Andrew's blood boiled with bloodlust the closer they got to the Palace.

'Mother, Father... Just wait a little longer.'

~Vrrrrmmmmm!

Their units were off!

But while they were ready for battle, within the palace seemed utterly clueless about their arrival.

If one had ever gone to a big city before, they would know that even if something big happens in one end, it might not necessarily reach another end, leaving a few people clueless.

Of course, if they had launched nuclear bombs, then for sure, everyone would've heard it.

With nuclear bombs, half of the city, if not all, would've been wiped out... So that was hard to ignore.

But in today's case, they released tube missiles from the vehicles that were capable of destroying just the gates without breaking down the walls, and that was that.

Even the hand grenades some of them threw could only carry sound so far.

Heh.

If it could be heard everywhere, then when the military practiced, everyone would be able to hear it, whether they were in the supermarkets or at home.

But as many know, that wasn't the case... Unless one loved very close to a base.

Likewise, the palace was located so far into the enormous city.

And by horse alone, it would take several hours from the gates to the isolated Palace at the centre of the city.

So those within the palace hadn't heard anything yet.

Thus, minutes passed swiftly, with the biggest boss not knowing about the troubles headed his way.

.

Holy Kardinal, Francisco Tunio IV, was currently in a meeting alongside his main men.

They had been having the same meeting for over a year now, with no results from their numerous meetings.

This irked him.

He tapped his fingers impatiently against his armrest coldly while listening to his Holy warriors.

"Gastillo! Enough excuses!

We are running out of time and don't have the privilege to keep giving such plans.

Listen up!

If we don't take the heads of the Zalipnian Royals and offer them as sacrifices, Adonis will be disappointed!

And as you know, our God, who has blessed us, can also take back his blessings and punish us as well.

For all we know, he could be planning to rain his punishments right now!"

~Boom!

A thunderous clap echoed out, shocking everyone in the room silly.

What was that?

The sound wasn't as defeating or overly loud, but they could still hear it.

Last they checked, the weather should still be clear. 

So where did the thunder come from?

Francisco, who had just spoken about Adonis' wrath, was shocked by the power of his words.

Could it be true?

Could Adonis have decided to punish them?

It was too coincidental!

.

Thinking like this, everyone dashed towards the windows and popped their heads out anxiously.

And when they saw the monstrous orange flames rise into the air, they all had grim expressions on their faces.

"And so it has begun.

The holy book of Adonis's wrath. Punishment 13: Spite not the Great creator, for he shall show no mercy and rain balls of fire onto the grounds from the sky. 

For he is the Great God, who should never be angered."

Those who heard this turned pale.

This was bad!

The only way to avoid divine punishment was to complete their task by finding the Royals, cutting their heads and offering them as sacrifices.

Many became panicked, but Francisco had other thoughts entirely.

He squinted his eyes at the flames coldly:" Stop thinking too much! I know the Divine Book of punishment more than you all. So that can't be divine punishment. The book says HE will rain thousands of balls of fire and not just one. That's why this is an enemy attack!"

What??!!

Everyone looked at the smoke in shock and their faces distorted in disdain.

That's right. 

They were no longer worried but now looked down at the enemy instead.

Their first thoughts were black powder.

And if that's the case, then do you know how much black powder had to be used to create such a feat?

Firstly, black powder was expensive and very precious during battle.

So who was this wasteful?

From the smoke rising from afar, they could confidently say that the enemy was around the palace gates, which were very far away from them.

Palaces were high and occupied wide spaces. So of course it would take an hour and a half on horseback to get to them.

Now seeing the thick smoke flames, they knew the enemy had wasted so much black powder when they hadn't even entered the palace yet.

Suddenly, another thought entered their minds.

Could it be those who fled?

Had they come to fight back?

Hahahahahahaha!

They had been searching for them for ages, almost fearing Adonis' wrath.

And just when their deadline was fast approaching with all hope lost, the same people they were looking for had come again... probably bringing back up from heaven knows where to take them down!

Hahahhahaha!

Their Great God had probably sent them their way.

Thank Adonis!

.

Francisco smiled broadly while rushing out with everyone to get their Holy armour and prepare for war.

Of course, some ran out to inform the other guards and everyone else as well.

"Holy Cardinal, I think whoever these Zalipnians brought in for help had done so by sneaking onto the empire."

"Yes! I agree. They probably stayed in hiding, waiting for help to come.

And now that their allies are here, they are feeling mighty courageous.

But for sure, we can assume that the help they got shouldn't be a lot.

After all, we have covered all Zalipnian territories. So coming in as a big team would definitely catch our attention."

"That's right. I feel the same way too.

The only way a big team makes it to the capital this far is if an entire empire decided to move most of its men to fight for these Zalipnians.

But who would be so crazy as to do such a thing for outsiders?

My guess is that a small team of highly skilled assassins have led these people in.

And provided they take over the Palace and keep us hostage or defeat us before anyone notices, then they would be able to earn some victory."

Francisco agreed as well.

It should be that these Zalipnians got the assistance of a small team.

Nonetheless, they would take it seriously and fight with everything they had.

Well, no matter what, they must get the heads of the Royals!

"Prepare for battle!"