The light faded, leaving a haze of smoke and ozone.
Before the throne, the newly-summoned warrior knelt on one knee, his armor still crackling with blue fire.
"Storms obey your call, Majesty," the spirit said, voice like rolling thunder.
"I am Valen the Stormblade. What empire do you command me to raise from dust?"
Kael Veyrion rose from the throne. The cracked marble groaned beneath his boots.
A faint glow threaded his veins; the strength of the realm hummed through his body.
"Mine," he answered simply. "And soon—the world's."
[First Hero Bound – Loyalty 100 %]
[Power + 10 000 → Total 2 153 871]
The system's voice rang like a bell through the hall. The courtiers gasped; some crossed themselves, others shrank behind pillars. A few bolted for the doors.
Kael's gaze snapped toward them.
"Seal the exits."
Valen raised a hand. Lightning speared across the archway, molten gold sealing every path with a hiss. The nobles froze.
Kael descended the steps one by one.
"You watched this empire rot. You feasted while your soldiers starved. Now hear your emperor's first decree."
"Kneel—and swear your souls to me. Or stand, and be erased from the history of Veyrion."
For a heartbeat, silence.
Then an old minister collapsed first, trembling. One after another followed—robes whispering, jewels clattering to the floor. Each impact of a knee sent ripples of light across the marble.
[Faith + 1 % … 2 % … 3 %]
[Empire Strength + 25 000]
Power throbbed through Kael's chest; every vow was a spark feeding a storm.
A single voice dared to rise.
"Your Majesty—this is madness!" Duke Halren's face twisted with hate. "You are no emperor, only a corpse wearing his crown!"
Kael didn't flinch.
"Then you've chosen."
He lifted his hand.
[Skill Unlocked: Imperial Decree — Smite the Traitor]
Thunder answered.
A column of light swallowed the duke; when it vanished, only a blackened mark remained on the floor.
[Faith + 10 % | Morale + 15 %]
The hall erupted—not in panic, but in awed silence. Kael's voice carried through the smoke like prophecy.
"This is the first oath of loyalty. Break it, and the heavens themselves will enforce my rule."
He turned to Valen.
"Marshal, gather what remains of our armies. Tomorrow, we march to reclaim the heartland."
Valen struck his chestplate in salute.
Lightning flared once more, reflecting in Kael's eyes—bright as dawn over a reborn empire.
[Quest Progress: Reforge the Empire of Gods – 1 % Complete