The king proceeded to elucidate the intricacies of the situation with great care and precision. His voice resonated through the grand hall, commanding attention as he unveiled the truth.
"In truth, my esteemed guests, the rightful heir to the second kingdom, both it's first and last, is none other than my son, Prince Elmond Arthur."
Prince Elmond, having been seated on the floor, rose with deliberate composure, gently brushing off the accumulation of dust from his attire with the palm of his hand. Inhaling deeply, he stood upright, exuding an air of regal poise. His gaze turned towards us, his visitors, his countenance still bearing a hint of anger, yet unwavering in his determination to extend a formal welcome.
"I am Prince Elmond Arthur, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. As you can discern, I assume the mantle of the second kingdom's heir."
His tone betrayed a tinge of annoyance, perhaps stemming from my failure to acknowledge his royal status or the presumptions I had made. While he had a valid point, it was undeniable that the lack of a proper response in a conversation could unsettle and incense anyone, regardless of their rank.
However, I endeavored to steer the conversation in a direction that would alleviate any discomfort or unfounded assumptions my companions might harbor. I graciously inclined my head and offered a respectful greeting.
"We too are delighted to meet you, Prince Elmond."
"I prefer the name Arthur rather than Elmond."
To my relief, the prince did not retort, perhaps relishing the satisfaction of my initial mistake. I joined the others and took my place, not prolonging the incident into a protracted discussion. Hoping that the king would not dwell on this matter further, I turned my eager ear toward my companions, engrossed in their conversation.
Suddenly, the prince directed his attention to his father, addressing him with an air of expectancy.
"After my conversation with King Maurice, I became aware of the fact that you will have the necessary time available after the meeting, if I'm not mistaken."
The king responded with affirmation, his voice brimming with anticipation. However, he expressed his need to address other matters before engaging in the desired conversation.
"Yes, indeed! But I must first attend to some pressing issues before we can delve into that topic. Rest assured, Elmond, we shall converse at length when the time is right."
"In that case, I shall await that moment eagerly," the prince replied graciously, his demeanor exhibiting patience and understanding.
With grace and reverence, the prince delicately placed his foot upon the smooth, luxurious carpet and performed a respectful bow.
"With your permission, my king, I shall take my leave," he declared.
Nodding in affirmation, the king confirmed his son's departure with a regal gesture, allowing him to exit the room. The prince quietly closed the door behind him, leaving only the king and our company within the grand meeting chamber.
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As the weight of the impending speech hung in the air, our curiosity began to wander, prompting Babu to voice his query.
"Your Majesty, we were unaware of your alliance with King Maurice. How did this come to pass?"
A thoughtful expression crossed the king's face as he contemplated his response, his gaze drifting across the expanse of the room.
"Indeed, we are not exactly allies. However, this was precisely what I intended to discuss with him after our meeting. Through your actions, we have been reminded of the significance of our realm and our interdependence. In light of this, we wished to forge a bond between our two sides, one that would safeguard our mutual interests and preserve the precious value we hold."
As the king spoke, Hiroshi reclined in his chair and calmly lit a cigar, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism.
"So, you're fortifying your defenses to ensure they cannot breach your gates. Impressive, but it remains uncertain how long such an arrangement will endure."
"I understand your perspective, but there is more to this discussion," the king replied, his gaze meeting Ryuu's unwavering stare.
"What is it?" Ryuu inquired directly, his eyes fixed intently on the monarch.
"According to recent reports, all the kingdoms are mobilizing their forces. It is for this reason that the kings have decided to convene a joint meeting. Each of us, including myself, will gather in the third kingdom, at the esteemed Castle of Fleota, to address matters of great importance."
Aside from the predicament we currently faced, it was clear that the policies and crime rates of foreign kingdoms had reached a critical juncture. It was only a matter of time before significant decisions would be made in response. As someone who had become aware of the political turmoil brewing in neighboring realms, I couldn't help but feel a keen curiosity about their plans.
The gravity of the situation was reflected in the king's tense countenance, revealing the magnitude of the upcoming event and the importance of conveying it to us.
Perplexed by the unfolding events, I couldn't help but harbor lingering questions, yearning for a clearer understanding of the circumstances.
"May I inquire, Your Majesty, as to the reason behind such a momentous decision?" I queried, directing my gaze towards the king.
His eyes met mine, filled with wisdom and a sense of purpose, as he prepared to elucidate the intricacies of the situation.
"You are the very reason, my dear companions," the king began, his voice carrying a weight of significance. "It is the culmination of our conversations, our trials, and the battles we have fought. Through your actions, you have instigated a turning point, an irrevocable shift in the course of history."
Ryuu, always seeking the utmost clarity, interjected, his words laced with a desire for complete understanding.
"But all we have done is engage in this war. We have had no direct contact with the other kingdoms' Epics, nor have we provoked their ire. Is our victory over the current Epics the cause for such a decision? Or is there something more?"
With grace and poise, the king unraveled the complexities before us, bestowing upon us the wisdom we sought.
"It is both, my dear Ryuu. Your victory has played a pivotal role in dismantling the Epic Empire, which held dominion over these lands for nearly two decades. But there is more at stake. The war you waged was not merely for the sake of conflict, but rather, it served as a catalyst for change within our communities. It gave us the opportunity to renew peace agreements, to strengthen trade routes, and to reassess our competencies and capabilities as a people."
The king's words resonated deeply within me, illuminating the profound shift that had transpired. The delicate balance of power had been disrupted, prompting other Epics to exert pressure upon their respective kingdoms, driven by the need to secure their positions. They sought to surpass the measures we had implemented, even at the cost of relinquishing their powers in certain regions.
"In the beginning, their abilities posed a considerable threat to us," the king continued, his gaze fixed on a distant point. "And now, as they regroup and strategize, they seek to unleash even greater havoc upon us, fueled by their desire to claim our lives. In light of this, the likelihood of emerging unscathed from a rebellion against them seems uncertain, at best."
Silence enveloped the room as the weight of his words settled upon us. The enormity of the challenge that lay ahead became palpable, its magnitude pressing upon our shoulders.