Marcus was kicking himself. How had he made such a blunder in the fight? Pure negligence. That's what it was. He had gotten so cocky about him knocking down the enemies that he had completely failed to react to the massive billowing explosion until it had been too late and blown up in his face.
He sat there, waiting for Artemis to start berating him, but was surprised to see the Headless Judge talk before her.
{Announcement: Skeletal Army – Advanced Completed}
{Status – Dead : 60 second penalty added}
{Time – 2:27.13}
{Ranking – 41}
Marcus sat there in shock. He hadn't realised others would also challenge the same arena as him, and he hadn't thought he would be ranked. He didn't know if 41st was good or not, but he knew he could've done better.
[ "Well I think we both know what I'm going to say… you did well, Marcus, you really did. You've got to keep in mind that this test is done by many who are far older and more experienced than you, and you did beat a lot of them. You definitely could've done better though, not dying namely." ]
He nodded vigorously, making Artemis crack up with laughter.
[ "Let's go finish off this year then!" ]
6 months later, Marcus stood on a balcony facing the massive plethora of citizens he had united over the past 2 years. He was saying his farewells and stepping down from his place as King, allowing his advisor Kolkar to take over in his absence.
Marcus had arranged for him to become the Nation's Founding Father and would have a statue put up in his name so that if he ever did return, he could prove his legitimacy.
By Kolkar's request, he also left his fingerprint and Vis signature on a parchment to be held in a royal library, ensuring his identity couldn't be used by a fraud.
He did feel a little upset about leaving his kingdom, but he buried his emotions so that he could address his citizens.
"People of my City, it brings me great sadness that I must announce my departing from this land… but fear not! For I have blessed this kingdom with both my leadership and with my connections, so even in my absence we shall thrive! My heir to the throne shall be Kolkar, my advisor, and on my return, I will expect great things from you, just as you shall from me, so do not disappoint me!"
With that, he raised his hands into the air and whipped up a mini storm with a streak of uncontrolled Vis. The crowd erupted into tears and cheers, and drinks were thrown up into the air, splashing over Marcus's citizens and leaving a rather musty smell in the air.
That couldn't dissuade the people, however, as they continued to scream and cheer for many minutes after. After many efforts to quiet them, Marcus finally got them to calm down enough to announce his final announcement.
"In my last act as King, I will be hosting a massive feast for the people! All are welcome and it shall all be free of charge!"
This led to even more cheering, and several screams of "WE LOVE YOU" and similar-sounding voices. There had been many who had tried to previously court him at galas and royal balls, an idea which Marcus had brought to the island to spice up the culture a little.
It had been massively popular with the people, and there was typically one thrown by a noble family every few months. Marcus had tried to attend as many as he could but made sure he prioritised his training over the social interactions. He had good relations with all of his people, however, and had made sure to award nobility to those who had fought aside him or had displayed their loyalty. He had also built a monument to fallen generals and had dedicated an area to be used as a graveyard for the fallen soldiers.
There had been long-lasting fruit-bearing trees grown surrounding the graveyard, and the nutrients from the bodies of the soldiers would grow the trees up, bringing out a tradition of hanging magical lamps on the branches of the trees on the anniversaries of significant wars and battles.
A few hours later, the chefs finished preparing the meals they had been working on for the past day. Marcus had kept the food warm using a magical circle of void runes he had developed so that the food wouldn't go stale whilst the rest was being made.
The civilians didn't know this, however, and thus would think their King had accommodated them in a spur of the moment, making every meal fresh for their taking.
Long tables seating hundreds had wheeled out to every street so that there was enough space for everyone to take a seat at the tables that had been covered in a cloth decorated with images of the battles which Marcus had orchestrated and images of the different scattered tribes being unified.
The cloths had been carefully crafted so that each area had an image of their area's unifications along with a battle that was fought nearby. They were made of bright colours and were made to give a sense of victory and accomplishment, as well as inspiring a sense of pride in the people.
The cloths had been directed by Marcus, who had been directed by Artemis. It had taken a lot of time to finally persuade her to stop bragging, and at one point Marcus had genuinely been scared that she'd never stop!
The people were guided to their seats where they set down bags and other forms of luggage before plodding down into their cushioned chairs, music from several musicians playing aloud in the festivities.
The soldiers and volunteers who were acting as waiters carried the food out with a particular grandiose, setting the feast down upon the tables for the people to dig into. For many, this was the first time they had eaten anything so grand and fancy, so they were very excited to get their hands into whatever meals they were being offered.
A sweet fragrance wafted up into the noses of the people as the famous Royal Beverage was brought out that went by the name of "wine". It had been an instant hit with the people, and the "taverns" that their new King had opened up around the nation was full of people taking the full effect of its intoxications.
The drink was brought out by the barrel and set down by each table, attached to a tap for people to take their servings from whenever they felt like having another.
After a few hours of feasting, music and partying, the performances went off for an interval, leaving plenty of time for the intoxicated citizens to make a mess of things.
A similar picture began to be painted across every table, where groups of citizens would start to badmouth other parts of the city or start to turn on those who had wronged them before. Mercenaries and other fighters who had been forced to fight for the faction had been pardoned by Marcus's order, but in the eye of the people, they were nothing but outsiders and villains.
These "villains" were outcast and started to unite against the citizens, turning the interval into a battlefield.
Up at the head table where Marcus sat with his nobles, they had been enjoying a conversation about marrying off daughters when a messenger suddenly ran into the royal courtyard, coming to Marcus's side and whispering into his ear, explaining the situation. Alarmed, Marcus rose to his feet, saying "Continue without me. I'll be back shortly".
With that, he proceeded out of the courtyard and towards the terrace where he had made his previous announcement. His advisor, Kolkar, quickly scurried up behind him, wiping his lips from the sauces from the meal he had just had.
"Kolkar rig me up to the announcer as soon as possible. We have to stop this before it gets out of hand"
He nodded, before turning to a nearby servant and giving him orders to rig up the speakers. After fiddling with the magic iron wires for a little, the servant nodded to Marcus, signalling that the speakers were now on.
Marcus cleared his throat and spoke out to his people, gathering their attention quickly.
"People of our great nation, why do you fight each other? Why do you turn on each other for injustices we have already solved? Did we not just fight our foes and achieve victory? Did I not just royally pardon those forced into battle? Put yourselves in their shoes, even if just for a second, and think. If your loved ones were held against you, would you not act in their best interests? Would you not fight to save their lives, even if their chances at survival are slim? We've banded together to create a nation we want. A nation we'd want out children to grow up in! And we shouldn't destroy everything we've worked for in a few seconds of lapsed judgement!"
The people hung their heads in shame. Marcus's talk had definitely had an effect, and the people who had begun to turn on each other embraced their counterparts instead, ending the conflicts they were facing.
Foes turned to friends, and the day would later be celebrated as "the Day of Union", and every reigning Monarch would have to host a feast for the people, or embrace the wrath of the people. Marcus's actions had definitely caused a lot of money to have been spent, but the people loved him for it.