EPISODE 183: AGE’S DAWN 5
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: FINAL ENDING.
Lawruthian Edryani breathed deeply, his eyes were closed and brows furrowed as he quietly sat at his desk. He rubbed his temples as an irritating voice continued to badger him and his actions. Carno Edryani paced around his junior’s study—his heavy steps known only to one other.
“You’re greedy—good, but too greedy—a [Golden Age] has tiers to it, and you desire perfection— Mythical , huh,” Carno laughed. “As an Edryani should .”
Lawruthian opened his eyes—nearly three months had passed since the establishment of the Class-Based Constitutional Monarchy. The branches were well into their developmental plans—even his Monarchy Branch—its eyes away from the public and from the gaze of the other branches themselves. New and old faces in new and expanded positions—everything around him was changing quickly and going down a path he desired.
So why did he feel like it wasn’t enough?
No—not feel, Lawruthian knew it all wasn’t enough. The pressure of his expanded quest [Born To Be King] — The False Sky—added another layer of stress over his already overburdened mind. The CBCM was supposed to relieve this type of burden from his shoulders—that was part of the plan—instead, it added a new layer of mental fatigue.
“It’s only for now—in a year or two, everything will begin to settle,” Lawruthian muttered—ignoring the consistent judgment of his ancestor. “I need a vacation, though.”
Lawruthian chuckled, shaking his head—long ebony gradient hair fell past his face. Its exact coloration was changing—previously, Lawruthian’s hair was nearly seventy percent black and only turned white towards the end. Now it was nearly half-and-half.
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
Three loud knocks startled Lawruthian out of his state. “Enter.”
He didn’t turn to face the guest, knowing it would be Kathrine announcing his next meeting.
“You’re Highness Lawruthian—it's time to officiate the establishment of the Monarchy Branch. Queen Titiana and the [Path Walkers] are waiting for you,” Kathrine softly called. She understood this was the only place her prince would relax—thus she delayed until the final minute before alerting him.
Lawruthian stood, passing a sneering Carno as he left his study. He smirked at him before stepping past Kathrine and heading toward the meeting location. His thoughts wandered to his generals and the Little Greats—he’d given them his blessing in delving into the [Stormforge Dungeon — ★★★★ ] and [Hall of Valor — ★★★★ ]. They’d left since the results of the CBCM vote—Lawruthian wondered what they would return as.
That was a partially failed project—the Imperius Army that was—or perhaps it just needed more time to grow outside his purview and hands. General Alexandria and General Ameri knew what they were doing—just like Lily Maar after he released her. Her discovery of the Adventurer’s Association’s plot ensured his country wasn’t caught off-guard. Hopefully, Madria would guide them well—Lawruthian smiled at the thought of her.
He was letting go of the country of Edryani—at least, that’s what it appeared to be. The Judiciary would put new laws into place, and the Overseers would oversee the people of Edryan. While the Temple and Bellum established their hierarchy and method of doing things—of course, this was under the guidance of his plans, but for once, the Monarchy would not have long, boring court sessions to decide on this or that. Lawruthian fondly recalled the court sessions he’d accompanied his mother to as a baby. The people of Edryan would now face their internal problems as he prepared to face the external one.
Unification of the Genesis Realm.
Grand doors opened without pause for verification as Lawruthian’s all-encompassing presence swept forward. His aura was strong, and its momentum would be felt long before he would be seen. The Path of the King he walked was different from that of the Queen his mother traversed.
Queen Titiana smiled as her favorite son entered. The smile’s light illuminated the entire room—an aura of love and comfort enveloped the prince as he entered, and his taut shoulders relaxed as he viewed his closest family member.
“You’ve worked hard,” Queen Titiana greeted, smiling as her son joined the table next to her. Carno scoffed and walked over to a pillar to lean on.
Lawruthian returned her smile before he calmly accepted the greetings of the various figures present. The [Path Walkers] or formerly [Seven Heroes] were sitting around the long table. Next to them were members of their families and those who wished to join the Monarchy Branch. Lawruthian’s gaze settled on Simra Enlar—who appeared to be slightly at ease as she sat there. Their eyes met, and the prince gave her a reassuring smile before he stood.
“I won’t be polite,” Madris’s Chosen stated. “We all understand what the Monarchy Branch will do and how it will participate in Great Edryan.”
The idle chatter quieted as Madris’s Chosen spoke. He was Her Shepard, and they were the lambs of His flock. “The Monarchy Branch is Great Edryan’s guiding hand to ensure those who are qualified lead our nation without restrictions of class or heritage. We are shepherds, and Edryan is our first flock. Many of you have attended or been involved in the establishment of another branch—some as advisors, others as spearheads for initiatives. That is the Monarchy Branch. ”
Gamal.
Oni.
Romus.
Consus.
Musa.
Drumian.
Members of the Six Great Houses listened intently to the words of their Shepard.
Edryani.
Madris’s Chosen looked to his mother. “What is the status of our [Golden Age]?”
Only one person could truly see how close the country of Edryan was to achieving their dream. The Queen’s smile dimmed, and she shared the notification with her child.
“Lawruthian, we’ve done it. At any time, we can activate the [Golden Age],” Queen Titiana gently stated. She watched her son’s hard gaze on the notifications that appeared before him. “Be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
A [Golden Age] was a set of requirements listed by the system that would activate nationwide enhancing skills. These skills ranged in many fields and ultimately would enhance all factors about a country—propelling them forward in all fields. Advancements that would take months could be finished in a day. Magical acumen would lead to advancements that would allow the magi to change their country in a matter of years instead of centuries. To the [Chosen of Madris], it was like putting the country in an accelerated time while the rest of the world moved normally. Madris’s Chosen stared a complete list—a list that stated all requirements to activate a [Golden Age] was complete.
Yet, he wasn’t happy.
“We can’t,” he shook his head, his voice low. Those present weren’t sure if he was addressing himself or the Queen. “It's not enough. We have to achieve perfection. The increase in time…”
Queen Titiana frowned as she listened to her son’s words. Her eyes flickered to the notifications—her gaze specifically at the one asking whether she’d like to activate the [Golden Age]. She hesitated, but ultimately, she waited on her son word. She was not the one who would complete the Goddess’s Divine Quest. Ultimately, she differed to his judgment.
“Why can’t we,” she gently asked, confused. “We fit all the requirements.”
“We do, but the skill (Golden Age)… it has to be mythical. I believe we need the enhancement it gives us.”
Queen Titiana’s brows furrowed as she looked at the benefit. (Golden Age — Legendary) — Enhance the duration of all skills by double. If the [Golden Age] was going to last a year, this would make it two. It was as simple as that, yet it brought a face of unwillingness to her son. Queen Titiana didn’t fully understand or recognize the importance. She understood the benefit overall and how it would double the length of the Golden Age, but she didn’t grasp why it held such importance to her son. She opened her mouth to respond, but Lawruthian continued, his eyes flickering to a pillar across the hall.
“What we lack for (Golden Age — Mythical) is a feat worthy of such a skill. But… there is an opportunity to rectify it,” Madris’s Chosen steadily voiced.
The Six Great Families exchanged looks as this conversation continued between Queen Titiana and Madris’s Chosen. Many of them waited patiently, knowing a resolution would be given soon. The [Chosen of Madris] promised his people a [Golden Age]—an age where all magic, all magi-humans would excel. An age were those would put in the effort would break past the bounds of their class and rise to new heights. It was an age of revolution and change—where the country would truly establish itself as Great Edryan. Like a butterfly, they would enter a cocoon and emerge as a new creature during the rapid evolution.
“I know of a feat the country can achieve that should allow us to gain more time during a [Golden Age],” Lawruthian’s face became more confident as he spoke. His eyes glanced toward a dark pillar on which a figure leaned. He’d pondered his words and found them reasonable. “Putting an End to Adventure—killing the dragon Rasheed should fulfill some hidden system requirements that will give us more time.”
Low murmurs broke out at the words of Lawruthian. There were already talks of an expedition into the Forest of Wyvern’s Roost, and many figures present knew of the scouts who entered the area—searching for a path an army could march through.
“Margret… what do you think,” Queen Titiana turned to one of her closest advisors.
“I believe it would be a greater feat that killing two calamities,” Margret said as she adjusted her glances, a solemn expression present. “It would create a sense of unity and pride in the magi that hasn’t been seen since the rising and fall of Princess Carina.”
“But will it achieve the Mythical His Highness is looking for,” Akeem Oni asked, frowning. “The momentum we’ve built in the people of Edryan would be lost should we delay, and it is for naught.”
“I think we should take the chance,” Marna began. “Regardless of whether it achieves the goal, such a feat would bring back any lost momentum.”
Conversation continued between the carious figures present. Lawruthian calmly stood, listening but also thinking.
He held all the requirements to activate a [Golden Age] for the people of Edryan. He was confident it would propel the magi forward and achieve certain technologies he felt they lacked to fight a world war. In his studies, Lawruthian learned several states experienced what he’d called a magi-technological revolution. Both their forms of magic, their class and skill structure, and the basic life of their citizens were all higher than that of a magi. He recalled his lessons on the gnomes of Ja’Forr City-State and the quality of goods they produced—fast airships, walking cities that boasted magical cannons that could kill a four-star beast with a single shot. A city that claimed to be able to fight against the power of demigods.
That wasn’t the worse—the True Elves of Elysium were said to possess magic centuries ahead of anyone else. Lawruthian posed one question to himself…
How was he to fight that with swords and shields?
No matter how many years passed, Lawruthian still kept a stigma that the magi were behind in all fields and the [Golden Age] was his solution to catching them up—no—he wouldn’t just catch them up but propel them further than ever before.
“The Golden Age will be delayed—we still have time and once we put an End to Adventure, the system may recognize that as a great feat and enhance the benefits we can receive.”
His words came as a finale—it left no room for discussion or compromise as it cut off the conversations.
“Then—lets us discuss how we will put an End to this Adventure,” Queen Titiana’s voice stated coolly. Those present recognized the tone of the [Iron-Blooded Queen].
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