The thunder outside grew louder. Each roll shook dust from the vaulted ceiling.
Kael stood before the throne, his reflection glimmering faintly in the cracked marble floor. The echo of those strange messages still hummed in his mind.
"Empire… loyalty… strength," he murmured. "Then let's see if these words mean anything."
He lifted a hand. A faint golden seal appeared in his palm—a miniature version of the empire's crest. Power gathered, fragile and uncertain, but it obeyed.
The terrified courtiers gasped. One fainted outright.
"Your Majesty, you shouldn't move," one stammered. "The healers said—"
"I wasn't asking for permission," Kael said quietly.
He reached toward the great doors at the end of the hall. Beyond them, the shouts of soldiers and the distant clash of rebellion echoed through the capital.
"System," he whispered. "Show me who still believes in their emperor."
[Accessing Loyalty Network…]
[Result: 413 Subjects remain faithful within capital walls]
[Power Available to Host: 0.3% → 0.6%]
The surge hit him like lightning. His breath caught as golden light raced across his veins. Cracks in the floor sealed. The banners rippled with sudden wind.
Kael extended his arm, and the massive doors burst open.
Outside lay a city in chaos—streets burning, mobs surging toward the palace gates. The air stank of fear and betrayal.
At the front line, a handful of guards still held their ground, shields trembling. When they saw him, their eyes widened.
"Th-the Emperor… he lives!"
Their voices spread like wildfire. The mob hesitated.
Kael stepped into the storm. His aura flared, a tidal wave of light that bathed the courtyard.
"Those who stand with their emperor," he said, voice carrying over the thunder, "shall share in his strength."
[Loyalty Surge Detected]
[Faith Resonance: Active]
[Empire Power: 0.6% → 2.1%]
A roar rose from the palace guard as their armor gleamed with the same golden light. The ground trembled.
Kael raised his hand. The divine seal in his palm expanded into a circle of radiant fire, and when he spoke again, his words rang with authority older than gods.
"Kneel—or be erased."
The rebels dropped their weapons first. Some fell to their knees, trembling. Others fled. Lightning cracked across the sky as the storm broke.
Kael lowered his arm slowly. The light dimmed, but power still hummed around him like a living thing.
He turned back toward the throne. The courtiers stared, speechless.
"Prepare messengers," Kael said. "Tell the provinces their emperor has returned."
A final chime echoed in his mind.
[Objective Progress: Empire Stabilization + 0.5%]
[Title Unlocked: The Awakening Emperor]
[Reward: Loyalty Insight I]
Kael smiled faintly, the expression calm yet sharp enough to cut stone.
"If my strength equals my people's," he whispered, eyes gleaming with reflected fire,
"then I will make the world kneel in loyalty."
The torches blazed higher, and the thunder outside bowed to silence.