When news of Michael and his army's return reached the kingdom, the entire nation was swept into a whirlwind of celebration. Victory messages arrived from all corners, and jubilant citizens flooded the streets, waving flags and cheering.
Shops displayed commemorative medals and ornaments for the occasion, with people scrambling to buy them, hoping to pass them down as family treasures. Children, who had spent much of the war under the shadow of fear, finally laughed freely, running through alleys with radiant smiles. Though they might not have understood the full significance of the event, the atmosphere of joy was unmistakable.
Some children, caught up in the fervor, role-played scenes of heroism.
"Take this, my arrow of glory!" one shouted.
"No, I'm going to play Michael! You can be the treacherous emperor!" another argued.
"I'm Michael!" a third child declared.
