in the same Adamantite armor as Bajed and Nimble, emerged from among the guards. He held a spiked tower shield in each hand. "Hey, hey, hey, are we going in?"
Bajed raised an eyebrow, smiling hopefully. This man was Nazami Ennek, The Immovable, the last member of the Four Knights. With shields as his weapons, he had the strongest defense, making him the best candidate to test the enemy's strength.
Nazami walked straight towards the Dark Elf twins. However, before he could even speak, the female Elf let out a "Heh" and stomped her staff on the ground. A terrifying magical force spread rapidly. Apart from the ground under the Dragon and her feet, the entire palace courtyard cracked, forming deep, bottomless crevices.
"Ahhh!!!"
The sudden attack surprised everyone. In the blink of an eye, all the Palace Guards in the courtyard, including Nazami, fell into the crevices amidst their shocked screams. When the female Elf raised her staff again, the cracked ground healed, swallowing Nazami and the others completely!
"What!?"
Jircniv and Bajed, who were on the second floor, felt a chill run down their spines. Their faces were filled with horror.
Aura looked up and her eyes immediately found Jircniv who was protected by Bajed. With a light jump, she landed on the second-floor railing.
"Stop!"
Bajed and Nimble immediately drew their weapons, taking a step back in fear, but not abandoning Jircniv.
"Are you the Emperor of this country?" Aura asked, her eyes piercing through Bajed and Nimble.
Jircniv blinked. After a moment of thought, he gently pushed his protectors aside. "I am Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix, the Emperor of the Baharuth Empire. May I ask what your intention is in disturbing my Imperial Palace?"
"Hmph!"
Aura snorted. Although she approved of Jircniv's calm demeanor, she still delivered her message like a royal decree. "I am Aura Bella Fiora, a Guardian serving the great Supreme Lord, Ainz."
"Your act of sending rats to attack Lord Ainz's residence has greatly angered him. Now, the Supreme Lord is willing to give you a chance for redemption. As long as you lead the Baharuth Empire to declare loyalty to Lord Ainz, the Supreme Lord will pardon your crime. If not... we will destroy the entire Empire!"
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