The royal capital was in complete chaos.
The alarm bells echoed through every street.
Citizens hurried inside their homes as royal knights rushed through the city.
War preparations had begun.
Inside the royal palace courtyard, hundreds of armored knights stood in formation.
Their armor reflected the torchlight of the night.
Captain Leon stood in front of them.
"The Void Cult has begun their second ritual."
His voice was loud and clear.
"If we allow them to finish it…"
"The Void Guardian will fully awaken."
The knights tightened their grips on their weapons.
Leon raised his sword.
"Tonight we march to Velkar Temple."
"For the kingdom!"
The soldiers shouted together.
"For the kingdom!"
Meanwhile—
high above the courtyard balcony—
Saksham watched the army prepare to leave.
The dark storm above the northern mountains continued growing.
He could feel the monster's presence clearly now.
It was stronger than before.
Much stronger.
Orion stood beside him quietly.
"You're thinking about going there, aren't you?"
Saksham didn't deny it.
"The system wants me to stop the ritual."
Orion raised an eyebrow.
"So it really gave you that objective."
Saksham nodded.
"Yes."
"But I know I'm not strong enough yet."
Orion looked toward the marching knights.
"Even the royal army might struggle against that monster."
Saksham clenched his fists.
Inside his mind, the system activated again.
SYSTEM MESSAGE
Main Quest Updated
Event: The Shadow Awakens
Objective:
Stop the Second Ritual
Void Guardian Awakening:
54%
Critical Stage at:
75%
Saksham whispered quietly.
"If it reaches seventy-five percent…"
Orion finished the sentence.
"The situation becomes much worse."
Just then—
the king himself stepped into the courtyard below.
King Veerendra looked at his army.
His voice carried across the entire palace.
"Protect the kingdom."
"Stop the cult."
Captain Leon saluted.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Moments later—
the royal knights began their march toward the northern mountains.
Torches lit the dark road as the army disappeared into the night.
Saksham continued watching from the balcony.
The storm in the distance grew darker.
Inside the underground temple—
the ritual circle burned with dark energy.
The cultists continued chanting.
The Void Guardian's body expanded with power.
The cult leader opened his glowing eyes.
"Ah…"
"The kingdom's army is finally coming."
He smiled calmly.
"Good."
"Let them witness the birth of the new age."
The monster behind him slowly roared again.
And this time—
the roar echoed all the way to the capital.
To be continued…