Under the dim moonlight, knights with stern expressions gathered in front of the castle gate.
They were dressed in uniform black armor, and the royal crest on their chest seemed to be a pulsating flame, shimmering in the moonlight.
The Shadow Knight stood at the very front of the line, his piercing gaze slowly sweeping over everyone's faces.
"You are all the most loyal knights of Her Majesty!" the Shadow Knight declared loudly, "Now, the Empire is at its most perilous moment, a time when heroes are needed the most!
Are you willing to become these heroes, to dedicate everything for the Empire, for Her Majesty?"
Thud!
A rhythmic sound of armor being struck echoed, forming a unified response:
"We are!"
"Very well!" The Shadow Knight nodded in satisfaction, about to relay the Queen's orders, but in the next second, he suddenly froze.
Because, to his shock, he discovered an overwhelmingly powerful aura enveloping him.
