The time was past six in the evening, and both the castle town and Panis Town had sunk into dusk.
The townsfolk had gathered in the evacuation shelters at the military training grounds, leaving the streets wrapped in an eerie silence.
Endi, Cain, and Darmaine stood before the royal palace gates, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Nearby, soldiers of the army, the security force, and the Royal Guard held their breath, the air thick with tension.
Before Rose's castle, Saizo and Kumashis kept a strict watch.
"Oi, Saizo, Kumashis—get inside," Rose called, a note of concern in his voice.
"No, we couldn't possibly…" Saizo answered hesitantly.
"Lamia cooked for us. Might as well all eat together, right?" Rose invited warmly.
"I'll gladly accept your offer," Kumashis replied at once, striding in without a shred of hesitation.
Saizo broke into a cold sweat at his companion's audacity and reluctantly followed.
Inside the great hall, a long table was lined with roast beef, prosciutto salad, sausages, and bread in splendid display.
Esta, Moene, and Jessica were already seated, their hungry eyes fixed upon the feast.
Lamia kept her composure and called out brightly.
"Come, let's all eat together!"
At that moment—thud! A loud crash resounded.
A boy had tripped over something and fallen flat on his face.
Saizo asked suspiciously,
"Who is that?"
Rose chuckled lightly.
"A new servant who just started at the palace. I think his name's Alpha? Lamia's been teaching him the ropes."
"Alpha, thank you for helping. Why don't you join us?" Lamia said kindly.
The boy scrambled up in a panic.
"N-no! I'm useless, I'm sorry…"
He was a silver-haired, shaggy-headed youth with round spectacles, radiating a timid air.
"It's fine, it's fine!" Lamia pulled him along, and Alpha reluctantly sat.
Finally, everyone was gathered, and the lively meal began.
Meanwhile, in the throne room, Regalo radiated a heavy aura of authority.
"Utterly foolish. What on earth is that son of mine thinking? Where is Moschino?"
Ponaparto roared back,
"No sign of him anywhere! Skipped the summons—what the hell's he up to!?"
"Hah… Well, with us here, there's no problem. I'm sure he has his own plans," Valentino said with a confident smirk.
"If even a single mafioso steps into the palace grounds, annihilate them to the last man!" Regalo's voice boomed.
Ponaparto and Valentino dropped to their knees before the throne, bowing low.
At the front gates, Endi felt a chill creep up his spine at the unnatural stillness.
"It's too quiet…"
"Indeed," Cain murmured in agreement.
"They ain't coming today. Let's go home already," Darmaine grumbled, sprawling on the ground.
Just then, two silhouettes emerged from the distant dark—Nova with his orange hair gleaming in the twilight, and the expressionless Rabesta.
"They're here! …Wait, just the two of them?" Endi blinked in surprise.
"What, you here to reconcile instead of fight?" he called, a faint hope in his voice.
"Shut it. You never intended to negotiate anyway, did you? Soldiers inside and out—you've packed the place full. You're exposed." Nova sneered.
"Our men should be attacking right about now," Rabesta added coolly.
"Don't bluff, kid! There's no sign of them. Must've run off with their tails between their legs!" Darmaine mocked.
"The mafia are moving through the underground tunnel from Panis Town to the palace gardens. No presence, naturally. Took four years to build." Rabesta's cold, confident words froze the blood.
Darmaine's face drained of color.
Sweat trickled down Endi's cheek as he peeked nervously through the gate.
Suddenly—the earth of the gardens exploded upward.
Armed mafiosi burst forth in a furious wave.
Shouts and the clash of steel shattered the silence.
Rocket launchers and grenade rounds rained down, parts of the majestic palace collapsing into fire.
The allied forces of the army, security corps, and Royal Guard surged to respond, and the palace instantly became a crucible of war.
The flames of battle had been ignited.
"Move out!" Nova bellowed, and with Rabesta, he charged the gate, hurling himself straight at Endi and his companions.