When the King entered the palace, the soldiers in the courtyard knelt.
No one spoke.
Only the faint clatter of armor echoed — caused by trembling, fearful hands.
The King's face was pale as chalk.
He quickened his pace and threw open the doors of the throne hall.
> "High Priest Rael! Where is he!?"
Rael immediately bowed and stepped forward.
The King grabbed him by the collar.
> "That cursed demon… before dying, he destroyed the shield!
The blessing that protected us for a thousand years — gone in a single strike!
How is this possible, Rael? Why did Mikail allow this!?"
Rael lowered his head, his voice trembling.
> "Your Majesty… perhaps this is Mikail's silence.
The blessing wasn't taken from us… we lost it ourselves."
The King slammed his fist on the table.
> "We lost it!?
The people are weeping in the streets, the Aurora fades,
and even the soldiers' prayers bring no light!
What am I to tell them, Rael? 'Your god has abandoned you'?"
Rael took a deep breath.
> "No, Your Majesty. Mikail never abandons.
But when faith weakens, light withdraws.
If the people all pray together…
If they gather at Mikail's altar… perhaps the light will return."
The King fell silent for a moment, fear and fury mingling in his eyes.
> "So you're telling me to beg for a miracle."
Rael lifted his gaze.
> "I'm telling you to hope.
If we all pray together before Mikail's Spear…
He will hear us once more.
He will not forsake us."
The King turned away.
Outside the window, the sky was already growing dark.
> "Give the order," he said at last.
"All citizens are to gather.
Tonight, a ceremony will be held at Mikail's altar.
The shield must return — no matter the cost."
Rael bowed.
> "As you command, Your Majesty."
The King turned back, his voice cold and unyielding:
> "If Mikail does not answer us…
then this kingdom no longer deserves any light."