(Juxta Military Base, The common mess hall, Charles's POV)
Charles burst into laughter the second he saw Soron's silhouette descend on the stream, slapping his knee with the flat of his palm as he pointed at the screen, shaking his head like he'd just watched the punchline of a joke unfold perfectly.
"Well I'll be damned… The old man actually showed up."
But the humor didn't last long.
Around him, dozens of Juxta Military Base soldiers had already dropped to their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor before the television.
Even those caught mid-meal had abandoned their trays entirely, choosing instead to bow in silence, hands clasped as they offered quiet prayers to the Divine Protector now seated upon the arena's edge.
Charles let out a slow exhale as he glanced around the mess hall.
'That's right…' he reminded himself.
For them, Soron wasn't just a man.
To them, Soron was a deity.
