The falling golden-colored snow. Glowing with hints of holiness and purity. Each snowflake is like an elixir that could heal almost anything. It could heal an open wound, cure diseases, and illnesses, more surprisingly it had regeneration capabilities as well.
Those who were greedy for more tried to collect as much as they could but when they tried to do so it would immediately turn back to ordinary snow and melt into a puddle of water.
Someone says that it was done by the God of Light, Lucien but they couldn't explain the meaning of the snow. Some guessed that a new god must have been born. A Divinity that rules all ice and snow, the God of Winter.
In the end, all humans who have experienced that falling healing snow can only thank the miracle given to them. It took one whole week for the earthquake to calm down. But the aftermath destruction it left behind is too big for the other countries to survive. Many small counties had been demolished during the calamity and a lot of people died.
Thousands and millions of refugees had run over towards the Cloud Empire and the Kingdom of Hart. Most refugees were accepted in exchange for labor. They can be accepted in the kingdom as long as they would help with the construction and protection of the country.
Most refugees are humanoid races like the elven race, beastman race, and more. They came to a human territory asking for help as their houses had all collapsed during the earthquake.
—
On the other hand in the Divine Realm. The islands had merged into one. At the divine realm, only Avel sat at the throne alone while overlooking Neige's figure at the reflection of the Water Mirror which used to be owned by the late Mayim.
Avel commanded, "Water Mirror, show me where Mayim is."
He waited for the water mirror to respond. It moves a bit but the only reflection he can see on the water surface of the spring is his face. The water mirror can only show what the user wants to see. It could not speak to its user at all.
The new sovereign god frowned at this response. At first, it thought the water mirror was broken and decided to change the target.
"Change it to Neige's perspective instead." commended Avel.
The water surface of the spring ripples a bit before revealing Neige's reflection on it. At this moment Neige and Araysh had just finished their task and were about to return and report to their lords.
At first, Avel was delighted as soon as Neige's face appeared on the reflection of the spring but his face turns dark once Araysh suddenly appeared and held Neige's hands.
"Why are they even together in the mortal plane!?" murmured Avel as grinds his teeth in anger.
He was about to explode when saw Neige and Araysh went to a mansion and saluted three people. Avel immediately recognized the twins despite them being in their human form.
"These two… Are they… the twin gods? The heavenly will didn't eliminate them after throwing away their responsibilities!?" exclaimed Avel while suddenly standing up from his throne.
The next moment he returned his eyes at the water mirror, he met with argent irises staring straight at him. As if the owner of those eyes is currently in front of staring at him directly. Avel flinched and instinctively deactivated the water mirror as he fell back on his throne with erratic heartbeats. Mixed emotions of fear, shock, and disbelief stab his soul.
"Is the new God of Winter? I thought it was only luck when he forcefully destroyed the boundary before. Just now… Is he looking at me?" murmured Avel in surprise.
Then the voice of that man who helped him reach his current position once again spoke to him.
'He can see you. Be careful not to get caught. That man wouldn't get involved unless those twin gods were harmed. Don't forget your promise with me.'
Avel replies, "I know. I will destroy the mortal plane in exchange for you helping me get the throne."
'Good~ I will wait for it.'
—
Kingdom Hart. Main Palace.
After the situation in the kingdom had stabilized King Argus had called upon his sons to decide about the things which happened during the earthquake. The Crown Prince, Viktor Hart, and his partner, Lady Evan entered the throne room relaxed and quite well-rested.
The third prince, Elliot Hart and his partner, Lady Laurel had appeared in the place quite haggard. Not only were they locked up in their chambers for days, but their servants were also forbidden to meet them. Except for food sent to their places three times a day, they hadn't met anyone else.
Elliot thought that those were his elder brother's orders and didn't know that it was King Argus himself who ordered the people of the castle to keep him and Lady Laurel on house arrest while the rest of the people were busy protecting their land.
After Neige had spoken to King Argus and Archmage Alexis about the possibility of war against the Demon and Fallen races, the king immediately summoned his children to share the news.
King Argus spoke, "This king knew that every single one of you is busy with the clean-up. But our Guardian God had sent Lord Neige as his messenger and passed a prophecy to our kingdom."
Lady Evans spoke up, "E-Eirwen-ge sent a message. Is it because he interfered with the mortal realm that he is sending us a message." This lady thought they had implicated Eirwen Night in getting involved in saving their kingdom during the huge earthquake.
The Crown Prince, Viktor Hart, comforted her by hugging her. "It should be okay, Angie. Though Brother Neige was in a bit of a hurry to leave a while ago. He told me that everything on Brother Eirwen's side is alright."
"Prince Viktor is right, Angie. Lord Neige had explained that even if it is forbidden for Gods to get involved with the mortal realm as long as he isn't completely biased there should be no aftereffects falling onto the God of Winter," explained Archmage Alexis.
King Argus, "Your grandpa is saying the truth, Angie. According to the news from outside the kingdom, it seems that the healing snow from before had not only fallen on our kingdom but in the whole of Aerd instead. It will not be considered biased if it is done this way."
Hearing King Argus's explanation calmed Angela Evans's uneasiness. It was at this moment that the fur around her neck moved which most people noticed. Even the third prince and Lady Laurel had witnessed it move, they wanted to ask what is that around her neck when the king speaks cutting off their words.
King Argus, "Let's continue. Alexis, you explain it to them."
After taking over, Alexis started talking. "The reason you were called in here is because of the Prophecy. We were told to prepare for the demon and fallen races coming over from the abyss.
During the huge earthquake, it was verified that only the mortal lands had suffered greatly because of it. The Abyss where the demons and fallen resided was completely unaffected. It wouldn't take long for them to learn the current state of our plan. Those demons would definitely take this as an opportunity to push the mortals to the edge and pull us over for war against dark and light races.
The prophecy only says a single sentence. 'Prepare for the war.' There is no exact time when it would happen nor where it would begin. Lord Neige had already warned us about this future calamity.
You are all called here to make the preparations. The king and I would need to stay in the kingdom and defend it. The outside battles would be fought by the two princes. The Leaders are the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. The knights and soldiers would be split into two. No… You have to ask them to choose which of you they would serve.
This is a battle of life and death. It is normal for them to have a choice in which leader they would follow or not. Both would be given the title of Commander but only the one with the highest contribution would be given the opportunity to take the throne. This will be the final test."
King Argus took over and said, "This will be a battle against humans and demons. Reach out for the goal which would bring peace and contentment. My children, I will watch over you from here."
The two princes and their lady partners had saluted in response to the King's words. After the serious topic was cleared. The serious expression on King Argus's face fades and a frown replaces it instead.
"Viktor, Angie you may leave. Elliot and Lady Laurel stay," said King Argus.
Almost everyone in the room knew what the king intended to do. They sneak peek at the third prince when the words of the king had been heard. The Crown Prince and his partner didn't react much as they've longed to expect this. They bid their farewell before taking their leave with permission.
Viktor and Angela, "We bid father (Imperial Father and Grandpa) a farewell."
King Argus and Archmage Alexis nod their head to the two and watch them leave the room. As soon as they saw the two passes the door, the angered shout of King Argus could be heard behind them.
"KNEEL FOR ME! YOU UNFILIAL SON!!!"
The door closes before the rest of the words from the angered king could be heard. Viktor and Angela look at each other but walk away from the place as they talk.
Angela asked, "What do you think your brother and Lady Laurel have as punishment, Vivi?"
"The sin he had made was heard and seen by almost all the survivors. The way he treated the lives of common people as trash is something a royal family member must not do. He would definitely have a hard time getting the knights to work for him for the mission." answered the Crown Prince.
"That is also true. The problem is when would those demons attack the human villages and towns. It would be too late if we don't make preparations ahead of time." says Angela.
Viktor agreed to her words and replied, "I will make the necessary preparations here. Angie, can I ask you to go to the Empire and ask for an alliance regarding the prophecy. I'm sure they had received the same prophecy as ours."
"I will try my best. But it would be better if Big Brother Neige could lend me a hand. I would visit Eirwen-ge and the rest first. As they have permission and favor if necessary. Leave it to me, Vivi." said Angela with a smile.
The Crown Prince was truly delighted that the lady he fell in love with is not only pure and kind, but she is also strong and responsible as well. Giving her a kiss on her forehead, Viktor smiled at her.
"Angie, before we head to the battle I would like to marry you." Viktor in the middle of the hall disregarded his standing as the crowned prince of this country and kneeled on one knee before Angela Evans.
Saluting at her like a knight, he had spoken his vows, "My sword, my shield, my strength in this lifetime would be used to protect you until the last breath of my life. This is my vow as a knight to Lady Angela Evans as my master. Do you accept my love?" says Viktor.
The oath of knighthood. A knight is only able to vow to one person as his chosen one. It is synonymous with a proposal but it could also be proof of loyalty. Obviously, for this situation, it is the former.
Angela was stunned when her lover suddenly fell on one knee and spoke the oath of knighthood to her. After living in Aerd for years she already knew the importance of the Knight's Oath. This is one of the permanent vows in this World of Aerd.
When she heard Viktor speak the oath to her, Angela felt undeniable happiness coming from her heart. To her, this oath is like a serious proposal to live together for this lifetime. With tears of joy falling from her eyes, her lips hooked up showing happiness.
Angela spoke, "I do. I accept the oath!"
