PROLOGUE 2
A Moonless Night
She was left with a sense of foreboding. Moonless nights were sure to bring ill tidings.
“…As if. How long am I gonna let a superstition like that affect me?”
The continental railroad cut across the land, and a gigantic wagon-like vehicle was racing down the highway that stretched alongside it. She was heading to the Imperial checkpoint.
With this Imperial vehicle and her counterfeit identification papers from her days in the Imperial forces, she would easily be able to pass through the border. She shouldn’t have needed to feel anxious about anything at all, yet…
“…Something feels off.”
She looked up at the night sky visible from the window. The full moon was covered by a dark, thin layer of clouds. This was the seed from which her unease sprouted. She felt apprehensive.
“Good evening, Shanorotte,” a man said from the communications device at the driver’s seat. It was someone from the Zoa, one of the Nebulis Sovereignty’s three royal families. He was Lord Mask, the current representative for the head of the household.
“I take it your evening drive is going well?”
“Good evening, Lord Mask. Yes, it’s been very pleasant. It’s so refreshing feeling the night breeze as I drive toward the horizon.”
When she heard her leader’s voice, the blond spy’s eyes quickly softened.
Shanorotte Gregory.
Though her tone seemed easygoing, she was taller than the average adult man and had a muscular build from training. She’d used these physical traits she’d been blessed with to infiltrate the Imperial forces. The operative had risen in rank and become a commanding officer, and she had fed stolen intelligence to the Zoa family all the while.
However, her identity had been exposed during the clash to secure a vortex, and she had been on her way back to the Sovereignty. Now she was here.
“I know it was a sudden request, but you have helped greatly by readily agreeing to the mission.”
Lord Mask’s voice was being carried by the evening wind coming in from the window. He sounded excited. She could almost imagine his pleased expression through the comm.
“Here is the latest report: Our Revered Founder has attacked the seventh border checkpoint. Things are progressing as planned… In fact, they are going much better than anticipated.”
“They sure are. This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of that.”
A century ago, the ancient Grand Witch had reduced the Imperial capital to a sea of flames. Her resurrection meant the entire Empire would likely be sent into a state of alarm, which was the perfect opportunity for the Zoa family.
“Kissing and I are following after her. We are nearing the Imperial border.”
“I’m familiar with the rendezvous point—very familiar, in fact.”
“That’s right. This is your time to shine, my dear Shanorotte. I’d like you to guide us.”
Shanorotte knew the Empire better than anyone. In fact, she was confident she knew more about the defense systems used at the border and within the cities than any Imperial, and that was all thanks to her time as an Imperial captain.
“The Zoa family will invade the capital as our Revered Founder attacks. And we will release the head of house as well as the rest of our kindred…correct?”
“Yes, we shall. Shanorotte, where do you believe our kindred are being held?”
“At a prison called the Divine Gallows.”
It was an underground prison that detained only witches. The iron prison did not allow a single ray of light to enter, where hundreds of witches—prisoners of war—were held from the many battles fought against the Imperial forces.
“Lady Kissing’s abilities should allow us to easily infiltrate the prison. Then we’ll be able to quickly release our imprisoned kindred to form a powerful team of reinforcements.”
“And you believe we will be able to raze the capital to the ground then?”
“Of course. I know the location of the prison, so simply leave the directions to me.”
“Magnificent.”
She heard applause.
“How wonderfully reassuring, Shanorotte. Then I shall look forward to our union.”
“But I must apologize, Lord Mask. I’m afraid I won’t reach the border until tomorrow afternoon at the rate I’m going…”
“We shall clear the path of errant Imperial forces as we wait.”
“Yes, sir.”
The comm was cut off. Only the rhythmic sound of the running engine and the gathering wind remained.
“I’m glad to know Lord Mask is in a good mood for once.”
She recalled the conversation. Though Lord Mask seemed to always wear a placid smile, it was simply strategic. The smile was never real.
But Shanorotte was sure his smile today had been genuine.
His long-awaited wish was about to come true. He was attempting to fulfill the Zoa family’s great desire to burn the Empire to the ground, and his unrestrainable joy had been clear in his voice even through the comm.
His wish would come true soon.
Once the Founder attacked the Empire, they would take advantage of the chaos and enter the capital.
……Yes.
……It really should be close at hand, yet…
Why did she feel so uneasy?
“Hmm… I guess it’s ’cause of the moon.”
On the horizon ahead, the full moon had disappeared behind the dark clouds.
She didn’t like this.
The moon was disappearing—and the greatest time to be a Zoa, the household of the moon, was overshadowed by the threatening clouds in the sky, by the clouds that seemed to foreshadow something.
“Haah… Guess what everyone says is true. I may have a large build, but my heart’s small. I can’t handle anxiety. I know, I know. I’m a little self-aware, at least.”
The highway stretched into the horizon. Shanorotte surveyed the road leading to the Empire and exhaled.
“It should be fine. Lord Mask and Lady Kissing are here, and the Revered Founder, too. No way the moon will disappear.”
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