Chapter 85 - March of the Unchosen
Princess Baneth stood tall upon the raised stage, flanked by two towering Knight Grand Crosses who remained alert at her sides. Viscount Sean stood just behind her, along with Orion and Oriana, their expressions composed but visibly tense.
Before the stage, rows upon rows of knights filled the broad plaza, organized according to their Gaia Stage. Among them, Lily stood right beside Tave that day.
On the opposite end of the platform, the high-ranking knights of Deadbay City stood at attention. Among them was Logan, Tave’s father, as well as Knight Commander Thalos. The one who had given Tave the opportunity to join Orion’s Rift team not long ago.
The princess’s cold, commanding gaze swept across the entire assembly. With deliberate steps, she walked forward to the edge of the stage and paused. Then, her clear, piercing voice rang out through the courtyard, echoing against the stone walls.
"The Kingdom calls upon you. Brave souls. To serve."
Her words struck like a hammer, rippling through the crowd. It was impossible to miss the sheer presence she carried. At only eighteen, she already exuded the authority and charisma of someone far beyond her years.
"Demonic activity has been rising near the capital in recent days."
The princess continued, her tone sharp and unwavering. And the reaction among the knights was far from calm. Tension rippled through the ranks. The presence of demons was never to be taken lightly. Yes, they existed in parts of Yunatea. But their appearance near densely populated cities or within human territory was always a grim omen.
And Tave knew that better than most.
Demonic stirrings like this only ever signaled one thing: a major assault was coming. An assault on the Dissidia Kingdom.
And what disturbed him even more, this exact scene, with Baneth arriving at Deadbay City to recruit reinforcements, had happened in his story too. But not this soon.