Infinitium

(Day 175) Aprilis 20th, 12th year of the Dragon, Age of Enlightenment

Adam had been sitting on the Throne for 8 days now. The first two days had been about what he’d expected. None of the nobles that he’d identified as possible traitors came forward. The next morning, they and their families had fled the city. That was fine. Adam knew who each was by sight. He was pleasantly surprised when he found out that Cassandra was not from one of those families.

For the next five days the Nobles that were left talked and bickered, both in front of him and elsewhere. On the seventh morning Abi had asked; “How can you stand it? I’m so bored, I’ve started watching Friends in here. Honestly, as smart as you were before you found the ring I don’t understand why you liked this show.”

To which Adam had responded with “It’s a ‘being human’ thing”

“Low blow Adam, low blow,” she said with mirth in her voice. “See, I knew it was getting to you too” she finished.

“Yes, it’s boring but it has to be done. The Council had infiltrated the city at all levels. Someone had to put their foot down and make sure everyone was treated fairly and the loyal Nobles of the City had a chance to get everything right.”

“Those you killed won’t see it that way, remember no judgment from this peanut gallery, just saying, someone will always think something is unfair,” Abi said.

“Also, isn’t it human nature to want to make changes to a system you don’t agree with and advocate for that system? Isn’t that all the individuals trying to bring this city under the Council were doing?” she’d asked.

“Yes and No. I would have been absolutely fine with various factions vying for power and the normal backstabbing politics that involves. I don’t agree with some of the positions, but people are talking and usually, the worst thing that happens is someone gets angry at the way things turned out. In this case, a foreign power had the royal families of another kingdom assassinated who, as far as I can tell, were making no move against them. Well, if they were it was a cultural war trying to prove to the citizens of that nation that life could be better under a different kingdom's rule. Regardless they had women and children killed. That is evil, the kind of evil that I just can’t abide. If I cannot absolutely control such evil, like Thor is controlling Desirae back home, then it's gotta go, for the good of the common folk and good people who don’t deserve to be in a world where such monsters are allowed to run rampant. As to your unfair comment, in this case, I agree it is.” He affirmed by laughing out loud which caused the people that were in the throne room with him to look at their new King and wonder if he was going crazy. “Telepathy everyone, just talking to someone,” he said out loud to allay their fears.

There had also been a ton of prompts for becoming the King. Adam had reviewed the prompt about fame to check how much it had gone up which was 155,000 points which gave him Regional Fame at level 20. There was also a warning that he would lose half of that award should he lose his kingdom. Because he didn’t want to be tempted, he’d turned off all prompts for his kingdom except for the warnings.

Adam had allowed the rest of the city to run as it had with minimal disruption, he was leaving any major changes to the next King. Though he was making a list of things he’d noticed that could be done better.

At 9 a.m. Freya and Supervisor Tavor, a Lord in his own right, entered the Throne room. Supervisor Tavor was unquestionably loyal, he’d also had a bit of luck when everyone else who was loyal was being assassinated. On the morning the Assassins attacked his home he’d been with a son he’d had before he married his current wife. The Assassins had killed his current wife and their young child, something that ensured Adam was going to disband the Council permanently. It had taken all of Freya’s skills to convince Lord Tavor to seek the Throne as he was one of the few that the Lords and Ladies of the court would follow.

Freya strode forward with Supervisor Tavor and stood before Adam. “Your Highness,” she said with a hint of laughter in her eyes. “May I present Lord Tavor, Direct Advisor to our former King Liam II as a candidate to seek the approval of our Lords and Ladies to become our new King of Venoran?”

“You may,” Adam said as he turned to an aid that had been assigned to him by a council of Lords and Ladies to convey requests and decreed “Summon all Lords and Ladies to the Throne room to seriously consider Lord Tavor to become the new King of Venoran,” Adam said. The aid rushed off and the three waited patiently while everyone was gathered. Adam waited until everyone was in the throne room and then called for their attention.

“Lords and Ladies of Venoran. I know that my tactics may have been brutal, but they were necessary. For Venoran to have a new King, I must step down or abdicate the Throne. I will not leave Venoran in a state of chaos. For me to step down and turn the city over to a new King at least 75% of those assembled here must agree and then swear a vow of loyalty to the new King for the next 5 years. Those who disagree and do not wish to make such a vow will be allowed to collect their holdings, give up their title, and move out of their estates or leave the city. Only those nobles who swear loyalty will remain in Venoran as nobles. This will hold true for any candidates that are put forth by anyone. Otherwise, I will remain King for as long as is necessary. I will not let this city fall into anarchy because the elite of this city cannot agree on something. You have until the morning to make up your mind about this candidate. I will remain on the Throne meditating and listening to everything that is said. I will not participate in this discussion at all but will respond immediately to any threats against any of you, or myself if we are attacked. Otherwise, I will remain silent until Freya informs me of the result of your discussions. The Lords and Ladies of this Kingdom must decide who will lead them. Not someone that arrived in this City about a week ago. I look forward to your decision.” Adam said then closed his eyes and moved into his meditation pose. He of course kept his nanites scanning the area for threats.

It only took the Lords and Ladies three hours to come to a consensus. 5% disagreed and would not budge because they thought their candidates were better, but they said that they would make the same vow as everyone else. Freya approached the Throne.

Adam slipped out of his meditation pose and waited patiently.

“King Adamantadine” Freya stated formally.

“Yes?” he asked.

“The Lords and Ladies find Lord Tavor's bid for the Throne to be favorable. 95% agree that he will be an outstanding replacement for King Liam II. Only 5% disagreed. Though 100% of the Lords and Ladies agree to take the Vow of Loyalty to him once he becomes King.”

Adam looked at Lord Tavor and asked? “Lord Tavor, do you wish to continue along the Path King Liam II laid out for Venoran? To be a beacon of light and good in the sea of darkness and evil that surrounds you. I do not ask if you will do exactly what King Liam II did. Once you are King you will be making the choices for your Kingdom for I am no puppet master. I simply ask if you will try to pursue King Liam II’s goals for the Kingdom.?”

Lord Tavor looked thoughtful for a moment then answered, “As I was the Advisor to our previous King I will say, or vow if you require it, that I will stay true to the advice I gave our previous King. Some he followed, some he ignored. I do not claim that I will not make mistakes, but I do vow to do what I think is best for the City of Venoran and every one of her citizens.” Lord Tavor said formally.

“Then I, King Adamantadine find the choice that the Lords and Ladies have made acceptable. Lord Tavor will be crowned King of Venoran in the morning, long may he rule” Adam said as he stood and shook Lord Tavor's hand.” A sigh of relief swept through the room as applause was given by all those gathered.