Chapter 115 Publicly Denouncing the King
My the time the sun rose the next day, the people of Reinolt City heard all about their heroes and sang praises about the Magic Corps.
What surprised many was the rumor going around about the Adventurers Association. It was being said that the association refused to face the cetuses and allowed them to go rampant in the city. When the Royal Court asked for their assistance, the Adventurers Association denied their request.
Eventually, the Magic Corps were forced to act and save the city. Had it not been for them, the city would still be in peril. Or, had it not been for the Adventurers Association's unwillingness to act, many lives would've been saved.
At midday, there was a gathering taking place in the town square. Hundreds of citizens were there, waiting to hear an announcement from the Royal Court regarding the cetus situation.
They didn't have to wait too long to see rows of soldiers on horseback guiding a luxurious carriage, the same used by the king himself.
"Look, the king himself will make a statement!"
"It's been a while since the king addressed us. It must be incredibly important."
"Shhh! Quiet down, I don't want to wait any longer.
As the carriage came to a halt at the side of town square's center platform, all eyes were on the man exiting it. He was young and had an air of supreme arrogance. A small crown was around his head. Behind him was another man, tall and slim with a majestic purple robe.
"The crown prince? And the chief officer?"
"Wait, where's the king, that's his carriage?"
While most everyone starting chatting anew, the crown prince and Arnole walked to center stage and stood before everyone. After a minute or so, the crowd finally quieted down and let them speak.
Arnole was the first to step forward and speak. "Citizens of Reinolt, we've gathered you all to inform you that Reinolt City is in a desperate state. If only the matters at hand weren't so disastrous, it would've been a pleasure to speak to you all."
The crowd murmured, shocked to hear that they were in dire straits. This grabbed their attention even more, preparing them for some terrible news.
"You all know about the two incidents that have happened recently involving the cetus attacks. Sadly, we believe that it's not yet over. There could be yet another attack any day now," explained Arnole. "Our only hope for survival is to all work together and gather the strongest of Reinolt City to fight the incoming cetus invasions. However, one of the strongest organizations in the city was refused to cooperate, even when presented an official work order contract."
Holding the contract up high for all to see, the crowd quickly realized that Arnole was talking about the Adventurers Association. But everyone was baffled by the sorcerer's statement. The association refused to help when offered a contract?
"That's not all," continued Arnole. "I'm certain you're all wondering why we arrived in the king's personal carriage, right? The truth of the matter is that the association is working in tandem with the king himself. Yesterday, when the second cetus attack was reported, the king ran off with a handful of bodyguards and holed himself up within the local branch of the Adventurers Association. They had refused to help you, the people of Reinolt City, due to the king's selfish order to protect himself. How does that make you feel?"
That question incited anger in the hearts of many people. Some were confused and struggled to believe such a story.
"Is that the way a king should act? Is that how the proud Adventurers Association acts when people need their help? Can we trust such people with our lives?"
With every question Arnole added, the more fury the people felt in their hearts.
"Are you the people going to stand for this? I don't think you should," reasoned Arnole, swaying the public opinion in his favor. "Here, we have the abandoned crown prince. When his father fled, the crown prince came to me, begging for the Magic Corps to step in and handle the situation. We struggled to believe that the reputable Adventurers Association would stoop so low, but the damage done to the city speaks for itself. Had the association acted when it was asked, countless lives would've been saved."
"Prince Leo, do you have something to say?" asked Arnole as he stepped back and gave the floor to his pupil.
The prince put on a frowning face, wracked with disappointment. "It's sad but true. My father, King Leodoro, has fled from the castle and sought refuge from the storm in the Adventurers Association building. He also prevented the adventurers from saving you, and they agreed to his outrageous orders without question. You were all put at risk due to my father's appalling behavior. For that, I'm deeply sorry and I hope you can forgive the Royal Court for my father's faults."
Hearing the prince's concerned, gentle tone softened the hearts of the people. They began to pity the prince, who was left behind by the cowardly king.
"From this point on, the Royal Court will increase the number of guards and soldiers we have on hand. We won't dare to be ill-prepared when disaster strikes next. All those wanting to join us are welcome, given they can meet the minimum requirements and are willing to help better Reinolt."
"Also, I would like you all to know that for some time now I have been receiving instruction from our dedicate chief officer, Arnole himself. In the future, it's our hope that I can surpass my master and better protect the Reinolt Kingdom."
"Thirdly, we shall be heading to the Adventurers Association after this. We will discuss the king's morals and how my father should bear the responsibility of the tragedy that happened yesterday," stated the crown prince. "We sincerely hope that the Adventurers Association will cooperate with us and join us in our efforts to protect you. If not, however, we will be forced to discuss the dissolution of their Reinolt branch."
Gasps of shock spread throughout the crowd. The dissolution of the local branch of the Adventurers Association was a major event not only for the city but for the entire country. With the Adventurers Association no longer involved in the nation, the Reinolt Kingdom would need to drastically increase its military power to make up for its lost strength. It would even affect how the people of Reinolt hired out for different jobs because they would no longer be able to rely on the association.
"But don't worry, that's only the worst-case scenario," reasoned the crown prince. "We would hope that if such a thing were to happen, that we could convince many of the local members to join our military ranks. All rations, wages, and benefits of joining the Royal Court will be increased drastically! It's our only way of guaranteeing your total safety."
Finishing his speech, Prince Leo stepped back with a bow to the crowd. Most everyone wanted to spread the news to those not attending the announcements, but Arnole stepped up once again.
"People of Reinolt, I have a suggestion I want to present to you all!"
Arnole gave everyone a moment to calm and better listen before he continued, "I've been working alongside the king for many years now, and it has been an absolute pleasure. However, as time passed, the king became more self-centered and less warm to his subjects. When was the last time he addressed you as a public? When was the last time he stepped forward to protect his people? Unlike the past, King Leodoro has grown greedy and seeks everything for himself, no longer keeping the people in his heart. I've witnessed this change for years and it's broken my heart many times. I suggest we do what's best for you, and that would be to pass the crown to Prince Leo."
Silence washed over the crowd. They were all too shocked to comprehend the significance of Arnole's statement.
"With his noble heart and my teachings in sorcery, Prince Leo will lead us into a golden era! You won't fear for your lives if a beast tide attacks the city. You won't worry over the border wars with the Zuran Empire. You won't face troubled times alone. He is the key to Reinolt's future, and I believe that we should soon push to have him take the throne, regardless of what the selfish king says. What say you?" asked Arnole.
Again, the crowd was silent. The felt moved, but such a drastic change felt overwhelming.
"Yeah! No more fearing for our lives!"
A random yell sounded out. It wasn't long, but it was the spark needed to ignite the crowd's passion.
"We deserve more protection! Too many lives were lost already. Something has to change!"
"No running away! We serve the king to be protected, not to be sacrificed!"
As the crowd was growing more and more restless, Arnole and Prince Leo entered their carriage and started for the Adventurers Association.