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Gustaf finished his bath and ate breakfast, feeling much better than before. He headed toward the meeting place: a tall terrace directly above the castle gates. He and his son stepped out together, with Mirai, Zorba, and Catrise following closely behind.
There, the King and the Prince of Frostbane faced the people. Nearly a hundred stood below, their faces filled with fury and sorrow. They shouted relentlessly at the stoic guards, who had been ordered not to harm anyone and to use only words to persuade the crowd to leave while defending the gates.
This had been Gustaf's own request before grief overtook him. He had felt too pathetic and incapable of leading to face these people.
However, after his conversation with his son, he understood that it did not matter whether he felt fit or unfit to rule. He had to do it anyway. This was a responsibility entrusted to him by Benladra, his beloved wife, for whom he would do anything and whom he had missed and strived for every single day.
Benladra herself had known he was not suited to be a king, yet she chose him regardless. She loved him more than any other man on this planet, aside from her own son, who had been a child back then.
Thus, Gustaf realized that if he truly loved Benladra, he had to fulfill his part and become the best king he could, or at least try. Alone, he might never have found the strength.
But he had a stubborn, reckless, and prideful son who refused to stand still and constantly urged others to act and confront their situation.
"Thank you for coming today, everyone. I wanted to address you all personally—"
"Where are their bodies?!"
"Why won't you let us bury them?"
"What happened to my son?!"
"Why haven't you addressed anything properly?!"
"Are you really our damn King?!"
Countless voices screamed at Gustaf. They booed him, their despair, frustration, and anguish pouring out over the deaths of beloved fathers, uncles, and sons. Most were elderly parents, wives of the knights, or their children, a very difficult crowd to face. Gustaf had to handle them with the utmost care.
"..." Gustaf struggled to speak, so Louis stepped forward.
"Keep silent while the King is speaking."
His voice remained gentle, yet it sent a chill down every spine. He wielded the people's despair and used it to silence them mercilessly, without terrifying them into fleeing. Instead, they felt his powerful presence and became overwhelmed.
"Thank you, son."
Gustaf cleared his throat and addressed their complaints while offering apologies.
"First of all, I want to apologize for my son's rudeness. And second, I want to apologize for my own negligence. This past week, I too have been mourning the loss of too many friends. Like you, I am a human full of flaws, perhaps more than most. But I have come to understand that my responsibility as King was a gift bestowed upon me by my wife. I cannot continue running from it.
My son opened my eyes today and brought me here because he knew I could not remain mourning while doing nothing. The battle we faced a week ago threatened not only the capital but the entire country, perhaps even the continent.
We stood against Priest Soma Ferrera, a Tier 4 Spiralwalker on the Spiral of Enlightenment, a Saint who drew power from his 'Goddess,' the Abyssal Mother, the Tier Zero Spiralwalker who drowned Africa in an endless ocean of darkness, erasing the ancient continent where humanity originated from the face of the Earth.
An entity of that level of power constantly tried to enter our country, and Soma did everything within his power to summon her presence. Alone, she could have killed everyone here in an instant.
Thus, we did everything we could in a desperate, reckless attempt to stop her. Countless knights and agents died that day fighting the monstrous man who could no longer be called human.
Soma possessed incredible powers: the ability to clone himself, to possess the bodies of his victims, an extraordinary healing factor, and the capacity to transfer damage he received onto his foes. Every aspect made the fight far more complicated, even though we had prepared so much.
Because he drew power from the Abyssal Mother, his energy source seemed nearly endless. Many of our bravest warriors died, sacrificing their lives to confront him. Every single person who fell that day did so willingly while fighting the monster we ultimately defeated.
It would not have been possible without their sacrifice. Their sacrifice made it possible for our country to still stand here today. They fought for their beloved families more than for themselves and willingly gave their lives to protect the legacy our Queen, Benladra—my wife—created.
In one week, we will hold funerals for each person. Every individual who valiantly and bravely sacrificed their life for our country will be honored, and their families will receive lifelong compensation. Their names will be inscribed on monuments so we never forget these brave soldiers.
Every victim's family will be compensated for the sacrifice of their beloved fathers, uncles, brothers, and sisters. If you so desire, I will speak personally with each family, take full responsibility, listen to everything you have to say, no matter what, and learn from your anguish so I never repeat the same mistakes.
If you are willing to speak with me personally, please form a line and register with the agent at the front gate."
Once Gustaf finished, he exhaled in relief, still watching the crowd. They stood speechless as everything was finally addressed openly and honestly.
A much larger crowd had gathered than before. Citizens of all races and ages had come to hear King Gustaf's speech. Some cried; others remained angry but no longer shouted.
"Now my son has something to say to everyone. Louis, it's your turn."
Gustaf stepped back. Louis walked forward to face the immense crowd. He felt a flicker of nervousness, he was human, after all, but as a dragon, he steeled himself and put on a stoic expression, showing his unyielding spirit to his people.
"As many of you have already heard, my father's words come from the bottom of his sincerest heart. And I too must apologize. I was the one who discovered Soma was invading our country, and I was the one who convinced my father to prepare for him. However, with only two weeks to prepare, we were simply unable to overcome such a massive threat without the sacrifice of many.
I want to tell all of you, from the bottom of my heart, that you have my deepest gratitude. I—and this entire country—will forever remember those brave souls who sacrificed their lives on that fateful day.
Reparations to the city are already underway. The Ice Walls will be expanded and repaired. The Nameless Streets, which have long been a weakness of this capital, will be assimilated into the city. Every citizen there will be recognized as one of us. We will assist the poor in finding jobs and provide homes to families with children, along with proper monetary support from the government."
As Louis spoke, expressions in the crowd shifted. Many who had come from the poorer areas of the city now looked at him with hope shining in their eyes, some even celebrating quietly.
"We will also increase security as much as possible. Daily patrols of knights, guards, and agents will ensure the safety of our country, especially our capital. Crime will not be tolerated. Depending on the severity, those who commit too many heinous acts will face execution.
However, those who show genuine regret will be given second chances, rehabilitation, and above all, opportunities to start anew. The Holy Dragon Mother Church will expand in various areas, with new churches, orphanages, and government buildings to manage people's needs and problems.
Together with my father, we aim to implement these benefits within the year."
When Louis finished, applause and cheers erupted.
Their country was finally changing. The rulers who had once ignored their people were now taking responsibility.
Without Benladra, Gustaf and Louis had felt completely lost. But by supporting one another, they had realized how truly important the people and their country were.
"I will aim with all my effort to make my people happy. I will create more job opportunities, raise the minimum salary, and above all, offer greater security to everyone."
With those final words, the crowd erupted again, chanting Louis' name. It seemed many already wanted him to become the new King, though they also recognized how much Gustaf had changed and was now doing his best.
"Prince Louis!"
"You're not mad at all!"
"Thank you so much!"
"This is it! This is what I always wanted!"
"After the Queen's illness, is our country finally recovering?!"
"These five years have truly been terrible... can we really look to the future once more?"
"Thank you! Thank you, Prince Louis!"
Louis smiled as the cheers resonated through his soul and body. His Fantasy Heart reacted, absorbing the essence radiating from the people's happiness...
From their hope.
"So I can also grow this way. How intriguing..."
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