[Silthara Palace — Grand Hallway — Later]
The palace corridors had never been this crowded. Imperial Knights hurried in every direction; messengers carried sealed orders. Priests chanted blessings before every entrance, and every face carried the same expression.
War.
The empire had entered war. Levin walked through the grand hallway, his silver robes trailing softly behind him.
Beside him...Captain Varesh. Raevahan. Lady Arinaya, whose shoulder remained tightly bandaged, and none of them slowed their pace.
"We're looking at the wrong problem."
Levin finally broke the silence; everyone looked toward him as he continued walking. "We keep asking how to defeat Azhrakaal; that isn't the question."
Silence.
"The real question...is why he refuses to stay dead."
Varesh frowned thoughtfully.
"You're right, Malika. If killing him solved everything...Lady Arinaya wouldn't have watched him stand up after his neck was crushed."
