The imperial palace was the symbol of the empire.

Inside the imperial chambers in the inner palace, Bloody bowed to the emperor and approached him. Normally, one had to keep one’s distance, kneel on a knee, and shower elaborate greetings and praises to the empire and the imperial family when meeting the emperor according to palace etiquette.

However, Bloody was one of the five people who did not have to do so. The quintet comprised the closest aides of the emperor: Prince Zantes, Prime Minister Arcanta, Court Magician and Military Commander William of the Butterfly Tribe, Marshal Orphina of the Dragon Tribe, and Marshal Bloody of the Crow Tribe.

At the emperor's side stood three of his closest aides excluding Orphina who had been sent to Demon’s Territory.

"Welcome, my dear friend, Bloody von Di Canta Blade. Thank you for defending the empire from Demon’s Territory."

The name von attached to Bloody’s name was a title for nobles and Canta was the name of the territory granted to him.

Canta was a location outside the capital and considering that it was a territory for a marquis like Bloody, it was...