Chapter 370 - Politics
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~~~(POV: King Jackson)~~~
~~~(Location: Bedroom in Palace, Zenith City)~~~
~~~(Time: 4:31 AM)~~~
News from The Church of Light has been enlightening and worrying at the same time. The Monster Horde has been preparing for something, something far darker and sinister than anyone could've imagined. "You've been out here for hours. Come back to bed." My lovely wife and queen Tessa decides to join me on the balcony attached to our room.
Being out here helps clear my head when problems start to pile up, and no matter how fast I solve them, they're constantly popping up. "Sorry, just thinking about the reports that The Church of Light has sent out to all us rulers. Even the ones that are independent such as ourselves." She knows what I know. I don't keep things from her. She's a ruler of this Kingdom too.
She leans her head on my shoulder and looks out into our beautiful capital with me. Her white hair is cascading down, and it's taking my breath away. The light from the moon is shining down on Zenith and us, and it's causing her hair to sparkle. "Well, come and get some sleep. You need rest too." She smiles at me, and my worries wash away for a brief moment.
Her hand finds mine, and she pulls me from my spot and takes me back to our bedroom. As we lay down in bed, my mind drifts to Amelia and how she's handling all the work she now has. The land we've captured in our war with Bellvia has started development, and Amelia has more help than she'd need. Millions are wanting to work for and with her.
Being the mother of Slayer Zern draws a lot of potential allies, and the same can be said about enemies. "Would you like me to kiss you to get you to relax?" She knows me too well... She places her hand on my cheek and turns my lips towards hers. She kisses me, and my eyes close, distracting me from my thoughts once again.
She's right about taking some time off. She pulls away from the kiss, and my eyes slowly open. She lays her head on my chest, and I find a sense of calm peace coming into me. "Thanks... For being you... You're the best..." My words are something that I don't say often, but I say them when they need to be said. She deserves to hear them.
I'm dreading all the meetings I have starting at noon, but that's part of being a leader and ruler. "Who else would make sure this place doesn't fall apart? Without me, you would've died of stress and overwork ages ago." She's not wrong. She makes it easier. "Now, go to sleep. You need it." My eyes close at her command, and I find myself asleep fast.
~~~(POV: Amelia Zern)~~~
~~~(Location: Meeting in Palace, Zenith City)~~~
~~~(Time: 12:13 PM)~~~
The room is loud with bickering and arguments. All of them are based around the subject today, and that's the development of the Kingdom and our role in this upcoming threat that The Church of Light has discovered. "As the report states!! The Church of Light doesn't know who or what's being summoned yet!!" A noble that I don't know screams over everyone.
This causes an outbreak of retaliation in response. My eyes drift towards Jackson and Tessa, and the disappointed look in his eyes tells me he's getting sick of this fast. "You cretin!! We no longer hold any obligations to The Church of Light!! Their problems aren't ours anymore!!" A nameless noble speaks above the majority of voices, and they all respond in different ways.
I'm getting sick of this, and I'm finding fewer reasons to be here. Wasting time with this is costing valuable learning time that I can be used to develop the land that's come under my possession. Instead of saying anything, I stand up and leave my seat. Heading for the doors to the palace. "Lady Zern! What are your thoughts on this!?" Jackson's voice rings out, and silence ensues.
My head turns, and I look at all the nobles that are waiting for me to speak. "We need to decide on what takes priority, which is why I'm leaving to do something that's important to the Kingdom. You can argue as much as you want, but nothing is getting done by doing so." Leaving no room for any follow-up questions, I leave and descend the stairs into the courtyard.
My personal guards are immediately at my side, and they keep me protected as we continue towards my carriage. This life has far more things I don't like than I do. The carriage starts to move, and my escorts surround my carriage. People notice me and try to shout and scream out requests. It's hard. They don't understand that I don't have powers like my son...
I can't heal their sick and wounded, and I can't give them the salvation that only someone like my son can. Many see me as a saint and less of a noble... It's why many refer to me as Lady, respecting that I'm the one that gave birth to everyone's hope. "My lady, do you wish to read the reports on the status we've made." My head butler takes my attention away.
~~~(POV: Saintess Lucy)~~~
~~~(Location: The Lost Kingdom of Feradia, Capital City Feradia)~~~
~~~(Time: 1:03 PM)~~~
The holograms of the rest of the council members fill the room, and we're discussing the possibilities of what might be summoned. "What we do know is there constantly on the move and taking as many mortal souls as they can. Be them human, animal, insect, pretty much anything that's considered alive. Disregarded their own forces, of course." We all listen to the topic.
We have so little information to go on, and this entire situation isn't going to end well. "Need I remind everyone that this isn't the first time that they've tried to summon a creature from Underworld either. Last time, Fenrir took care of them before we could." The Pope's voice reminds me of that day... Being in the presence of Fenrir was unlike anything I've ever seen or felt.
The Beast of Ragnarok and the Eater of Gods was far more powerful than Slayer Zern, and I'd not want to meet up with Fenrir again. "There is an upside to this. Slayer Zern and Fenrir are friends. That could be used to help us." It turns my stomach hearing some of the ideas that are bouncing around this meeting. Why have we fallen so far...
My eyes close, and I try to think about all the information that we already have. "What we should really be asking is who's willing to help us? More Kingdoms are becoming independent, following King Jackson's stance. The Monster Horde isn't defeated. It's just disappeared." My topic of conversation causes silence from everyone.
The threat of The Monster Horde is still very real, and there isn't anything we can do at the moment. They've completely dropped off the face of Gaia... "You bring up a great point, Saintess Lucy... One that I don't know the answer to..." Alex lowers his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. His replacement will be selected soon, and we'll be stuck with a new person as Pope...
Tracking them down and locating where they're doing the summoning ritual is imperative to stop this. "Should we reach out to King Jackson? He could say something to Amelia and she could speak to Slayer Zern. We need their help..." An idea that I've heard many times but always fail rings in my ears again. This is becoming monotonous and pointless...
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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.
[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.196]
[Exp: 40/100%]
[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]
[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]
[Mana aura control: 6/100%]
[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]
[Stat Points: 50] [Armor rating: 500]
[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]
[Passive Perks]
historical
[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]
[Active Skills]
[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]