Part 3
A deathly silence filled the room. Everyone waited for what the king had to say.
"Youth Daigo..." the king finally said as he looked at the bracelet. "Do you really believe the enemy's words? Do you truly think our kingdom would try to force you?"
The young man tried to take off the bracelet, but it was useless. There was no shock, no pain, no warning. He simply... couldn't take it off.
"I don't know, Your Majesty. But I tried to remove it, and I couldn't."
"That's normal," the High Pontiff cut in. "That bracelet is linked to the Hero's Fragment. It keeps anyone else from taking your sacred weapon and summoning it whenever they want."
The people present exchanged surprised looks.
"They are sacred treasures given by Yoru."
Still unable to believe it, Riku turned back toward the king.
"You must not let an enemy's words influence you. If they really were control bracelets... shouldn't they respond to a direct order from the king?"
The king paused for a moment before speaking in a firm voice.
"Daigo... kill the High Pontiff. That is an order."
Everyone in the room froze.
All eyes were fixed on the young hero, waiting for some kind of reaction.
But absolutely nothing happened.
Even Riku frowned, completely confused.
The king gave a faint smile.
"You see? Don't let an enemy's words plant doubt in your heart."
Daigo wanted to answer, but the words refused to leave his mouth.
"You should get some rest and put your thoughts in order," the king said as he signaled to the guards.
Then he walked over to the young man and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know losing your companions isn't easy. No one can accept something like that overnight."
"I..."
Riku couldn't process everything that was happening.
The king gave him a friendly pat on the back.
"Don't say anything. Get some rest."
He turned toward the guards.
"Escort the young hero to the guest room and provide him with everything he needs."
...
"Thank you... Your Majesty."
"You don't have to thank me. You are the heroes of this kingdom. Our future depends on you. Go get some rest. Tomorrow, a carriage will take you back to Mirash."
Riku nodded silently and left the room, escorted by two guards.
The king fixed his gaze on the sword and the Eagle of the South emblem that General Montero had left behind.
"Two generals gone... Four heroes dead, and two missing..."
The High Pontiff stood up.
"That is exactly why we must learn from this defeat, Your Majesty."
Then he turned his gaze toward Adriano, who was waiting patiently in his seat.
"I believe we should speed up the campaign plan against Zvukograd. Sending another expedition to Mist Valley would only bring more losses."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But if we can make the Children of Ice witness our power, they may agree to join our cause."
"Sooner or later, that man called Yamato will fall. No enemy can defy Yoru's will forever."
Several of the people present nodded and began to applaud Father Giovanni's words.
The king took the sword and the Eagle's emblem into his hands.
"I suppose you're right. If we show weakness now, all we'll accomplish is making the neighboring kingdoms see us as a vulnerable nation."
Then he slowly walked until he stopped in front of his son.
"The time has come for the next generation to forge its own path."
Adriano met his father's gaze.
"Adriano Valheim."
The prince rose from his seat and knelt before the king.
Aurelius slowly drew Montero's sword and rested the tip on the young man's right shoulder.
"I, Aurelius Valheim, King of Valheim, hereby appoint you General of the Southern Eagle Legion."
The hall fell completely silent.
"If anyone present objects to this appointment, speak now."
No one said a word.
Adriano lowered his head.
"I, Adriano Valheim, swear before Your Majesty, before our god Yoru, and before everyone gathered here that I will dedicate my life to leading this kingdom to victory, with the honor and responsibility this sword represents."
The king slowly withdrew the blade and handed him the sword along with the Eagle's emblem.
Adriano raised the sword with pride. At last, he had obtained the position he had desired since he was a child.
The hall erupted into applause and cheers as Aurelius watched his son with a smile filled with pride.
What none of those present seemed to understand was that the young man had just inherited a shattered army, scarred by the worst military defeat in Valheim's recent history.
And above all...
He had just become the next enemy of the man the world was beginning to know as the Void Lord.