Rise of the Legendary Emperor

Under the thunderous claps of the people and the fireworks, Don stepped forward with the crown on his head.

"People of Emir, Agoria, and Ishikara, I'm Don '' This was the first time he addressed his entire kingdoms since he took the throne. His voice hadn't fallen yet, but the crowd roared even louder,

 "Long live King Don"

"Long live his majesty"

"Hail his majesty"

Knight suddenly felt a kind of warmth spreading through his chest as they never been cheered and praised by many people like this. When he heard the spontaneous cheers from their own army and the citizens, he felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in his heart.

When their voices finally calmed down a little, Don continued, 

"I don't use to or like giving long speeches but today I feel like I have to make an exception. Since I took the throne, I have replaced the shabby old tents you called houses with real houses, I built roads and repaired the drainage systems to prevent floods, built a shipyard, created farmlands to produce the food we need, rooted a water spirit in Emir to transform the barren lands to fertile lands. But I didn't do this but WE did this, all of us"

The crowd went crazy and their thunderous cheering echoed through the kingdoms.

"We are not finished yet but just started. Soon, we will start many industries to create work for everyone and provide free education for our children because, in my rule, education will not be a privilege" Again the crowd roared again and many parents started to cry out loud. Only a few percentages of the commoners were able to put their children through a sect but the rest of them were simply too poor to do that as even a small sect necessitated a humongous amount of gold coins.

"These are just a few things among many things I'm planning. Now I'll tell you the most important thing I'm going to do " The people curiously looked at him to hear what's he going to tell them.

"We are going to open our borders to the Astrels" the moment these words left his mouth, the crowd was stunned and became speechless.

"What?!"

"His majesty is going to do what?!"

"Astrels?!"

"If his majesty has done that, it'll be for the good for us "

"Yes, I trust his majesty!"

Various hushed discussions were going among the crowd but none of them voiced out any objections to Don.

"He really said it!" Amaryll's eyes welled up and without her control, the tears started to roll out of her eyes. Then he turned around and motioned everyone who was standing behind him to step forward.

"Remove your masks" Except for Reghys and Knight, the rest of them took a deep breath and removed their helmets and masks to reveal their real selves.

"Oh my god!"

"Elves!"

"Dwarves!"

"Captain Arwen is an Elf?!"

"Lady Adria, half-elf!"

"So many Astrels!" Not only the Astrels behind Don but also the black armored soldiers revealed their true faces to the people. 

"These are the people who worked with you and protected our kingdom. The hatred spread by old kings had nothing to do with us anymore, we don't know what really happened centuries ago. Astrels are people, just like you and me, now they are willing to look past everything and live with us, are you?" Although many seemed to be willing, some still couldn't forget the horrible things they heard about Astrels when they were little and seemed reluctant to give it a chance.

" They proved loyal to me and willing to live with us, that's good enough for me" he looked at the Astrels including Arwen, and then said looking at the citizens.

"If you're still going to live in the past and hate Astrels without a reason, you're free to leave, because there's no place for racists in my kingdom" He didn't even try to sound kind or friendly but said with an utmost domineering tone.

"The same goes for every Astrel too, if you have any objections to living with humans, you can leave" He looked at the people without speaking for a few minutes and noticed anyone leaving the crowd. As far as he guessed, only pure racist bastards would leave the kingdom during the winter. He didn't want the racists who would rather try their luck in the winter outside the kingdom than try to live with the Astrels.

However, none of them seemed that dumb and racist to leave the crowd as he broke the silence.

"So speak, are you with me?"

"WE ARE WITH YOU!"

"YES!!"

"LOVE LIVE HIS MAJESTY DON!"

The people didn't fail him but roared their hearts out and let him know their mind. The Astrels immediately felt warmth in their hearts,

"We finally founded a home" many of the Astrels wiped their tears of joy off their faces.

"From this moment, there will be no kingdom Emir, Agoria, and Ishikara. Our Kingdom will now and forever be called Everlight!" Don said and raised his hands as purple streamers of flame came out of his hand and formed the word 'Everlight'.

Everyone became excited, and the deafening chants rang through the sky. A mist of snow erupted on the mountainside, and the echoes rolled endlessly through the peaks.

He looked at the cheering subjects and felt a sense of achievement and fire growing inside him. The flames of revenge had been burning hotter and brighter, and one day, he would destroy the ones who took away everyone he loved and burn them to the ground.

"Let us celebrate this day together," He said, taking advantage of the rising emotions within the crowd.

"It is a day to be remembered, and I declare that from now on this day will be known as the Day the Kingdom Everlight born, My people, enjoy this day to the fullest! Now, let the festival begin!"

When he waved his hand, the black clothes hanging to the castle and the top of the stage fell down to reveal a giant flag. The Flag was black in color and on the center, a large silver dragon coiled around a silver longsword.

It was designed by Knight and had no fancy-schmancy explanations or hidden details but showed only two things, the dragon and the sword symbolized power whereas the black color symbolized Unity.

Soon the next round of fireworks went on as the swords and the dragon made of silver sparks appeared in the dark sky and resembled the flag.

Don looked above and saw the entire sky resemble their flag and heard the people cheering.

Since he said everything that needs to be said, he let the people enjoy the night and turned around to see everyone in front of him bedding their knees, except Knight, Reghys, Queen Sienna, King Edward, and Princess Amber.

"Your Majesty" even Arwen and Amaryll lowered their heads and greeted him formally.

"Aren't you going to call him by his name anymore?" Knight laughed and directed his question towards Amaryll.

"Of course not, he's our king, even if we are best friends, we must address him as we do our king" Amaryll responded and smiled as Don ruffled her head playfully.

"Your majesty!" she quickly screeched as everyone laughed.

"Come on, get up" they nodded and stood up as he walked towards the castle. They all followed him behind and Amber quickly grabbed Amaryll's hand.

"Amaryll, you never said, you're an elf" Amber would have had seconds thought about developing a friendship with Amaryll if she knew her real identity but now, Amber didn't care as the two of them became thick friends.

"His majesty's orders, he didn't want anyone to know about this until he himself reveals"

"Lord Clemo, you know about this?" Amber turned her gaze towards Clemo but he was still in a daze at the fact that he's walking aside elves and dwarves.

From this moment onwards, Everlight would be presented with new allies, opportunities, and enemies.