Chapter 4 Announcement

In a small courtyard in the Royal Palace, Arch sat down as he chatted amongst his brothers. "So that's about it really, with the current state of affairs it will take at least another 20 years until we have enough food to truly sustain ourselves yet again." 4th said as he began tapping the back of his head.

"...This, don't worry I'll try and fix it, apart from that what else have you learnt?" Arch asked as he gazed at the garden in front of him. Currently Apollo was teaching a small boy sword arts, the boy's chubby arms were swinging the sword around in an unorderly manner as Apollo fended off each of his attacks.

Noticing his gaze 4th chuckled. "Are you that interested in Achilles' sword training?" He asked, as the small boy continued swinging his sword with a determined gaze. Hearing this Arch shook his head. "It seems like Arthur's teachings weren't all that effective were they?" Arch replied as he watched his youngest brother Achilles, the 5th Prince.

He was a handsome child, and talented in his own right. Being quite strong and intelligent since his birth, he was 5 years old this year and had flaming red hair, along with eyes blue like the sea. Due to him being the youngest prince his elder brothers had guided him his whole life, but unfortunately Achilles was too stubborn.

One day after watching the eldest prince Arthur practicing his sword technique Achilles had been engrossed and obsessed with the sword ever since, but he was simply too untalented at it. Even so Arthur and likewise Apollo had helped him as best they could, after all he was only 5 years old.

"Well you can see for yourself, although I am not much of a combatant even I can tell he has a few major flaws, with his talent if he practiced almost any other weapon he'd probably be much further ahead on his path." 4th sighed as he watched his younger brother, he knew the feeling of being frustrated at ones lack of aptitude.

After all he was the only one unsuited for fighting amongst all his siblings. Time ticked by and eventually 4th had informed Arch about everything he had learned the past week, and needless to say Arch wasn't too pleased by what he heard.

Due to the lacking food supply, the population was likewise going down which meant there were less able bodied men and women to increase the food supply, and it was turning into a vicious cycle.

Besides that certain gangs were beginning to arise causing civil unrest, and spreading fear throughout the Kingdom. 'It seems there's one problem after another, I've been stuck in this Ivory Tower for too long.' Arch sighed as he rose from his seat.

"Where are you going?" 4th asked as he too rose from his seat. "Call Alonso and tell him to arrange Announcement Tower, I shall be making a declaration." Arch commanded before disappearing. Hearing this 4th simply shook his head before entering the palace. Apollo and Achilles were still oblivious as to what was going on as they continued swinging their swords.

A few minutes later atop the Announcement Tower which was the tallest building in the Kingdom, it had a den den mushi which could send a message throughout the entire Kingdom. Only the King was allowed to utilise it.

"Ahem." Arch coughed before beginning his declaration. "Citizens of Tigria it is I King Archelaus Tigra the 38th King of Tigria. This is a simple announcement the following week I shall be going on an expedition in an effort to procure enough food to subdue the famine and bring us back to a time before the tragedy 7 years ago." Arch declared as all throughout Tigria his announcement was heard.

Immediately there was an uproar as the citizens didn't know what to think of this. The last expedition had occurred 7 years ago, and it was also the expedition in which most of the Kingdom's strongest fighters departed resulting in the current crisis.

Simultaneously others saw it in an optimistic light, thinking that the new King the genius Archelaus Tigra could overturn the situation an save the country.

On the other hand Arch had already anticipated these reactions, so he picked up the den den mushi once again. "To clarify I shall be going alone with the Expedition team, the old King, and all of the soldiers shall be staying within the Kingdom." Arch finished before departing from the tower.

This had another reaction, which could be said to be equal to or even greater than that of before. "Is he trying to get himself killed?" One man asked as he couldn't believe it.

The young King at 16 years of age, wanted to go out to sea alone with only a simple Expedition team, was he insane? On the other hand there was also another thought that spread through the masses.

If he somehow made it back alive, and he was not only alive but successful, his rule as King of Tigria would be unbreakable.