The Weight of Truth

"We will die."

Tokugawa Ieyasu's voice drew Rui's attention. 

It was stoic and calm despite his ominous words.

Rui's dark eyes shifted towards him with a powerful gaze.

"…Then we'll die fighting."

A profound serenity took over the air as the two young men gaze out into the landscape stretching outside the Kandrian Empire from atop the border wall.

They experienced a profound sense of peace in the inevitability of what was to come even as the lands beneath them tremored and shook from the devastating battle of seventy-five Martial Sages.

RUMBLE

"Your Highness…! The preparations are complete!" An official of the Kandrian Border Patrol Force appeared, saluting the prince of the nation. "The Apocalypse-class long-range heavy artillery and the Sage-level corps are both ready! We will discharge our duties to protect the Kandrian Empire, no matter what!"