"Governor! Bad news! The Southern General has fallen in battle!"
An officer burst into the grand chamber of the governor's house, his face pale with panic. He had been monitoring the war through live feeds and battle reports, but now he ran with urgency to deliver the worst update yet.
The old governor stood quietly by the tall window, gazing at the stormy night sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the clouds above the city flickered with red flashes from the distant fighting.
"So… you've gone ahead of me, old friend," he whispered, his voice low and heavy. A deep sigh escaped his lips, full of pain and silent grief.
Still facing the window, he spoke again. "What about the southern fortress? Has the barrier pillar been destroyed?"
"No, sir!" the officer replied quickly while straightening his posture. "All four barrier pillars are still active. It seems the enemy hasn't located the southern one yet."
