Chapter 1038 Speech of Purpose
Looking at the presented item, Ryze couldn't help but nod his head repeatedly.
He was approving the three generals' works.
Despite not knowing where Rex was able to adopt them from, he made the right decision to recruit them and make them general. Ryze would never thought of making this, and the fact that Rex also hasn't means he also hasn't thought of it.
But even so, the three generals did, and it was a very good thing.
"I figured Lord Rex has no time to ponder deeply for the betterment of the city, so I decided to be the one to help him in that aspect," Gelmar smiled in excitement, he wanted to tell Rex about this but there was absolutely no way he could do that.
Rex was too busy, and Gelmar couldn't find the perfect time to tell him.
Shaking his head, Ryze nodded firmly, "I'm quite sure that he would approve of this"
"Albeit the design will change in the future, as there's no input from Lord Rex in creating this, it's still a start. Our people would need to feel a sense of belonging, and this is—I believe will be a great start" Dindora added, there was a hint of pride in her tone.
Naturally, seeing Ryze's expression made her feel good about this.
"Go and place it on top of the castle, let the citizens see it," Ryze commanded quickly.
However, the three generals looked at each other meaningfully.
Upon seeing their reaction, Ryze raised an eyebrow before Gelmar explained, "Actually... We already expected the answer from you and went ahead and gathered our army beforehand. I apologize in advance, but all of them are outside right now"
Receiving the news, Ryze was at a loss for words.
Even then, he firmed his resolve and gave Gelmar a strong nod, "Okay, lead me to them..."
A moment later.
It was a gloomy day for Dargena City, the heavens brooded, a leaden canvas painted with a stroke of unease. Dark clouds draped the firmament like mourning shrouds, suffocating any hint of the sun which surrendered its warmth to the embrace of shadows.
A sepulchral hush lingered in the air, broken only by the banter of a humongous crowd.
Nature itself seemed to grieve and be influenced by the uneasy atmosphere.
Overcasting the entire city, the air of uneasiness draped over the residents who had dropped their daily activities and gathered in the big space at the heart of the city, below the majestic castle belonging to the ruler of the city, the Silverstar Pack.
From a bird's eye view, the crowd was separated into two distinctive categories.
At the heart of the place stood six legions in a square formation adorned in the resplendent crimson Prudian armor, the product of the factory that had recently completed arming the entire army. Each soldier emanated a palpable heat, capable of intensifying their auras and bestowing upon them an air of seasoned expertise.
Every enemy that they encounter would think of them as a mystical army.
It was their armor that definitely stood out.
Some of the high-rank Supernatural races aren't able to fully arm the army under them.
Naturally, Dargena City's army—clad in full armor would be quite menacing.
Despite their menacing auras, knowing that war was coming took a toll on them. Some of the soldiers had a hint of fear in their eyes, surely unfit to face hard challenges. It would be quite impossible to go through anything with fear present in their hearts.
Had it not for the armor, the legions would look comparably weaker if they were scared.
Aside from that, located at the edges were the civilians.
Kids, mothers, the elderly—those who weren't able to fight properly were excluded from the army. Despite the dire situation, nothing but those who could give it their all could enter the army, yet the civilians still gathered at the sight.
Each one of them gazed at the assembled army with awe and appreciation.
It was clear that the army would fight for survival in their stead.
At the very least they could do is to appreciate them, and come to watch them depart.
Currently, the soldiers and the civilians were discussing as to why they were called to come here by the three captains themselves. Since they were all told to come ready in armor, they expected that they would be going to a fight.
Due to that very reason, some of the soldiers were extremely nervous right now.
Meanwhile, Ryze was secretly looking down from the castle.
He was about to give a speech and give a sense of purpose to the entire army so that they could be fueled with determination at the prospect of helping Rex. Naturally, his heart was beating so fast right now from nervousness.
Beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face, showcasing his palpable nervousness.
Standing behind him were Gelmar, Dindora, and Linthia.
Even though he wasn't an official member of the Silverstar Pack, he was known throughout the city as a close friend of the pack. Furthermore, his overbearing exploits on the battlefield against the Rastrian Demons have also reached the citizens' ears.
No one doubts that he is very strong, as a Heavenly Dragonman.
Many found it unbelievable that he could contain the bloodline of a Heavenly Dragonman, but with the Silverstar Pack in the way, there's nothing too hard to believe. Since a Werewolf with the ability to turn into a Human exists, Ryze's existence is not too hard to believe.
Because of that, he was not a complete foreign to Dargena City.
Ryze is the only one who has enough standing and could replace the others today.
Casting one last look at the three generals at the back, Ryze took a deep breath and walked out to the balcony to give his speech to the people of Dargena City below. He clenched his sweaty palms and strode forward.
Seeing that a figure came out of the castle, the banter suddenly stopped.
Everyone fixed their eyes on Ryze.
It was a nerve-wracking sensation as the space before the town hall went completely silent.
Clasping his fists strongly, Ryze stood at the edge—before the parapet and looked down at the massive crowd below him. 'I've never stood in front of this many people, I've never been the center of attention, but now I'm about to try and give a speech. I don't think I can do it...'
Upon standing at this many people, Ryze started to doubt himself.
He looked down at the note that Gelmar gave him to help, but it was a blur, he couldn't think.
A natural reaction for someone who hasn't done anything like this.
Ngingg...
Like an increasingly loud siren, his ears were ringing and his breaths becoming heavier with each inhale. He couldn't stand the pressure, and even Gelmar was noticing that Ryze might not be able to deliver anything.
'Stop it...' Ryze gritted his teeth. 'I don't want to be like this, there's a lot on my back!'
Ryze was aware that his speech would be very impactful to the army.
Failure might cause the army to not want to go and help Rex, or even worse than that, there might be some that decided to desert if forced. Knowing that their opponent would be most likely the Executor himself is also another devastatingly powerful factor.
Most of them who are Awakened ran here because of the Executor, and their family heads.
So it would be hard to convince them.
Due to that, a lot of things might go wrong, and the burden is on Ryze's back right now.
Observing Ryze's struggle from behind, Gelmar was poised to act. None of them, including Rex, could afford the consequences, the stakes were too high for everyone. Thus, Gelmar already devised contingency plans to assume Ryze's role if needed.
If he couldn't deliver as expected, he would step in.
Judging by Ryze's current condition—standing stiffly like a statue, he's not going to deliver.
Deciding to act right now, he suddenly halted his steps.
Sensing his approach, Ryze gestured for Gelmar to stay back, steadying his heavy breaths.
Out of nowhere, the heavy breaths ceased altogether as if he was not nervous from the start before he straightened his back to address the crowd, fully abandoning the note in his hand, and going with his feelings instead.
"Some of you might know me now, but in the past, I am a slave,"
Ryze started his speech, his voice was loud and mighty—amplified by Dindora's magic.
"I was separated from my family and traded as a slave in the black market. I faced the grim prospect of a torturous existence at the hands of a master. Initially, fear gripped me as I sat in the cage, but over time, that terror transformed into a profound sense of helplessness. I resigned myself to the cruel destiny of being sold and worked to death"
"But one day, he came and saved me from that pit of despair. Rex came, Lord Rex came..."
Clutching the fence with unwavering determination, Ryze surveyed the crowd below, locking eyes with each individual. His voice carried the resonance of his emotions, "We are at war... and our futures are uncertain. Yet, etched in my mind is the moment when Lord Rex rescued me from that wretched cage. I am sure that all of you have the same memory of him, a time when Lord Rex came and helped you directly or indirectly"
Upon hearing this, the gatherings of people felt a sensation brushing their hearts.
It was true that they all had that memory.
Coming here was their own choice, and they wouldn't come if they didn't favor Rex.
"Lord Rex has sacrificed everything to forge peace in this chaotic world, and now he stands alone on the frontline." Out of sheer anger, Ryze's body ignited with power, a surge of fiery blaze transforming him into his Heavenly Dragonman form. "Our purpose is clear! We are a united force, tethered by Lord Rex's will. He has paved the way, and it is our duty to stand together and safeguard the foundation he has built!"
One of the crowd responded with a determined shout, slamming his spear into the ground.
Soon, others follow, nodding their heads in agreement.
Despite the fact that it was Ryze who gave the speech, the brief story of Ryze's past made them feel connected as if coming from the same background. His passionate words coming from the heart also greatly help him touch the soul.
It didn't take long before more and more people joined in, shouting in a union.
"Our future might be shrouded in darkness brought by the damned Executor that wanted to ruin the entire world into his tyranny, but we are a united force, and we will charge forward into the darkness if Lord Rex is going there! We owed our existence to him, and we will make sure the Executor feels the wrath of the survivors!" With energy, Ryze punched the air, communicating his burning emotions.
Roar!!
In response, the entire army shouted and slammed their weapons to the ground violently.
To the three generals' surprise, Ryze managed to deliver.
Despite the fact that he was still nothing but a kid, the pressure has made a man out of him and helped him rile up the entire army and gave them a purpose. Feeling the burn, Gelmar quickly made his way out and stood beside Ryze.
"We will bring the end to the Executor's tyranny!" Gelmar shouted at the top of his lungs.
His voice rumbles with the might of his entire being.
Looking down at the people of the city, who call Dargena City their home, Gelmar added, "All remaining forces in the new era will kneel to Lord Rex's order! The Executor, the Humans, or even the Supernaturals who try to obstruct our ways will bow to the might we wield!"
"YEAHH!!"
"WE'LL END THE EXECUTOR!!"
"RAARGGHH!!"
Every single soldier raised their weapons high, determined to destroy their opponents.
"Today... Today will herald the twilight of Dargena City which was created with the vision of peace. With courage and unity, we can overcome anything, and we will pay the price due to Lord Rex for granting us this peace!!"
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