Chapter 21: The Official Announcement of Succession! (2)

Chapter 21 - The Official Announcement of Succession! (2)On the stage, Ragan stood silent and indifferent, nodding with satisfaction. "Thank you all for coming," he said calmly, his voice carrying clearly to the farthest reaches of the palace square. "I know many of you are confused and wondering why you've been called here," he continued. "So, I'll tell you right away. I have summoned you for one reason—to announce the start of the succession!" The words hung in the air, and immediately, an eerie silence fell over the square. Everyone—especially the commoners—stood frozen in shock. It took a full minute for them to recover, and then the atmosphere exploded in a frenzy of voices. "Succession to the throne!? Is this really happening? How can it be?" "If the Emperor said it, it can't be a lie!" "Why announce something so huge out of nowhere? The Emperor should know how this will affect us common folk!" The square was filled with a chorus of shock, confusion, discontent, and excitement. Some still struggled to believe the announcement, while others were growing increasingly angry and upset. The succession to the throne heralded a profound shift in the political order of the Great Velmora Empire. This was no ordinary event—it was monumental! Many noble families would rise and fall, and countless lives—both noble and common—could be lost. Every day, there would be grim news: the death of noble A or the murder of noble B—events that would destabilize the territories they ruled. As a result, hunger, crime, and chaos would escalate dramatically throughout the succession period. The worst-case scenario would be if an evil, scheming prince emerged victorious. In that case, the people would have to brace for wave after wave of suffering, trapped in an unstoppable disaster. After all, the Emperor's position was absolute—beyond the reach of public criticism. The faces in the square grew pale with panic, and an uncontrollable uproar spread through the palace. While the common people were gripped by fear, the noble families remained calm and composed. Unlike the commoners, they had been aware of the announcement since yesterday. They had already endured the shock and panic now overtaking the public. Now, their thoughts were consumed with choosing which prince to support in the battle for the throne. The decision was crucial—one wrong move could bring disaster, even threaten the future of their families. Meanwhile, Ragan stood unfazed, observing the chaos below the stage. He had anticipated this reaction and deemed it best to allow them time to settle down. Sure enough, five minutes later, the noise in the square gradually faded. It was then that Ragan spoke again. "I know many of you may feel anger or dissatisfaction, but this is a decision that must be made. I have ruled for decades, and now it is time for me to pass the throne to my successor. I hope you can understand my position." His voice was soft, without the slightest hint of arrogance. Faced with such a statement, how could a commoner argue or resist? When the Emperor made a decision, there was no option but to accept it. "Well, I won't keep you any longer," Ragan said, his voice rising. "Though you are all familiar with the princes, I will reintroduce them. These are the ones who will contend for the throne." With that, Ragan moved to the side of the stage, as if to make room for the spotlight. Moments later, a tall, muscular man stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding attention. Standing over two meters tall, he wore a black robe that highlighted his powerful physique. His blonde hair was short, and his striking red eyes stood out with intensity. He was the First Prince of the Great Velmora Empire—the one most favored to inherit the throne: Aldric Lorian. His appearance immediately drew the attention of everyone in the square. No one there failed to recognize him. His position as the first prince, combined with his illustrious military record, made him admired by both the people and the nobles. Following Aldric's entrance, another figure appeared on the stage. Unlike Aldric's tall and imposing frame, this man was leaner, with a more average height. His green hair was slightly long, brushing his ears, while his sea-blue eyes were calm and striking. However, the thin glasses perched on his nose, coupled with the slightly sharp shape of his eyes, gave him a cynical air—as though a sly intelligence was concealed behind his composed demeanor. He was Cedric Lorian, the second prince of the Great Velmora Empire. Although not as famous as Aldric, many recognized and admired him. After all, Cedric was one of the Empire's few true geniuses. He achieved the highest rank while still at the Imperial Academy and was hailed as the most outstanding student in its history. After Cedric, another figure stepped onto the stage, quickly capturing everyone's attention. He was tall and slender, yet his muscular arms were clearly defined beneath the elegant white robe he wore. His face was strikingly handsome, almost perfect, framed by short golden hair that glistened softly in the sunlight. His golden-yellow eyes were breathtakingly beautiful, their mesmerizing depth impossible to ignore. A charming smile played on his lips, so alluring that it left any woman—noble or common—spellbound, unable to look away. "Is that Prince Adalen, the one famous for his looks?" One of the commoner women asked, her excitement evident. The other two women beside her nodded eagerly. "Yes, it's Prince Adalen! Oh my god, he's so handsome! If I could become his concubine, I'd give up a hundred years of my life!" "Pfft! Your dreams are too big! Forget being his concubine—even being a maid who serves him would be a blessing you'd never earn in ten lifetimes!" Adalen's arrival shattered the silence of the palace square, turning the atmosphere lively and chaotic. Of course, it was all thanks to the women who were completely captivated by his extraordinary appearance. While the women were overjoyed, the men couldn't help but feel irritated and disgruntled. In unison, they muttered silently, "Damn! Is being handsome really a privilege? This is ridiculous!"