Eman also reached the Gold Stage after leveling up. But still, he and Little Sky were a level below Borris.

After reaching the Gold Stage, he did not receive new skills like the Borris and Little Sky. However, the system gifted him with a gift pack, skill slot, and tons of Soul Points for achieving the rank. 

Though, in terms of rank Borris was a stage ahead of him, in terms of stats he was higher than him, thanks to his inventory in which he could equip equipment into it and gave additional stats to him. There was also his title that boosted all his stats.

Back at the office, Eman ordered them to rest assured and maintain order while waiting for the palace's command. Of course, he already knew what the emperor's command would be.

This village will soon fall into his hands. But before that, it must be done by the empire's law or must go through a legal process to avoid conflict in the future. Especially that Sunville was a former mining village. Some nobles from the great family would surely take an interest in it.

Eman's reputation in the soldier's heart was steadily rising.

After another day, the emperor was anxiously gazing from the balcony towards the direction of the southeast. Behind him, some of his loyal retainers were guarding closely.

"Your majesty, are you sure you won't rest first?" Said one of the ministers. Currently, along with the emperor, there were 4 other people on the balcony. They were the four ministers from different departments. The emperor was yet to rest. He was dealing with some work all night long. However, the emperor remained silent with his eyes looking afar.

The emperor only looked behind him when they heard hurried footsteps from behind.

"Your majesty! Your Majesty!" Called out a person wearing the guard's attire.

When he noticed the emperor was looking back at him, he went to his knees and reported immediately. "The messengers are here!" 

"Okay, bring them here!" The emperor commanded.

"Your majesty, are you sure you won't meet them in the meeting hall or the throne room?" Asked one of the ministers. Most of the time, his majesty would meet them in the meeting hall or on the throne. 

"Silence!"

The retainer instantly fell silent and the guard stopped on his feet when the emperor yelled.

He could not wait to hear their report.

"Faster, bring them here! And also, summon the knight captain," The emperor commanded once again. 

Two soldiers came to the balcony afterward along with the person in golden and silver full-plated armor. They greeted the emperor upon arrival. Then the person in gold and silver armor stood beside the emperor. On the other hand, the two soldiers went on their knees and began their report.

"Your majesty, after several months of unceasing battle in the frontline, the hero party along with the united army of the royal soldiers, the noble, and the great noble soldiers had successfully repulsed the demon's attack at the frontline," grandly announced the messenger who just arrived from the frontline.

The ministers along with their trusted retainers widened their eyes in excitement upon hearing the news.

"Your majesty, hehe, this is great news!" Said one of the ministers.

"Right, your majesty!" The others also agreed. "Thanks to the heroes!" They shouted proudly.

Everyone showed a delighted expression. Even the knight captain beside the emperor did as well. It was a very admirable success.

However, the emperor remained unchanged. The expression on his face was stale as though he did not hear the messenger's words. Truly, it was great news. He was glad for the success of the mission. But why did he feel a foreboding feeling?

The emperor was staring at the messenger with an unchanged expression. "Continue…" urged the emperor. He noticed that the messenger had something else to say.

"Your majesty, in celebration of the heroes and the united soldier's success, the Blessed Church requested that the royal family will warmly welcome the he---"

"Of course, no need to tell that," cut the emperor. Honestly, there was no need for the church to say it as it was an obvious thing to do.

Regardless, the foreboding feeling was still there. The emperor wondered what it was that made him feel uneasy. He tried to scrutinize his mind and search for the possible cause. But he failed to identify it.

"Your, majesty. How about the casualties?" Just then, the emperor heard the Knight Captain's whisper.

The emperor widened his eyes. Right. It was the thing he wanted to ask from the very beginning. Thanks to the Knight Captain.

"Right. Messenger, how about the casualties?" He asked right away.

They noticed the messenger turned glum. "The hero party did not suffer a loss. They only retained slight injuries…"

"Woah! As expected of the heroes, they were truly a reliable force," commented one of the ministers.

"The great noble and noble families suffered hundreds of casualties on their side…" the messenger continued.

But they noticed the slight pause on the messenger's report. "However, all of the royal armies were annihilated. None of them was able to survive…"

"....."

Everyone in the room fell silent.

"W-What do you mean annihilated?!" The emperor raised his voice.

Faced with the overbearing pressure coming from the Emperor, the messenger trembled slightly.

"J-Just as you heard your majesty. A-All of them… No! All the royal armies were annihilated. No one was able to survive," the messenger stuttered. Even the second messenger beside him had widened his eyes.

"N-No way…" Muttered the second messenger while gaping with wide eyes open.

The emperor was stunned. Also the knight captain. The ministers fell silent, allowing silence to invade the balcony.

Everyone knew that among all the united armies, the royal had the most number. They consisted of five thousand royal armies. Yet, none of them was able to survive? How did it happen?

The emperor felt heaven was slamming him. This was just too absurd. The more the emperor thought about it, the more difficult it was for him to believe.