Inside the grand palace at the heart of the Jade Dominion's capital, the structure shimmered with an opulent glow, its golden façade radiating under the sunlight.
The towering pavilions surrounding it were adorned with intricate silver plating and gold linings, their surfaces catching the light in dazzling flashes.
The palace stood as a symbol of power, its dense, multi-layered architecture reflecting the complex identities of the empire it represented.
"Kugh!—Thud, haah...haah…" A woman crumpled to the ground, her body writhing in agony as she clutched her stomach. Blood trickled from her lips, staining her chin crimson, while her clouded eyes struggled to focus through the haze of pain.
Her sword, shattered into two jagged pieces, lay discarded beside her, its once-gleaming blade now dull and lifeless.
