(Main Square of Valoria's Capital – Noon)
While Arthur was lost in thoughts and plans inside the palace, beyond its
sturdy walls the pulse of the city began to beat with a new rhythm of hope. The
newly appointed Captain of the Palace Guard, a veteran soldier named Captain
Roderick with an honorable scar across his cheek, stood tall on a simple wooden
podium erected at the very heart of the main square. In his muscular hand, he
held a forged-metal megaphone reinforced with basic amplification runes—a
cynical relic of Mordred's era, now sanctified for a far nobler purpose.
"Citizens of Valoria! By order of His Majesty, King Arthur Valoria, hear
these words!" he thundered. His voice, magnified by the runes, cut through the
market's bustle and city noise like a sharpened blade.
The sun blazed in the cloudless sky, casting a golden light that dazzled,
but it was nothing compared to the burning curiosity ignited in every heart.
One by one, daily life froze. Heads turned, eyes widened. Merchants abandoned
their stalls, mothers stopped haggling, laborers dropped their tools, and even
mercenaries in dim taverns leaned forward with interest. A tide of humanity
surged toward the square, filling every inch of ground. Within minutes,
hundreds—nearly thousands—pressed together, anticipation thick in the air.
Faces once dulled by dust, sweat, and despair now flickered with hope and
wonder. Whispers rustled like wind carrying seeds of change.
"A new king? Truly?"
"Arthur? Wasn't he long declared dead?"
"What will he say? Will things get worse?"
Seeing the square packed to the brim, Captain Roderick stepped firmly onto
the podium. He drew a deep breath, chest swelling, nerves taut yet voice
steady, ready to deliver words that would etch new history into Valoria's soul.
"Honored citizens of Valoria!" he began, his voice ringing to the farthest
corners of the square. "In the name of His Majesty, King Arthur Valoria, I
stand here to deliver the Palace's most sincere apology!"
The crowd fell silent, as though the air itself had frozen. An apology? From
a king? Such words were unheard of, almost alien.
"We apologize for the suffering, the injustice, the oppression, and the
tears you endured under the cruel reign of the past!"
A collective gasp swept through them, followed by sighs of disbelief and
relief. Some stared wide-eyed, others wept openly. An old woman collapsed to
her knees, lips trembling in prayers of gratitude.
"And on this historic day, His Majesty commands me to announce his new
policies, effective immediately!"
He unfurled a pristine parchment sealed with the royal crest, opening it
with reverence before reading aloud.
"First: As of this very moment, slavery—especially of non-human
races such as Elves and all sentient beings—is ABOLISHED! Forever! All slaves
are hereby freed and recognized as equal citizens of Valoria, with full rights!
Anyone caught practicing, supporting, or trading slavery will face the severest
punishment under the new laws!"
At once, a tidal wave of cheers erupted. Joyous cries, sobs of relief, and
thunderous applause broke out—especially among freed slaves and their families.
A ragged Elf woman clutched her frail child, weeping, "We are free, my child!
We are free!" Shouts of "Freedom!" rippled through the crowd, echoed
by sympathetic humans.
"Second: Income tax for commoners, farmers, and small merchants is
DRASTICALLY reduced to only 10%! No more! Land and trade taxes will also be
thoroughly reviewed to ease burdens and fuel growth!"
The uproar grew wilder. Farmers and traders exchanged stunned looks, grins
spreading like wildfire. "Only ten percent?" an old carpenter muttered, eyes
shining. "This can't be real… can it?"
"Third: A Complete Reform of the Tax System!" Roderick
boomed. "Starting next month, no more fear, no more extortion by corrupt
collectors! At the end of each month, every household head MUST personally
visit a Tax Service Post established in every district and village!"
The crowd buzzed with anxious murmurs. Change always stirred unease.
"There, you will honestly report your income and pay 10%! On-time payers
receive a 2% discount! Those caught falsifying records or cheating will be
heavily fined! Late payments will incur daily penalties! This system is built
on honesty, trust, and shared responsibility!"
A skeptical merchant shouted, "But Captain! How can poor folk like us, who
can't read or write, manage this?"
"Fear not!" Roderick replied firmly. "Trained accountants from the newly
established Royal Accounting Division will be present at every post to assist!
The forms are simple—name, profession, income, and tax. What matters most is
honesty and the will to be accountable!"
"Fourth: To build a better, fairer, and more prosperous Valoria, His
Majesty, with the support of the noble council, is founding FIVE MAIN STATE
DIVISIONS!" He raised his hand, counting each finger.
Health
Division
– building emergency clinics, providing free or affordable care, fighting
plagues!
Law
Division
– eradicating corruption, revising outdated codes, ensuring justice for
all!
Education
Division
– free schools in every village, teachers paid by the state!
Infrastructure
& Development Division – repairing roads, bridges, aqueducts, and public
works!
Internal
Security Division – maintaining order, protecting citizens, enforcing
fair law!
Each point was met with gasps of awe and rising cheers. Dreams once
whispered in secret now roared openly under royal decree.
"And fifth, most importantly:" Roderick cried, his voice
rising with emotion. "THE KING NEEDS YOUR HELP! All positions in these
divisions—from field workers to division heads—are OPEN TO ALL! Noble or
commoner, human or Elf, it matters not! What matters is WILL, ABILITY, and
INTEGRITY! Applications open tomorrow at the Temporary Office beside the town
hall! Tests will be FAIR and TRANSPARENT!"
He ended with a thunderous cry: "This is King Arthur's vision for a fairer,
stronger, united Valoria! Long Live the King!"
For a moment, silence—sharp enough to cut.
Then—
"LONG LIVE KING ARTHUR!"
A ragged old man roared, voice hoarse yet brimming with pride.
"LONG LIVE KING ARTHUR! LONG LIVE THE NEW VALORIA!"
The chant exploded into thousands of voices, echoing across the square,
splitting the capital's skies with raw emotion. Hats flew, strangers embraced,
people danced where they stood. What began as tense silence erupted into a
spontaneous festival of tears and joy. Hope, long buried, bloomed anew.
Voices from the
Crowd
·
Old Farmer (hugging his wife):
"Hear that, Mira! Only ten percent! We can fix the roof, buy good seeds, maybe
even eat meat every week! And schools—for the grandchildren! Not a dream
anymore, Mira… it's real!"
·
Small Trader: "A fairer sales
tax, no more greedy collectors taking extra? I'll take the risk. I'll try this
system."
·
Former Elf Slave (tears
streaming): "I am free. Truly free. And I can apply as a teacher? My knowledge
is finally mine to share. This is not just opportunity—it's liberation."
·
Young Blacksmith (clenching his
fist): "Infrastructure! That's for me! I'll build bridges and roads instead of
swords for thugs. I'll forge the future of my kingdom with my own hands!"
·
Mercenaries at the edge:
One sighed: "This king
is either mad or a genius. Too idealistic."
The other smirked: "Or
a fool who'll fall. But damn, I like his vision. Internal Security sounds
more honorable than mercenary work. Maybe I'll try."
·
Young Mother (to her son): "You
hear that? You'll go to school. You'll learn to read and write. Your future
will be bright, my child. I promise."
The crowd lingered, their hearts ablaze with debate, hope, and dreams
suddenly tangible. The name Arthur Valoria spread on their lips with
reverence and gratitude, sweeping away old fear.
Captain Roderick stepped down, emotions swirling—relief at finishing his
task, pride in his king, and unease at the sheer scale of ambition. Will
this work? he wondered, watching a child run waving a small flag. But
seeing the fire of hope burning in every eye, he chose to believe. The king had
cast a stone into still waters; its ripples now reached every corner of the
city. It was up to them to keep it alive, to let it grow into an unstoppable
wave of change.