Chapter 1009 The Broken Novaria
News of Kalbar's destruction spread like wildfire.
People across various cities, especially the major cities in the southern region, were thrown into a panic.
Kalbar was the strongest stronghold in the southern region.
If it had been destroyed, the rebel forces would undoubtedly target the other cities near the border.
Before they even had a chance to process this terrifying news, another report arrived—one that was even more shocking.
"The cities of Serandor and Elaris were conquered in just three nights. Everyone inside was killed. The estimated death toll is five million."
The news hit the entire empire like an atomic bomb. Panic and fear quickly spread everywhere.
The rebel forces were moving much faster than anyone had expected. If things continued like this, they would be next.
In the blink of an eye, people began flocking to the mansions of the nobles who ruled over their cities.
And this chaos wasn't happening in just one city. It was spreading across the entire southern region.
The region, which was usually prosperous and peaceful, quickly descended into chaos.
…
"Where is Duke Malvain? Why hasn't he shown up yet?" Seira asked coldly.
She had sent him a letter five days ago, but the man still hadn't responded. To her, this was practically an insult.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I sent another letter yesterday, but Duke Malvain still hasn't replied. Should I go there myself?"
With teleportation magic, getting there in the blink of an eye wasn't impossible.
"No need." Seira waved her hand before giving another order. "I'll contact him directly. Take the magic crystal on that table."
Orion nodded and picked up the basketball-sized magic crystal. He then placed it in front of Seira's desk.
Orion channeled his magical power into it, causing the crystal to immediately glow with a faint blue light.
A moment later, Jason Malvain appeared before them.
He was startled to see Seira, but quickly regained his composure.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty," he greeted her, his voice trembling slightly.
Seira stared at him intently.
"Why didn't Duke Malvain reply to my message? Are you having trouble?" she asked, resting the right side of her face against her right palm.
Jason smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to ignore your message. It's just that the situation in the southern region is extremely critical right now. Two border cities have been overrun by the rebel forces, and I've been so busy that I didn't have time to reply to your message. I hope you won't hold it against me."
He clasped his hands together and bowed his head toward her.
Seira's eyes narrowed slightly. She said nothing, making the atmosphere awkward and tense.
After a few seconds, she closed her eyes and said, "I understand. In that case, I won't bother you anymore."
With that, she ended the communication.
Orion remained silent. He could sense Seira's intense anger, even though she was trying to hide it.
"Orion, let me know when Elina arrives."
Orion gave a slight nod.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
…
"Welcome back, Your Highness."
Velissa greeted Novaria, who had just returned.
Novaria gave her a slight nod.
"Is Elina inside?"
"No, she isn't. Her Highness Elina and Sir Nolan have gone to the imperial capital."
"Huh? They left? What happened?" Novaria asked, confused.
Velissa was just as confused.
"Don't you know what happened to Prince Aldric?"
"Something happened to Aldric?"
Novaria's eyes widened in shock.
She grabbed Velissa by both shoulders and asked frantically, "What happened to him!? Tell me quickly!"
Velissa felt her head spinning and quickly tried to calm Novaria down.
"Y-Your Highness, please calm down! You're making it impossible for me to speak!"
Novaria snapped out of it and immediately released her.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Velissa let out a long sigh and smiled.
"It's all right."
She smoothed out her rumpled clothes before saying with a serious expression, "There's news from the southern region that Prince Aldric has gone missing."
Those words hit Novaria like a bomb.
"G-Gone missing…!?"
Velissa nodded and told her everything.
The more Novaria listened, the paler her face became. Her heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it would leap out of her chest.
"I-Impossible… How could that be? Aldric… gone!?"
Her breathing became ragged. She did hate Aldric. He was just like their mother, who saw her as nothing more than a pawn in the battle for the throne.
Even so, that hatred didn't automatically mean she wished for Aldric's death.
After all, they were siblings. Blood ties were stronger than any other bond in this world.
"I understand."
Novaria suppressed the pain inside her before running inside.
"Is that news true?"
The Crescent Moon Swordsman stepped down from the horse-drawn carriage and walked toward Velissa.
"It's true, Grandfather," she replied firmly.
"Hmmm…"
Noticing the change in his expression, Velissa grew anxious and asked, "Will this problem turn into a disaster, Grandfather?"
The Crescent Moon Swordsman gently rubbed her head.
"Clearly, this is going to become a disaster. Chaos will spread throughout the empire. But don't worry. I'll protect you and this town. After all, I made a promise to Her Highness Elina," he said reassuringly.
Velissa let out a long sigh and nodded slightly.
"I understand."
17:36
…
Bang!
The door slammed open as Novaria burst inside, her face filled with panic.
"R-Rafine, what happened to Aldric!?"
Rafine, who had been working, was startled.
"When did you get back?"
Novaria was out of breath as she slammed her right palm down on the desk.
The impact startled Rafine.
"That's not important! What happened to Aldric!? Has he really gone missing?"
Rafine fell silent. If it had been anyone else, she would have reprimanded them on the spot.
But Novaria was different. She was the second princess, and her status was higher than Rafine's.
Besides, Rafine understood her concern. Aldric was her brother, so it made perfect sense that she would be worried about him.
"Prince Aldric has indeed gone missing. The news arrived five days ago. Haven't you heard about it yet?"
Rafine's answer left Novaria dazed.
She had still been holding on to the hope that what Velissa had told her was just a lie. But it turned out to be true.
It was all true.
Aldric had truly gone missing.
"Is he dead?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"We don't know yet. The city of Kalbar, where he and his troops were last seen, has been reduced to ashes. Millions of people lost their lives there as well," Rafine replied somberly.
The loss of millions of lives at once was something that hadn't happened since the war against the demon race.
Novaria looked dazed, as if her soul had left her body.
Rafine let out a small sigh before standing up.
"I'll make you some tea first," she said gently.
But Novaria didn't answer. She simply stood there in silence, her head lowered.