The venue was starting to fill.
I could see a lot of familiar faces entering the place. Be it those from this Empire, or those from other Empires.
Nobody appeared to want to miss this announcement.
"H-hoo."
Taking a steady breath, I forced myself to calm down. My gaze lingered on my arm, the faint sting still present, before shifting to the knife next to me. The blood still stained its sharp end as the cut on my arm slowly began to heal.
I leaned back on the chair, feeling the lingering pain at the back of my head.
I wasn't doing this because I wanted to.
This step was something that I had to do. It was necessary.
"...I should be recovered enough."
Swiping my hand and putting everything away, I stood up, staggering a couple of steps before collecting myself. Turning towards the nearest mirror, I looked at my own reflection and paused.
'I look like shit.'
With my hair plastered to my forehead and my complexion unusually pale, I looked dreadful.
