The reason Armad immediately liked the man was his attentiveness. At first glance, Armad could sense a certain humility in the man's demeanor that set him apart. Although the man lacks significant cultivation power, he has a comforting presence. Despite his modest abilities, there was an unmistakable aura of calm around him. Additionally, there are no signs of arrogance; instead, he appears hardworking. The man's lack of pretense and the evident signs of his laborious life, such as the rough and scratched palms, spoke volumes about his character. These physical marks were not just signs of hard work but also symbols of resilience and perseverance.
This man is likely closer to ordinary people than the aristocracy. From what Armad observed, it was clear that this man had a connection to the common folk, unlike the distant and often aloof aristocrats. His involvement in opposing the previous kingdom and its wealthy class hinted at a man who not only understood the struggles of the average townspeople but also actively participated in efforts to improve their conditions. It is common for rulers and the wealthy to have strained relationships with the poor, often leading to rivalry. This dynamic was no different in this town, where the gap between the rich and the poor had created a simmering tension.
Since Armad is currently in conflict with the town's rulers and wealthy class, whom he has forced to flee, his best option is to appoint a leader from among the poor. Armad’s recent conflicts with the ruling class and their subsequent exile from the town have left a leadership void. Selecting a leader who resonates with the everyday struggles and aspirations of the common folk would not only bridge the gap but also foster a sense of unity and purpose among the townspeople.
Armad stepped back and sat down, with Nusi joining him. Taking a moment to compose himself, Armad settled into a seat, with Lucy following suit. The 20 devas accompanying them, along with the two more already present in the town, formed a protective perimeter around them, standing as vigilant sentinels. Once seated, Armad gestured for everyone else to sit and then instructed Kalidu to start the coronation.
Kalidu bowed before he took a stone from his pocket, placed it near his mouth, and began to speak. Every word he uttered through the stone came out loudly as if the stone were a loudspeaker. “Fellow members of this town, some of you know me, while others do not. My name is Kalidu, and I am one of the leaders under the reign of King Konfot. During our previous reign, we wronged some of you. There were many mistakes made, and I want to use this opportunity to seek your forgiveness.” Kalidu paused to let his words sink in, then
Kalidu’s voice echoed across the assembly, capturing the attention of every individual present. His tone was sincere and without a hint of arrogance, conveying genuine remorse. The townspeople, many of whom had suffered under the previous reign, listened intently. The sight of Kalidu, once a figure of authority, now humbly seeking their forgiveness, was a powerful moment. Anyone who hears the way he seeks forgiveness can understand that there is a sign of charisma in my voice, a sign of true repentance.
“Today, I come to introduce you to our leader, King Armad, who has come to appoint a new king for this town, to replace King Konfot. This new king is a well-known person, the son of Emperor Ayrion. For most of us, having the opportunity to see such esteemed people is the highest blessing our creator has given us. How often in our lives can we encounter someone like him? He is of the pure blood of the Wilberforce tribe.”
“Now, because he has come to us and accepted this town under his dominion, it is a big progress for us,” Kalidu continued. “Furthermore, due to his sense of justice, he has allowed us to choose the one we want to lead us. Since the days of our ancestors, have you ever heard of an instance where the poor were given a chance to choose their leader?”
Kalidu’s voice rose with emphasis, his passion evident. The townspeople, who had long been subject to the whims of the elite, felt a stir of empowerment. The idea of having a say in their governance was revolutionary.
Kalidu paused for a moment, allowing the gravity of his words to resonate. The field, filled with thousands of common people, seemed to hold its breath. After a moment of silence, the crowd erupted in a unified response, “We have never heard.”
"Indeed, that is correct. There has never been an instance in our region, nor in our neighboring regions, where the common people were given the chance to choose their leader. However, our current leader, the son of Emperor Ayrion, has granted us this unprecedented opportunity. I came and asked you to choose one among you to lead, and you did. The chosen one stands before us now. What remains is for us to support him and hear what our leader, Prince Armad, has to say. Before I hand the speaker to our leader, let us send our unanimous greetings to our leader, and then our king will also express his gratitude to him"
As Kalidu said this, he moved forward toward Armad, knelt, and bowed. The sight of Kalidu, once a formidable figure, now humbly bowing, created a powerful visual. The townspeople hesitated, a palpable tension in the air. Their eyes revealed uncertainty, torn between tradition and their new leader. Gradually, the first line of people, likely those with connections to the new king, knelt and bowed. Their motivation stemmed from their relationship with the new king and their burgeoning loyalty to Armad.
Seeing this, the second line followed suit, then the third, and soon, almost everyone was kneeling and bowing. The act of kneeling and bowing spread like a wave through the crowd. The hesitation and uncertainty gave way to a collective decision to show their support. Eventually, the few who had remained standing realized they would attract attention if they didn't follow, so they too knelt and bowed before Armad.
The scene was a remarkable display of unity and respect. Thousands of people united in a single act of reverence. For Armad, witnessing this brought a profound sense of accomplishment. Seeing thousands of people bow before him brought a smile to Armad's face. This gesture reminded him of his childhood, witnessing similar acts of reverence towards his father, the emperor.
Since birth, Armad had regarded his father with the highest esteem and power, seeing him as invincible. The memory of both wealthy and poor bowing to his father was deeply ingrained in him. As a child, these displays of loyalty and respect towards the emperor were a constant reminder of his father's authority and the reverence he commanded. Now, the greeting from the townspeople mirrored the respect once shown to his father.
You cannot separate human beings from the innate desire for respect, and Armad is no exception. Despite his resolve, he, too, is human and susceptible to the allure of admiration. Instantly, he found himself enjoying the townspeople’s display of respect. The sight of thousands bowing before him was undeniably gratifying. However, without lingering on the thought, he quickly dismissed it. He would not allow such trivial respect to divert his attention. He knew he was still under his father’s watch, and if he failed in his mission, he could lose everything overnight. The stakes were incredibly high.
Armad was acutely aware of the precariousness of his position. His enemies were vigilant, waiting for any sign of weakness. If he did any recklessness his enemies were ready to attack him; they would strike before his father had a chance to punish him. The threat was not just theoretical; it was a constant, looming reality. Because of this, he pushed aside the enjoyment of the people’s respect but did not yet order them to stand up.
After a full minute, just as the people do for his father, Armad cleared his throat. The silence that followed was heavy with anticipation. Kalidu, sensing the moment, raised his head slightly, and Armad gestured for him to stand. Kalidu stood, and the townspeople followed, rising in unison.
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Then, the new king himself, along with his family, stood up and knelt before everyone, bowing to Armad. This gesture was profoundly symbolic, signifying not just respect but also allegiance. At this moment, Armad could not help but smile inwardly, seeing even the new king bowing to him, despite not being a king yet. The humility and reverence of the new king, who was about to be officially appointed by Armad, highlighted the gravity of the occasion.
Armad thought that rulers must be arrogant and feel mighty, as the respect shown to them is beyond measure. The kind of respect and reverence displayed by the townspeople reinforced the idea that rulers must project strength and command authority. Although he is a prince, people do not respect him as they do his father. He had grown up in the shadow of his father’s immense power, watching as both the wealthy and the poor bowed in reverence. This upbringing shaped his understanding of authority and respect. He grew up seeing people show respect to him, albeit not as much as to his siblings. However, the respect shown to him now far exceeded what he was used to. The sheer scale of the adulation was overwhelming.
It is impossible to separate his mind from feeling esteemed. Just for some time, he felt as though he had become an emperor. In that brief moment, he imagined himself at the pinnacle of power, a ruler whose word was law. He knew it was just his heart and eyes deceiving him, so he quickly pushed the thought out of his mind.
“Stand up,” Armad ordered the king. Then he turned and looked at Nusi, who had already brought out the royal crown. Armad rose from his seat and moved forward with deliberate steps. The gravity of the moment was palpable, and the assembled crowd watched in breathless anticipation. Before placing the crown on the king’s head, he spread his spiritual sense and thoroughly checked the king’s body once more.
After some time, Armad considered materializing a pol string to place it in the king’s core as a precautionary measure. However, after careful deliberation, he ultimately decided against it. First of all, it would be a waste of his pol string. Secondly, he didn’t think the king would have the courage to betray him so soon after his appointment. The memory of him effortlessly killing the previous king, whose lineage had ruled the town for centuries, was still fresh in everyone’s mind.
Additionally, Armad planned to leave two devas in the town to monitor the king’s activities. These devas, highly skilled and loyal, would reside in the palace, ensuring constant surveillance and providing a formidable presence to deter any thoughts of rebellion. Because of this robust system of oversight, Armad concluded that placing his pol string in the king’s core was unnecessary and excessive.
After finishing his meticulous examination of the king’s body, Armad took the crown in his hands. The weight of the crown symbolized not just authority, but the responsibility and expectations that came with leadership. The king, understanding the significance of the moment, lowered his head slightly, allowing Armad to place the crown upon it. As he did so, Armad channeled some cultivation energy into the crown, a gesture that was both symbolic and practical. The energy flowed from the crown into the king’s body, causing him to feel a surge of happiness and renewed vigor. The signs of old age that had begun to appear on the king’s body vanished almost instantaneously. He felt the vitality and strength of his youth return, although his cultivation level did not advance.
Armad did not want to give his cultivation energy for free, especially to people he did not know well. His cautious nature and strategic thinking made him wary of overextending his resources. However, he wanted the kings under his rule to be strong and healthy, capable of effectively governing their towns. That is why he cycled his cultivation energy through the king, which caused these beneficial changes in his body.
After placing the crown on the new king, he turned to look at the townspeople, raised his hand, and pointed to the new king. "King Lamuru is your brother. You know him better than I do, so I don't need to tell you that he is a good man or that he will take good care of you. These are things you already know. However, I assure you that in our dominion, we will not allow any king to commit injustice against his people. There are rules and regulations governing how each king will rule, and you must support and respect him. There are also punishments for anyone who transgresses these rules and regulations. Now, King Lamuru is one of you again. However, I want to use this opportunity to hear if there is anyone who is displeased or who thinks choosing Lamuru as your new king is not the right choice, or if anyone believes there is someone more deserving of this position."
Armad paused for a while, letting his words sink in. He scanned the faces of the townspeople who had gathered in the square. Their expressions ranged from awe to uncertainty, but there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. He channeled some cultivation into his eyes, which increased their charisma, making his gaze even more commanding. Wherever he looked, people bowed their heads, unable to meet his piercing stare.
Despite the silence that followed his query, Armad knew that the question was largely rhetorical. He didn't ask it to genuinely solicit opinions from the crowd; rather, he asked it to underscore the semblance of democracy in their governance. The decision had already been made by the elders of the town, who had deliberated and chosen Lamuru as their new king. According to what he had heard from Kalidu, the townspeople had been allowed to voice their preferences long before this public ceremony.
"I will regard your silence as confirmation that no one opposes the appointment of this new king. Therefore, I, King Armad, from now on appointing Lamuru as the new king of the town of Konfot. You will hear announcements regarding all the remaining positions that will assist the king in his reign soon. I hope you will cooperate with him." His voice was steady and authoritative, leaving no room for doubt about the legitimacy of his declaration.
Armad had just spoken, and with his speech, he transformed a man who was a nobody into a king. This moment marked a profound change in his status and influence in the world. Previously, he didn’t have the authority to appoint even a district leader, but now he had the power to appoint a king. All these changes happened with the help of the system. Because of this, Armad felt a mix of warmth and cold in his mind, along with a newfound respect for the system. Indeed, one day he hoped to learn where the system originated.
After Armad returned and sat down, singing and drumming began in the field of the coronation. Happiness filled every corner of the town; no one could tell that the previous king had been dethroned. The atmosphere was vibrant and joyous, as the townspeople reveled in the festivities. The supporters of the new king, Lamuru, were particularly enthusiastic, distributing food and charity to everyone, ensuring that the celebration reached every household. The sense of unity and collective joy was palpable, with people dancing, laughing, and sharing stories of hope and renewal.
Only a few people in the town were not happy, and they didn't attend the coronation, choosing to remain in their homes. These individuals had close ties to the previous king or the wealthy elite who had fled before Armad arrived in town. Their absence was noticeable, but it did not dampen the overall mood of the celebration. Armad was aware of these dissenters, but he understood that their number was small and that most of the townspeople had willingly accepted the change in leadership. The majority had surrendered peacefully, and the transition of power was largely smooth.
Despite being in a hurry, Armad spent one and a half days in the town before the new king was escorted to the palace where King Konfot used to live. One thing that caught Armad's attention was how Kalidu had renovated the palace. Although extensive renovations were not done, Kalidu ensured that any place needing a fresh coat of paint was painted. Everywhere was swept and cleaned, and new mattresses were laid out as if everything was prepared in anticipation of Armad's arrival to appoint the king.
Kalidu's efforts were meticulous and thoughtful, reflecting a deep understanding of the significance of the occasion. The palace, once a symbol of the old regime, was transformed into a welcoming home for the new king. The attention to detail in the renovation work symbolized a fresh start, not just for the palace but for the entire town. Armad was impressed by the transformation and the care taken to make the new king feel welcome and respected.
In the end, Armad confirmed to himself that choosing Kalidu as his organizer was a truly wise decision. Kalidu's organizational skills and dedication were evident in every aspect of the coronation and the palace preparations. From this town, Armad moved on to the next. He had eight towns and one village left where he needed to appoint new kings. Armad spent 14 full days journeying from one town to another before he finished appointing the kings and began preparing to return to his town.