When the king entered the palace, the soldiers in the courtyard dropped to their knees one by one.
No one spoke.
The only sound was the faint scraping of armor—even that, caused by trembling hands.
The king's face was pale.
But his eyes…were anything but calm.
He quickened his steps.
With a single motion, he pushed open the doors of the throne hall.
"High Priest Rael!""Where is he?!"
Rael stepped forward immediately.
He bowed deeply.
But when he raised his head… his eyes were steady.
The king closed the distance in an instant.
He grabbed Rael by the collar.
Hard.
"That demon… destroyed the barrier before it died!""A thousand years of blessing… gone in a single strike!"
His breath grew harsh.
His grip tightened.
"How is this possible, Rael?""Why did Mikail allow this?!"
Rael lowered his head.
But his voice… was more controlled than expected.
"Your Majesty…""Perhaps… this was not something that was allowed."
A brief pause.
"Perhaps… we simply failed to hold onto that light."
The king's gaze sharpened.
His grip did not loosen.
"Speak clearly."
Rael slowly lifted his head.
This time, he met the king's eyes.
"Sometimes…" he said in a low voice,"a human tries to decide in place of God."
Silence.
"And in that moment…""the blessing withdraws."
The king froze.
His hand slowly slipped from Rael's collar.
"So you're saying…"
His voice was lower now.
Heavier.
"…this is my fault?"
He took a step back.
Darkness filled his eyes.
"That spear I took into my hands…""What I did to save this kingdom…"
He clenched his teeth.
"…I destroyed everything?"
Rael did not answer.
But his silence…was heavier than any words.
The king suddenly turned.
His fist slammed into the table.
"We had no other choice!"
His voice filled the hall.
"The people are crying in the streets!""The sky itself is darkening!"
He lifted his head.
His eyes looked almost unhinged.
"What am I supposed to tell them, Rael?"
His voice cracked with fury.
"That their god has abandoned them?!"
Rael took a deep breath.
This time, his tone was softer.
But more dangerous.
"No, Your Majesty.""Mikail does not abandon."
A brief pause.
"But people… can lose the light."
He stepped forward slowly.
"When faith weakens…""the blessing withdraws."
The king said nothing.
"But…" Rael continued,"if the people kneel once more…""if they pray as one…"
His eyes glimmered.
"Mikail will hear us again."
The king turned his head.
He looked toward the window.
The sky…was truly darkening.
A long silence followed.
Then—
"So you're telling me… to beg for a miracle."
Rael lowered his head.
"I am telling you… there is still hope."
The king closed his eyes.
For a brief moment.
Then opened them.
Now… he was resolute.
"Give the order.""All citizens will gather.""Tonight… we hold a ritual at Mikail's altar."
His voice hardened.
"The dome will return."
A short pause.
"…no matter the cost."
Rael bowed.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The king turned.
He walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
He didn't look back.
But his voice… was cold.
"If Mikail does not answer us…"
A brief silence.
"…then this kingdom…"
His eyes darkened.
"…was a lie from the very beginning."
The hall…fell into absolute silence.