Hero of Darkness

The following day, a new dawn arose for the Rakos Empire.

To many, it was like a sweet dream that all of them collectively had, and the new dawn would be the nigh end of it.

Many of the adults didn't even sleep, given how much adrenaline and a sense of blissful joy were still coursing through their bodies.

Many were still watching the repeated broadcasts of the battles Kahn and his entourage had with these mighty beings, checking all of them one by one and etching those memories in their minds as if they would disappear tomorrow.

How could they not behave so?

Just 20 days ago, they learned the horrifying truth about their lives. That the system governing them, which was supposed to protect them and maintain law and order, was a carefully constructed jail cell, akin to a nightmare that none of them could escape from from the moment they were born to the end of their life.

And 10 days ago, they all witnessed the bittersweet reality when the first wave of protests started. The powerhouses of these clans, factions, and even the government officials who were supposed to be working for them... oppressed them openly, killing over 100 thousand citizens across the empire and arresting millions just because they voiced their discontent and mistrust after how Whisper exposed their lies and deceit that had been shackling them for generations.

And when all hope was lost... showed up the one man who was rumored to have been chosen as the true successor and tested by the founding fathers of the empire themselves.

Having hoped for better days and forced to eat dirt by these so-called 'servants of the people'... they all had lost the will to even resist.

But yesterday's historic upheaval that the whole empire witnessed with their own eyes... whether it was return of the man whom they all thought dead over 5 years ago, whether it was him and his allies not only fighting but thoroughly and overwhelmingly dominating them within the battlefields and letting the common populace witness how these godly entities called Saints, were thrashed like defenseless critters by Kahn and his subordinates... none of them felt real to most of them even now.

Yet, many came to realize that the monumental shift in the reigns of the empire was now evident. Would their lives and fates be changed for the better, or were their wishes to have a better future destroyed but another agent of oppression?

No one knew what the new ray of light that touched their faces this morning would bring.

******************

As noon approached, the entire empire suddenly experienced the quick and out of nowhere, whether it was the governmental officials, law and order, soldiers who usually patrolled the streets of villages, cities... they seemed to be in a hurry to prepare for something big.

Rumble!

The skies suddenly started rumbling, and wheezing noises shook the atmosphere. Many people walking across the streets, mostly discussing what happened yesterday, lifted their heads.

And all of them saw dozens of giant warships, used only by the top brass of the government and military during a great crisis, such as wars with another empire. But today, these massive and towering ships that spanned for a couple of kilometers in length while carrying thousands of soldiers and crew... hovered in the sky for a different reason.

[Dear citizens of the Rakos Empire, this is an edict of the rightful successor and our true leader, chosen by the First Emperor and the First Sage.

This evening will be a grand procession marking a monumental event in our history.

Today, we all shall witness the coronation of our lord and savior, Kahn Salvatore.

He will formally assume the position as the New Emperor of the Rakos Empire this evening.

You are all welcome and requested to watch this ceremony since our new emperor wishes to address some extremely important matters regarding the direction and fate of our empire going forward.

Our Lord hopes that you would honor him with your presence in public places, as the broadcast of the ceremony will be shown across the whole empire.]

With that loud proclamation, the warships conveyed the intentions of the man who had won their hearts already.

And instead of feeling fear from seeing these ginormous warships, citizens across the empire, whether in towns or metropolitan cities, felt a sense of relief as well as certainty.

Because the words in the announcement didn't seem overbearing, akin to that of a dictator, but a humble man who 'hoped', 'wished, 'welcomed' and 'requested' their presence to witness his coronation.

Besides, the shock and elation from yesterday's events hadn't even set in, but Kahn was already quick to solidify his position.

Even those unrelated to government, noble clans, business organizations, or any form of authority were curious because they were all expecting an inevitable change in the established reign.

Some were hopeful, while many were skeptical because they had been lied to too many times. This fear stemmed from having their faith in the government and the system being broken recently.

So the last thing they wanted was another replacement for a tyrant government that had jailed them without chains around their necks.

Woosh!

Woosh!

Soon, these warships started descending, and many flying vehicles as well as cargo ships came out of them, carrying decoration equipment and personnel clad in armor to create order across all the important places in these cities and towns.

This phenomenon took place across the entire nation, where stations were set up across all the important places, security was provided for people to peacefully watch everything, and decorations were set up as if it were a cultural event for their whole civilization.

But the biggest change was seen at the capital of the empire, Rathna.

It was comprised of many provinces, and the span itself was close to a thousand kilometers. Kahn himself had been active only in the Rukon Province during his initial stay at the capital.

The preparation continued until the evening finally came.

The procession ceremony finally started.

10 minutes later...

With loud horns and trumphets, the broadcast finally began as holographic screens appeared everywhere while billions of citizens eagerly watched.

"My fellow citizens of the Rakos Empire..."

A firm, stoic, regal, and majestic voice echoed across the whole nation as a handsome man, adorning a dark gray longcoat, appeared on the screens.

With a youthful and charming smile, he began his greeting.

"It's been a while."