The Lances Announced

[Arthur Leywin's POV]

I was currently eating breakfast in the dining room with my family, the Helsteas and Elijah, though Jaron was absent. Apparently he had some business to attend to as 'Rez' and left a couple days ago. Though he didn't say what it was I could tell by that cheeky smile he gets when he finds something funny, usually at my or other people's expense, that I would know the reason soon.

He had been a little distant the past couple weeks since I returned from my adventure. After that night that we returned Tessia and Kathyln to Xyrus, he seemed to give only the bare amount of interaction that wouldn't draw other people's attention. I notice him glancing at me and Elijah from time to time, and when I brought it up to him he just shrugged it off. Saying, "No need to worry", before walking off.

Jaron intrigues me to say the least, and I can't quite place why. His actions remind me of myself, but also at the same time they don't. I can't always tell until after the fact but some of the things he says, while not technically lying, are rather misleading. If I didn't interact with him on a day to day basis I'm sure I wouldn't even notice, and for some reason he gives off an aura that puts me at ease. Rather than the tenseness and scrutinization people similar to him would have received in my last life.

I'm broken from my thoughts as my father speaks while his mouth his still full of eggs.

"Kids, if you don't have any plans, do you want to go with us to the City Square? There's a big announcement in the Capital City of Etistin where the King and Queen reside, but a couple of artificers are going to put up a live projection of the broadcast in City Square." I look to Elijah while mother scolds father for talking with his mouth full.

"Sounds good. Elijah and I don't have anything planned today anyways, right?" Not stopping his ravaging of the food on his plate, Elijah gives me a thumbs up. Ellie wanted to accompany us, but mother ruthlessly shot her down with the reasoning that she had school today.

This all worked out for me as I remembered Vincent saying he was going to visit a famous artificer and I wanted to tag along. Though confused by my wanting to come, he relented and said that it would be fine for me to come with him to meet Gideon. I have plenty I want to discuss with someone like that, and I may just get somethings in return.

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We were weaving our way through the jam packed streets of Xyrus, making our way to the City Square, where the projection of the announcement would be held. There were 4 orbs hanging in the air, forming a square, they were the artifacts that would project the announcement all the way from Etistin. Only me, my father, and the Helsteas came. Mother and Ellie stayed behind so that Ellie could still attend her schooling, though it surprised me that they wouldn't cancel the lesson with such an announcement today.

I could also almost feel the energy and nervousness coming off the Helsteas as they stood together in anticipation, eagerly awaiting the projection to come on.

"Uncle Vincent, is something wrong?" He turned toward me and shook his head with a small chuckle.

"No, Arthur, everything is quite alright. Just a little excited, it's not everyday we get big announcements like this." He had already turned back to wait before I could push further, but I decided to leave it. It didn't feel like he was lying, and there's really no reason for him too.

The orbs began to glow, and shortly after an image formed together on screen of the Glayder Castle in Etistin.

"The three Kings and Queens of the different countries in our beloved Continent of Dicathen have gathered here on this memorable day!" A man who seemed to be a minister of sorts, with a thick grey beard announced to the masses standing below. They all kneeled when the next man stepped forward as the minister stepped away, and it was obvious why. It was King Blaine.

The image zoomed in to focus on the balcony of the castle, showing Blaine standing near the ledge. Behind him sat Priscilla, who was joined by the Kings and Queens of the Elf and Dwarf kingdoms respectively, as well as Virion standing just behind Alduin and Merial.

(AN: large excerpt from the book coming, spoken by Blaine. Feel free to skip, but I felt I needed to add it.)

"Today marks the beginning of a new era in this Continent we call our home. I assume many of you are aware of the existing problems between the Humans and the Elves while even the Dwarves were considered just business partners. However, that is not the way we wish to continue. The representatives of all three kingdoms—your leaders—have met together many times over these past few years in an effort to unite our races. Two years ago, we had agreed for all three races to be able to become adventurers. It started out with just one or two representatives, but now it has expanded. It brings me a smile when I see parties with humans, elves, and dwarves alike, working together towards a common goal. Last year marked another big milestone where Xyrus Academy welcomed students from the Kingdom of Elenoir and the Kingdom of Darv so that the new generation of mages can make friends and memories with not just humans, but all three races. We all understand how difficult it may be for some of us to adjust after constant enmity between us. However, we urge you to let go of the past and the discriminations you may hold, and think beyond that, if not for yourself, but for your children and the future of this continent."

With the sound of applause roaring throughout the crowd, Blaine moved to his seat while Alduin stood and approached the voice enhancing artifact. Who also gave a long winded speech before finally outright saying what they had been tip toeing around.

"That's right! You have not heard wrong, fellow citizens of Dicathen. We are announcing today, February 10th of the 1005th Cycle, that we have found evidence of another continent."

First was silence that eventually gave way to frantic and terrified murmurings from the crowds, both Xyrus and Etistin. I could only feel excitement rush through me as my hands shook. Father and Vincent and Tabitha all looked at each other in shock, which in turn shocked me as I thought they would have known what this announcement was about based on how Vincent acted. Lilia had a hand covering her mouth and the other was clenching Tabitha's tightly.

"Quiet!!" Everyone's clamoring ceased as I looked up at the screen to see the dwarf king now standing in front of the microphone. Alduin had stepped back once the dwarf king came forward, who began to rattle off while the crowd was still partially stunned.

"The process of joining our three races and kingdoms will take time and much effort, but today, we will be anointing 7 individuals—individuals that we, the three kings and queens, believe to be the most courageous, tactful, smart and powerful."

6 warriors clad in white military style uniforms, varying only slightly between them, began to walk out in an order starting with 2 elves, 2 human, and finishing off with 2 dwarves. It almost seemed like they were separated by gender as well, except the elves had 2 female warrior representing them. The closer I looked, I realized that the people up there were the same ones that competed in that tournament when I first returned from the elf kingdom.

The 6 warriors all knelt down in a line facing the Kings, who stood and retrieved rings from an ornate box and then made their way in front of them. Glayder in front of the elves, Alduin the dwarves, and the dwarf king in front of the humans. Receiving the rings they all stood, and turned to bow to crowd, sending wave of cheers and applause rippling through them.

"These six individuals will henceforth be granted the title of the Six Lances. Each Lance signifies the ties they hold not to their Kingdom, but to the entire Continent. This is a truly historical moment as the first Lances have been anointed. These six individuals' main goal will be towards the well-being of the Continent, whether that be exploring dangerous and unknown dungeons in the Beast Glades, as well as working alongside us, the rulers of this Continent, to ensure that our home is protected when the time comes that we are met with foreign hostilities from a different Continent."

Blaine spoke out over the crowd about the newly coined, Lances. Though they said 7 individuals and I only count 6, Elijah seemed to have the same thought and looked to me in confusion.

"Didn't he say 7? I only see 6." I just shrugged my shoulders and was saved from answering by what was said next.

"However, as you may know Lances are typically an offensive weapon. Which is why the council decided that the Lances should also have a shield in company, or rather the Shield." With a flourish of his hand to his left another figure began to walk out that made my jaw drop. A steel grey mask encased in a black hood, followed by an equally black cloak and leathers walked out. It was Rez, or rather Jaron.

Cheers once again roared through the crowd, as many people knew of Rez. One of only 2 S rank adventurers and the only one of them that participated in the Tri-Race tournament, but mysteriously withdrew. Rez walked all the way until he was beside King Blaine.

"And someone known as the Shield, should receive something fitting to his new title. The others received rings that are powerful artifacts, but the Shield requested something different. Which is why Rez, will be receiving his titles name sake, embodying his purpose of protecting not just the people of Dicathen. But also his fellow peers, the 6 Lances."

Blaine continued as a servant came up carrying something that was covered in a cloak, but I could imagine what it was based on what Blaine had said. Sure enough with a dramatic unveiling by another servant, a bright angelic white shield was revealed. It had many designs decorating it in colors of red, gold and silver. It looked to be a heater shield with a pronounced sharp point at the bottom, that curved up before squaring off at the top.

It was only about the size of Jaron's torso, so I feel it's more for show than actual use but it still gives off strong aura. Even though I was a king in my past life, and know about these types of rallying speeches I couldn't help but feel excited by everything. The person that I had learned from during the early days of my travels was essentially being projected as the strongest mage in Dicathen.

It only reinvigorated me to continue my training, and grow stronger, so that I might catch up to him. I know that Jaron is very knowledgeable about the world, more so than myself in the books and history side of things, but he doesn't know about beings like Sylvia and the being that came for her. I will just have to get stronger, and hope that he is stronger enough to hold the line until I can reach that point.

"People of Dicathen, let me and the 6 Lances represent not the peak of what it means to be a mage, but rather the goal all mages should strive for. Hard work and dedication will take you far and will only enhance your chances of one day becoming like us. Our power is not unobtainable due to your status or wealth. I myself was born an orphan, and through my efforts I became one of the first S rank adventurers in quite some time.

Dicathen will surely need strong and capable mages in the future, and you could be those mages that protect us. No matter if the continent is peaceful or not, gain strength to protect yourselves and your loved ones. As King Alduin had said earlier, there's still much of even our own continent that has not been explored to its fullest. Lets have this next generation of adventurers, mages, artificers, engineers, doctors, scientists and all others lead to a better and brighter Dicathen."

Chills ran down my spine when Jaron finished his speech, he honestly felt more kingly than any of the kings who had spoke before him. I could tell the whole crowd felt each and every single one of his words, as the air seemed to vibrate with the excitement of all the people. The Helsteas had happy tears in their eyes as they watched the image being projected by the crystals eventually fade out. Still though, nobody moved and only few whisperings were exchanged.

Eventually the conversations started to grow and with that a cacophony erupted from the glee of all the people in attendance. Children formed groups and Lances and the Shield, adults chatted about the bright future that Dicathen had ahead of it. And honestly I felt it as well, something in me believed everything Jaron said would come true and that he really would lead us to this future.

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Author's Note

I'm back! Yup, I didn't drop the FF yet lol. Actually I'm writing this on Wednesday July 21st a little before I plan to fully come back. I just had this idea running around my brain ever since I said I needed to take a break. So this will probably be posted at a later date.

Sorry for all the word for word rips from the book, but I felt it was necessary. It might even be good for some of the people who have only read the comic version. This won't happen that often as I think the last time I did something to this extent was during the auction between Blaine and Arthur.

Also I hope people weren't too put off by this being from Arthur's POV, but I felt like it added to the moment.

Lastly what do you guys think of him being "the Shield", I know it's kind of a cringey name and I debated back and forth for other things, but I ultimately decided on this. Next chapter will show Jaron's POV of how everything came about as well explain from his side why he seemed distant from Arthur and the others.

I don't think I'm going to add Ellie's birthday, I might just make a little paragraph talking about it though. So I think the chapter after Jaron's POV might be a small time skip to the start of the Academy year after summarizing what happened in between.

Thank you all for your patience and kind words when I said I needed to take a break. I think my brain just needed a rest because even though writing isn't stressful like my job has been, it still is taxing. So thanks again, and I hope to keep providing you all with more chapters in the future.

Thanks for reading.

-SocioPhobia