The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 496 Wilheims Humility

Chapter 496 Wilheim“s Humility

"Let Wilheim in," Sterfen commented, turning to Rydel.

The hunter nodded and left the room while he finished gathering himself. More than a minute later, Rydel returned with a grateful king in tow.

King Wilheim immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head before the various deities. "Thank you!"

"Stand up... There’s no need for that right now." Sterfen continued, "King Wilheim, thank you for agreeing to our proposal and trusting us to win you and your people the land that you deserve. Before anything, you should know that such a crusade could take a month or two, depending on how Sadros reacts to our invasion."

"I’m not worried at all. Given that I don’t think even half of the people will join me so suddenly, I doubt we’ll need much room for us," reasoned Wilheim.

Eedaj smiled and joined the conversation, "King Wilheim, I think you’re underestimating your people and their respect for you."

"There’s no way that I’m--’

"Of the modern kings, you’re regarded as one of the noblest and most caring to your people. You’re the type of man that will choose to suffer along with your people or even for them, should your suffering be enough to allow your people happiness," explained Eedaj. "You’ve earned not only respect from your people but also loyalty, which grew out of your loyalty to them."

Still keeping his head bowed, Wilheim stated, "I’m a simple man. I believe in treating others as I would wish they treat me. What you and other kings might see as sacrifice or suffering, I see as a privilege."

"Then we’re glad to have you!" Sterfen continued, reaching out and slapping Wilheim on the back. "After you bring any willing citizen to Trodar, we’ll let you remain a king for your people. However, the country will still need to be ruled by what we’ll call the royal council. You’ll be the figurehead of the representatives elected by your people, leading your royal council with your people and Trodar in mind."

"If you wish, I don’t need to remain a king--"

"Yes, you do," Lunara argued, catching the king off guard. "I didn’t just visit you that first time I met you. Since it had been so long, I took a stroll through Frostburn City. King Wilheim, you’re needed as a king for your people’s sake, not for your own. If your title was removed, then they wouldn’t feel as secure about Trodar or their unchangeable decision to follow you."

"With Lunara’s opinion in mind, we want you to remain king of your people but to lead the nation with your fellow councilmen as the spokesman of your council. That’s how you’ll comply with the laws of Trodar and remain a monarch," reasoned Sterfen, smiling back at his wife.

"So you have no choice! You’re their king and it will stay that way. After a few years, then you’ll be able to revoke that title and pick up a new one, but only after the people are more comfortable about their new life under Trodar," Eedaj stated. "Understood?"

Wilheim sighed but then chuckled and shook his head. "I both understand and don’t understand. But if that’s what you require, then I agree wholeheartedly."

"Great! Then, welcome to Trodar!" Sterfen led the many gods as they officially welcomed Wilheim as a new spokesman for the soon-to-exist territory under Trodar.

The rest of the day passed quickly. Those from the guild got more sleep, like Jack’s wives, party, and beast companions. Some of the higher-ups in the Leisure Guild joined Wilheim for his final return to Frostburn City as they prepared for the king’s highly-anticipated speech.

People flocked to Frostburn city in droves. It was startling to find that over ninety percent of Aazoon citizens had managed to gather there via their running teleportation network, mostly due to the free travel costs and urgency of their king’s message. All mages manning those circles were completely exhausted, but they had been paid handsomely for their services and would receive their next bonus the next day after sending everyone back to their homes.

When Frostburn City had filled up entirely within the span of a day, Wilheim and other paid workers constructed massive tents and makeshift windshields to help the remaining citizens gather outside the city.

Once noon rolled around, King Wilheim had already built a raised platform for his speech. It was built within the city square but high enough for those outside the city to notice. Also, Vixus and the others of the Leisure Guild had brought a few things with them to make the speech easier to give.

Wilheim stood proudly on the platform. He marveled at the sight of his people willingly gathered on a moment’s notice. In his hand was a light pink crystal, which appeared to be a variant contact crystal. Once Wilheim felt comfortable enough he began to speak.

"Everyone! Please listen carefully!"

The king’s voice echoes throughout the entire capital but from multiple locations. Those locations that echoed the king’s words strangely were manned by a member of the Leisure Guild, each guarding what looked like the front half of a giant megaphone attached to a stand. And each of those strange cone-like items echoed the king’s words using a similar pink crystal embedded at the base of the cone’s shape.

With both their sudden travel in mind and the strange phenomenon of the king’s voice echoing robustly beyond the city limits, the Aazoon citizens were completely focused on the announcement at hand.

"Everyone... Aazoon is no longer safe!" shouted Wilheim, startling the crowd. "But don’t fear! There is somewhere safe that we can go! You’ve all heard about the sudden war that broke out on our borders. What you don’t know is that Magma Dragons battled our armies earlier this morning in an attempt to destroy us all."

While the crowd was reeling from shock, Wilheim continued and comforted his people, "But know that those dragons have been killed!"

Cheers filled the city but the king wasn’t finished. "However, none of those legendary beasts were killed by anyone from Aazoon."

The cheers began to quiet down. Everyone was confused to hear that, only knowing that Aazoon had been abandoned by the other neighboring nations. Yet someone was willing to help Aazoon against dragons all of a sudden?

"If not for the one ally we had, our army would’ve been slaughtered before the Maldor soldiers could even reach them. But thanks to our one ally, three lv. 80 dragons were slain and Aazoon is temporarily safe," Wilheim continued, hyping up this yet-to-be-named ally all he could.