76 West

Arondine smolders after days of fire, its castle reduced to ruin. Though Hyll Sanctuary is damaged, part of it stands, and the survivors gather as Glorian Berethnet rides through the ash toward an ancient throne. A distant, chilling voice brushes Glorian’s waking mind, but she presses on to the Arch Sanctarian.

Before the assembled people, the Arch Sanctarian places a spiked war crown upon Glorian, proclaiming her Glorian Shieldheart, Queen of Inys and head of Virtudom. The crowd kneels, and Glorian steps back into the ruined city’s light to address them.

Glorian frames the crisis as unlike any conventional war, warning that steel and shields cannot best the sickness or the iron-hided foes. She counsels prudence and patience, arguing that true courage requires temperance and saving strength for the right moment.

Turning to hope and duty, Glorian vows that if steel is ever required, she will summon them to battle—and, in return, promises the protection of the royal line. She declares she carries a daughter, Sabran, seventh of that name, to keep the Nameless One chained. The people erupt in triumph, chanting “Shieldheart,” while Prince Guma watches her.

Even as the title takes hold and morale rises, the faint voice returns to Glorian’s thoughts—“Only one of us will live that long”—casting a shadow over her pledge and the fragile, hard-won resolve of Inys.