CHAPTER 221: ADRIAN’S SPEECH

Cheers erupted from the throng of people surrounding the transparent dome. The sound was a wave of pure joy that washed over the facility.

Some understood the intricate science and magic behind the launch, while others only knew that something monumental, something their Sovereign had poured immense resources into, had just succeeded. It was enough reason to scream their support into the evening sky.

Inside, Adrian remained still. He wasn’t watching the physical sky but the map within his mind.

On it, a single, brilliant blue point of light was steadily moving along a projected trajectory. He tracked its velocity, its power levels, and the initial data feeds from its sensor arrays.

Everything was nominal. It reached the designated altitude and its maneuvering thrusters fired in minute, precise bursts, locking it into a perfect geosynchronous orbit above the capital. It was stable. It was working!

A slow smile touched Adrian’s lips. With a silent thought, he rose from the floor, ascending gracefully through the vast opening in the ceiling where Oracle had just passed.

He hovered high above the facility, looking down upon the hundreds of upturned, hopeful faces.

With a mental command, his link to the network of Proclamation Orbs flared to life. Across the continent, in public squares and private homes, crystal orbs shimmered and lit up, projecting his image and carrying his voice.

This was not the first time such a thing had happened; the populace had grown accustomed to these direct addresses.

They immediately abandoned their tasks, rushing to gather around the orbs to hear what their Sovereign had to say.

Adrian allowed the cheers from the crowd below to subside into an expectant hush before he spoke calmly.

"Tonight, we celebrate a shared victory. What you have just witnessed is the culmination of years of effort. Tonight, together, we have launched our very first satellite into the heavens. We have named it Oracle."

He paused, letting the significance of the achievement settle. "Oracle is our first eye in the great, dark expanse. For now, it will not solve all our problems, nor will it single-handedly defend our borders. Its purpose is more foundational. It will watch the stars for us, observing what lies beyond our world.

It will allow us to detect and measure large-scale flows of mana across the planet. And most importantly, it will serve as the central node, the cornerstone upon which we will build our true defense... A planetary barrier."

The mention of the barrier sent a fresh wave of exhilaration through the crowds. They all knew of his grand ambition.

The ancient barriers had protected individual continents, but Adrian planned to forge a shield that would envelop the entire world, a shell of pure energy that would make their home an impenetrable fortress against any outside threat. This satellite was the first concrete step towards that legendary goal.

As the renewed cheers echoed, Adrian raised a hand, a gesture that brought a respectful silence.

"Six years ago... we were disparate peoples. Now, look at what we have accomplished in that time. Look at the trust we have built. This achievement does not belong to me, or to Princess Nyra, or to Damien alone. It belongs to every one of you. To the miners who extracted the ore, to the smiths who forged the alloys, to the mages who charged the conduits, and to every citizen who kept faith in our vision."

He looked down at the sea of faces, and through the orbs, into the homes of millions.

"Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your support. Oracle is more than a tool of magic and metal; it is a symbol of what we can do when we work as one. And I promise you, this is only the beginning. Together, we will reach even greater heights and build a future that is safe, prosperous, and truly our own."

His final words hung in the cool night air, sparking a final, thunderous ovation that was not just a cheer, but a heartfelt pledge of loyalty and belief in the future he had laid out before them.

With the broadcast over, some in the crowd below began to disperse, their hearts full of hope and their minds buzzing with the implications of their Sovereign’s words.

Others stayed back, gathering in small, excited groups to discuss the new star in their sky and the promise of a planetary barrier.

Meanwhile, Adrian, still hovering high above, spotted a familiar trio standing near the edge of the now-open dome.

Nyra, Serena, and Karl were discussing something among themselves with animated faces.

As if sensing his gaze, Karl looked up, and their eyes met. The Knight-Commander grinned and gestured emphatically for him to come down.

With a gentle descent, Adrian landed softly beside them.

"Great speech over there, Adrian," Karl said with exaggerated emotion as he dramatically wiped a fake tear from his eye. "You almost made me cry! ’This is only the beginning!’ So heroic!"

Adrian laughed it off, shaking his head at his friend’s theatrics. It was Nyra who raised a more serious question with a thoughtful expression.

"But, Adrian, do you think it was the right idea to tell everyone about our grandest strategic plan? What if there is another spy among the people, like the entity that possessed your brother?"

Adrian nodded his head in acknowledgment. "You make a good point, Nyra. But I have considered that. A project of this scale is impossible to hide. An intruder would figure out our plans eventually, regardless of my announcements. As their ruler, I believe it is better to be transparent, to let our people know what we are fighting for and the steps we are taking to protect them, rather than leaving them in the dark."

Nyra considered his words, then gave a slow, understanding nod. "Oh. If you put it like that, then it makes sense."

Adrian, wanting to keep the pleasant conversation going, turned to Karl. "How is Lyra’s training progressing?"

He had personally tasked Karl with guiding the progress of his former archery classmate from the Academy.

He possessed the Transcendent archery technique, [Thousand Starfall Volley], after all. If it was anything as special as the spellbooks he’d found, he would need a reliable, powerful, and loyal person to wield it. Karl was responsible for turning Lyra into that suitable candidate.

Karl, who seemed to have been expecting the question, grinned proudly. "She’s been doing great. A real natural. She’s still only a 7-Star, but you should have seen her today during today’s exercise; she delivered the killing blow on a 9-Star beast with a single, perfect shot. She’s disciplined, incredibly committed, and her focus is second to none. Give her some more years, and I think she’ll be ready."

Adrian nodded, pleased with the report. Before he could ask another question, Karl cut him off, his eyes alight with a familiar, competitive fire. "Now that you’re no longer busy with this satellite thing, how about a proper fight? The three of us!"

He gestured between himself, Nyra, and Adrian. He then turned to Serena with a playful wink. "Sorry, Serena, but you can’t join. This one’s for Transcendents only."

Adrian was about to reply to Karl’s arrogant but well-meaning comment when a series of notificationssuddenly flashed before his eyes.

[Your products have been widely utilized!]

[You’ve gained 19,500 EXP | 19,400 TP!]

[Calculating total TP...]

[Total TP: 50,010,200]