After all these events, the Solaris Kingdom, which had been a bloodbath, had now become a place of suffering. The fires had begun to die down, and a thin layer of smoke still billowed into the sky.
The Solaris medical team immediately rushed into the midst of the wounded. Healing mages and healers clad in white robes moved swiftly, igniting magical lights in their hands, while other soldiers carried makeshift stretchers. Those still breathing were immediately treated; those who were lifeless were covered with cloths.
"Lift him! Carefully!"
"Quick, treat his wounds! Don't let the blood continue to flow!"
"The panicked screams mingled with the sobs that erupted around them."
Several Solaris soldiers knelt beside the bodies of their fallen comrades, closing their eyes one by one. Some wept, while others stared blankly at the ground covered with the ashes of monsters and human bodies.
Not far away, a small ceremony was about to begin. The bodies of the fallen soldiers were neatly arranged on the field. The Solaris flag—a blue-golden cloth—was placed on their chests. Commander Darius stood tall before the line of bodies, his head bowed, followed by all the remaining troops.
"The knights of Solaris, our friends, have given everything," Darius's voice was heavy and trembling. "From this night on, their names will be remembered in the light of Solaris forever."
It was silent. Only the faint crackle of the fire, still burning, and the soft cries of those left behind.
On the other side of the field, Ardyn struggled to support Kael's unconscious body. Kael's face was pale, blood still dripping from the wounds on his temple and arm. Astralis, the glowing blue sword, was now dim, almost dead, as if sleeping with its owner.
"Hang in there, Kael…" Ardyn whispered hoarsely, sweat mixed with blood dripping down his face.
A healer approached. "Quick, take him to the medical tent!"
Ardyn nodded, then carefully placed Kael on a stretcher. Three medics immediately carried him, while Ardyn walked beside them, his gaze never leaving the student he had personally taught. There was a sense of guilt—for letting Kael bear such a burden—but also pride, watching the young man stand on the front lines against the darkness.
Inside the medical tent, a bustling atmosphere filled the air. The sound of healing spells, the smell of herbal concoctions, and the glow of magic filled the air. Wounded soldiers lay in every corner, some groaning in pain, others silently enduring the pain.
Kael was placed on a special bed. The healers immediately got to work: wiping away the blood, lighting a healing magic circle on his chest, and assessing his condition.
"The wound is so deep, but he's still alive. It's amazing this boy survived," one of the healers said, shaking his head slowly.
Ardyn stood beside Kael, hoping only that he would recover quickly.
Counselor Elric arrived in the tent, his steps calm, his old face grimmer than usual. He looked down at the lying Kael and sighed deeply.
"This boy is a true warrior; I am truly impressed by him."
Ardyn couldn't help but smile.
Meanwhile outside, the sound of the bells of the Solaris Kingdom rang softly—the sound of mourning for those who had fallen, and prayers for those who still survived.
Dawn slowly swept across the Solaris sky. A golden orange glow penetrated the gaps in the smoke that still hung in the air, seeming to offer new hope after a night of destruction. But beneath the morning light, a thick atmosphere of grief still enveloped the entire kingdom.
The mourning bells ceased to ring, replaced by the sound of long horns summoning all the nobles and knights to gather in the palace's main hall.
The hall was filled with tense faces. The nobles sat in rows in their formal attire, while the surviving knights stood, their bodies covered in bandages. At the far end of the room, Commander Darius stood tall, accompanied by Advisor Elric.
The King of Solaris had not yet arrived. Only whispers and hurried footsteps could be heard, until finally the great door opened. A guard announced loudly:
"His Majesty, King Solaris, is here!"
Everyone stood and bowed their heads. The King, clad in blue-gold robes, stepped in. His face was tense, his eyes filled with inner pain. He had lost many of his subjects last night, but he could not collapse before them.
The King raised his hand. "Sit down."
Silence. Everyone sat back down.
Commander Darius took a step forward, his voice heavy.
"Your Majesty, we have defeated them. However, the monsters will surely return. But our forces are no longer capable of fighting, and if we continue fighting them like this… There is a possibility that Solaris will collapse."
Whispers filled the hall again. Some nobles looked uneasy.
Counselor Elric tapped his wooden staff lightly, calming the atmosphere.
"That's right. We can no longer rely solely on our troops. Those monsters will surely continue to come, relentless, fearless. If we continue to face them like this, we will surely only suffer more casualties."
A white-haired nobleman, Lord Varlen, spoke up anxiously.
"Then what are our options? Should we surrender to the darkness?"
Darius stomped his foot loudly. "NO. Solaris will never surrender."
Elric nodded. "Not surrender, but change. We need to find a new strategy to destroy Ravorth and his forces without sacrificing more lives."
One of the young knights, still bandaged, spoke up. "But… how, sir? Ordinary weapons are of little use against that monster. Even Astralis, powerful as it is, is wielded by only Kael. We cannot place the fate of the kingdom in the hands of one young man who even now lies wounded."
The room fell silent again. All eyes turned to King Solaris. He took a deep breath, then spoke softly but with authority.
"Then, we have only one way. That is by cooperating with the entire kingdom."
The room was once again abuzz with whispers. Several nobles exchanged glances, some in disbelief at King Solaris's decision, others showing a hint of hope.
Commander Darius stepped forward. "Your Majesty… do you mean forming an alliance with another kingdom?"
King Solaris nodded. "Yes. Until now, we have stood alone, protecting Solaris with our own blood. But since the arrival of those monsters, we can no longer do that. If we don't stop them now, this entire continent will fall into darkness. That is our only hope."
Lord Varlen looked hesitant. "But… an alliance is risky, Your Majesty. Not all kingdoms view us as allies. Some might even betray us."
Counselor Elric glared at Varlen. "It is even more dangerous if we refuse to unite. Ravorth will devour us one by one. An alliance is a difficult path… but it is our only hope."
King Solaris closed his eyes for a moment, then said in a firm voice that echoed throughout the hall:
"Starting today, Solaris will send envoys to the great kingdoms. We will ask for a treaty, unite our forces, and form one line. Together, we will end the terror of those monsters. For the people... for the kingdom of Solaris."
The nobles and knights fell silent, then slowly stood up, bowing their heads in reverence. The decision had been made—and there was no turning back.