[A/N: Hello there~]
...
The empire had been restless in recent days.
Rumors of a greater ruin had spread like wildfire, unsettling the hearts of both commoners and nobles alike. Though the ruin itself lay near the empire's distant borders, far from the safety of the central states, its mere existence sent ripples of unease through the land.
The streets were alive with anxious murmurs, flickering lanterns casting elongated shadows as merchants and travelers huddled in quiet conversation.
Some talked of the ancient treasures hidden deep within, relics of an age long forgotten, their powers beyond mortal comprehension. Others spoke in hushed, fearful tones, warning of the horrors that lurked inside, waiting for the foolish and the greedy to step into their domain.
