Conquering The Novel

Chapter 287  The Ruler!

Ding!—

{Ruler's Authority Is Now Active!}

Swoosh—

!?

As the brilliant light burst forth from Ares and filled the room, the crowd of nobles, officials, and reporters gasped in awe at the sight before them. The dazzling radiance illuminated every corner of the grand hall, and whispers of astonishment and reverence spread like wildfire.

"C-Could this be...?" one noble whispered.

"H-He truly is the chosen one," remarked another.

The High Chancellor himself was taken aback by the display, realizing that something extraordinary had just occurred. Ares, still seated upon the throne, was enveloped in the luminous aura, his expression calm yet unmistakably powerful.

The light soared upward, penetrating the ceiling of the grand hall, and as if guided by an unseen force, it continued to rise, piercing through the layers of the palace walls, until it finally reached the skies above the kingdom of Escratia.

Outside the palace, the citizens of Escratia gazed up in wonder at the breathtaking spectacle. The light painted the entire city with a surreal glow, and the people felt a surge of hope and excitement surging through their hearts. They sensed the dawn of a new era, with a ruler unlike any they had known before.

In distant lands, others with a deep sensitivity to such forces felt a ripple in the fabric of reality. The news of the awakened Ruler resonated across the realms, drawing attention and curiosity from those who held power or sought to challenge it.

Among those who felt the ripple in the fabric of reality were rulers of neighboring kingdoms, mages with ancient knowledge, and high-rank individuals from distant lands.

In the ancient-looking forest, an enigmatic being paused in their contemplations, their senses attuned to the shifting currents of magic.

High atop towering mountain peaks, mystics, and seers gazed into crystal orbs, their visions clouded with images of the newly anointed ruler.

In the Hero Association Building, Jessica stood on the balcony of her room, holding a cup of steaming coffee. Her gaze fixated on the distant horizon where the kingdom of Escratia lay, as she sensed a powerful surge of energy emanating from its borders.

"...An awakened Ruler, you say?" Jessica mused, her eyes filled with intrigue. "This turn of events may have far-reaching consequences. An awakened Ruler can upset the delicate equilibrium that has been established in this past decade," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The news spread like wildfire through the enchanted realms, capturing the attention of both allies and adversaries. Kings and queens, sorcerers, and warlords, all took notice of the awakening of a force that could potentially reshape the balance of power.

***

Back in the grand hall, the High Chancellor stepped forward, his voice trembling with reverence. "B-Behold, my fellow citizens, witnesses of this momentous occasion! The light that graces us today is a testament to the birth of a true ruler, one chosen by destiny itself!" His words resonated through the hall, punctuated by the roaring applause and cheers of the crowd.

Meanwhile, amidst the commotion, Ares remained seated on the throne, his expression calm and composed. The brilliant light that had surrounded him began to fade, gradually subsiding to reveal his figure once more. His eyes gleamed with determination as he observed the excited populace before him.

"...."

'...Well, the timing of the activation of this Ruler's Authority was perfect but quite extravagant,' Ares thought to himself, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. 'I didn't expect it to be this grand.'

As the light continued to diminish, Ares rose from the throne, his regal presence commanding the attention of the crowd.

"My people," Ares began, his voice commanding attention and respect, "the time has come for us to embark on a journey together—a journey toward a brighter future for Escratia!" His words reverberated through the hall, resonating in the hearts of everyone present.

The citizens of Escratia erupted into cheers once again, their voices echoing through the grand hall. The chants of "Long live King Ares!" and "Long live the Kingdom of Escratia!" filled the air, the passion, and loyalty of the people palpable.

The reporters stood in awe, their cameras capturing the momentous occasion, while their pens hurriedly scribbled notes to capture every detail of the event.

With a simple gesture, Ares raised his hand, and the cheering subsided, the crowd growing still and attentive.

And as the sudden silence fell upon the hall, a daring reporter raised her hand and mustered the courage to ask the question that lingered in the minds of all the reporters, yet seemed forgotten or too delicate to be voiced by the citizens of Escratia Kingdom.

"Y-Your Highness," the reporter exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. "What was the cause of death of all the royalties in one night, including King Artemur? A-And given your miraculous survival, presumed dead after the incident that occurred in the finals of the inter-academy tournament, can it be inferred that you had a hand in the deaths of the royalties, seeking your revenge? Speculation has circulated that Prince Artin orchestrated the attack in an attempt to assassinate you."

!?

The room grew silent, the tension thick in the air. All eyes turned to the brave reporter, surprised by her audacity to ask such a pointed question.

Yet, they also recognized the futility of seeking answers that would not change the present reality—where Ares, the sole surviving member of the royal family, now stood as their king.

Ares, however, remained unfazed by the question. He met the reporter's gaze with an indifferent expression, his eyes revealing a glimpse of complex emotions that lay hidden beneath his composed exterior. Finally, he spoke in a measured tone.

"Yes, it was I who killed my brothers, Aretrus and Artin, as well as Queen Arabella," Ares admitted, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow and remorse. The weight of his confession hung in the air, permeating the atmosphere with a mix of shock and understanding.

!?

The room erupted into murmurs and gasps, the magnitude of Ares' revelation sinking in. The reporters scrambled to record and process this unexpected admission, their pens racing across notepads, capturing the weighty truth.

Ares took a deep breath, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, unyielding and with the villainous organization, those who plotted the attack on the innocents during the tournament. But their betrayal runs deeper. They were followers of the demon unapologetic. "I did not seek revenge for the attempt on my life," he clarified, his voice unwavering. "Their deaths were a consequence of their own actions, driven by greed and a thirst for power."

He continued, his voice resonating with conviction. "Yes, I killed those who colluded with the villainous organization, those who plotted the attack on the innocents during the tournament. But their betrayal runs deeper. They were followers of the demon lord Belphagor, conspiring to use the Kingdom of Escratia as a tool for their demonic agendas." He revealed.

!?

A hush fell over the crowd as his words sank in. Ares' revelation painted a darker picture of the royal family's treachery, unveiling their true intentions and the threat they posed to the kingdom and its people.

Suddenly, the knights made their way to the stage, solemnly presenting the bodies of the Shadow organization members, still adorned with their trademark half-skull masks and the lifeless forms of demonic creatures. The sight sent a shiver through the audience, a visual testament to the danger that had lurked within their midst.

Cameras clicked, capturing the startling scene, and suddenly, the holographic screen of a crystal ballflickered to life, projecting a recording of Prince Artin. The crowd watched in awe and disbelief as Artin confessed to poisoning the king and revealed Queen Arabella's hand in the death of Ares' mother.

A collective gasp echoed through the hall, mingling with anger and betrayal. The citizens' emotions shifted, their anger directed toward the deceased traitors who had deceived them and aligned themselves with the demonic forces.

Ares, standing tall amidst the uproar, declared with unwavering resolve, "As a seeker of justice and in fulfillment of my father's last wish, I have brought forth justice upon these traitors who sold their souls and planned to manipulate your lives for their own malevolent goals."

The citizens, fueled by a mix of anger and gratitude, unleashed a torrent of curses aimed at the fallen princes and Queen Arabella. Their voices rose in a thunderous chorus, drowning out the echoes of the past, as they cheered for Ares, the one who had liberated them from the clutches of treachery and saved their kingdom from the grip of darkness.

At that moment, the people of Escratia found solace and hope in their newly crowned king, a beacon of justice and a guardian of their shared future. With their hearts united, they embraced Ares as their leader, ready to follow him into the uncharted path of rebuilding and redemption.