Chapter 101 - The Grand Assembly
A busy sight could be seen across the four peaks of the Frozen Kingdom as nobilities moved around rapidly, convening towards the huge hall at the center of King's Crown for a Grand Assembly.
Many were apprehensive as they could see the signs of the full preparation of an all-out war, with battalions of mercenaries and adventurers being grouped with soldiers ready to move out.
The throngs of humans and beastmen usually packing the streets below the four peaks were oddly silent as the air seemed to become stifling and oppressive. The demons that everyone was talking about were arriving. How many of them would be able to survive through this?
The King's voice would address the entire kingdom. Magical devices that passed the soundwaves from the floating King's Crown all the way to the smallest niches of the Frozen Kingdom would get to hear the words of their ruler. The soldier, the mercenaries, adventures, and the common people would all be getting addressed.
In the large hall of King's Crown, Roark was majestically sitting down on an extravagant white chair. Besides him were smaller but way less extravagant seats where two princes and a princess were sitting.
They were the only ones sitting in the hall, as the rest of the nobles and powerful figures were standing upright on the left and right sides, leaving a clear path in the middle. There were golden stairs leading down from where the Ruler of the Kingdom was sitting, where many guards could be seen spread out.
Among these guards were eight Battalion Commanders that let out the powerful aura of EPIC rank, standing on either side of the King with their weapons ready to be drawn at an instant.
King Roark looked at these collections of people and recalled the reports he continued to receive about the advancement of the Demon Legion as well their defense line that continued to be pushed back. His powerful voice rang out in the large hall, and also throughout the kingdom.
"The first thing I will discuss is the issue of succession, where the Ministers of Affairs will note down my words to be inviolable from this moment on."
Surprised looks were passed between the people at the mention of the succession of leadership. Wasn't it already decided that Crown Prince Aeneas would be taking the crown after his father retired?
King Roark looked towards his oldest son, and well as his daughter before he continued speaking.
"Strike out the name of Aeneas Belmont as the next ruler of the Frozen Kingdom."
BOOM
Silence. Shock. Dumbfoundedness.
The ministers scrambled to pull out an old doc.u.ment as the nobles moved around in shock. Nobles looked towards the face of Crown Prince Aeneas, who had a calm look despite the huge bombshell that directly involved him. The question on their minds was, what had occurred with the prince to cause this, and how was he not phased by it currently?!
"My son has failed to show the proper judgment of a future ruler these past few years, and has lost his right because of it. The one to succeed me in the event of my retirement...or death, shall be Adelaide Belmont."
The nobles that did not think they could be more surprised received another shock, as one successor was named right after another was taken down. The king would not let them revel in their shock for long as one name was taken down by the ministers and another added in, where he continued speaking.
"Battalion Commanders! Swear fealty to the future ruler of the Frozen Kingdom!"
His powerful voice was addressed to the EPIC individuals that held the military power of the kingdom. They had risen together with the king, and were extremely loyal with bonds being closer to that of brothers. The eight EPIC individuals present nodded with impassive faces as they kneeled towards the icy face of Princess Adelaide.
BOOM!
Wild power flew out as the Battalion Commanders spoke imposingly.
"We greet the future Queen!"
The scene would be etched down in history as the magnificent and powerful individuals swore their fealty to the future ruler. Power was everything in this world. Even if the LEGENDARY Roark Belmont were to disappear from the face of this world tomorrow, as long as these EPIC Battalion Commanders were behind the new ruler, they would face no opposition.
The face of Adelaide remained as icy as ever as she nodded, while the face of the one formerly known as Crown Prince still retained its calmness, forcing many people to wonder what was holding the face of this prince together. As for their younger brother who sat beside them, he was the only one showing emotions of shock among the four royalties present in the seats as he looked back and forth between his family members.
"With that matter being settled, we will move on to the next."
The strong voice of the King rang out once again. The voice commanded the attention of all people as waves of LEGENDARY power emanated outwards, almost bringing the weaker individuals in the hall to their knees.
"In the coming days, we will be fighting for the livelihood of our kingdom."
"We are a peaceful kingdom, with no wars waged over the last decades. We want to continue developing and live in happiness, living behind all the misery that many humans faced. This world is rich with life, but we are only a minor part of it. Now, a force threatens to destroy all that we have built."
Somber faces were apparent all around as the speech of the King continued. The shock of the change in succession was slowly put in the back of their minds as their attentions were brought back to the imminent threat they faced.
"We will fight to make sure that the misery they are trying to bring to our kingdom never reaches the fortress walls. The hate and war that these demons bring, we will shut it out!"
The strength of his voice seemed to be getting stronger as he continued, leading people and leaving them in a trance as they listened.
"My people! Soldiers, Mercenaries, and Adventurers!"
"I promise you now that we will fight with all our power to ensure victory against the demons!"
"Our strength lies in our resiliency, our unity, and our humanity!"
OOOH!
The buzzing of power could be felt as the powerful individuals in the large assembly hall and the common people listening throughout the kingdom felt their spirits and power being raised.
"Defenders of the Frozen Kingdom! The demons who despise you, want to enslave you, and take all of the work you have built over the years. Do not give in to them!"
"You are the last bastion of humanity in this world of beasts. It is not an option for you to be taken down! So Fight!"
"Fight for the liberation of our people!"
"Fight for the free land that we have created!"
"Fight...for Humanity!"
OOOOOOH!!!!
The spirits and vigor of all the people listening rose to an all-time high as the King's Speech finished. The King gave the command, and Battalion Commanders began moving out with their soldiers, mercenaries, and adventures as they prepared for the coming clash against the demons.