The character's previous understanding of the Republic and the Empire was quite abstract, defined only by dramatic and frightening symbols like a guillotine and a sword. These concepts seemed disconnected from reality, merely monstrous phrases without concrete meaning to him.
However, upon encountering the actual state of affairs, he experienced a profound revelation. Instead of chaos and darkness, he found a blend of beauty and complexity, represented by the sparkling stars. This moment filled him with a mixture of emotions—both fear and joy—as he confronted the reality of his world, which was much richer than his prior perceptions.