Keepsake

"That... That can't be. Surely, in some form or another, the seed of destruction...."

"Calm down. I'm not saying I don't trust you."

Kim Sangguk stammered. But even so.

During the fifteen years I had spent running the Water Mirror Guard in the Empire, I had never heard or seen anything about the world ending. In fact, it was safe to say that the present was an age of peace and prosperity.

There were no wars or disasters.

What was the most likely possibility? At most, a barbarian invasion?

That might have been possible if the Central Plains were in turmoil from a coup. Against the stable Empire under the rule of the Celestial Emperor, it would be no more than throwing an egg at a rock.

More importantly, I, the Great General, was stationed in the most dangerous border region. With subordinates who had learned martial aura swarming throughout Pamagok, what sort of foolhardy act could the barbarians attempt?

Yashin wasn't stupid, and although Togyol was, he didn't act against his instincts. They knew well enough that they would be the ones to die if they attacked now.

In other words, the barbarians could not destroy the Empire...