The Sacrifice of Light 3

As the grand doors swung open, King Harald looked up from the worn papers spread across the table before him. His sharp, golden eyes met mine, though they quickly flickered across the room as the officials and nobles standing before him instinctively stepped aside, creating a path leading straight to the throne. The atmosphere was tense, yet respectful.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I stepped forward, my padded feet barely making a sound on the stone floor. As I moved, I couldn't help but take in the state of the throne room. Though still grand in structure, the signs of decay were evident—cracks in the marble pillars, faded tapestries that once depicted grand victories, and a once-lavish carpet now dulled with age and wear. Even the throne itself, though still commanding in presence, bore the marks of time, its golden accents chipped and worn. The kingdom was truly struggling.

When I reached the foot of the throne, King Harald finally spoke. "Lirien," he said, his voice steady yet carrying the weight of expectation. "I have high hopes for you as the Hero of Rurul."

I remained silent, letting his words sink in as I kept my expression neutral. This wasn't unexpected. To them, I was now the hero, the one meant to turn things around. But before I could even begin to play that role, I needed information.

"Your Majesty," I said, my voice firm yet respectful, "What is the current state of the kingdom?"

King Harald's expression darkened slightly, and he looked down at the papers once more, as if weighing his words. "Terrible," he admitted. "Resources are scarce, villages are barely holding on, and worse yet, the next human delegation is arriving in a month."

I frowned. "And what does that mean?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "They come after every raid," he explained. "They bring goods in exchange for compliance, but their true purpose is to flaunt their power—to display their 'catch' of demi-humans, taken from our villages, paraded like trophies." His jaw tightened, his voice filled with restrained anger. "It is their way of reminding us that they see us as nothing more than livestock."

My hands curled into fists. The weight of his words settled heavily in my chest. This wasn't just a matter of survival—it was humiliation, control, and oppression woven into every aspect of the demi-human kingdom's existence.

I exhaled slowly, pushing down the frustration rising within me. There was no room for emotion now. If I was going to change anything, I needed to think carefully. Strategically.

I looked up at King Harald. "Then we have a month to change the narrative."

His eyes narrowed slightly, watching me with cautious curiosity. "And what do you propose?"

I took a deep breath, my mind already beginning to turn with ideas. "We start with information. I need to know everything about the kingdom's infrastructure, resources, military, and trade." I met his gaze firmly. "If I am to be the Hero of Rurul, then I need to know exactly what I have to work with."

King Harald studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Then let us begin."

He stood up and gestured for me to follow him. Without another word, he led me out of the throne room, down a series of dimly lit corridors. The stone walls bore the same signs of age and neglect as the throne room—cracks, faded tapestries, and the occasional missing tile in the floor. Despite its regal past, this place was crumbling.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a simple wooden door. There was nothing grand about it—just a door like any other. Harald placed his hand on the handle and pushed it open. "This is my office," he said as we stepped inside.

The room was small and cluttered. A large wooden table stood in the center, covered in stacks of documents, maps, and ink-stained papers. A worn-out chair sat behind it, its cushion flattened from years of use. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books and old records, many covered in dust. Harald walked around the table and took a seat in the old chair with a sigh, motioning for me to sit in the chair across from him. It was slightly better in shape than the one he occupied, but still far from comfortable.

"I assumed you would want as much information as possible on the kingdom," Harald said, shuffling a few stacks of papers forward. "So I prepared what I could."

I glanced at the various piles, nodding. "Thank you." I reached for the first stack labeled Military Management and began skimming through it. The contents painted a bleak picture—low numbers, outdated equipment, little to no structured training. Next, I picked up the stack on Resources—scarce materials, a barely functioning supply chain, and inefficient mining operations. Lastly, I skimmed through the Farming and Agriculture documents—poor soil management, underdeveloped irrigation, and unreliable harvests.

After a few minutes of reading, I set the papers down and looked up at Harald. "It's worse than I expected," I admitted. "But I can work with this."

Harald watched me carefully, waiting for my next words. I took a deep breath before speaking.

"First, I need absolute authority over the kingdom."

His eyes widened slightly, startled by my direct demand. He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "That is no small request."

I met his gaze, unwavering. "If I am to fix this, I cannot be hindered by political opposition, outdated traditions, or hesitation. Every decision I make must be carried out without delay."

Harald remained silent for a moment, then exhaled deeply. "If you can convince me that you truly have a plan to make things better, I would happily lay down my crown and give the kingdom to you."

I nodded and leaned forward, beginning to outline my plan in detail. I told him about the steps I would take—how we would first assess the population's skills, how infrastructure would be improved, and how we would set up the foundations for technological advancements. I explained the necessity of finding capable individuals to aid in administration, military training, and industry. Each step would be gradual, but each one would be vital to ensuring the kingdom's survival and eventual prosperity.

As I spoke, Harald listened intently, his sharp eyes never leaving me. He asked a few questions, testing my resolve, but the more I explained, the more I saw a glint of something in his gaze—hope.

When I finished, he let out a thoughtful hum. "Your plan is ambitious," he admitted. "But I cannot deny its potential."

I sat back, letting him process everything. "The first step," I continued, "is to find capable people. For that, I want to make a public announcement. Every citizen of the kingdom will be required to take a test—something that will help us identify those with intelligence, skill, and potential."

Harald raised an eyebrow. "A test? You think the people will accept that?"

"They won't see results immediately, but that's not the point," I said. "This is only the first step. Once we take action, the improvements will come gradually, and the people will start to see the benefits. But we have to start somewhere."

Harald stroked his beard, considering my words. "And what of the human delegation coming in a month?"

I shook my head. "It's too early to make a move against them. For now, I want you to keep the position of king in front of them. I won't be getting involved—not yet. If we act too soon, they'll see us as a threat before we're ready."

Harald sighed but nodded. "I agree. We are not in a position to challenge them yet. Very well, I will trust your judgment on this."

He stood up and placed his hands on the table. "I will make preparations for a public announcement. During it, I will declare you as the new ruler of the kingdom. You may also use this opportunity to speak to the people directly."

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. This was the beginning of something much bigger than myself.

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The scene shifted to a grand balcony overlooking the central courtyard. I sat quietly, hands resting on my lap, while King Harald stood at the edge, his hands gripping the stone railing as he gazed over the gathered crowd below. The people had come in droves, filling the courtyard and spilling into the surrounding streets. Murmurs and hushed conversations filled the air, their uncertainty evident.

Harald straightened his posture before speaking, his voice steady yet heavy with emotion. "My people," he began, his voice amplified by the magical device set before him. "For too long, I have watched you suffer. I have carried the weight of this kingdom's decline, and despite my efforts, I have failed to change its fate."

A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd, the weight of his words sinking in.

"But we could not stand idly by any longer. So we did what had to be done—we summoned a hero," Harald continued. "Yet, our means were insufficient. The ritual was incomplete, and the summoning was on the verge of failure. But in that moment, my daughter, Princess Lirien, made the ultimate sacrifice. She stepped into the circle, giving her life to ensure that the hero could be brought forth."

Gasps and murmurs of shock echoed through the courtyard. Many clutched their hands to their chests, grief and disbelief painting their faces.

Harald took a deep breath and turned, stepping back from the railing. He turned to face me, then, in front of everyone, bowed deeply. "Now, the hero stands before you in my daughter's body, and I will place my faith in her to do what I could not."

I stood, my steps slow and deliberate as I approached him. As I passed by, I reached out and gave him a firm pat on the back. "Don't worry, old man," I said with a small smirk. "I'll make this kingdom the strongest one in existence."

A few quiet chuckles rippled through the officials standing behind us, but the weight of my words settled over the crowd. I stepped to the front of the balcony and took a deep breath. My fingers adjusted the magical device that would amplify my voice, ensuring that everyone could hear what I had to say.

This was my moment to shape the future.