In the Imperial Capital, the Elkaras Mansion.
This place was personally granted by the Empress to the Elkaras Family of the Chief Governor. This place, which should have been home to the merits of the Empire, was now surrounded by Imperial soldiers.
The atmosphere was solemn, with an impending storm, much like the thorny flowers swaying in the wind on both sides of the street.
"Mr. Campbuek, please inform the Chief Governor that his leave has been cut short."
A seemingly high-ranking Imperial General reported this to a middle-aged man standing in front of the Elkaras Mansion.
"..."
But the man called Campbuek merely stood in front of the mansion, speaking with neither humility nor arrogance:
"Yila is not in the mansion. She left three days ago."
The General, with the same respectful attitude, made his request:
"Please step aside, Mr. Campbuek Elkaras. The frontline warfare is intense, and the Chief Governor's support is needed. This is an order from Her Majesty the Queen."
Campbuek, leading the soldiers, naturally did not believe the General—
Frontline warfare? They were about to call a truce!
"Yila is not in the mansion," he simply said.
And for this uncooperative gatekeeper, the General had no good solution.
Although he was acting on imperial orders, they did not have the authority to break into the Governor's residence before the official warrants arrived.
The atmosphere grew oppressive…
Even the children of the capital could sense that the wind had changed recently.
Thus, the gatekeeper's attitude undoubtedly constituted playing dumb.
As the General frowned, the soldiers behind him dispersed, and a person with a circle of patterns around their neck came forward, handing a piece of parchment to the General: "Lord Nathan, this is a search warrant."
"Thank you, Governor."
Responding to the man in his twenties, marked with black spell-like patterns on his neck, the General glanced at the seal on the parchment...
Something seemed off about the pattern.
"Governor, is this search warrant really from Her Majesty the Empress herself…"
"..."
The only response was a silent gaze.
"I understand."
So said the General, taking a deep breath and announcing loudly, "This is a search warrant! Her Majesty the Empress herself ordered a thorough investigation of the Elkaras Family! Arrest the criminal Yila Elkaras!"
He had expected the gatekeeper to resolutely obstruct them, but to the General's surprise, the gatekeeper stepped aside voluntarily. Reluctantly, he added, "By order…"
At this point, the old gatekeeper named Campbuek had tears streaming down his face, but he still firmly said, "But Yila has never done anything wrong."
This was something even a three-year-old child in the Empire knew.
"..."
After a brief silence, the General waved his hand, directing the soldiers behind him: "Search! Thoroughly investigate the Elkaras Family and protect the household by order of the Empress."
"Yes!!!"
"Yes!!!"
"Yes!!!"
In unanimous response, the Empire embarked on the largest purge in its history. The former Chief Governor, Yila Elkaras, was the most-wanted fugitive by order of the Empire.
Having fought for the Empire for half his life, as the first Governor, who almost single-handedly turned the tide of the Imperial and Demonic battlefield from disadvantage to stalemate, and then to a vague advantage, the legendary—
Yila Elkaras.
...
Declared a traitor by the Empire!