The announcement was made immediately.
From the capital…
To the farthest borders of the Empire…
Within a single day, the news had reached nearly every corner.
"The Emperor is dead?!"
"Is that true?!"
Shock!
Disbelief!
Confusion!
At first, many refused to believe it.
How could they?
Just months ago, the Emperor had appeared healthy, and it was said that he had recovered.
And now the opposite was being said.
Yet now—being an official decree—even those who didn't believe had to accept it.
With this being announced to every city, town, and even village, there was no room for doubt.
In the capital, crowds gathered in the streets.
Voices overlapped endlessly as everyone discussed the death of their Emperor.
Many mourned.
Incense burned in homes.
Prayers were offered.
Heads were lowered in respect.
To them, the Emperor—regardless of his flaws—was still the ruler who had held the Empire together.
A symbol of stability.
But not everyone felt the same.
