The bells rang, their echoes reverberating through the luminous ancient site, bouncing across the land and spreading grandeur throughout the city
It was a periodic warning, a sign of vigilance, and an indication of the readiness for the Selection Festival
Hundreds of people were distributed weapons according to their skills, which was their basic right
On the ten-story-long balcony overlooking the arena, the two men walked calmly behind the King' s Knights
Passing through the well-dressed crowd, he raised his arm to shield his face from the warmth of the sunlight, which reflected down into the small canal below, sparkling brilliantly
On the high stands above the common spectators cheering for their families, Victor' s seat was positioned even higher than that of wealthy nobles and aristocrats
Ten seats were arranged for guests and spread in all directions around the central axis of the vast arena
Below were more than four thousand seats for nobles, with dining tables prepared, luxurious cushions atop brass-edged chairs, and sections divided into ornamental ponds. As dancers performed, hired female workers and servants wheeled out food to distribute among the various families
Unlimited alcohol, beer, and wine—all was catered by the emperor
Additionally, the noble section was guarded by knights stationed in every shadowed corner. On the opposite side, a special room housed high-ranking nobles within a glass chamber, impervious to outside observation
The music and performances began from the lower areas
Within the commoners' section, one hundred thousand tightly packed seats left no space, making service impossible. Safety decreased, and social disparity was fully apparent
While observing everything, a massive shadow fell across the area. Strong winds lifted hair into the air as a large ship passed by, scattering sparkling papers down
Trumpets blared in unison with traditional music; drums pounded alongside strings, resonating in the ears
Grandeur harmonized with delicacy
It was complete
Beautiful, resounding, stirring the heart, causing Victor' s eyes to widen as he savored the atmosphere of the festival. The spectacle made his heart race uncontrollably
He sat down beside Daniel, guarded by King' s Knights behind them
Daniel tapped Victor' s shoulder, grinning widely
"Impressive, isn' t it?"
Victor kept all thoughts to himself
"Indeed"
"Hey! When will you ever show some emotion?"
Before Daniel could order food or act, Victor' s attention was drawn elsewhere
While observing intently, he could not stop searching for one thing
"The emperor' s throne—where is it?"
"Whenever you attend the Selection, you always sit among the guests. Often, according to the list of all kingdoms Robart mentioned, no envoy ever misses this festival each year. Sometimes the attendees are even kings themselves"
He scrutinized the surroundings carefully
"From up here, it' s quite high and far away. How does one properly observe it?"
"That' s a very good question, Victor. Look at this—an honorable innovation, viewing glasses"
The blond man raised a luxurious binocular-like device with a handle
'Looks like those opera glasses'
"And where is the princess seated?"
Daniel pondered for a moment, scanning the area until Robart arrived and pointed to the opaque glass room across
'The royal family is surprisingly accessible. No matter how grand, access is not difficult—or perhaps the empire' s nobles hold enough power to reach anywhere'
'But considering the case of the Frether family, even with their massive achievements, they were still intimidated. The only explanation is that the emperor does not operate in a conventional manner, perhaps approaching closely like a father supervising a child'
While lost in thought, sunlight struck his arm intermittently through a piece of fabric that whipped wildly. On the wide cloth was stamped a massive cerulean-winged bird spreading its sharp wings into flight across a white, featureless world. The brilliance radiated its beauty
It was the flag of the Ven Republic. Its fluttering over the roofs of the seats in a diagonal, lofty position was a true gesture of respect
The shaded breeze brushed through the hair. The readiness of the selectors followed the basic rights the empire granted
Weapons according to skill
Armor or casual attire according to preference
Pets according to wealth
All that remained was the mental preparation within the vast arena, which contained over five hundred and eleven people according to the distributed documents
The full list of participants in the selection, ages nineteen to twenty-one in the morning session, and twenty-nine to thirty-one in the afternoon session
Servers bowed while placing the catering menus for the audience' s selection. Victor pointed to the beverage menu and calmly spoke as a courtesy to the guests
When catering is provided, not ordering anything is not politeness, but a refusal to accept the host' s sincerity
"I would like a cup of coffee, any kind, just no sugar"
The blond man beside him stared strangely, speaking annoyingly while making an unpleasant hand flourish
"Hey! Victor, aren' t you going to eat anything? You' re such an honored guest. Opportunities like this don' t come often. And why no sugar? It' s delicious and valuable since it can only be grown in the eastern kingdoms. And it has to cross the pirate seas!"
Victor stared back emotionlessly
"Did you even have the right to sit here in the first place?"
Robart, watching from behind, raised a hand to cover his lower face, trying not to laugh, but failed, causing Daniel to become even more exasperated
"Damn it! Not funny! Victor! Aren' t we friends? Friends! Understand? We got on the same ship from the start…"
Victor kept staring, calmly sipping his coffee
"Quiet, Daniel. Even though we sit at the same table, the more you speak, the further away you become"
"Ouch! Where did a middle-class guy like you learn such insults? Isn' t that something only nobles would say?"
"Talk a lot, act foolish. That seems fitting if you want blunt honesty"
Daniel crossed his arms, leaning back, ignoring him, but eventually snapped after Robart laughed loudly, ruining the image of the King' s Knight
"Hey!!! Robart! Stop laughing already!!"
'Do I need to pander to you? What a waste of time. My sitting here is the honor the Blood Empire receives and should be appreciated'
Soon the music quieted
Only the gaze of the people and the operation of the airship, blending technology with magic, remained. All eyes waited for something until a beautiful woman in a pink dress stepped out from the glass room
She stepped on blood that appeared as a stair above the air, her long straight hair curled elegantly, her face transformed from austere strength into a dignified ruling woman
Princess Retina spread her arms as the wind whipped her dress wildly, her bright red smile reflecting the sunlight, concealing the musculature beneath layers of thick clothing
She inhaled deeply before beginning the opening announcement
"One dawn signifies birth, one nightfall signifies death. One year passes, a hundred years pass, the sacred white flag is raised above, fluttering through time across eras. The Sword of Blood remains with independence and sovereignty. The Blood Spear and Bow symbolize glory and triumph"
"The Renaissance Year 536, Original Era 1538, the barren land continues to consume the earth"
"The Selection marks the beginning of honor, and the foundation of strength is the oath of life to the Blood Empire' s bloodline"
"Be proud in the arms of the wise woman. Be like the nurturing ancestors. Bring peace to the era of children. Be great in fleeting time. Now the blood Empire begins its glory in every decade, endless. From now on, blood will forge life, history, and land"
"To the beginning of the annual Selection!"
Applause thundered after her words. The ode to the departed and the initiates of loyalty to the Crimson Empire shook the souls of the people
The cheering shattered Victor' s mental walls. The people' s admiration broke through the restraint of his feelings
'What is this fascination?'
Honor, grandeur, and challenges were the clear imprints of the Blood Empire
Cheers resounded through the ancient site, the fervor of the crowd manifesting as gestures of the heart. When one person praises the empire wholeheartedly, two more begin to tremble and rise. The people change
Faith in one' s children was the great call of the populace
He had not expected the selection ages. Even ordinary citizens from peasant families, if their parents lived, could not be weak
'The standards of the Blood Empire are terrifying'
She returned to the glass room, glancing at Victor from afar, her flared skirt floating weightlessly, conveying dignity
The sparkle in her eyes spoke volumes
'This is the greatness of the Blood Empire. Instilling duty, pride, and honor. In the end, humans are merely statistics'