The grand hall of Notchollow is filled with the symbols of the Six Continents hanging upon towering stone walls. The emblems of Gaelvorn, Nimurelle, Ilgnisar, Zepharia, Solcendria, and Notchollow line the chamber in a circular formation. A large round table stands at the center, with six principal seats now fully occupied.
Security is tightened. Armed soldiers stand at every entrance. No external guests are permitted to approach.
The rulers of Gaelvorn, Ilgnisar, Zepharia, Nimurelle, and Solcendria are present in person. From Notchollow, the Northern Continent is represented by a Marshal, as the region has yet to appoint a legitimate sovereign following its recent leadership crisis.
The atmosphere is tense even before the assembly formally begins.
The King of Gaelvorn rises from his seat and steps into the center of the circular table. All eyes turn toward him.
"The Assembly of the Six Continents begins," he declares firmly. "Today's primary agenda is the prevention of the Ancient War predicted to occur once again."
No one interrupts.
"We have received official reports from various academies," he continues. "The explosion in the Notchollow Sea is not a natural phenomenon. The emergence of the entity referred to as the Sun has been confirmed."
The Queen of Ilgnisar folds her arms. "And that threat can only be prevented if the crystal is surrendered," she states.
The King of Zepharia nods. "The holder of the crystal is the core of the problem. Without the crystal, the Sun has no reason to move."
The Marshal of the Northern Continent speaks in a heavy voice. "The Enemy of the World must surrender. That is the only rational path."
The King of Gaelvorn draws a long breath before speaking again.
"I do not agree."
The chamber falls silent at once.
He stands upright in the center of the circle. "I openly declare that I will stand on the side of the one you call the Enemy of the World."
Several chairs shift abruptly.
"What do you mean?" asks the King of Solcendria sharply.
"My meaning is clear," the King of Gaelvorn replies. "The individual who holds the crystal is not the enemy of the world. He is the one who has borne a burden we ourselves have not carried."
The Queen of Nimurelle taps the table lightly. "He is an official fugitive. All continents have agreed to search for him."
"Agreed to search for him, yes," the King of Gaelvorn responds. "But not agreed to execute him."
The King of Zepharia stands. "If he surrenders the crystal and accepts execution, war can be avoided."
"Is that a guarantee?" the King of Gaelvorn asks. "Is there an official declaration from the Sun that war will cease once the crystal changes hands?"
No immediate answer follows.
The Marshal speaks again. "This concerns probability. Without the crystal, the threat diminishes."
"Without the crystal in his possession," the King of Gaelvorn interjects, "to whom shall we then deliver it?"
"To the Sun," answers the King of Solcendria.
"And we are certain that is a safe decision?"
The atmosphere grows heated.
The Queen of Ilgnisar rises. "If we do not take decisive action, the world will perceive us as weak."
The King of Gaelvorn looks at each ruler in turn. "The world does not require a display of strength. The world requires a correct decision."
"The correct decision is to avoid war," states the King of Zepharia.
"War is not avoided by killing someone who has not declared war," the King of Gaelvorn replies.
The Marshal exhales. "If the Enemy of the World refuses to surrender, then he indirectly declares war."
"No," the King of Gaelvorn answers firmly. "It only means he does not trust us."
The debate continues at length. Voices rise several times. The advisers seated behind the principal chairs record everything in silence.
At last, the King of Solcendria summarizes. "There are two possible outcomes."
He stands and speaks clearly. "First, the fugitive surrenders voluntarily wherever he may be. He relinquishes the crystal, accepts capital punishment, and the act is regarded as a sacrifice for the peace of the world."
Several rulers nod.
"Second," he continues, "if he refuses, resists, or displays the power of the crystal publicly, that will be considered a declaration of a Great World War."
The Marshal adds, "Under those circumstances, the Six Continents will openly declare a Great World War."
The Queen of Nimurelle speaks. "We will deploy all forces. No half measures."
The King of Zepharia nods. "Ilgnisar is prepared to mobilize its entire military strength."
"Zepharia as well," he adds.
"Solcendria supports this course," states the King of Solcendria.
The Marshal declares, "The Northern Continent will deploy every available soldier."
All eyes return to the King of Gaelvorn.
He stands silently for several moments before speaking. "Gaelvorn possesses the greatest military strength among us."
Several heads nod.
"However, I will not deploy a single soldier for an execution."
The chamber erupts once more.
"You oppose the collective decision?" the Queen of Ilgnisar asks.
"I refuse to participate in an action I believe to be wrong," the King of Gaelvorn answers.
"This is for the peace of the world's people," insists the King of Zepharia.
"I speak for the people as well," the King of Gaelvorn responds. "They deserve to live without a war we ourselves ignite."
The Marshal taps the table. "The majority decision stands."
The King of Gaelvorn nods. "I do not prevent you. I merely declare that Gaelvorn withdraws from troop deployment on the day of execution."
"We will record that as an abstention," says the King of Solcendria coldly.
"Record it as a refusal," the King of Gaelvorn replies. "Gaelvorn will not surrender a single soldier."
The debate resumes, yet the majority position does not change.
Finally, the official resolution is read.
All continents will intensify the search for the Enemy of the World. Security will be tightened. Full war preparations will commence. If surrender occurs, execution will be carried out immediately. If resistance emerges, a Great World War will be declared.
Thousands of soldiers from Notchollow, Ilgnisar, Zepharia, Nimurelle, and Solcendria will be placed on alert. The Northern Continent will deploy all available forces.
Gaelvorn is formally recorded as not participating in troop mobilization for the execution.
The decision is approved by five of the six continents.
The assembly is declared concluded.
One by one, the rulers rise and leave the hall of Notchollow under strict escort. The sound of their footsteps echoes along the long stone corridor.
The King of Gaelvorn remains seated. He does not immediately rise. His gaze is fixed upon the large table, now nearly empty.
The doors of the hall open quietly.
Rose enters without making a sound. She walks closer and stops beside her father.
Without speaking, she sits in the empty chair next to him and remains there, keeping him company.