Hal inevitably looked the emperor's way due to the despairing voices of the Imperial Guards.
Time seemed to stop at that moment.
Everyone was busy dealing with their opponents, and Barras, the only one who was in a position to defend the emperor, had already been killed by Kurava.
Humanity's hope was about to be snuffed out, and the humans were powerless to stop it.
…Until time quite literally stopped for everyone in the Aetherforth Arena—expressions and movements frozen.
No one could move, except for a silver-haired dude who hummed a jolly tune as he leisurely scanned his eyes over everyone from atop the spired roof of the elevated platform, lingering at Hal for a moment before descending.
The emperor's grim situation was then revealed to the young man.
