The rain has been pouring in Opidhelm since the morning has started, but it did not stop for the residents to come outside and wait for the upcoming event. This day is the last day of the celebration and also the climax for the whole festival which lasted for a whole.
"I think I'm going to be sick."
"It's your fault for drinking that much yesterday-- Hey! Don't vomit near me. There still time, so you can go to the bathroom and vomit there."
"Excuse me for a while."
Helena came running out of the line looking for a deserted place to handle her business. It may disrupt the current formation, but no one really cares as long as she is back before we start the parade.
Every Children is present and equipped with their most extravagant armours and weapons. Everyone except King Isaac who is currently in his castle waiting for us to walk in. This was a simple parade which displays every one of us to the public eye.
When Helena came back, she did not stay beside us but instead move in further in front of the line. Since Jackson and I are parts of the Imperial Lords, we would be the last to show ourselves.
The sounds of trumpets and drums beating signalled the start of our parade. White doves were released to welcome us while cheers of the people almost deafen our ears. It was the grandest of entrances you can ever imagine for any person in this Kingdom.
Helena and the rest of the Imperial Guardians were the first one to show themselves under the rainy sky. Walking in a straight line, the assigned guard knights were making sure that no one was able to come close to the road us Children will be walking. Although no matter how the knights tried to lessen the crowd's behaviour, people were still able to find a way to pass through them-- A little girl, for example, was able to sneak her way in.
The child was pushed around by the adults that were trying their best to get noticed by their idols. Because of that, the small girl was hurt when she fell on the path. Faith who was leading the front handled the situation pretty well. After making sure the child was safe, she patted her head and told her to return to her parents calmly after instructing the guards to make a way for her. This action of hers gave massive cheers, especially the crowd of men.
It might be because we are different, but all Children appearances are at least above average compared to the citizens of Opidelhm. Even the most unfortunate looking one among us can be considered as a handsome actor for these people. That is why some of us has a fanbase cheering on the side, mostly the women of the Children.
With that being said, the Guardians have all reached the destination and it was our turn.
We receive the same reception among the crowd. But compared to when the guardians took the stage, there is clearly some hesitant voices mix in it.
Since we Imperial Lords are usually implementing rules that needed strict use of force, many of them feared being on the receiving end of the stick. However, no one really did it to common people like the ones present now since we have more use of our time. This fear of theirs is mostly because of the weird rumours that keep on circulating.
I closed my eyes for the whole time we are supposed to wave and flaunt ourselves to the public. Only when we reached the castle's entrance did I open them again.
"That was tiring."
"Why do we need to do that anyway."
"To show that change is coming to our Kingdom."
Isaac showed up with his most dignified appearance and answered the curiosity of some Children talking within themselves. Black hair and chiselled face with a well-built body, he is one of the better-looking Children among us. His well-embellished red tunic and his golden crown have portrayed a picture of an untouchable person in front of us. The dignity he brings by simply coming to us was second to none.
"We greet, our King."
All of us goes down on one knee to greet Isaac. As much as how close we are with Isaac, he is still the king that needs to be respected. Last night seems like a dream when compared to how everyone is so focused on maintaining a proper image.
The crowd did the same and gave their respect to the king while Isaac just stood their quietly. After observing his people, he turned back and walked towards the door of the castle. He does not need to say anything to tell us to follow him.
I can hear the crowd at the back returning to their daily lives, but our side was dead silent. No one said a thing for the whole trip until we reached the Great Hall. This place is where King Isaac usually dine in normal days, but today, it has been arranged to be a meeting hall.
There was only a single table that was sitting on the whole room. A royal throne on the end for the King and Fourteen chairs for the fourteen Imperial Lords. The remaining hundred or so Guardians are left standing, but they are still an important participant in the discussion.
The room is quiet and will stay quiet until Isaac decides to speak.
"I know some of you are still hungover from yesterday. Too bad we cannot rest for today. I need everyone's attention for this time."
No one answered, but silence means yes for this situation. Speaking is forbidden until permitted by Isaac at this point.
"As you might have heard yesterday, the nobles have begun to act on their own. We can't do anything in the meantime because everything they're doing is still considered to be dictated by the Pope. Until they do something out of the ordinary, we can only turn to blind eye concerning with their actions."
"…"
"Concerning these mysterious Travellers that was suddenly given to us by Kefri according to the Pope, I want every information before I decide what to do with them-- Smiley, you should be the one who knows the most about them. Share everything notable."
Smiley, like his name suggests, always has a smile on his face. He is on the shorter side within us Children and the shortest among us Lords. If I remember correctly, he was assigned to Solstice City for gathering information.
"First of all, I cannot get the hype about Travellers. The Pope and our citizens treat them like they will be the overlords of Astrea. Saviour and such, they can barely survive an attack of a normal giant ogre."
"Them being weak is already common knowledge. But I believe their growth is exponentially fast."
"That is something, yet I don't see them surpassing any of us anytime soon. Not to mention, they won't live a single second in front of a Devil-- Another thing to take note of them that may be related to their rapid growth, is they seem to only live to fight. Except for killing and purchasing things that help them kill beasts faster, they practically do nothing productive for the Kingdom.
"Hmm… I guess this is where those nobles' plan takes in place."