Twilight settled over the desolate wilderness, cloaking it in a dead silence.
Nearly a thousand soldiers of the Golden Valley Kingdom stood like bronze statues, silent in the deepening night.
The coarse, bronze-colored stripes on their armor absorbed the last of the daylight, giving off a cold and oppressive aura.
The air seemed to freeze. Only the howling, cold wind stirred the withered grass and the frayed nerves of every man present.
The two sides faced each other in a silent standoff on the open ground, the murderous atmosphere nearly suffocating.
Just then, the clear, slow sound of clapping abruptly shattered the dead silence.
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP...
The applause came from deep within the army's formation, carrying a mocking and arrogant rhythm.
As the sound rang out, the tight formation parted neatly to either side like a living stream of bronze, opening up a path.
A man in lavish attire, a fine fur shawl draped over his shoulders, slowly walked out.
"Auston..."
