Fallen Radiance

Inside the chamber of Ophelia's Palace, the atmosphere is as subdued as ever, with reliefs on the golden dome depicting the glory of the angelic camp, and black and white checkerboard lines on the floor symbolizing the royal balance of power.

The third prince, Kane Ophelia, stood in the middle of the hall, dressed in light dark armour, his eyes cold and firm. In front of him, the emperor sat on his throne, holding his scepter in both hands, his eyes deep and a little impatient.

"Father," Kane began, in a low but earnest voice, "I ask you to grant me the Mirror of Judgment of the Light."

The emperor's brow wrinkled slightly, and his eyes showed a trace of doubt: "The mirror of the judgment of the holy light? As you know, Kane, this hallowed artifact is a symbol of the angelic camp, and an important tool for determining the infiltration of the demon camp. Why do you have such a request?"

Kane looked the Emperor straight in the eye and said, "That's why I need it." I have reason to suspect that Brother Renaud may have fallen under the influence of Demonic forces. It is not just the reputation of the royal family that is at stake, it could threaten the stability of the empire."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a sudden silence in the whole chamber. Several ministers standing on either side of each other looked at each other with shock and unease on their faces.

The Emperor sneered, with a hint of dignified mockery in his voice. "Kane, what nonsense are you talking about? Raynor was a champion of the Angels' camp and one of the pillars of the future of the Empire. You suspect him of being involved with the demon camp?"

"It is because he is a pillar of the future that any anomaly cannot be ignored." Kane replied in a deep voice. "Father, I am not aimless. I have found traces of demonic forces in the remains of the frontier, and these forces are highly consistent with the area where Reno had ordered the suppression."

The Emperor's face grew cold, and there was a clear frown in his eyes. "Kane, do you know how serious your accusation is? If you can't produce solid evidence, you will only create unnecessary division in the Empire by randomly doubting members of the royal family."

Unflinching, Kane continued: "Father, I don't need to denigrate Renault. He is my brother, and I hope he continues to lead the Empire into the light. But the fact cannot be ignored, if he is indeed infected by the demon camp, then he is the greatest danger to the Empire. The Judging Mirror of the Light can prove his innocence, and if he is not guilty, I am willing to bear all the consequences."

The emperor rose slowly, the scepter in his hand on the ground slightly, the crisp voice echoed in the entire chamber.

"Kane," said the Emperor in a low voice, with irresistible authority, "you have always been known for your reason and calmness, but your conduct today has disappointed me. Are you questioning the royal family or are you questioning my judgment?"

"I didn't question you." Kane's voice remains calm, "But as a member of the royal family, I have a responsibility to ensure the purity of the empire." I ask you to believe that my request is not for Renault, but for the whole Empire."

The Emperor was silent for a moment, looked deeply at Kane, and then shook his head. "No, I will not give you the Judgment Mirror of the Light. This is not only because your suspicions are unfounded, but also because such behaviour undermines the unity of the royal family."

His voice grew colder: "The power of the demonic camp is everywhere, but our royal family has never been eroded by it." Reno is my son and the right-hand man of the Angels' camp, and your doubts will only make the world laugh."

Kane's fists were clenched, his chest burning with anger and frustration, but his expression remained calm: "Father, if Renault is really innocent, then why not let him be tested?"

'That's enough! The Emperor raised his voice sharply, and there was a flash of anger in his eyes. "Kane, your duty is to help your brother, not to stir up unprovoked strife. That's enough for today. I don't want to hear any more accusations like that."

Kane raised his head and looked directly at the emperor without flinching: "As you wish, I shall not mention it again." But I want my father to remember that everything I do, I do for the empire."

The Emperor made no further reply, but turned away, leaving Kane alone in the middle of the chamber. His fists were clenched and his eyes flashed with pain and unwillingness.

Kane went back to his study and closed the door. He felt a mixture of anger and frustration. He knew that his request had been thoroughly rejected, but his doubts did not go away.

He stood at the window and looked across the high wall of the palace into the distance. His mind flashed over Reno's recent behavior: the increasingly cold face, the ambiguous orders, and the unusual signs of the frontier battlefield.

"If Reno is really infected..." Kane muttered, with a gleam of determination in his eyes. "One way or another, I must find the truth."

His hand slowly rested on the desk, where a letter from the border lay quietly. It was a secret message he had sent, which mentioned a demonic mark called the "Blood Shadow Score", which was said to identify those who had been contaminated by the forces of the demonic camp.

"Since the hallows are not available, we must rely on ourselves." Kane whispered, a determined light burning in his eyes.

The night at the palace was still quiet, but the undercurrent had begun to swell. In this game of strength and faith, Kane clearly knows that his enemy is not only Renault, but also the darkness hidden behind the power.