“Let’s go.”
One of the Ainos spoke listlessly. But it wasn’t only him; the other Ainos around him also seemed to be in despair.
“I never… never thought I would have to leave my home again…”
An elderly Ainos moaned. They had experienced it once in the past, but now they had hope of regaining their old ways and living in peace. Yet all that work and effort had disappeared when the Gate opened.
“Do we really need to leave?”
Another elderly Ainos asked as the few of them turned to look at each other. A voice came from afar and made them move.
“MOVE! We are evacuating to the Magnos mines!”
“Dammit.”
The Ainos sighed and began moving.
As the Ainos began to evacuate, the news was also sent to the Magnos. However, the reaction was different from that of the Ainos.
“What about the damn monsters? We have enough food and weapons. We should fight!”
One of the middle-aged Magnos, who had a full beard, pounded the ground with his hammer and shouted. The other Magnos frowned.
‘He’s up again.’
‘I wondered why he hadn’t shown up.’
“Tanos, the signal fire is not just a warning. It’s the black one. Emperor Joonbum warned us about the black fire. Have you not learned?”
One of the other Magnos came up to Tanos to stop him.
“Yeah, I saw that, Nohran. But do you really believe that other world emperor? Don’t be foolish. We must stand and fight!”
Tanos shouted in anger, but Nohran shook his head.
“I know what you mean, but we cannot put up a fight here. The food and weapons you speak of will not last us longer than half a year. Also, the Ainos are already on the move. They are Ainos, the proud ones that never leave their home. I know what you mean, but we must evacuate.”
Tanos slammed his hammer down but did not answer. He, too, knew that the situation wasn’t something that they could deal with anymore.
“S-sir Jackson! It’s the black signal fire!”
Jackson, who was concentrating on his work, turned to the interruption. Questions filled his eyes. The only problems they had in recent days were the war and the Gate. But Joonbum and Jinpok were each on their way to solve those two issues. The war was going fine with most battlefronts being victorious. Commander Jinpok was reported to be slightly injured, but that was pretty much it.
‘Black? Is it a mistake?’
The black signal meant one thing – a global disaster. It wasn’t something that could be used by mistake as it was kept separately.
“Is it from the Gate?”
“Yes, sir.”
Jackson frowned at Todd’s answer.
‘Hectos is too far…’
Jackson thought about calling in Hectos but he was out with the expedition team in the southeastern region to hunt down monsters.
“Todd, send a message to Meletoba in the Donian Merchant Group to ready as ordered for the Black Light. It’s by the order of the Emperor.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Call in Billis Joel, Higgs Crain, Jorliado Valen, Davis Horliner…”
Jackson began reciting the names of knights. Even when the situation was unexpected, the Khalodian Empire had a well-prepared system to deal with disasters per Joonbum’s orders.
“Send messages to Galia, Dentrion, and the Benzen Kingdoms to prepare for the disaster coming down from the Khalodian Mountains.”
“Yes, sir!”
Jackson started to prepare and the Khalodian Empire began mobilizing its million soldiers for battle.