On the following morning, after the Emperor learned that the Dark Town Empire was on its way to the Palace of Unity, he began to feel that things were slipping out of his control.
He immediately called for an emergency meeting.
The meeting was held in the Hall of the Chessboard —
a grand chamber designed like a chess game: the floor made of alternating black and white squares, and chess pieces arranged in a star-like formation.
On the white king's stone lay a black serpent, and no one ever questioned why it was there — on that piece specifically, and on no other.
The royal guards were positioned along the hall's outer perimeter, while inside stood the Emperor, his personal advisor, a few officials, and several army commanders.
One of them, Alex Raftor, commander of the southern army, spoke first:
> "Your Majesty, if you permit me and the council to begin —
the collapse of the northern gates is no ordinary event.
We've lost 1,400 soldiers, 250 elite troops, and 10 royal guards —
no wounded, no blood, no witnesses to tell the tale.
At the same time, the Dark Town Empire is inciting the Palace of Unity against us, accusing us of breaching their borders and entering the Forest of Shadows, where no one knows what dwells within — and from which no one ever returns."
The Emperor sighed deeply upon hearing these numbers; he hadn't expected such devastating losses, especially since the northern front held his finest warriors.
Then one of the officials — from the Forgoli family, who managed the empire's villages, trade routes, and resources — rose to speak.
Feigning fear and concern for the empire while his eyes glimmered with ambition for higher rank, he said:
> "Since I am the last member of the council yet to speak, allow me to introduce myself.
I am Prince Baston Forgoli, the only member of my family nominated for this noble seat.
As the official responsible for the villages, I request additional protection — for myself and the trade caravans leaving the villages — since, under these conditions, they will soon fall victim to banditry."
The Emperor looked at Baston in silence, then rose and walked to the window, gazing at the sky.
After a long pause, he said:
> "Tonight, we shall hold a feast in honor of the collapse."
Everyone was stunned by his words — some even laughed, thinking it was a joke — but the Emperor assured them he meant it.
He would invite all the people to attend the feast.
Baston tapped his finger on the table, eyes fixed on the chess pieces before him.
The others remained tense and confused, unsure what to think or do next.
---
Meanwhile, in the village of Kazbona — at Frank's house:
Frank sat with Dags, nothing before them but cups of water.
They stared at each other in silence until Frank spoke:
> "Two messengers in one day? Since when have we been this close to the empire?"
Dags replied, puzzled:
> "Even if there was a traitor — what kind of traitor could move this fast?
Reaching twice in less than a day?"
Frank chuckled:
> "Who said it's just one traitor?
The problem isn't about betrayal — it's that we're the weakest link, Dags.
We lack weapons, supplies... If this continues, we won't last long —
and the empire will be the first to abandon us."
Outside, Diana stood near Frank's door.
She knew her father was inside, sometimes greeting passersby who offered to help her, but she was only waiting for him.
After a while, Dags and Frank stepped out, and she greeted them.
The three began talking, unaware that an old blind woman stood at a distance, watching them with a faint smile —
her pale white eyes glimmering in the sunlight.