The morning sun bathed the southern mountain in golden light, while a gentle breeze drifted lazily across the village.
Kei burst out of his house in a panic.
"I need to get to school early today, or else I won't be able to finish the project before homeroom!" he shouted as he sprinted down the path.
Suddenly, he froze.
"…The horse!"
Without wasting another second, Kei turned on his heel and dashed back to the stables. Within moments, he mounted a white stallion and sped off toward the academy.
---
When Kei arrived, the academy gates were still shut.
Only one person stood there.
Hori.
Kei quickly tied his horse and walked up to her, slightly out of breath.
"Hey… can I borrow your history project? I fell asleep before the teacher explained it," he asked.
Hori blinked.
"Uh… the teacher didn't give any project. Instead, she said we should—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened.
"…Wait."
A second later—
"SHOOT!"
She grabbed her head. "We were supposed to be at the Imperial Palace today! There's a welcoming ceremony for the Regent and his guardian troops!"
Without another word, she sprinted off.
Kei stood there blankly for a moment.
"…Huh?"
Then realization hit.
"WAIT—!"
He rushed back to his horse, mounted it, and sped after her, catching up quickly.
"Get on!" he called.
Hori didn't hesitate. She climbed onto the horse behind him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
Kei instantly stiffened.
His face flushed red.
Why is she holding me this close?!
Sweat formed on his forehead as he tried to stay focused.
---
By the time they reached the Imperial Palace, the courtyard was already filled.
Guardians of various ranks stood in formation, their armor glinting under the sunlight.
Kei and Hori joined their classmates, blending into the crowd.
Kei scanned the area.
"Where is he?" he muttered.
"Where is who?" their teacher asked.
"The Imperial Lord."
"Oh, he'll be here soon," she replied calmly.
Moments passed.
Then—
A figure appeared in the distance.
A man walked slowly toward the palace gates, followed by sixteen guardians. Their bodies looked worn, their movements heavy.
"The Regent…" someone whispered.
As they reached the gate, the massive palace doors creaked open.
From within, another figure emerged.
A man around sixty years old.
He wore a white inner robe beneath a flowing red outer garment. His long black hair was tied with a golden clasp, and a silver, wool-lined crown rested upon his head.
His presence alone silenced the entire courtyard.
Grand Lord Sanji Aburamen.
"Regent Anoki," he said calmly, his voice echoing with authority. "Welcome back."
"My Lord," Anoki replied, bowing deeply. Everyone followed.
When they rose, Anoki spoke urgently.
"My Lord… Sealand is under siege. The Supreme Leader of the Sand Lands has launched an attack. His goal is to conquer the weaker nations of the Rusty Continent before turning his sights on us."
A ripple of tension spread.
The Grand Lord's expression hardened.
"And you suggest we send reinforcements?" he asked coldly. "Sealand has never stood with us. Their leader despises me."
The Regent hesitated, then spoke firmly.
"My Lord… this isn't about helping them. If we weaken the Sand Lands now, we gain the advantage in the inevitable war ahead."
Silence.
The Grand Lord turned his back to the crowd, exhaling deeply.
"…Very well," he said at last. "Send twelve thousand guardians to Sealand. The rest will return to their posts."
He began to walk away.
The giant doors started to close.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The doors exploded inward.
The shockwave sent guardians flying. Some were crushed instantly.
Chaos erupted.
"Protect the Grand Lord!"
Guardians rushed forward—but it was too late.
Dark figures leapt into the air above the courtyard.
Archers in black armor.
They released a volley.
Arrows rained down like death itself, each one infused with power strong enough to pierce through multiple bodies.
Screams filled the air.
Blood splattered across the ground.
The courtyard became a battlefield.
---
Inside the palace, panic spread.
The Regent and Grand Lord, both injured, were rushed into a secure room.
The academy students were also escorted inside.
But even within the palace…
The fighting followed.
Some of Kei's classmates trembled in fear.
Others collapsed to the ground.
Only Kei—and the ever-gloomy Peiren—remained standing, their eyes steady.
---
Inside the royal chamber, the Grand Lord and Regent were being treated.
Three doctors worked frantically.
Then—
CRASH!!!
The doors were blown apart.
A man stepped in.
He wore an eyepatch.
On his armor was the symbol of Sealand—a golden eagle.
Without a word, he raised his hands.
Wind gathered violently around him.
In an instant—
He unleashed it.
The force slammed the doctors, the Regent, and the Grand Lord through the walls—
Straight into the next room.
Where the students were hiding.
The doctors hit the ground lifeless.
Silence fell.
The students stared in horror.
Standing before them…
Was death itself.