Chapter 1794 - 499: Two Families United as One

Early spring in the Aus Calendar year 1054.

When the roar of trains shook the broken snow off the windmills in the suburbs of Thunder City, the long-awaited sunlight finally melted the last trace of snow in Roland City.

For the Ryan people, many things happened in the just past Winter Moon.

Whether in front of their homes, or at the neighbors' houses.

As people planned to forget that unpleasant memory and start new lives, their revered King Theoden Devalu also finally remembered he seemed to have forgotten to do something.

As the king of the Ryan Kingdom, he should say something about that "unfortunate" fire disaster, lest someone chirp behind his back.

The next day, at the square in front of the castle terrace, the Royal Palace Guards stood dressed in shining armor, surrounded by well-dressed citizens of Roland City.

Among them were relatives of the Royal Palace Guards, influential tax collectors, and guild leaders controlling the city's economic lifeline.

In addition, there were Chamber of Commerce Presidents managing the business for the nobles, and well-known clergy and doctors.

In the far corner of the square, near the gatehouse by the Guards, stood a few ragged children and the court painter painting for them.

They were survivors of the great fire, currently bewilderedly looking around, obviously not understanding why all the bigwigs of Roland City gathered here, and no one told them.

The atmosphere was as lively as a festival.

If it weren't for everyone wearing black clothes, people might almost forget this was a memorial service and turn to find that wedding celebration champagne.

At noon, King Theoden appeared on the terrace, dressed in a simple dark robe, carrying grief on his face.

He slowly walked to the edge of the terrace, laid his hands on the stone railing, faced the citizens eagerly awaiting below, and began to speak in a heavy and hoarse voice.

"Citizens of Roland City, my people, you have suffered."

"Just one month ago during Winter Moon, an unrelenting fire devoured our homes and claimed our compatriots. It was truly a terrible disaster, tens of thousands perished in the blaze. I heard... we buried all the bodies we could find only yesterday."

Theoden's voice seemed to choke for a moment; he raised his hand to press his chest. A guard hurried forward to support the king, but was pushed away by those aged hands.

"Yet, we were not defeated!"

His voice gradually became passionate, his hands gripping the railing formed fists, and his aged face showed a hint of excited flush.

As if—

Just as if it were real.

"It's your resilience, your loyalty to the Kingdom, that enables us to pass through this difficult Winter Moon together! We overcame the hardship!"

"Today, please let us pray here together for those unfortunate compatriots who perished in the fire!"

The square fell silent, entering solemn mourning with the elderly king.

The silence lasted about half a minute; Theoden softened his passionate tone, like the subtle transition from a climax to a gentle interlude in an epic poem.

"I must say, in this disaster, we were not in isolation! Our Royal Guard were the bravest lads. When the towering flames obscured the moon, they were the ones who rushed into the burning slums, even though those poor folks never contributed a single tax... They are truly heroes!"

People began to applaud.

Theoden nodded, gesturing everyone to settle down.

He hadn't finished speaking; applause could wait until he was done.

"Moreover, I want to specially commend," Theoden's gaze moved to a certain spot in the crowd, "our Minister of Economy, Baron Wickton!"

Baron Wickton stepped forward from the front row, bowing humbly.

"Your Majesty, to serve you... is my honor."

"It was Baron Wickton," the king looked at him with approval, sparing no words of praise, "who tirelessly coordinated during the immediate aftermath of the disaster, properly accommodated those distressed survivors, and made outstanding contributions to saving all the citizens who suffered losses!"

"It was my duty." Baron Wickton bowed again, his voice trembling slightly, seemingly praying to the Divine in his heart.

After Baron Wickton received his well-deserved medal from the servant and retreated, Theoden took a deep breath and announced with a devoted tone.

"To mourn the Ryan people who perished in the fire and to pray to Saint Sis for future peace, I will, with the status of a king, abstain from meat for a week, to demonstrate my devotion and grief. Do not persuade me... this is my duty as part of the Royal Family."

The square was initially dead silent, then broke out in suppressed sobs; some applauded while wiping their tears, looking as if they were slapping their own cheeks.

The revered Majesty actually was willing to pray for a week "abstaining from meat" for the deceased commoners!

This is... what a generosity!

Must give a praise; it is indeed the first time the Devalu family showed such consideration for the commoners... though there weren't as many commoners before.

Roland City's area is three times that of Thunder City, its population is also three times of the latter, reaching a terrifying three million.

That's just the counted population!

And this is why Theoden, although considering Edward as an opponent, never truly took his ambitions to heart.

After the king's speech concluded, the frail Bishop Claude stepped forward.