CHAPTER 51: DECREE

It was past noon, and the sun was hot on his necks. The heat wasn’t just because of the sun.

Two of the remaining vessels, which he’d gotten from that poor family’s house, stood amidst a chaotic crowd.

Hadrian, Alia Hadrian, and his other vessels like bearded man and the groper mage, stood at a far distance from the crowd.

Children weaved through legs, there was a loud cacophony of sounds, and the smell of unwashed bodies was heavy.

Feeling rather uncomfortable from the heat and being pressed in with so many other people, Hadrian channeled some elemental essence through the two vessels, reducing the heat discomfort instantly.

He could simply switch to mechanical control, but he wanted to test if this would help with the acclimation period.

The reason this large and loud crowd had gathered here was for the decree reading.

The herald would proclaim official decrees in such central market centres for each district.

Hadrian used to ignore such public proclamations, not just because he was a kid and would easily get bored of such political things, but because it was the best time to steal.

Even then, proclamations hearings wouldn’t usually garner such a crowd. There had been a lot of buzz about this one, though. So much so he had to hear for himself.

Directly from the Baron, they’d said. And mandatory!

An ear piercing trumpet blast cut through the air and the chaos of the crowd slowly died down. Everyone turned to the platform, which was really just the bed of an old statue of some historic hero during the birth of the city.

Three seconds passed and there was another trumpet blast, and then a third one.

The herald stood tall on the platform, his eyes scanning the crowd. He was a fat man, and his bronze coloured robes were particularly beautiful, Hadrian thought.

Next to him were two "guards." Peering into their essence seas, Hadrian saw the two "guards" were actually regular humans, while the herald was a rank one mage.

The herald handed one of the guards the trumpet and rolled a piece of parchment, his right hand rising with his palm stretched out.

"Hear!" His voice boomed through the air. Even where Hadrian and Alia stood, they could hear him clearly.

He must be a force path mage.

Having a rank one core of the force path himself, Hadrian knew they could augment their voices like that.

At rank one, this range is actually impressive. He thought.

"By the immutable will of Carmine Thorne, Let all citizens of the Free City of Gritjor attend to this most paramount decree!"

The herald said into the now eerily silent and nervous crowd.

Carmine Thorne?

Hadrian’s eyes narrowed. He’d never heard of the name.

It’s obviously not the herald. The Baron ?

He didn’t know the name of the Baron, and imagined most other people didn’t either. Now that he thought about it, it seemed like a rather important thing he should have known.

"In the wake of unsettling events, the security and stability of this Region and, by extension, the well-being of its peoples, is paramount."

The Herald Paused. It wasn’t to catch a breath, Hadrian could tell, it had its purpose.

"The strength of this domain rests upon the shoulders of its unified citizens, and such unity cannot tolerate unchecked power. Therefore, for the sake of public safety and strategic defense, I, Carmine Thorne, do hereby issue this declaration, effective immediately!"

"Mandatory Swearing Of Fealty. All individuals within the jurisdiction of the eastern Free Cities, who are mages, are hereby designated as Mage Assets of the Eastern Region!"

Hadrian brows pinched. The eastern free cities? So, not the Baron.

The Baron was the head seat of a city like the one he was in, Gritjor.

The cities had been "Free Cities" since the massive walls had been built during the dark period, when the great horrors still roamed the northern parts of the human continent.

At least, that’s how Hadrian’s mother had explained to him, when she told him all those stories.

Living at the edge of a city, which he’d now learned had over eight million people, he wasn’t surprised they hadn’t bothered with the workings of a central seat of power, districts away.

Out there, they understood their voices wouldn’t be heard, and it was better to focus on what would feed them for the day than cry into the wind.

Gritjor was huge, as Hadrian had seen when he left the walls. The first wall enclosed the "city" itself while the second enclosed its vast spanning farmlands.

So, to make such a declaration to all eastern free cities. Hadrian could only imagine how powerful such an individual was.

In truth, he didn’t know how many free cities existed in this region. Up until his death and resurrection, his world was mostly the district he lived in.

"Every mage, irrespective of their current affiliation, is required to present themselves within fourteen days of this decree. These individuals shall submit to a formal assessment and swear an Oath of Direct Service and Loyalty to Carmine Thorne."

The Herald continued.

"Rogue mages are explicitly included and must comply. Compliance within the grace period guarantees a full pardon for any prior unauthorized use of magic, provided no capital crime was committed!"

Some in the crowd looked like they wanted to spit. The mages had been doing as they pleased in this city, now they’ll get a pardon?

"Penalties For Non-compliance."

The herald said, his eyes leaving the parchment only for a moment.

"Any mage who willfully ignores this decree shall immediately be deemed a threat to the public order."

"And after the grace period, any mage not having sworn the Oath, shall be designated outlaw!"

He let the words sink in.

"All feudal lord titles of mages shall be dropped, and they shall inherit military titles respective of their rank."

"This decree is not an act of oppression, but a necessary measure to ensure the strength of the Eastern Region. The Register will facilitate the formation of an elite division dedicated to defense, infrastructure maintenance, and disaster relief.

Compliance ensures order, protection, and a path for all mages to utilize their gifts in sanctioned and gainful employment under my banner!"

"Let all know that under the banner of Thorne, there is order. By My Hand and Seal, Carmine Thorne, Princeps of the Eastern Region!"

The sharp trumpet blast cut through the silence.

Rolling up the parchment, the

herald took calm steps off the platform.

Slowly, the market square began to stir, but the previous lively atmosphere was gone, replaced by an uneasy tension.

Hadrian found himself confused by the whole matter.

Why now? And what does this exactly mean?

Even though I can exist in many vessels, it seems I cannot be everywhere or know everything that’s happening.

Shaking his head, he let out a sigh.

It seems while I’m focused on my revenge, there’s a grander stage of events taking place.

"You don’t think it has something to do with you awakening your authority?"

Alia Hadrian, next to him, asked.

Her face and tone were expressionless. Sometimes, when he was just talking to himself, Hadrian would forgot to fully get into the "act."

"I’m too weak for that stage, and at most, I affected a small mob."

"The strange new paths, and now this. All after you awakened...." Alia Hadrian reasoned, and this time round, Hadrian put in effort in her tone and expression.

Hadrian spared her a glance.

It was a strange arrangement he had. He needed to manage the vessels so that they didn’t muddy his sense of self, by allowing the vessels to retain their former selves and "identity" among his ranks.

Of course, this was after the short acclimation period.

But if he were to let them develop too much into "themselves" well, he didn’t really know what would happen.

"I can’t think too highly of myself. Still, it’s a rather interesting matter."

An hour later, Hadrian could hear the stressing "prayers" of that little rat Baruch.

Since it was only Baruch, it was easy for Hadrian to discern. Hadrian’s consciousness descended into Baruch but he didn’t make Baruch aware yet.

Baruch was basically asking what to do about the matter of the decree, and the swearing of the oath.

Why not?

It would help Hadrian with getting a good sense of what was happening.

He was wary of his other vessels participating in the swearing of the oath since they were essentially him. And when it came to mages, he doubted the "oath" was just word of mouth and formal papers.

Baruch, who was still aware of himself and separate from Hadrian, could make a good "spy" without Hadrian compromising himself.

Hadrian sent out his intent, and from the way Baruch held his breath for a moment, he was sure he understood he’d heard him.

He didn’t give him any further response, and hopefully the idiot would understand that meant he did not object.