An audience with the King

After several more minutes of discussion and plans on how to handle the Kyusei, the next reason for this gathering began.

"Let them in."

***

The hallway was unnervingly silent as Art and the others stood outside the grand chamber, waiting.

They weren’t alone. A handful of palace guards were stationed around them, ensuring no one stepped out of line. Most of them had exhausted expressions, though they stood firm. Some were even glancing at the group with admiration.

Art couldn’t blame them. These were the people who had fought tooth and nail to protect the palace, the royal family, and, by extension, the entire kingdom. He was just… there.

His eyes drifted toward the head guard—who was notably missing an arm. He had yet to see the man after the battle, so there was no avoiding it now.

"You brat," the head guard muttered as he approached, eyeing Art like he was some unruly recruit. "You really had me worried back there."