Rathlos's grip on the document tightened slightly, and the faint crackle of energy around him did not fade as he continued reading. The paper was not just a simple report, because it carried the seal of the Imperial Court, and every word written on it held authority.
The declaration was formal and absolute.
At the very top, the imperial insignia was stamped in deep crimson, and below it, bold lines of text stretched across the page.
[Imperial War Declaration Report Vanguard Collapse Incident]
The first lines summarized the event without emotion, and the tone remained cold and detached.
The Human Vanguard Force, which had been leading the advance into Demon territory, suffered a catastrophic defeat during a coordinated enemy ambush. The loss included multiple high-ranking officers, elite troops, and support divisions. Estimated casualties exceeded hundreds of thousands, and surviving forces were scattered and in disarray.
