Ardyn slowly stood from his chair. His gaze briefly returned to the weak Kael, then he stepped out of the medical room.
The long palace corridor greeted him with morning sunlight shining through the tall glass windows. Each step Ardyn took sounded heavy, as if carrying the weight of the fate he had just conveyed to Kael.
As soon as he stepped out into the courtyard, Ardyn looked up. The sky stretched wide, bright blue with a thin layer of clouds. But to Ardyn, the sky felt different—as if concealing a great storm that was about to come.
His hand was raised, gripping the hilt of the sword at his waist. His face was stern, but deep inside he was gripping a thought he couldn't express.
"Will we all be able to endure this suffering?"
The sound of swords clanking and the shouts of knights training could be heard in the distance. Solaris never sleeps, especially after that night's events. Everyone knew the coming days would determine whether their kingdom would survive… or be destroyed.
Ardyn took a deep breath, then stepped toward the strategy room. He knew Darius and Elric were surely waiting to plan their next move. But before that, he took one last look at the clear sky, hoping that Solaris would find a way out of all its obstacles.
With determined steps, Ardyn left the palace grounds. Above, crows circled, as if signaling an impending sacrifice in Solaris' territory.
The heavy wooden door of the strategy room opened, creaking softly as Ardyn pushed it open. The scent of burning candles filled the room. In the center of the room stood a large table, covered with a sprawling world map.
Commander Darius was standing beside the table, his gaze sharp. On the other side, Elric sat with a wooden cane near his chair, his slender fingers moving slowly over the map, pointing out important landmarks.
"Ardyn," Darius greeted briefly, his voice deep. "We were waiting for you."
Ardyn nodded, then stepped closer. His eyes fell on the map, which had small flags planted in various regions. Solaris in the south was red, surrounded by danger signs in every direction.
Elric pointed to the map of the north.
"Ardelia. Land of steel. Their warriors are invincible in land battle, they are a formidable people. If we want to establish a partnership with Ardelia, we need to provide guarantees so Ardelia knows Solaris can be trusted."
continuing east.
"Nerathis. Ruled by a vast ocean." Their fleet could protect our trade routes. However, they are known for their calculation—everything must be balanced against their own interests. Without that, the Nerathis will not cooperate with us."
He then shifted his gaze west.
"Eryndor. An ancient forest kingdom. They are wise, but also secretive. Forest explorers say their druids can summon the forces of nature. If Eryndor cooperates with us, the monsters will not dare set foot in this kingdom of Solaris."
Finally, his staff tapped the center of the map.
"And here is Valoria. The land where the kings swore to maintain the balance of the world. If Valoria sides with us, the other kingdoms will be forced to reconsider their decision."
There was a moment of silence. Only the crackling of torches on the walls.
Darius clenched his fist against his chest.
"However, each kingdom also fears the opening gates of hell. They can see Solaris as a protector… or as a disaster. Our job is to ensure their trust in us."
Ardyn sighed, staring deeply at the map. "It looks like this journey will be much harder than I imagined. But there's still one thing on my mind: should Kael really be involved in this?"
Elric closed his eyes briefly, then replied, "Yes, he's our only hope. With him and the Astralis sword by his side, it might make it easier for us to cooperate with other kingdoms. But until he's ready, the three of us must carry the name of Solaris first."
Darius nodded firmly. "Starting tomorrow, we'll set off. And tonight we'll prepare the necessary supplies."
Ardyn looked at the two of them, then back at the map. Five kingdoms, five different destinies, and in the middle of it all—Solaris stood on the brink of destruction.
Meanwhile, in the medical room of Solaris Palace, the white curtains swayed gently in the breeze from the window, and a calm settled over the room. Sunlight fell softly onto the rows of beds where the knights were still being treated.
Kael lay quietly, his eyes staring at the ceiling. Pain still pierced his body, but his mind was beginning to clear. In the bed next to him, a young warrior with a bandaged right arm smiled at him.
"You survived too, huh?" the warrior said softly. "I thought no one from the vanguard would make it back that night."
Kael turned his head slowly. His voice was hoarse, but a hint of a smile appeared.
"I thought so too… but it turns out fate still gave me a chance."
The physician, who was grinding herbs, approached and placed a small bowl of warm water on the table beside Kael. "Don't waste a second chance, my boy. There are many people here who aren't as fortunate as you."
An elderly knight at the end of the bed chimed in, his voice deep but kind.
"I fought on the borders of Solaris twenty years ago. This wound—" he lifted his limping leg, "—was enough to make me stop fighting. But look, I'm still here, telling stories for the next generation."
Kael listened silently, then asked, "What do you remember most from those days?"
The old knight chuckled, though a cough followed.
"What I remember most? The laughter of our comrades at camp, even though we knew we might die tomorrow. But at least their courage is what keeps me standing today."
The young warrior beside Kael chimed in, "I'm different. I want to survive for my family. If I die, who will look after them?"
The conversation flowed easily, though mixed with pain and bitter memories. The healer added herbs to the boiling water, a warm aroma spreading, calming the room.
Kael listened to all the stories, from the young warrior who missed his family, the old knight who lived in memories with his comrades, to the healer who had lost many loved ones but remained steadfast.
Kael finally whispered softly, more to himself than to anyone else.
"Then... perhaps my task isn't just to fight. But to learn from the stories of the warriors who experienced the bitterness of life before me."
Those listening didn't respond, preoccupied with their own wounds and conversations. But Kael told himself it was time for him to rise above this destruction.