Earlier (End)

The silence overwhelming the place was deafening. Coupled with the solemn look on the Mages and the scared civilians in the background, the atmosphere was anything but comfortable.

The Knights were curious, but none of them immediately asked the Mages what they had received. They gave the Mages some time before eventually asking them when the look on the expression on the Mages' face eased slightly.

Thompson acted as the representative. "Do you mind if I ask what made you guys so tense?"

"Ruttenhale has fallen."

Gasp!

The Knights and the civilians reacted the same way. All of them were shocked by Iliana's quick and direct answer—they immediately looked at her as if she was lying.

"It is to be expected." Iliana lightly shrugged. "That stupid King decided to send the Royal Army's Legions to BA-32 instead of sending them there—what do you expect to happen? 30,000 or so people winning against more than 60,000 Monsters?"