Chapter 340: The First Move of the New Kingdom

The First Move of the New Kingdom

His words echoed through the quiet room.

"The moment you stand before the people..."

"...you will become their symbol."

"They will place their hopes upon your shoulders."

"They will believe that the royal bloodline survived."

"They will believe that Skyfall still has a future."

Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"And belief..."

He let the silence linger for a heartbeat.

"...is often stronger than any army."

"No fortress can withstand a people who have regained hope."

"No kingdom can truly die while its people still believe tomorrow can be different."

Eon slowly lowered his head.

The weight of those words settled heavily on his shoulders.

He had never wanted to become a hero.

He had never dreamed of wearing a crown.

But fate had placed him here.

When he finally raised his head again, the uncertainty in his eyes had faded, replaced by quiet resolve.

"I understand."

Victor studied him for several seconds.

He wasn’t looking for confidence.

He wasn’t looking for courage.

He was looking for acceptance.

When he saw it, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good."

Without wasting another second, he turned toward Ramona.

"Ramona."

The elegant head of the Redcliffe family stepped forward gracefully and bowed.

"I’m listening, my liege."

"I want every noble house that still stands with the Redcliffe family contacted immediately."

"Every ally."

"Every household."

"Every commander still loyal to Skyfall."

"Gather everyone willing to stand with us."

His voice remained calm, yet every instruction carried absolute certainty.

"Spread word throughout Fantom City."

"Before sunset..."

"...an announcement of great importance will be made in the central square."

Ramona memorized every instruction without hesitation.

"It shall be done."

She paused, her brows knitting together as another thought crossed her mind.

"My liege..."

Victor looked at her.

She chose her words carefully.

"When the people gather..."

"Should we reveal your identity as well?"

Everyone in the room instinctively looked toward Victor.

Even Eon couldn’t help wondering what answer he would give.

Victor simply shook his head.

"No."

The single word was firm.

"Not yet."

His expression remained composed.

"The people don’t need another mysterious powerhouse descending from nowhere."

"They’ve already lived through too much uncertainty."

"What they need..."

"...is hope they can understand."

His gaze drifted back to Eon.

"They need a prince who survived."

"They need someone they believe truly belongs to them."

"Someone who represents their kingdom."

"Someone they can rally behind."

"If I stand at the forefront now..."

"...their faith will shift to me."

"And that is not what Skyfall needs."

He looked at Eon once more.

"This is his moment."

"He must become the face of their future."

Silence settled over the room again.

This time, however, it wasn’t born from uncertainty.

It was admiration.

Ramona felt genuine respect rise within her heart.

Victor wasn’t chasing glory.

He wasn’t trying to seize the people’s worship.

Instead, he was willingly stepping into the shadows so that another could become the light.

Only someone with absolute confidence in himself could make such a decision.

"As expected of my liege," she said softly, bowing deeply.

"There is wisdom in every decision you make."

Victor merely gave a small nod.

"Go."

Ramona placed a hand over her heart one final time before turning gracefully toward the door.

The moment she stepped outside, her composed expression sharpened.

There was no longer time for contemplation.

Orders had to be delivered.

Allies had to be gathered.

By sunset...

The fate of Skyfall would begin to change.

The door closed behind her.

Victor’s gaze shifted once more.

This time, it settled on Brinda.

The purple-haired beauty had been quietly observing everything from the side, a knowing smile already tugging at her lips.

She folded her arms with an amused expression.

"I suppose that means you have a task for me as well?"

Victor smiled faintly.

"Exactly."

"I want every information broker, merchant, tavern owner, mercenary, and wandering adventurer talking about one thing."

Brinda folded her arms beneath her chest with a playful smile.

"The missing Prince of Skyfall."

Victor smiled.

"Correct."

She laughed softly.

"Leave it to me."

"What kind of rumor do you want?"

Victor answered without hesitation.

"Keep it believable."

"Don’t exaggerate."

"Simply spread that the missing prince was found wandering years ago with no memories."

"Say he disappeared during an attack."

"Say only fragments of his past remain."

"The more natural the rumor sounds..."

"...the faster people will spread it themselves."

Brinda’s beautiful purple eyes sparkled.

"You really understand people."

Victor merely smiled.

"I understand curiosity."

"The rest..."

"Human nature will handle."

Brinda covered her lips with a soft laugh.

"Consider it done."

With one final glance at Victor, she gracefully left the room.

Soon only Lane and Eon remained.

Lane stood silently behind Victor as always.

Her calm black eyes watched only him.

She neither questioned nor interrupted.

For her...

Following Victor was enough.

Victor finally turned toward Eon again.

"Now..."

"We have one last problem."

Eon looked down at himself.

His worn tunic was stained from battle.

Several tears ran across the fabric.

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I suppose... this won’t exactly make me look like royalty."

Victor chuckled.

"No."

"It would make you look like a refugee."

Eon sighed helplessly.

"This is the best clothing I own."

Victor crossed his arms, thinking quietly.

For several seconds, the room remained silent.

Then his eyes suddenly lit up.

"I’ve got it."

Eon blinked.

"What?"

Victor pointed toward him.

"Wear the armor you fought in during the battle against Alibaba."

Eon looked surprised.

"The battle armor?"

Victor nodded.

"And bring your Giant Battle Axe."

"You don’t need expensive robes."

"You don’t need jewels."

"You don’t need a crown."

He stepped closer until they stood face to face.

"The people don’t need another noble dressed in silk."

"They’ve had enough of nobles."

"What they need..."

"...is a warrior."

"A protector."

"Someone who stood beside them when everyone else abandoned them."

Victor smiled confidently.

"When they see you..."

"I don’t want them thinking..."

"’There’s our prince.’"

"I want them thinking..."

"’We’re safe.’"

Eon slowly clenched his fists.

For the first time since waking without memories...

He felt that perhaps...

He finally had a purpose.