A Time of Action

Now finally, the King has gathered every single noble at the palace of Nuem, in the hall. From there, the nobles were gathered from the lowest peerage to the highest ones, being the Grandquesters.

The hall was packed as it is significantly smaller than the hall in the city of Geroyville. Although it is not a surprise, Grandquester Ixander is not present at the venue.

Ixander actually received the news from his steward after he has heard it from one of the people who go to the market. When he goes back to Ixander's shelter, he goes back with a news for what is amiss around the vicinity.

At the same day, two couriers approached the shelter of Ixander. The first one to arrive is a courier coming from the Kingdom of Carab. Before sending out the telegram, Khatan Tanya heard of the news of Ixander's self-exile and the crisis that is in the Kingdom, especially with the question of loyalty Ixander has.

"Oh my, Ixander is in danger. We must take action and secure for him a place here in Khatanabat if anything happens!"

Khatan Tanya then sent out a telegram to Ixander, and once it had arrived, it was given to Ixander through Simjen.

The contents of the letter is sealed, and has the seal of Khatan Tanya.

The letter contains the following:

"Beloved Ixander,

If time comes that the Livinian king and their spiteful nobles reject your idea of emancipation of slave, then come to Carab. If they refuse that the equal life of humans are to be recognized, then you are welcome here. I am awed at the principle you are fighting for. Immediately when I took the throne as Khatan, I abolished serfdom and any kind of declaration of inequality in my realm. I see now that our duties for our people align with each other.

If time comes, you are welcome here

Truly yours,

Khatan Tanya Amperiatoulu."

As for the second telegram, King-Elected Lodayr of Grenavia heard of the crisis that is happening in the Kingdom of Livinia. The Grenavian king said "That is quite a shame. They are having an issue with the implementation of slavery in their land. Good thing we do not have such in here."

"Hmm, you know what? I think if anything happens, we should tell that guy that he will have a place in Grenavia, after all, we are desperately trying to break a stalemate with Alban" said King Lodayr.

He then ordered the writing of a telegram to Ixander's shelter, and one going to the King of Livinia. The one going to Ixander arrived first at his dwelling. He received the telegram again through Simjen. Ixander, in reaction, said "Why are other kingdoms giving me telegrams for?"

"I think, they might be informed of the state of affairs the Kingdom of Livinia is in. In my part sir, this is not good as the enemy may think that we are having trouble in our ranks" said Simjen.

Ixander did not respond and instead opened the telegram, containing the guarantee of the King of Grenavia.

The letter's content are as follows:

"To Grandquester Ixander,

I take guarantee on you for if you choose to exile to another realm. The Kingdom of Grenavia would need your abilities to propel our front into a better phase. Together with the excellence of you, and the excellence of the Grenavian technology, the cause will not be in regret. I execute this guarantee under my name.

King Lodayr Veztal, Grenavia, shr."

Ixander closed the letter, threw it aside his desk. He stood and prepared to go to his workshop to do whatever it is that he can waste his time on.

Meanwhile, at the palace, foreign ambassadors arrived at the hall, and the hall became really packed. Behind the main doors of the hall, The King is wearing his vestment in preparation for his appearance at the hall.

"Sire, the hall is packed with nobles and minor nobles. Aside from that, Ambassadors from Grenavia and Carab is also present" said his aid.

"Ambassadors? What for?" asked King Stijepan.

"I think it is better if you know the matters yourself, your majesty" said his aid.

King Stijepan nodded and proceeded to go to the hall. He went through the main doors as it is opened by the guards. After opening, the guards genuflected before the King. This was followed by the genuflection of the rest of the nobles inside the hall. The King marches in grandeur forward to his throne. On the left side of the hall is Count Germahin and the rest of the retinue who favors his views. On the right side are those nobles spiteful of the nobles who favor Count Germahin. The ambassadors did not genuflect, but instead bowed.

Finally, The King reached his throne, saying "Everyone, raise your heads and stand."

And so everyone did. The King took out a scroll from his vestment, gave it to his aid, unrolls it and shows the text to the king, with the aid still carrying the scroll.

The king, as part of a ceremony establishing a law and a proclamation, grabbed his scepter and, in a knighting fashion, blessed the scroll.

"Whatever the scroll states is an absolute order from I, the king!" King Stijepan said. King Stijepan looked around the hall and indeed, the ambassadors from Carab and Grenavia stands out as they have a different clothing compared to the rest.

He then began speaking the proclamation from the scroll.

"Before the nobles, I shall execute this order in an absolute manner, and no one shall be opposed to it."

"Firstly, I, the King, decided for the funding of the orphanages, and all foster homes of any kind, and will directly report to the study of the King."

Everyone was shocked by the first article. The nobles on the left of the hall began looking at each other, not believing what they are hearing. They were hushed afterwards by other nobles.

"Secondly… Secondly, I shall proclaim the freedom of all slaves, servants, serfs and all those bonded by their masters. In short, these people held captive of their rights shall now be emancipated!"

The nobles on the right cheered in great joy. The papers they held went flying around the entire hall. The nobles are kissing each other at the cheeks in joy of the proclamation.

"Glory! We won!" said a noble to another. "Finally, a change in our kingdom!" "Long live the King and the Virtue" cried other nobles from the right side. Meanwhile, the left side of the hall was quiet.

"Thirdly…Thirdy, I shall execute this once again as absolute. I indict the arrest of the following nobles who have disregarded humanity: Baron Aaronus, Baron Alfard, Baron Auhinett, Count Alvija, Count Nuaijka, Count Masatran, in other words, the entire retinue of those who favor Count Germahin!"

And so, soldiers after soldiers of the Royal Guards marched towards the retinue of Count Germahin. However, the king stopped them, saying "I would like to invite Count Alvija in here."

Count Alvija then went to the platform where the king stands. Count Alvija then genuflected before the king.

Count Alvija was a bit delighted as he presumed that he might have been forgiven by the king for siding with Count Germahin. "Gentlemen, Count Alvija is a man of valor and of commendation. This is especially after he has left a child in an orphanage after he rejected it as it was fathered through a prostitute, one that serves his pleasure" announced King Stijepan.

Count Alvija's shaming was so profound to him that what he did was to pull out a knife and as he was about to lunge at the king, a guard stopped him, catching his wrist before he can lunge towards the king further. The king was taken aback as he was thrown by an aghast reaction to his throne. His eyes looked shocked as he looked at what dawned to everyone present as an assassination attempt against the king.

The whole retinue of the nobles that had just been arrested has been tied up, and brought to prison, without any special treatment whatsoever. Their mouths have been ordered to be shut otherwise they will be shot as it is an order by the king.

"I know, people, that what I have just done is quite a difficult decision especially in my part. Pardon me for I have become indecisive. I shall stand firmly once again as your proud king. I promise I will not let the entire Kingdom of Livinia fall into disappointment just as how the two traitors, Vilmios and Ponram, sold our lands to the enemy" said the king.

"Glory to Livinia and its Virtue!" exclaimed the king.

"Glory!" responded the present nobles.

The crowds outside the palace were also gathered to hear the announcement. Finally, the King appeared at the balcony, repeating what he said to the nobles.

The crowds cheered as the announcement that slaves are free now, and no one is bound to a land, nor to a certain master. It was a change so massive especially in the middle of the war.

The King also proclaimed that festivities be held and that day, 40th Faharmia, will be called the "Day of Emancipation" and shall be commemorated every year throughout Livinia.

The day after, the first snow fell in Oestre. Livinians became ready for the winter, but the winter is quite early this year as it is still the 41st of Faharmia. They expected that snow will fall on the 5th of Saharmia.

Ixander then went out to see the first snow of the year. As he was seeing the snow outside, Simjen approached Ixander with a news.

"Sire, finally something has happened" said Simjen.

"What is it?" asked Ixander.

"The King issued a statement, saying that all orphanages will report to him and that the funds will be provided by the state" reported Simjen.

"Good for him" said Ixander, seemingly unsurprised.

"Another one sire, He also emancipated all the slaves, serfs and all those who have been bounded to anything, and declared them free" said Simjen.

Ixander then looked at Simjen "Are you serious?!"

"Yes sir, I wouldn't joke" said Simjen.

"This…We have won, Simjen!" said Ixander,

"Yes, sir, yes indeed!" said Simjen.

"Hahaaaaaa! Yes!" said Ixander as he throws a victory fist up in the air. He then clasped his hands, saying "Finally, something is going on!"

Suddenly, a courier arrived, bringing a telegram to Ixander. Ixander then opened the letter which has the seal of the king.

Ixander prepared his coat, saying "Simjen, prepare my horse, the King wants me to go to the palace…"