Time slipped by unnoticed, and evening descended upon the Lancaster territory. The announcement for the memorial service echoed through the streets, prompting everyone to cease their activities. Those not engaged in critical tasks, such as defending the territory from beast attacks or other vital duties, swiftly assembled to join the solemn commemoration.
The memorial commenced with a procession that originated at the territory's southern gate – the very gate through which the fallen soldiers had departed for the ill-fated expedition that led to Gaylord's ambush. The procession then slowly wound its way into the heart of the territory.
At the head of the procession marched a soldier clad in full body armor, a symbolic unlit torch clutched in his hand, representing the extinguished lives of the brave warriors. Flanking him, two other soldiers held aloft the territory's banner, its colors muted by the somber occasion.
Trailing behind them were the grieving families and relatives of the deceased soldiers. Each carried a cherished belonging of their lost loved one – an item that held deep significance during their life, now a poignant reminder of their absence.
Following the bereaved families, the rest of the territory's inhabitants joined the mournful procession. Each individual held a lit lamp, casting a warm, orange glow against the deepening twilight, a stark contrast to the heavy hearts that weighed them down.
A palpable air of sorrow permeated the atmosphere. The rhythmic tread of the procession against the cobbled streets, accompanied by the melancholic strains of a flute and the intermittent sobs of the grieving, created a symphony of sadness that resonated through the territory.
The procession advanced at a measured pace, finally halting upon reaching the territory's central square. The lead soldier guided the mourners towards a raised platform that had been prepared for the ceremony.
Nearby, Magnus and Augustus stood in the central square, awaiting the procession's arrival. As the last mourners entered the square, Augustus turned to Magnus.
"Lord Magnus," Augustus said, his voice low and respectful, "it is time for your speech."
Magnus nodded, a wave of nervousness washing over him. He observed the vast procession – tens of thousands of people gathered in the square. Despite his meticulous preparations, the sheer number of his subjects staring expectantly in his direction caused a knot to form in his stomach.
'Fortunately, I came prepared,' Magnus murmured, recalling the new skill he had acquired specifically for this occasion.
-[Resonant Voice [A]: Your voice carries unnatural weight and clarity, allowing you to project your words over long distances and imbue them with emotional resonance, influencing the feelings of those who hear them. NOTE: The emotions being amplified depend on the mood of the speech.]
This skill was invaluable for a leader. Not only was it beneficial for occasions like this, but it would also prove crucial in times of war, enabling him to bolster the morale of his soldiers through powerful oratory. It was a potent ability, albeit one that came at a considerable cost. Magnus had expended a substantial amount of evolution points to acquire it. Fortunately, Vorax and several of his recently summoned troops were actively hunting within the Silent Forest, steadily replenishing his point reserves.
Emboldened by the potential of his new skill, Magnus' renewed confidence propelled him towards the platform.
Ascending the steps, he stood before the assembled crowd, the weight of thousands of gazes upon him. He sensed a mixture of grief, hope, and expectation radiating from his subjects. The knot in his stomach tightened, but he resolutely pushed it aside.
Clearing his throat, Magnus began his address. "People of the Lancaster territory," he began, his amplified voice resonating throughout the square, the [Resonant Voice] skill subtly stirring the emotions of the crowd with each word, "I stand before you today, in our gathering place, not in celebration or jubilation, not in victory, but with a heavy heart, in remembrance of those we lost in our recent battle."
"Today, we stand here, the earth beneath our feet heavy with the weight of our loss. These brave souls, they fought with courage, with conviction, with a fire in their hearts that burned brighter than the stars. They fought and died, but not without purpose. They fought for their homes, for their families, for their loved ones. They fought and died for the very air we breathe." Magnus paused, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.
At that moment, many in the crowd could no longer contain their grief. Sobs and wails erupted, fueled by the emotional resonance of Magnus's words, amplified by [Resonant Voice].
Magnus's own heart ached as he surveyed the grieving crowd. He continued, his voice rising in strength and conviction. "But will these men, and the many more who have fought for us, for the life we live today, for everything we hold dear – will their deaths be in vain?" He paused again, allowing his question to hang in the thick, tense air, permeating the silence of the square. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken emotion, growing heavier with each passing moment as Magnus's question resonated within the hearts of his people.
"No!" Magnus declared, his voice ringing out after allowing his question to hang in the air for a dramatic pause. "I say their deaths and sacrifices will not be in vain, because there…" He trailed off, his hand gesturing towards the territory's central fountain.
The crowd followed his gaze. A lone soldier stood by the empty fountain. With a flourish, the soldier pulled away a heavy cloth, revealing what lay beneath. It was a massive marble slab, intricately etched with patterns. Upon closer inspection, thousands of tiny names became visible, meticulously inscribed into the stone. Despite the sheer number of names, the vast marble surface remained largely unfilled, leaving ample space for future inscriptions.
This memorial had been the most challenging aspect of the ceremony's planning. Augustus had overseen the painstaking work of numerous artisans who carved the memorial, ensuring each of the thousands of soldiers lost in the recent Gaylord ambush was honored. Magnus and Augustus had jointly decided to place the memorial in the fountain's center, replacing the towering statue of Magnus's father, the former Lord Arthur. They believed this symbolic gesture would demonstrate their empathy and build trust with their grieving subjects. Their strategy appeared to be working. As the crowd focused on the memorial, Magnus saw a cascade of system notifications appear in his vision, each one confirming the positive impact of his actions. He muted them temporarily to avoid distraction during his speech.
Seeing the crowd's attention fixed on the memorial, Magnus continued. "Right there, on that memorial, those brave fallen have etched their names for eternity, never to be erased. Their names stand as a beacon. Every time we look upon them, we may not feel joy, but we will be filled with renewed hope. The hope that these brave souls, who fought for us, and the many more who will follow in their footsteps, instill in us." His voice, thick with emotion, resonated through the square, amplified by his [Resonant Voice] skill. The wails from the crowd intensified, a testament to the powerful impact of his words.
Magnus paused, allowing the wave of grief to subside before resuming, his voice now softer, yet firm. "My people, I know that right now, you are experiencing many emotions, most significantly, fear, considering recent events. I don't blame any of you. I feel it too. But will we allow fear to cripple us? Will we let the deaths of the fallen be in vain by failing to protect our home, the very home they died defending? Will we be able to face them if we allow our home to fall?" His voice, amplified by his skill, reached every corner of the square.
"We will not! Because I, standing before you, not as the young lord you once knew, but as the one ordained by the Gods, blessed by the Gods to lead you to greatness, refuse to let that happen!"
"Yes, we feel fear, but I assure you, you have nothing to worry about. With the help of the Gods who have blessed me, this territory will achieve greatness. But to achieve this, it requires the combined efforts of not just me, but all of you. So, I plead with you, if not for me, then for the fallen, let go of whatever holds you back and focus on restoring this territory to its former glory. It is only through our combined efforts that we will achieve this." With these final words, Magnus concluded his speech and descended the platform, leaving his people to process the potent mix of emotions swirling within them, amplified by the lingering effects of his [Resonant Voice].
As he stepped off the platform, he unmuted his system notifications. Now that he was no longer speaking, the influx of messages wouldn't be distracting.
-[Some of your subjects feel motivated by your speech and vow to do more.]
-[Some of your subjects feel ashamed to hear your speech for not doing anything but retreating in fear. They vow to do better.]
-[Some of your men are enthusiastic to see the growth of the territory and want to contribute more.]
-[Some of your subjects are touched by your decision to replace the statue of the former territory lord, your father, with the memorial.]
-[The trust of your subjects has increased.]
A barrage of notifications flooded his vision.
'Seems like giving that speech was a good idea after all,' Magnus mused, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He hadn't realized he possessed such oratorical skills.
"Great speech," Augustus praised as Magnus rejoined him. "I never knew you had such a talent."
"I never knew I had it either," Magnus replied, concealing the true source of his inspiration – a compilation of speeches from movies, webnovels, and anime from his past life. "I guess just expressing your emotions to your people is a good foundation for a speech."
"Well, whatever you did, it worked. The people seem to have received it well…" Augustus said, his voice trailing off as he observed the lingering impact of Magnus's words on the crowd.
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[A/N_ If you've this far into the story, please remember to drop a review]