The next day, dawn lit up the mighty walls of the Overblown Castle. Having been dismissed by Colonel Raven the day before, Marshmallow had spent a pleasant evening in the castle's grand mess hall. Away from the imposing presence of the A Ranks, the castle members shared food and conversations in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. As goblets clinked and laughter spread through the air, Marshmallow in particular had spent the evening making acquaintances, listening to the jokes and hopes of other players, and finding, despite the circumstances, a sort of temporary community.

With the arrival of dawn, the air was charged with anticipation and a slight tension. It was the day of the assembly, and Marshmallow was to be officially introduced. As he was getting ready, Lynx, who had been up for a while, donned the ceremonial armor of the A Ranks, a convention of the Overblown Castle. The armor was impressive, decorated with golden inlays that formed images of dragons and lions, symbols of strength and courage. Over it, a dark blue cloak draped majestically from his shoulders, adding a touch of authority to his appearance.

"We need to introduce you in the best possible way today," Lynx said, making sure her cloak was properly positioned. "It's crucial for strengthening your position in the Wyolands."

Noticing the absence of one of their comrades, Marshmallow consulted with Lynx. "Where could Dam be?" he asked, concerned about the imminent start of the assembly. Lynx shook his head, and Samantheye responded with a hint of irritation.

"He’s probably still sleeping," she said, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "Let’s go wake him up; we can’t show up without him."

The trio then went to the Victorious Warrior Tavern, where Dam had last been seen. Upon entering the tavern, they were greeted by a chaos of overturned tables and remnants of a party strewn everywhere. Dam lay at the scene's center, deeply asleep amidst a pile of cushions, an empty bottle still clutched in one hand, and a pirate hat askew on his head.

Hadn’t yesterday afternoon’s drinking binge been enough? Did he have to keep it going through the night?

Lynx tried to wake him by gently shaking his shoulders and calling his name loudly but to no avail. The Goat Horse, losing patience, decided to take a more direct approach: it let out a loud bleat right next to Dam’s ear, which only caused the man to twitch slightly in his deep slumber.

"Let's try this," Marshmallow said, grabbing a pitcher of cold water from the counter. He poured the water over Dam’s face, and the man jolted awake as if struck by a lethal electric shock, coughing and looking around with confused eyes.

"What... what’s happening?" Dam stammered, trying to orient himself.

"It's the day of the assembly, Dam. We waited for you until the last second," Lynx replied, helping him to sit up. "You need to get ready, and fast."

Dam ran a hand through his hair to sort out his thoughts. "Oh, the assembly... right." He looked at his friends with a slightly embarrassed expression. "Thanks for waking me up, guys."

***

The interior of the Overblown Castle buzzed with activity. The hallways echoed with the rapid footsteps and voices of the Wyolanders converging towards the main hall. Groups of players emerged from their rooms or paused their morning routines to join the flow. They exchanged quips and comments about the importance of the assembly.

"Do you think there will be major changes today?" a low-rank player asked. A higher-ranked player beside her, with a more measured expression, replied, "Whatever happens, we must be ready to adapt."

As they neared the main hall, the atmosphere charged with palpable expectation. The castle's staff, along with some volunteers, were putting the final touches in place: arranging banners of the Wyolands that adorned the walls, reflecting the proud blue and gold of the faction. Large flags fluttered over the heads of passersby, adding a touch of solemnity to the event.

At the center of the hall, five regal chairs were prominently arranged, reserved for the A Ranks. Each chair, more elaborate than the hundreds of others in the room, was padded and richly decorated, symbolizing the rank and respect due to their occupants. The setup of these chairs was a key moment, attracting respectful gazes and some murmurs of admiration.

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The room gradually filled, with the murmur of conversations and whispers growing. Some expressed tension, others hoped, as they scanned the stage where soon the leaders of the Wyolands would speak.

The main hall of the Overblown Castle was filled with an atmosphere of expectation when Elwinner stepped toward the center of the stage, with his usual charisma and a warmth that momentarily lightened the tense atmosphere. His stage presence and friendly approach invited the audience to pay attention.

"Let’s begin by introducing the pillars of the Wyolands," Elwinner announced, capturing everyone’s attention. "Each one of them represents a vital force for our cause."

The five A Ranks were quickly introduced. Lynx was the first to be presented. Following her was Parabellum, imposing and decisive, with his piercing gaze and elegant demeanor.

Raven, with his natural charisma and reassuring smile, had the look of someone who knew what leadership meant in times of crisis. His posture, relaxed yet alert, conveyed confidence and courage.

Then it was the turn of the new A Ranks, never before seen by the newcomers. Voltran, a giant with broad shoulders, exuded an air of quiet power. His expression seemed bored, but his eyes sparkled with hidden energy, ready to unleash storms and lightning with a mere gesture.

Aurelia stood out for her regal bearing and commanding presence. Petite and short in stature, yet every movement she made was imbued with authority and power. With her ability to manipulate water, she seemed to rule not only people but the very elements themselves, a warrior as feared as she was admired.

Following the A Ranks, it was time to introduce the Jolly Rank, Marshmallow. To everyone's surprise, Marshmallow made his entrance wearing an emerald green armor, similar in style to that of the A Ranks but distinctive in color. He wielded his Titan Hammer, a symbol of his strength and his commitment to emerge as a leader in his own right. The emerald green armor, the color of hope and renewal, reflected not only his aspiration to transform but also the possibility of a new beginning for the Wyolands.

Everyone took their seats. The assembly would soon begin. With the stage now occupied by the leaders of the Wyolands, Parabellum approached the podium with an aura of authority that captured general attention. His imposing figure, accentuated by a proud and resolute demeanor, dominated the scene, reflecting the weight of his responsibilities within the Wyolands.

"We are here today to unite our forces and reaffirm our commitment to the Wyolands," Parabellum began with a resounding voice capable of filling the hall, "but before we proceed, we must assess the validity of every single member of this assembly."

Parabellum took a dramatic pause, his eyes scanning the crowd as the rising tension spread through the air. "And that brings us to him," he said, pointing to Marshmallow with a theatrical gesture that forced everyone to turn toward the Jolly Rank. "Our so-called Jolly Rank. But is he truly the savior he has been promised to be?"

The crowd murmured, the attention now fully fixed on Marshmallow, whose presence suddenly seemed more isolated under the scrutinizing gazes of hundreds of Wyolanders.

Parabellum continued with a voice laden with venomous sarcasm. "Let me enlighten you about the true story of this man. Marshmallow abandoned his family, leaving behind nothing but debts, incompetence, and despair." He paused to let the words sink in. "And why? To chase personal glory in the Survivor Game. To redeem his gambling debts, accumulated due to an addiction that has nearly destroyed his life. This is a dark stain on his character that we cannot ignore."

The audience was visibly shaken; some exchanged incredulous looks, others nodded with expressions of disapproval.

"Is this the man we want leading our operations? A failed man, a fugitive from his moral obligations? A man whose life has been defined by selfish and irresponsible choices?" Parabellum rhetorically asked as his voice grew in intensity. "Should we really entrust the fate of the Wyolands to a man who has shown so little regard for his family, who has gambled his and others' futures at the gaming table?"

Parabellum paused, letting his words take effect. "Are we so desperate that we are willing to entrust our destiny to a man whose only command experience is dodging creditors and manipulating others to buy time?"

The atmosphere in the hall was electric, charged with tension and uncertainty. Parabellum looked around, his stern gaze suggesting that the stakes were high.

Marshmallow's face burst into a red flush of anger, his hands clenched into fists. He felt betrayed, and humiliated in front of everyone, his anger growing as he struggled to control the urge to respond. He felt the weight of each accusation like a direct blow, and his fiery gaze met Parabellum's, a silent but intense challenge between the two.

Without giving Marshmallow even a moment to absorb the previous blow, Parabellum launched another sharp barb. "And now, take a closer look, with new eyes, at our so-called Jolly Rank. Is he truly essential to us?" he pressed on. "Raven, with his abilities, is more than capable of dealing with BloodLust. What then does Marshmallow bring here, if not the risk of complicating matters? If he were to die at the hands of the Novgovians, it would only serve to strengthen our opponents." His statement hit the audience like a punch, leaving a tension-filled silence in the air. His words, targeted and relentless, seemed to carve a rift of doubts and suspicions between Marshmallow and the other Wyolanders.

The assembly hung in tense silence, everyone waiting to see how Marshmallow would react to this blatant discreditation.