A Perfect Stranger

The Imperial Palace of the Arken Empire.

A place where nothing higher than it could be built within the Empire's territory.

A place where only obedience was permitted, and merely showing murderous intent could bring ruin upon three generations.

In that place, in the spot where the emperor ought to have stood.

The emperor was killed in front of everyone.

No one could react.

The disparity between the reality unfolding before their eyes overwhelmed them all.

Valdemar Golt, who should have been an old man on the verge of death, stood with his back straight and split the emperor open from heart to head.

Despite creating such a horrific scene, Valdemar's face was filled with pride.

He stood there and quietly looked down over the crowd...