CHAPTER 1019: CHAPTER 1019: A VISIT TO CRUX

Ferdinand then gave the go signal to Alwin, and he teleported them to Crux Palace.

They did not ride a carriage to show their arrival due to the possibility that some people or groups who still harbor some motives might try to attack them.

When Ferdinand visited here last time, he rode a carriage to the palace, and there were a lot of assassination attempts. Of course, all of it was foiled. And Ferdinand already knew it would happen and still visited anyway.

But this time, since Arabella was with him, Ferdinand did not want to risk it.

For him, Arabella’s safety was always the priority.

He knew fully well that he and his people could protect her, but still did not do something risky, especially with the possibility of sudden attacks from people with anti-magic weapons.

After all, it meant all the protective spells they had placed on Arabella would not work and would be cancelled out if an anti-magic weapon was used.

Thus, they teleported directly to the Crux palace.

"Greetings to Your Imperial Majesties," the Grand Knight Commander greeted. He was there waiting for them.

"Greetings to Your Imperial Majesties," Princess Seraphina and someone who resembled her, clearly her twin Prince Sebastian, greeted at the same time.

They waited here to greet them upon arrival as well.

Arabella smiled at Princess Seraphina and glanced at Prince Sebastian, who immediately tensed upon receiving their look.

[His and Her Majesty both look so imposing. Sera said Her Majesty was younger, but she is as composed and regal as His Majesty.]

"It is an honor to finally meet Your Majesties," Prince Sebastian said.

[We can’t thank them enough for being merciful to our people and agreeing to help us. They truly kept their word and did not harm our people who had been forced into the war. I hope this step is truly the change that Crux needed.]

Arabella listened to Prince Sebastian’s thoughts and was glad to know that he truly did have a good vision for Crux, too, just as Seraphina said.

After all, as per their agreement, Prince Sebastian will be crowned as the King of Crux while they are in transition. He would later be the Duke as they incorporated Crux as a duchy of Valeria.

Arabella was about to say more when someone else approached them.

She was surprised when she saw someone she did not expect among the people waiting for them.

Pope Elsevier Esperanza.

She knew someone from the temple would also attend this announcement since they heavily condemn necromancy.

But she did not expect the Pope himself would come.

"We meet again, Your Majesties," Pope Elsevier said.

"It’s nice to meet you again, Your Holiness," Arabella smiled.

Ferdinand simply nodded.

[I thought he was sending someone else. Why did he come instead? Does he have another reason?]

Ferdinand wondered if it was because of the talk they had last time.

Arabella was also wondering about the same. She thought that perhaps the inventory of their anti-magic weapons and background checks of all their people were finally over.

"There has been a development on what we talked about last time. I have a lot to speak with you about. Shall we have a talk after this?" the Pope asked directly.

Arabella and Ferdinand’s eyes met, and they nodded at each other.

"Yes, of course," Arabella agreed.

"I’ll have the venue prepared," Ferdinand said, and glanced at Alwin.

Pope Elsevier also glanced at Alwin and said, "It’s good to see you are doing well. I hope you considered my offer from last time."

"Thank you. I did think about it," Alwin responded.

Since the scheduled time for the announcement had come, their talk was cut short, and they all headed out to one of the highest parts of the palace.

There were a lot of people gathered, nobles, commoners, and slaves alike, as they awaited what their fate would be after the war.

Their faces were grave, and all the thoughts that Arabella heard made her head hurt.

A lot of people were in low spirits. They were thinking that they were now a slave to another nation and everything might go downhill.

However, there were also those who hoped and prayed that things would finally change. Especially those who did not like the system of Crux.

{Can you enhance my eyes?} Arabella asked Alwin.

She wanted to see Crux and its people more clearly.

However, she felt a lump in her throat as she scanned the faces of the people and how they looked.

The disparity between the people was too clear. Of course, there was a disparity between classes in Valeria and Lobelius, too. However, in Crux, there was a third class that had the end of the stick.

Simply the way the people gathered and took their positions made it clear.

The nobles were closest to where they were. The middle classes followed. Then commoners. And lastly, the slaves.

The slaves stood the farthest, and they even looked like they were unsure if they should be here or truly allowed to be.

They had already been told they were free and their collars and shackles had been removed, but they still behaved like they were still slaves.

From their thoughts and faces, they were scared they would be punished by their masters for even daring to attend this event, even when it was already announced that everyone in this city, regardless of class, must be here today.

It had already been made clear, too, by the knights and magicians that slavery was not something Valeria welcomed.

They had also been given the authority to save any slaves who were in a terrible state or needed help, even before the announcement was made. They had also instructed the removal of collars and shackles for all slaves.

It was also already announced by the knights and magicians that anyone who needed help could approach them or simply go to the palace, and they would be welcomed, fed, and sheltered.

Yet, so many people were still so wary and scared of them.