The Laine Empire should indeed have crumbled.
Many thought so, especially after the devastating defeat in the battle of the Impure Chant, where Laine suffered a crushing loss for the first time on the battlefield.
This empire that had been so arrogant for over a thousand years, even if it worshipped the Lord of the Dawn, it was time for its sunset.
That's what everyone thought, including the Laine people themselves.
After all, the more confident and proud one is, the harder it is for them to accept defeat. This loss was more than just a blow to Laine; it struck at their very confidence.
The claim that Laine was finished persisted among the common folk.
Although the situation had not deteriorated into nationwide chaos, it had indeed affected the operation of the entire empire.
But at this time, the one who had started it all stepped forward.
