Rattling the whole capital and the neighbouring fiefs was an ear-shattering explosion. For a short moment, a factitious twilight took over the illustrious night sky. The ground shook slightly, but it was enough to startle everyone into stopping what they were doing.
Shortly thereafter, scorching airstreams swept the entire capital before an enormous blast was seen in the eastern part of the land. It was as if a volcano was spewing lava several kilometres high up in the air, followed by a dusky mushroom-like cloud.
Not for long, the spectators remained gobsmacked at what they were seeing. More than half of the inhabitants of the capital were those who had never witnessed any sort of conflict or natural disaster.
For the sake of the Imperial Family living within the capital, the entire land was enclosed in a protective barrier. The barrier also acted as a facade, both from the inside and the outside. It's almost always that picture-perfect sceneries could be seen from both sides of the barrier.
Evidently, it wouldn't do well to cover the eyes of the citizens to what ought to happen in the face of carelessness.
Only when another deafening roar was heard did the citizens run for their safety.
It was a mistake for them to accommodate their curiosity prior to fear.
Some of those who managed to react immediately had already taken refuge in their homes. There were a few who helped the people around them, might they be distraught, disabled, the elderly, or children.
The mushroom cloud grew even bigger, nearly covering the ceiling of the capital's barrier. For that kind of unnatural smoke to escape the barrier, the sorcerers from the Obelisk should be called to open one of its sections.
A minute into the explosion, a knight kicked the door to the largest office within the Huntingtton Palace. To his satisfaction, the person he came for was already preparing to receive him.
"Commander Halkias! I have received the report of the knights and soldiers nearby the explosion."
"It wouldn't hurt you to be respectful for once, Sir Reverend."
Everon Reverend quickly dismissed the irrelevant words of his commander. He then cleared his throat and began relaying the report.
"As seen by our men, the explosion happened within the vicinity of the Gertrude dukedom. Owing to the barrier erected around the estate, the smoke, fire, and shockwaves were contained up to a height of thirty meters."
Commander Vatar Halkias put down his feet that were on the table, took a stand, and walked towards the window within his office. From there, he could see the gigantic mushroom cloud. It made his head ache, knowing that the nobles would castigate them for being incautious of the capital's peace.
"I assume that the roof of the estate's barrier collapsed from the force of the explosion." Commander Halkias said with a sigh.
"Yes, because of that, some sections of the capital's barrier have been shattered. Our Knight Order, the Order of the Ghealach, was given the command to resolve this incident. I've contacted the messenger of the Obelisk ahead of visiting you."
"Is that so? They sure move fast, don't they? Well, it's not like I'm planning to turn it down."
With another sigh, deeper than ever, Halkias made his way for the door. Sir Reverend was shortly in his trail. They traversed the lamp-lit corridors of the Huntingtton Palace in a haste.
"Any casualties?"
"That's yet to be known, Commander. It's only been a few minutes. I doubt that there are, though only for the time being. The smoke will probably aggravate the symptoms of those who have respiratory problems."
Halkias then turned his head back, meeting the eyes of Reverend in the process, and asked, "What are the knights doing?"
"They're trying to redirect the smoke into the crevices of the capital's barrier. Unfortunately, they are not capable of repairing the said barrier. After all, the foundation was a Rahichna sorcerer's ability."
Subsequent to nodding, Halkias returned his attention to where he was walking. He proceeded to contemplate for a brief while before speaking again.
"Is it possible to enter the Dukedom right now?"
"As of the moment? No, Commander. The interior of the dukedom's barrier is still covered in flames. I was told that the temperature beyond the barrier was extremely hot and that even sorcerers are wary of approaching the estate."
At that point, Everon Reverend realized something. He groaned at the thought, so he decided to share the burden with Halkias.
"Commander, my esteemed mother informed me that the Duchess was supposed to be celebrating the birthday of someone, or something, I quite forgot. However, instead of inviting other nobles, the Duchess of Gertrude opted to have a celebration among her family and the Ducal staff."
There was no other explanation needed. Halkias was well aware of what Reverend was trying to say.
There were casualties, as a matter of fact, and they were all inside the Gertrude Estate. Looking at the degree of the explosion, every single one of them was beyond saving.
As they made their last turn, the two arrived at the training field of the palace. Afore them were the knights and soldiers who had been summoned in light of the incident. Halkias was greatly satisfied by the quick response time of his men.
"Regrettable evening to all of you. I believe that Sir Reverend here has only summoned the men who have time to spare."
Despite the gravity of the situation, the members of the third knight order were nothing but calm. Battle-hardened warriors, so to speak.
"We were ordered to pay a visit to the scene of the explosion in order to investigate. As usual, the knights are responsible for securing a safe route for the soldiers. Make sure to watch out for your comrades' back. I have no tolerance for complaints this time. Let us resolve this as soon as possible."
"Affirmative, Commander!" The knights and soldiers collectively answered as they gave their salutes.
Following that, they all went to the stables and procured their horses. Not long after, the clacking of hundreds of horse hooves echoed louder than the screams of the horrified citizens.
Soon, they reached the vicinity of the Gertrude Dukedom.
No matter how much they had prepared themselves, the overwhelming feeling of dread was still able to pierce their orbs of courageousness.