"My Lord, the wall has been breached!" Knight Corven burst into the room, his armor scratched and bloodstained. "You must evacuate immediately!"
Hadric didn't move from his seat. He looked calm, but his eyes carried a quiet weight.
"Corven, gather the elders and the remaining soldiers. Lead them toward Viscount Liraeth's territory."
Corven hesitated. "What about you, my Lord? You should come with us!"
Hadric shook his head firmly. "No. Someone has to stay behind to hold them off. If I leave now, no one will make it out alive."
"I'll do it, my Lord!" Corven stepped forward, his voice desperate. "You should escape while there's still time!"
Hadric gave a faint smile, though his face was pale under the pressure that filled the air. "You won't last long, Corven. That presence out there… it feels like I'm standing before the emperor himself."
Corven froze, his breath caught in his throat. "The emperor? No… that can't be…"
