The flickering candlelight cast soft glows across the wooden table inside the small inn room.
Rain tapped gently on the window as Kai and Zac leaned over a large parchment map that sprawled across the tabletop. Towns, borders, and insignias were marked in careful ink—each one representing a realm or power that shaped this world.
"So they're even an independent country, huh? Like… the Holy Kingdom?" Kai asked, tracing a line across the eastern territory.
Zac nodded, pulling out a second piece of parchment filled with notes and reports. "Yeah. The Holy Kingdom isn't under the rule of any empire or royal family.
They follow the god Elyon, and from all the information I've gathered… they have a strong alliance with King Victor."
Kai looked up. "So they're cool with the Royal Kingdom?"
"Seems like it," Zac said, leaning back in his chair. "From what I've heard, their relationship is stable, even friendly.
And we should hope it stays that way because their army is just as powerful—maybe even stronger—than the Royal Kingdom's."
Kai exhaled slowly.
"I see. Alright, break it down for me. Who runs the place?"
Zac tapped the map on a location marked with a golden sun. "The one at the top is Pope John.
He's the head of the church and the ruler of the Holy Kingdom. A man in his seventies, but don't let that fool you—he's sharp. The people follow his every word.
He doesn't fight, but he's their most respected strategist. Word is, no one's dared mess with them because of how well he's planned their defenses. He's a spiritual and political genius."
Kai nodded. "A brain behind the brawn. Got it."
"Then there's the Saint," Zac continued. "Her name is Neviah. She's just 21, but she's the official proxy of Elyon.
That means she's the god's chosen vessel. From what I've read, she was an orphan, just a nobody… until one day Elyon appeared to her and bestowed his divine blessing.
Since then, she's been leading their Holy Knights."
Kai tilted his head. "She sounds kind of amazing.
What does she look like?" "Golden hair that shines like sunlight, gold eyes that seem to hold Elyon's light in them," Zac said, flipping to a sketch of her from an old manuscript.
"She's as graceful as she is powerful. But don't let her looks fool you—she's a battle-hardened warrior and has been on the front lines since she was a teenager.
Anything combat-related goes through her. She commands armies and leads them herself."
Kai let out a low whistle. "A saint and a general. No wonder people follow her."
"And then there's Mikael," Zac said, voice lowering with respect.
"He's not your typical holy knight. He used to be a swordsman, just a normal man. One day, his village was attacked, and he protected it all by himself. Fought until his body gave out.
He lost his eyesight during that battle… but when he was on his deathbed, Elyon blessed him with the power of an Archangel."
Kai blinked. "An actual Archangel?"
"Yeah. He's blind, but don't be fooled. He's terrifying in battle."
Zac began listing his powers as he pointed to his notes:
Moon Style: A combat technique that draws power from the moon. Mikael can channel this energy to perform devastating, graceful strikes with his katana.
Blind Faith: His unwavering trust in his god and instincts grants him uncanny strength and accuracy.
Archangel's Sense: He senses everything—enemies hiding, attacks coming, even the emotions of those around him.
Katana Mastery: He wields his blade with such precision that even the top-ranked warriors respect him.
Enhanced Hearing and Smell: He tracks foes with sound and scent, turning his blindness into an advantage.
Intuition: Perhaps his greatest gift—he moves before danger strikes, acting on divine instinct.
"He's got long white hair, piercing blue eyes… and the kind of calm that makes everyone else quiet around him," Zac added.
"He used to be the executioner for the Holy Kingdom. Now? He teaches his techniques to two successors—Kevin, the current executioner, and Ariel, who guards Pope John."
Kai leaned in. "That's wild. So they're stacked even without their army."
"That's not even all," Zac said. "They've got the Seven Heavenly Virtues—elite warriors blessed by Elyon himself.
Each one represents a divine trait."
Zac flipped through his notes again and read aloud:
Knight Commander Eclipse – Virtue: Humility
Armor weathered by battle, short grey hair, deep brown eyes.
Powers: Shadow Walk, Lunar Cycle healing, Selfless Sacrifice, Leadership Aura.
She leads from the front, always puts her comrades before herself.
Knight Lieutenant Aria – Virtue: Kindness
Bright yellow curls, blue eyes full of joy, armor with flowers.
Powers: Soothing Melody, Nature's Nurture, Empathic Touch, Joyful Aura.
She heals and uplifts, nurturing everyone around her.
Knight Lieutenant Cassius – Virtue: Patience
Long brown hair, green eyes, calm and serene.
Powers: Empathic Calm, Nature's Harmony, Insightful Gaze, Enduring Resolve.
He's the eye of the storm, wise and dependable.
Knight Sergeant Nova – Virtue: Diligence
Short fiery red hair, blazing eyes, armor of gears and steel.
Powers: Industrious Might, Innovative Insight, Tireless Endurance, Forge Mastery.
Never stops working, building, fighting. She's the soul of their war effort.
Knight Lieutenant Luna – Virtue: Charity
Silver hair, soft blue eyes, delicate armor with starlight motifs.
Powers: Healing Embrace, Empathic Link, Starlight Blessing, Compassionate Aura.
Her presence alone brings peace. She heals body and spirit alike.
Knight Captain Orion – Virtue: Temperance
Brown hair, brown eyes, armor that shifts between light and shadow.
Powers: Balance Beam, Adaptation, Harmony Sense, Elemental Synthesis.
A tactician with wisdom and composure, perfectly in tune with his surroundings.
Knight Commander Aurora – Virtue: Chastity
Radiant silver-blonde hair, star-like eyes, silver armor with celestial engravings.
Powers: Radiant Aura, Healing Grace, Shield of Chastity, Starlight Strike.
She's Neviah's right hand—devoted, powerful, pure.
Kai sat back, overwhelmed. "That's… a lot. They're like a divine army."
"They are," Zac said simply. "And they've never lost a battle. The Holy Kingdom isn't just a country.
It's a beacon. A symbol of divine authority. Anyone who crosses them answers to Elyon himself."
Kai looked back down at the map, a new weight settling on his shoulders. "Let's hope we never have to face them."
Zac nodded. "Let's hope we're on the same side."