Chapter 146 (1/2)

Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Speech and Statement

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Virion, Rahdeas, the lances, and the two royal fae The applause rose to a deafening crescendo at my appearance as Virion waited for me at the very end

While Bairon and Varay had calloused expressions on their faces as they let h, Aya’s lips curled into a coy sly

Tess’s expression was still brusque froument, while Kathyln’s eyes creased in a rare smile Her brother, Curtis, waved while his parents and the rest of the central figures on the balcony joined the crowd’s applause

As I stepped foot out into the balcony, thethe world below in a blanket of light As ht

The athered together, as if touching the horizon Clustered tightly, hoping to just be inches closer to their continent’s leaders An air of excitement, respect and jubilance could be felt all the way up here

“What?” Virion smirked “Never had a crowd of over a million people cheer for you?”

I shookto myself how many times I had in my past life “Was this your idea?”

“Why? Are you angry?” Virion turned to the crowd, nudging et a better view of me

“If it was anyone other than you? Yes”

“Good Now keep s and wave at them They can see you on a wide-scale projection behind us”

Taking a quick glance at the enormous projection behind me, I couldn’t help but think of Emily Watsken when she had disclosed to ned this apparition Looking back ahead, I raised an ar suit atopcheers slowly softened to a buzz of excitement as everyone except Virion and I stepped back toward the back of the balcony “Now You wouldn’t happen to have a speech ready for the upcoht?” I struggled to maintain a cal the announce as he handedartifact he had clipped onto his collar

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“Virion I can’t” My voice faltered as the people beloaited excitedly for someone to speak “I haven’t even prepared ive a speech as one”

“I didn’t want you to prepare These are your people, Arthur You grew up ast them and they’ll listen to you with much more sincerity and empathy than if some spoonfed noble spoke”

“That’s only if I deliver a well thought-out speech,” I argued as I turned to shake Virion’s hand as an excuse to prolong the inevitable

“I trust you Just speak from your heart” Virion stepped back as the trickle of cheers silenced into an anxious rest

While even the closest people in the er than the nail of , I was still able to find e shoulder

The apprehension that came with unpreparedness dwindled as I locked eyes with entle sh

I knehat to say

Letting out a deep breath, I stood at the edge of the castle balcony and turned on the voice a me that the artifact was now on I took another step forward so I was leaning forward on the balcony rail, waiting patiently for the last of the cheers to subside

“Despite e, I’ve read countless books on this continent’s history and economy Yet, in none of those books does it explain what makes their citizens love their country Some historians have speculated that it’s because they were born there that they have a natural inclination toward their houed that there is an intricate trickledown effect that starts fro able to provide for their people, down to parents being able to feed their children He stated that as long as that flow of security in livelihood is kept, natural loyalty to their providing country is kept

“I tell you this because I disagree with both claims I believe that loyalty isn’t a calculated ular that lives can be risked based on the area someone was born in I think it’s rather presu for is certain: loyalty is always easier when ti when your children are well-fed and your land is prosperous It’s easy to rally behind an ar to win But this isn’t like those tih this war, your loyalty to this country—to this entire continent—will be tested, because there will be ti with your people, or hoping to live with your enest the crowd darkened as my voice fell into a whisper, but I continued

“The fact that I’ to make when that time comes for me, but it isn’t because of ht, nor was it freely given My loyalty to this continent and to everyone in it was nurtured from my childhood in the countryside, then as an adventurer, then a student, then a teacher, and now, it’ll be proven as a lance

“Sure, this continent and its leaders have their flaws, but what no one can say is that they haven’t tried The joining of the three kingdoenerations ago, yet the leaders of the three races put aside their pride and differences to unite and share the resources ast one another to better this continent and those that live in it While discris to all of us, and just beyond this city is an ar our shores We’ve been given an option to either give up the lives of all the royal fa our land without a fight or to presu scale

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“Coive up his own life to protect this continent—to protect you—but I said it wasn’t his call since this doesn’t only affect his and his family’s lives, but everyone’s lives here”

I turned around and motioned for Virion and everyone else to co for the life I’ve come to love here rather than betray my brethren in hopes of a promise that our enemies—enemies that have already separated families—may or may not keep

But I dare not speak for everyone in this continent The only thing I can say with full confidence is that, if given the chance, every one of us up here will fight to our last breaths to protect this continent from the likes of those who dare invade us”

It was utter quiet for what seele voice broke the silence

“Long live Dicathen”