As I stood before my people in the heart the Alzerian, I could feel the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders like a heavy cloak. This moment felt surreal—an amalgam of fear and hope, courage and uncertainty. I raised my voice, letting it resonate through the assembled crowd, "To all my dear people of the Alzerian Kingdom, I am Red, your king, and these are my loyal servants. Together, we will ensure that the Alzerian Kingdom rises again."The faces before me were lined with weariness from years of oppression, their spirits dulled by the reign of Stone. "After our battle, much has changed in our town. It is no longer a home for humans alone; goblins now reside among us, too. As their king, I must emphasize that in our fight for freedom, these goblins have shed blood alongside us." I paused, meeting the eyes of the villagers, searching for understanding. "I implore you to abandon any notions of discrimination against your fellow countrymen. We are one now, united in our efforts to reclaim our heritage."A murmur swept through the crowd, a gradual swell of understanding. "New laws and order will soon be established, along with medical facilities and institutions for education and trade. We face a crisis, and time is not on our side!" I took a breath, my heart pounding, urgency flooding my tone. "So I ask each of you for your support. Please!"With my speech delivered, I bowed slightly, a gesture of respect and humility. The audience held their breath for a moment before a young boy shouted enthusiastically, "We are with you, King Red!" His words sparked a wave of shouts and chants throughout the crowd. The sounds swelled around me—their unity was palpable, a vibration of hope that made my heart swell with joy. I felt chosen, embraced by my people, and I knew this was the beginning of something monumental.As the ceremony advanced, two young women stepped onto the stage, carrying a crown crafted uniquely for the occasion. One half glimmered in the light, fashioned from gold, while the other was entwined with leaves and wood, representing the union of human and goblin. Standing before me, Chloe, my confidante and steadfast ally, approached with reverence, fastening the crown upon my head. In that moment, as the soft weight of the king's cloak wrapped around my shoulders, I felt the enormity of my responsibilities settle into my bones.The day melted into jubilant celebration, laughter echoing through the town for the first time in years. Villagers danced joyously, small flames flickering in makeshift lanterns, filling the air with warmth and light. They celebrated not only their new king but the dawn of freedom that felt like a distant dream, now tangible and real.
That same fateful night, the atmosphere in the dimly lit chamber was thick with anticipation. The grand ceremony had finally drawn to a close, but the true work was only just beginning. "Master, summon him," the sage skill intoned, his voice a deliberate murmur that sliced through the tension. "Now that the ceremony is over, we must turn our focus to our enemies and the development of our kingdom. My intuition tells me the enemy has already been informed of your actions—the slaying of Stonewell. We've captured their spies and severed their lines of communication, but it's likely they know more than we suspect."Ah, Sage, you speak the truth. After the war, in our victory, we had grown a little careless. Yet, at least we now knew our adversaries, even if our current strength against them was scant. I leaned back, allowing my mind to traverse the vast tapestry of strategy that lay before us, weaving in thoughts from our recent encounters with the enemy spies we had apprehended."What plans might the Kingdom of Spade have after our confrontation?" I wondered.
"Summon Ignite, Guild Master, and Stone," I commanded, my tone shifting to one of authority. Moments later, the trio summoned in the chamber, their expressions a blend of curiosity and respect."Yes, Master, we are here," Ignite replied, his fiery gaze reflecting the embers of determination within."Let's begin our confrontation with Stone," I said, glancing at the Guild Master. "I trust you understand the importance of discretion in this matter. These are confidential details—do not speak of them to anyone else. We cannot determine how many spies remain hidden among our ranks.""Of course, Master," the Guild Master replied solemnly, his features set with unwavering resolve. "We will keep our lips sealed."I turned to Stone, my gaze steady and intense. "Now, Stone, I must ask you to reveal all that you know about the Kingdom of Spade and its goddess."Stone inhaled deeply, ready to divulge the intelligence that could shift the tides in our favor. "Yes, Master," he began, his voice equally heavy with the gravity of his words. "The Kingdom of Spade is led by a strategic mind—their queen is known for her cunning and adaptability.
The following morning dawned with a hopeful brightness, casting golden rays over the Alzerian Kingdom."Okay, Chloe, so this is the guild, hm?" I mused, surveying the building as they approached. "It looks like it hasn't been cleaned or used for years." I stepped forward, inspecting the wooden structure that stood in the center of town, cloaked in layers of dust and adorned with spider webs that whispered tales of neglect.Accompanied by Chloe, Charla, the guild master, and Ignite, I strode into the guild. We found ourselve surrounded by remnants of former activity, a ghost of the kingdom's past bustling with traders and travelers. "This place has so much potential," i remarked, my spirit igniting with determination.After an initial clean-up, fueled by teamwork and a shared vision for their future, they rummaged through piles of old documents until they unearthed a device—that was more than mere machinery. It was a conduit of information bestowed upon every kingdom, designed to show the status of the realm to travelers, traders, and the Divine Council and its members."This device operates on the energy of the Supreme One," Charla explained, wiping the dust off the panel with a cloth that had seen better days. "It cannot be manipulated, unlike the deceit we faced under Stone. During his reign, it categorized Alzerian Kingdom as a restricted area, placing us in the 'X' group."I turned the page to a list that categorized all kingdoms. Intrigued, I read aloud:"X group—ruled by a tyrant leader, unsafe for travelers and traders, high crime rate, on the verge of extinction, no progress.
F group—a smattering of progress with a small population, offering limited safety for its citizens.
E group—is somewhat better than F.
D group—larger population and stable trade market, with improvements in all aspects compared to E.
C group—larger population, significant economic contributions, skilled craftsmen, and more kingdoms under their influence.
B group—similar to C, yet more refined.
A group—dominant population, major economic contributors, wealthy citizens, and a formidable army with expansive territories.
S group—the elite of the elite, where only three kingdoms have ascended."After clearing away the remnants of dust and setting up their modest offices, they activated the device with a hopeful yet anxious heart. As the screen flickered to life, anticipation crackled in the air; at last, the Alzerian Kingdom emerged from the shadows of oppression."We are classified as an F group kingdom!" Chloe exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and relief dancing in her voice. "That's far better than being in the X group. But we still have so much work to do; as long as people view us as the 'bottom of the barrel,' we won't be able to reclaim our rightful place in this world."