novelRevolution
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In the same stadium where Elanev had been beaten by the Black Raven King.
Counting the gold on his desk, the manager of the stadium was surprised when he heard a knock on his door.
He wasn't expecting any visitors, and his door was guarded by two Eminent Human Fighters.
Standing up and walking to open the door, he was shocked as he saw the two guards fall inside, unconscious.
Immediately conjuring two fireballs, he was just about to shoot them through the door when he heard a familiar voice drift through.
"Hey, hey, remember me? I'm here with a business opportunity! If you listen to me, you might just find yourself owning more than one stadium!"
As the man who had resulted in one of his biggest profits till date stepped through the door, the manager looked at him suspiciously before lowering his hands.
The fireballs were still there, but this meant that he was at least ready to listen.
"Speak, " he said, taking a seat behind his table and looking at Elanev with piercing eyes.
"First, watch this."f𝒓ee𝙬𝒆𝚋no𝘷𝐞l - 🅽🅽novel
A display trinket expanded in the man's hand, showing the manager a shocking scene.
A group of Black Raven Soldiers leaped forward to attack some sort of army, before being blown into the air along with their Raven companions. As the dust settled, around 2000 bodies could be seen on the ground with almost as many ravens twitching in pain. Although they hadn't taken the full brunt of the impact like the soldiers, the fire which had shot upward had scorched them thoroughly.
"Those were the soldiers who were just killed by Lanthanor when they tried to flee with Ker gems from a mine that has been found on their land. You know where I've been till now, right."
Still shocked from the site he had seen, the manager only nodded before saying shakily, "With the king."
"Good. Then let me tell you that he speaks frequently about obtaining Ker Gems at any cost in order to hasten his training. He is the reason why these soldiers died. I have it on good faith that he even had an option to save their lives, but he still chose their demise. Is such a King worthy of ruling you? What's to say he won't sacrifice you in the future for the same thing?"
The manager was a smart man. Recovering quickly, he thought for a moment and said, "Especially with the recent debacle, no, he isn't. But who can challenge him? No one has appeared with the true blood for decades."
"What about the kin of the previous king? Wouldn't they be a good candidate?"
"They would. The previous king is still remembered fondly due the love he had for the people. Alas, he lost the duel so he had to give up the throne. I heard that his family died. That's not true?"
Shaking his head, Elanev jabbed a finger behind him and said, "One remains. And he wishes to duel the king. I need to interrupt a match in the stadium so that he can make the announcement. He needs the people behind him as I don't trust the King to not resort to underhanded methods if he goes directly to the Palace. It needs to be a public challenge, and he needs to go with the power and support of the people. Just imagine it. If he wins, your stadium will become famous as the one where the revolution started."
"But if he loses, I'll definitely be killed by the king for allowing it."
Chuckling at the response, Elanev said, "I don't need to tell someone in your line of work about betting on something to win big. It's your choice."
Hearing this, the manager paused and tried to collect his thoughts. He was also a citizen who was proud of his Kingdom, and he had been very saddened to see it humiliated like so.
So what if the challenger lost? He could just run away. He would still be someone who did something to at least try and help the Kingdom that he loved so much.
Thinking along these lines and getting up, he said, "Let's do it. Right now. Let's go."
This made a smile appear in the man's face, as he said "I was hoping you would say that, " and followed behind the manager who headed towards the gate that led to the ground.
.... .
"I can do it no longer. I stayed silent till now because I thought that the Kingdom was in good hands. But seeing this King fail so many times and now even send 2000 soldiers to their deaths just to obtain some resources to train himself, I decided that I cannot stand to the side. My father always told me that the one who does nothing when he sees a crime that he can stop is just as guilty as the one who is actually committing the crime. The King of Lanthanor had no choice, and I would have done the same if it were my people were being threatened. I have always felt out of place in Lanthanor. I was unable to connect with the people. I was unable to care for them. But the only reason I stayed was for my friend, who asked for my help when he ascended the throne. I come back now to my homeland, to take back what was once my father's. I have severed all ties with Lanthanor, and my only allegiance now lies with the people of the Black Raven Kingdom. I extend an official challenge to the King, and I hope he actually takes this challenge to show everyone that he is still eligible to rule this magnificent Kingdom which has come to be because of our grand Deity. Follow me now to the Palace. Follow me now for revolution. Follow me now for a new ruler who will only have your well-being in his heart. All hail the mighty Black Raven!"
As Daneel stood disguised as a citizen in the stands of the stadium and watched Faxul as he gave this passionate speech, he wondered if he was really seeing his friend.
Even though he had written the speech and given it to him months ago, he hadn't expected that Faxul would deliver it so effectively.
Seeing the people around him rise up from their seats and shout as one with support, he smiled knowing that the plan was going well.
It had started with the match that had been going on being interrupted by display trinkets which popped up around the stadium and showed the ghastly scene of the soldiers dying.
Next, Elanev, who was now a known face among the people walked forward and told the spectators about the King's'lust for power' which had led to the deaths of so many soldiers.
This was followed by this rousing speech by Faxul which was definitely a smashing success.
The second part of the plan was simple: use the unrest of the people and stoke a revolution which would give the King no choice but to accept the duel with Faxul.
It was the rule of the Kingdom. A King could be challenged once every year by anyone who thought that the Black Raven blood flowed through them stronger.
The fight would be using ravens that had not been previously contracted by the participants in the duel, and the winner would be crowned as King if he managed to connect with the protector Raven.
15 years ago, the present king had challenged the previous one in this way and defeated him.
Would history repeat itself, with the son of the previous king coming back to avenge his father?
This was the question that floated in the minds of the people who all trudged out of the stadium as one. Of course, more than anything, the frustration that had been bottled up because of being insulted by the man before erupted at this moment. The sight of the soldiers dying had pushed them over the edge, and now that they had someone whom they could rally behind, they were ready to demand for a new King.
In this way, a procession started which headed to the Palace. Faxul and Elanev were both at its head, with Faxul repeating a few parts of his speech at all the villages and towns that he passed. The people did their part by explaining everything that happened, and the display trinkets that were floating in the air showing the images of the soldiers dying made many citizens drop everything they were doing and join the procession.
Daneel himself was shocked seeing the single-minded support that Faxul was receiving. Teleporting away, he prepared to carry out the second mission to help his friend.
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