Knights Apocalyptica

Chapter 194: Chess

Though this course of action wasnt my first choice, I have been convinced. It begins. All that remains is to set the board.

- King Restfos II, Closed Discussion Following The Return Of The Vega Expedition, (307, 3rd Era)

Three months from now, the Kingdom of Cindrus will open its wall to outsiders. A cultural exchange the likes of which has never been seen within the Kingdom. This may be shocking, we are aware, but to embrace the change that the future brings in the light of the glows of her Fire, we must be willing to face the future head-on. We are no longer a people who cower under the surface but a people content to live under the sun above; to that effect, and facilitate an atmosphere of growth and to show our might to the world, this event will revolve around competition, games, and the capstone of it all, a grand tourney, Prince Williams voice rang through the ballroom like the crack of thunderamplified by the same magic the Duchess had used to make the announcement that gathered them all here, to begin with.

But it was the words. What he said had the effect of a storm crashing into this fine estate, the winds of change tearing through the room and smashing into everyone who heard those words uttered by the crowned prince and, therefore, spoken by the crown.

This was the first time Erec had seen the crowned prince, the man who would one day rule the Kingdom. Hed met his younger brother, Soren, and even kneeled before their fatherthe King. And William could not be more different from the unassuming ruler sitting on the throne. Already, there were hard lines worn on Williams face. Muscle aplenty. And as he addressed the crowd, he stood in the same way that Erec might when facing down a massive monster. Not a trace of fear, but full of pure resolve.

You may have already assumed, but Ill clarify it here. While we have a long history of tourneys to allow our Knights and members of the Army to compare themselves in the Kingdom, this one shall be of a different kind and not limited to only Knights and Military Personnel. Anyone is welcome to joinincluding our guests. My Father has already sent word to Vega through our wasteland contacts, and they have promised to spread the word even further to their allies. The main event, of course, will be organized melee. However, it will be split into several brackets determined by age. Prizes will be announced for each bracket at the start of the tourney. Im sure there are many questions. House Luculentus has been kind enough to host this announcement, and the Crown has bestowed them and their staff with the publicly available answers. Further information will come out throughout the next couple of months. Housing for the guests will begin construction tomorrowa temporary ground near the wall for camping and other structures to host those that require it and wish to take place in our cultural exchange.

Gossip and rumors filled the Ballroom as the nobles took in the near-unbelievable information provided directly from the princes mouth.

What were they thinking?

Damn, Enide said.

Yeah, damn is right, Erec scratched the back of his neck and tried to make it make sense. Why would the King take such a bold action? The Church hadnt made its move yet since they let outsiders in. Was this to bait them? Because something like this was like lighting a fire inside of the Kingdom. He couldnt see any way that this went which didnt cause a shift in public perception and cause unrest. Boldwick had known, too. Of course, hed known. Hed hinted as much when Erec went in and asked about his special training.

The bravest among you are likely already asking how you may competeThose within the Military and Knight Orders are allowed entry, contingent on an allowance from their superiors, and at the rank of Commander Knight or Centurion. I would highly encourage said superiors to make an allowance for such a once-in-a-lifetime tourney. As for nobles or citizensthey are not beholden to an organization and therefore are free to sign up as they wish.

And that was why Boldwick said Erec would be talking to him soon.

Because, of course, when presented with something like thishow could Erec not join?

To think Rochester and the others kept this hidden away? Explains why they were so busy in Vegaand why the Pack split after we left the city, with promises to meet up here again.) Enide said as the Prince continued with his speech.

After the Princes initial proclamation, he went over the barest details. The organized melee would be the most significant event, with several brackets based on age.

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Rising Stars were those between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two and would be the category all of the Initiates fell into, along with some Knight Errants; after that came the Proven Warriors, which ranged from twenty-two to thirty-two. Past that, and the broadest category, was the Veterans tier.

The fiercest competition would be in the Veterans bracket. Anyone who still wanted to compete at that age likely spent a lot of time developing their Virtues, especially if they were a Knight whod fought against monsters and trained for so long. All of the Grandmasters fell into that category, but whether any of those would compete was a question. Then again, any wastelander could join, so maybe the Grandmasters would also show off their power to an audience of those outside the walls.

They had to show their power to their guests. The King had to have a lot of confidence in his people to open themselves like this. But Erec didnt believe that only their Kingdom held the strongest. Hed seen an Arch Magi in action. If one of them were to compete if they were to face off against a grandmaster

Erec shivered at imagining such a glorious conflict.

While that may have been the biggest part of the upcoming cultural event, it wasnt the only one. Smaller games and tournaments would serve as intermissions and entertainment to compete and facilitate connections outside the walls. Including a secondary soccer tournament that Erec suspected from his knowledge of Vega might just eclipse the excitement of the melee for their guests. Debates, recitals, dancesthose scratches the surface. Considering they planned this to last over two months, there had to be much to do. During those two months, all who swore to abide by the Kingdoms laws would be allowed entry into their walls.

After covering the games, the prince addressed the logistics of welcoming their guests. He covered responsibility and limitations for how the nobility would be allowed to interact. Namely, they were supposed to act with dignity, befitting the Kingdom, and consider themselves ambassadors and hosts to outsiders.

Without the Crown's approval, no outsider would be allowed into the Kingdom properbeneath the surface and into the cavernsfacilitated by a noble family vouching for the guests, with the exception of the Pendragons, who were already an established ally.

William went on for a while, though he didnt do much to alleviate the crowd's overall uncertainty and curiosity as they fathomed one fact.

This is happening.

In another stroke of their sword, the Crown cut through the steel curtains and let the wasteland into their home. And the reactions around the room ranged from burning curiosity and joy to protest and disbelief.

Eventually, William gave a nod to the Duchess and left the stage of the Ballroom.

A moment later, the Duchess smooth, practiced, and curt tone took over with the enhancement of the spell, ringing out of the attending people and spreading like a balm to the itch that was their collective unease. Im sure were all delighted and filled with questions, brimming with the desire to see such a renowned competition by our very own Kingdombut that is a matter for the future. As the Prince said, immediate questions can be brought to my house. Further questions can be brought to the doors of the four Duchies, who have agreed to collect and voice further concerns to the King on behalf of the nobilitytomorrow, the announcement will go out to the rest of the Kingdom so you can rest assured, that you, the most important of our fair Kingdom have had an extra day to consider your preparations for this grand event before the public. Very generous of our gracious King, dont you think? She paused at that, digesting that theyd been given an advantage.

It was a slim advantage, and Erec noted that it also served to redirect concerns in favor of plotting. That was to appease the Nobles who wanted to vie for power or whatever they wanted to find in such a moment of chaos.

For now, let us content ourselves with the festivities of the Night. As weve found out, soon we shall see what this wasteland has to offer usVega, namely, one of the most interesting places outside of our walls. Let yourself sink into the neon nightlife they live in and discover the entertainment of entirely different peoplepeople that soon you will be able to meet! Isnt that fascinating?

With this, she let out a warm laugh and gestured to someone in the front row. Music began to take over the ballroommusic from Vega. Though hed never heard this particular song, hed heard a few like it there; the nobility splintered apart after that, breaking into their little groups.

Erec noticed that many people filtered out from the ballroom directly towards the gambling tables. They were indeed ready to embrace Vega culture.

[Well, that has been quite informative. Not that it alters our plans at allin fact, to quote an early 21st-century author who spent far too long writing books, Chaos is a ladder. I believe these conditions are just the disruption needed to see our new branch of Vortex Industries come into its own and once more soar into being a titan of scientific progress!]

Erec tried to tamp down the uncertainty, swiftly followed by a burning emotion of the coming chaos and his sureness that a massive fight was approaching. It was a toss of denarii whether or not the Kingdom could even make it to this so-called tournament.

Enide squeezed his hand and brought his attention away from the future and back to her, to that killer smirk on her face. Im gonna wipe the floor with you during that tournament.

He blinked, trying to put himself back in place and stop predicting the coming chaos that would radiate outward from the Kingdom.

No. He finally managed and shook his head. I dont think so.

Oh yeah? Wanna make a bet?