[First, the bad news: There will only be a 1,500-word chapter today (instead of 2x1,000) because I had to help my dad with his car at the repair shop. Those who follow me on Discord know what happened, but anyway, it wasn't fun, hahaha.
I'm sorry.
The good news: I quit my current job, and starting next month, the chapter release rate will increase to 3-4 per day. Fuck my boss, btw.]
It was a gloomy morning at the Belgrath family stronghold.
Once guarded by an army of over ten thousand mighty soldiers, now it barely held a hundred defenders scattered across its walls.
They were the only ones who had chosen to remain at their lord's side until the end.
There were others, of course, but they were responsible for escorting the duke's family to the Rose Empire; a long and dangerous journey.
"Sir, something is approaching..." A worried voice echoed from one of the younger defenders to the captain of the guard, a powerful warrior of the eighth ring.
