The streets are rowdy this night.

Their reason for the uproar is to plot against their own king.

In the first place, can a Strangleweed that the godlings wanted to remove from the original celestial garden really be counted as one of them?

In that case, this isn’t plotting ‘against’, because the correct word would be to ‘overthrow’.

“How about to make the king and elders pay a fine?”

“Paying money is just a punishment for the poor!”

“And, they will just tax us.”

“Then how about to jail them?”

“They own the jail guys. We got to think outside of the system brother!”

“Damn, this is hard. What about banishing those involved?”

“Yes! We should let them know that it is our country, not theirs!”

Murmurs of agreement quickly bubbled, and more and more parts of the city that heard this agrees.

However, there are people who fell silent thinking about it.

At this time, Relestia spoke, “The gnomish kingdom would fall into disarray if those involved are plucked and thrown away. Even if the people choose new leaders, that will take years for them to pick up the mantle.”

Hearing this the city fall into greater chaos.

A gnome suddenly shouted, “Aren’t the crown princess a good choice to be our leader?”

This instantly broke the people into little groups with some agreeing and others denying.

Moreover, this may be the capital, but the gnomes do have plenty of cities in different mountains. Each of theirs is linked with a dwarven city counterpart.

They dare not make a decision hastily, because afterwards they need to face the rest of the gnomish community.

The reasons for those who rejected are clear. The princess is neither a gnome nor proven herself to be a good leader. These people are unwilling to hand over their kingdom to someone with uncertain intentions, much less any loyalty.

One must understand that on Axis Mundi, there is no form of pre-existing diplomacy, and this is the first-time people have gathered to vote in a new ruler.

The people who accepted the notion of a foreign princess becoming their leader is surprisingly adamant as well. Their thoughts on the matter revolved around their distrust with current governance and the unwillingness to select one of their contemporaries as the new lord.

These people do not think themselves as capable of ruling, although there are stories of farmers or even beggars that claimed the throne in ancient past. Rather than searching for those exceptions, the people trust a princess who is born in a royal family.

Any highnesses will be taught language, trade, diplomacy, economy, war, and any other that needed to rule.

It’s much better than to find someone to wing it, hoping that person is talented enough.

This split between the gnomes is exactly what Kairos is hoping to create. Once the gnomish citizens found their stand, he spoke, “People of the gnomish kingdoms.”

He paused and waited for their attention.

“I have heard your voices. It is not that you reject Princess Relestia to lead you. You are just uncertain if she will have your best interests at heart, but many of you cannot trust any of your current leaders. So why don’t we reconcile the two issues? Saint Empire needs a proper repayment for the offense on her princess, and you need a voice representing the commoners. We can do both.

Let the princess keep your nobles in check. Choose a few leaders amongst yourself to aid her, and to get the best for the people. Your king, elders, ministers, and nobles can keep their positions, but from now on, you the people will decide what to pay them.”

On saying this, Kairos paused as if awaiting something. Just as expected, the city went into an uproar.

There were very few protests, most people were completely convinced by now.

Then Kairos continued, “My princess only wants her proper repayment. The people are not her enemy, but those that committed the affront cannot be forgiven.

You, the people, wants this kingdom to be ran with your best interests at heart, while the princess needs your help to regain Saint Empire’s honour. Your king and lords cannot rule without you. If you’ll lend the princess your support, she will ensure that you will have your say. She will make your kingdom truly yours.”

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Saying this Kairos lowered his head towards Relestia, as if apologising for speaking out of line.

The princess smiled at him and curtsied then said, “People of the Royal Garden City, let us work together! I will lend my expertise if you let me have your shoulder.”

The gnomes cheered.

This strange turnabout was too quick in the history of turnabouts.

One can only say that a pretty face has its advantages and Relestia’s beauty is stunning, beyond even the elven race that is known for their looks.

After taking a look at the princess, when they see another person’s face the previously overlooked flaws will become glaring.

That is half the reason for this resounding success. The other half lies in the princess being a Soul Healer. Her words are literally magical.

With the deal sealed with the people of Royal Garden City, Kairos and Relestia helped them develop a strange new system for their kingdom.

As agreed upon, the nobles, ministers, elders and king will continue governing the people because in the end they are necessary gears that move their country forward.

Meanwhile, Princess Relestia and a few selected citizens will keep those in power in check.

Of course, those chosen are the best of their fields, picked out from all over the country through a series of tests.

Each sector will form a committee made up of scholars, experienced teachers, and well-learned men and women.

With the exception of the princess, each will serve a term, a varied duration in accordance to need, and then switch to the next chosen person.

To prevent them from colluding with those they are monitoring and have the citizens’ best interest in mind, they are barred from profiting from this.

In return, their expenditure during their tenure, including that of their families, is covered by taxes. Furthermore, once their job is done, they will get a hefty repayment package if they did a good job.

The respective committee members will judge in accordance to a fair set of tests to ensure the individual qualifies.

With this the general direction is completed. The details can be worked out afterwards.

Of course, the princess’ position is outside of the system. After all, she is not here to work for them. Her only job is to monitor the entire scheme and in return, there are things she and Kairos needs.

As for what happens after things start running, it is anyone’s guess.

Just as things cemented here, the nobles had gathered their forces and are pressing towards the city square where Relestia and Kairos are.

On seeing this, the people dispersed back into their homes almost at once. They are unarmed citizens and you can’t expect them to rally against soldiers.

Although they retreated, gnomes everywhere still kept their eyes on Relestia and Kairos. In the end, all rules, justice, and fairness is built upon martial strength. Without power, how can one grasp one’s future?

If those two are captured here then the talk were all for naught. Still, the people are not completely untrusting of the two.

Just to speak here and discuss secrets openly is a display of their ability.

Kairos calmly went forward to face the incoming troops and declared, “Those they do not want to become tools for the greed of your lords, leave now. Those that draw blades against the great Saint Empire, prepare to fight with your lives on the line.”

There are only five hundred enemies. Unsurprising, given the nobles gathered these soldiers in a hurry. Yet none of them retreated.

The gnome soldiers quickly transformed.

The first line turned into bulky Oak Treants that charged forward, the second became lean Treants made of tendrils that could pierce armour, the middle ranks are swift dryads holding bows and wielding magic, and at the back are great Ents – tree-like creatures that are immobile – they planted themselves down and drew great amount of magic with their leaves forming magic circles one after another.

The princess took one look then turn to calm the people down. Soon these streets will be torn by violence, but she remained unfazed. She just hopes that when the time comes for her to take a life, her hands will stay steadfast.

The immediate area glowed with a protective barrier for the incoming strife. A spell most large cities employ because of the difficulty to arrest mages and warriors sometimes.

As Relestia pacifies their negotiation ‘partners’, Kairos summoned a hundred mana creations.

Just like before, they looked terribly deformed.

With a wave of his hand, these misshapen figures rushed towards the army.

The first screams were the most terrible.

Explosions of frightening power rocked the structures of the Royal Garden City this day.

Great gusts of wind whipped across shopfronts and broke glass and wood easily.

The vanguard of the troops, the Treants of oak, were the first to shatter.

Deep groans marked their demise, but it is only beginning.

As soon as the first opening in the ranks was created, the other mana creations rushed through.

*BOOOOOM*

More explosions.

Treants of vine and nimble dyrads were cut down like the grass.

The soldiers reacted swiftly, holding up shields made of vine and bark. These magical items offer greater protection than steel and are far lighter as well, but facing the compounded magic within the clones they were blown apart and their splinters shot out like shrapnel.

In an instant, eighty over soldiers were decimated.

For the price of a hundred mana creation, this is hardly efficient.

Still, Kairos summoned another hundred and sent them forth.

This time, the soldiers quickly protected themselves.

Spells and arrows shot over, destroying many of the clones before they arrive.

At the back, the Ents finally stored enough mana to blast off their spells. A series of magic that chained together fusing into a greater form.

A hellish bombardment rained down.

Half covering the remaining clones and completely wiping them out, the other half flew at Kairos and Relestia.

After the first exchange, the people had completely fled the immediate combat zone and the princess returned to Kairos’ side.

Looking at the coming missiles, Kairos dashed forward like a fleeting shadow to meet them.

Behind him, Relestia followed closely. Her silhouette appeared three paces in front of her, then a second silhouette further still at the same distance. When the fifth silhouette appeared, the first one disappeared.

Those looking cannot see her movement, only the afterimages of a beautiful girl strolling forth with a smile on her face, not unlike admiring the most vaunted of paintings.

This is the Gentleman’s Step.

Deadly, swift, and silent.

The reason it is not called the Assassin’s Step is because of the afterimages left.

These phenomenal sights left behind are not for viewing pleasure, but the real purpose they serve is not usable, yet. At least not with Relestia’s current mastery over the technique. For now, they distract a foe from knowing just how close she is, and that by itself is expertly advantageous in combat.

While everyone is surprised by the multiple princesses that appeared, the two had already plunged headlong into the magical barrage, much to their surprise.