"Then, I'll leave now," Leon said firmly.
With that, he tightened the saddle and urged his mount, which immediately galloped toward the capital's large gates.
...
Meanwhile, in the throne room, Velix stood before the throne, lifting the Seven-Crystal Aurora Magic Staff high.
The seven crystals atop his staff gleamed with a brilliant, multicolored light, sending radiant rays toward the black-cloaked man at the bottom of the stairs, who held a pitch-black orb in both hands.
Velix's eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on the orb, and their earlier conversation replayed in his mind.
***
"So, can you explain your plan to defeat the rebel army surrounding the capital? I want to hear it from you directly, so I can calm down," Velix asked indifferently, his tone cold.
The black-cloaked man grinned faintly, reached into his robe pocket, and pulled out a palm-sized pitch-black crystal orb.
