When Akriod noticed the hint of frustration cross Ronan's face amidst the chaotic uproar, a surge of curiosity stirred within him.
He hesitated, mindful not to say anything out of place, so he took a moment to absorb the surrounding turmoil of the crowd.
In a tone that was calm, yet detached, he eventually spoke, his words laced with curiosity, all while his gaze lingered on the tumultuous scene:
"Hmmm, such a sight... this doesn't belong in the capital. What could possibly drive them to act this way, almost as if they were savages?"
His question was meant to uncover the reason behind this demonstration.
Akriod had no personal experience with democracy, so he framed his inquiry with care.
Choosing an indirect approach, he was cautious not to sound out of sorts to Ronan, especially given his lack of knowledge about Inar's memories—the deceased man, who might have knowledge of the reason behind these demonstrations.
""I will never blame you, sir. A person of your position is far too high to pay attention to the existence of such matters, These savages gathered here, come from all corners of the five regions surrounding the capital to protest. It is a shame to see so many of Elethra's democracy now challenging the democratic system. During the president's five-year term, particularly in the last three years, such demonstrations have been escalating. And now, look, sir, where it has led. They are demanding a reduction in the basic taxes imposed. Fools, they fail to realize that without these taxes, they would not be able to live today. Without them, the infrastructure would not have reached its current level. These people are out of touch with reality. And now, they have the audacity to demand that the president be removed from office, attempting to change the economic, social, and cultural foundations established by the great northern theocracy for the entire nation. Without it, we would have easily been consumed by the underworld."
"It seems their choice to time the protest coincides carefully with the annual celebration of democracy," he said in a voice tinged with feigned wonder, his tone marked by indifference.
Yet, deep down, he admired it, captivated by that subtle glow emanating from the people's unrest.
Their protest's goals didn't concern him; what drew his attention was the small fire kindling in their hearts—the unspoken signals of discontent, the rising tones of defiance growing steadily louder against the steadfast foundations that the Northern theocracy had built upon the soil of their lives.
In that discontent, he saw something intriguing... something alive that needed to be awakened so it could be used if necessary.
The anxiety was clearly visible on Ronan's face, reflecting his tension in the face of the Dysar's changing mood.
Caution was etched on his features as he spoke, "My lord, I can file the complaint with the headquarters of the Democratic Forces and make this protesters feel the bitterness of their audacity to stand in front of your procession, if you wish." Ronan's words fell from his lips carefully.
He could have ordered the soldiers to intervene violently or called upon the National Guard through the headquarters of the Democratic Security Forces to launch a wave of arrests.
But no—Akriod would not stoop to such tainted arrogance.
Not out of mercy for the people, but because, for him, the matter transcended that.
In his eyes, there was a fundamental difference between crushing harmful insects and those that posed no threat—especially those that could be of use.
He slowly raised his hand, draped in arrogance blended with cold indifference. His eyes drifted away from Ronan, fixing instead on the scene unfolding beyond the carriage window.
With a deliberately lazy gesture, he pointed at him with an implied insult, as though offering pity to a beggar, and said in a calm, detached tone:
"No… as long as they pose no threat, leave them. Barking does no harm."
He then followed with a stern command to Ronan : "Tell the soldiers to clear the path for passage."
Despite the arrogance he displayed, devoid of any concern toward Ronan, what did not escape his notice was what lay in the eyes of those gathered.
Those eyes, expressing a unified will like blazing flames, caught his attention.
Without hesitation, he uttered the dry words: "Yes, sir." He obeyed the command without a moment's pause, gently drawing back the curtain from his side to reveal what lay beyond. He then turned his head to give a decisive order to one of the soldiers standing around the desar carriage:
"Let the lions roar."
The reply came swiftly, without question:
"At once, sir." The soldier, gripping his rifle, was ready to move.
Ronan returned to his place, and a heavy silence hung in the air for a few brief seconds, while Liana fixed her gaze on Akriod, sitting with grace and elegance, as Akriod attentively observed the scene outside.
Suddenly, without warning, the lions roared with a thunderous sound, like a violent earthquake.
Ronan jumped slightly from his seat, but quickly gathered himself and returned to his posture, attempting to appear unaffected and hide any sign of embarrassment.
The roar of the Northern Lions was distinctive, unlike any other animal's. It carried within it an aura of majesty and strength.
When this sound rose, everything around it fell silent, just like the hushed voices of the crowd in the protest, as if the roar imposed an unchallenged stillness.
Tens of thousands of people who had filled the streets suddenly fell silent, their voices quieted, and their steps retreated. Compassionate looks filled their eyes, and their hearts quivered in fear from the terrifying, thundering roars of the Northern Lions, which filled the horizon with their savage presence.
The lions had undergone exceptional training; they did not kill humans, for their primary task was to pull the chariots. However, everything halted at the command of their master, a command they never missed nor hesitated to follow.
The crowds receded and scattered in all directions, spreading across the sidewalks and into the corners of the road, with no choice but to comply.
As the straight path leading to the main road was cleared for passage, the carriages surged forward with full force, passing swiftly, while the only thing the people could do was watch.
The carriages set off toward the grand palace, which loomed in the distance atop the capital, towering with all its splendor, as if warmly awaiting the arrival of its visitors, defying the elegant buildings with the majesty of its height.