When Elira and Calen came back, Isara and Cassian were already sleeping so the conversation got postponed to the next day.
"That’s quite the development." Isara commented. "To think that they would try not only recreating his design, but actually attempt to improve them..."
"Do you think their goal was achievable?" Calen questioned.
"If they had centuries then perhaps – but they would have to come up with all the tricks Fool created on their own to properly implement any of his designs." She shrugged. "I’m actually very impressed they got this far with the creation, but they were still quite far from the solution probably – you know how it is with magic circles."
"The closer to completion you are, the more changes you need for course correction." He recited. "I will be amazed if even even a small part of what they left there will be usable for the final design."
"I wonder if anyone knows where it is, it would be interesting to see how they did it – and you know, for the future, once I have a shot at completing this thing."
"Nickolas probably knows where it could be, assuming the plans he memorised were up-to-date."
Suddenly a knock came from the door.
The group looked between each other with confused expressions – no one has came to their room after Harold turned out to be a mimic.
Calen shrugged, they might as well see who it was.
The door opened to reveal Alfred in the form of Matthew.
"What are you doing here?" Isara asked. "Shouldn’t you have training or something?"
"I did, but I annoyed Leon too much and he threw me out – on the way out I bumped into Friedrick, who told me to gather everyone up, because the round table has an important announcement."
"Do you know what it is about?"
"No clue, he just said to tell everyone I meet to gather on the central plaza – so I came to get you."
"Alright then, let’s see what is it all about."
The central plaza felt very big when it was empty, but now that the entire population of the order was gathered here, it was rather cramped.
The group was standing in the back, accompanied by Alfred, Morgan and Thomas, who was still technically in his workshop, but it just happened to be on the outskirts of the plaza.
Leon couldn’t join them, because despite his temporary occupation he was still a member of the round table and as such had to be present in the front with the others.
"They look rather worked up." Alfred noticed.
"I’d even say nervous." Thomas eyed the leaders. "First time I’ve seen them like that since my teacher died."
"Could it be about Harold’s death?" Morgan asked.
"I’m sure they’ll address it, but I doubt it’s the purpose of this gathering – even when a commander dies they just pass on the news to other commanders who inform their subordinates, and they hold a funeral a few days later."
"It’s starting." Cassian interjected.
The members of the round table were standing on the steps to the main hold, making them clearly visible to everyone gathered. Friedrick was standing in front and preparing to speak, while Leon was relegated to the very back.
"You’re probably wondering why I gathered you here at this late hour." He began. "It’s because we have a couple of pressing issues to address, including a few rather sudden developments."
He took out a tattered scroll and began reading.
"We regret to inform you that our respected commander, sir Harold, has died in the line of duty during a hunt. He will be forever remembered as a brave warrior that always put others before himself." Friedrick bowed his head slightly. "May he guide our swords."
"May he guide our swords." The crowd echoed.
"Moving to the next issue, we noticed that a lot of issues requests for new equipment – we must remind you that we’re currently short on raw materials, and won’t be able to make things for quite a while."
There were a few disappointed sighs and groans in the crowd, but nobody commented.
"Finally, there’s the main reason why we called all of you here." His voice was shaking a little bit. "For the first time since he took his position, Lord Arthur is here to address his subjects."
The crowd fell completely silent, it was as if everything around became frozen.
From behind the leaders a new figure appeared – a tall and broad man with long blond hair, bound in fearsome armour and wielding a sword far to large to be usable.
The blade was the most eye-catching thing, it devoured light as if it was made of pure darkness, and Calen could feel a faint sense of uneasiness emitting from it.
’Definitely a blade of crimson contracts, but there’s something more in there...’
He felt a sudden chill as his eyes met with Arthur’s – fortunately the Head’s gaze passed quickly and he addressed the crowd.
"As many of you already know, I have been chosen by a divine artifact to purge this world of corruption and traitors – during the last few weeks I locked myself in solitary confinement, as the sword revealed to me a vision of the future."
He grabbed his weapon and gazed into its blade; while his voice was still calm and collected, his eyes darted around the black surface in a manic search for something.
"I am meant to be the king of all humanity, and this order is but a tool to help me achieve that – fullfill your roles well, and you will be rewarded with wealth and power in my new, beautiful empire."
He aimed his sword at the crowd and hissed:
"Those who dare to disobey me shall lose not only their heads, but also their souls – I shall kill all the traitors, starting with that bastard Nickolas. He will be executed tomorrow at noon."
With those words he turned around and disappeared inside the hold, not paying any attention to the stunned silence he caused.
After a few more moments, Friedrick finally ended the assembly.
"That was our Leader, all of you may return to your regular duties."