239 Visions (1/2)

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”You two, come in.”

Raven and Luna heard this outside.

Raven got up from his seat and nodded towards Luna. Both of them had been nervous and didn't really talk much since leaving the room.

He opened the door and went in, followed by Luna. She went behind Balmung once again while Raven went back to his position at the other end of the table.

Raven saw their serious expressions and thought that something must be up. His heartbeat quickened, thinking that he might've missed something important in the creation of the documents but couldn't remember anything for now.

”Tell me.” The King spoke after a bout of silence. ”How long have you been thinking about this reform.”

Raven was momentarily stunned by that question, nevertheless he answered truthfully.

”The idea came to me a long time ago. But back then, I just didn't know which direction the reform should go. As I was introduced to more and more people and was gradually exposed to the true state of the kingdom, slowly the idea took form until it reached the point where I only need one more catalyst to make it happen. And the project that Your Majesty gave me was the one I've been waiting for.”

No one spoke for a good minute, the King once again asked:

”I think most of us knew the reason why you wanted this reform, even we ourselves have our own answers. Still, I want to hear it from you. Why do you feel that this change is necessary?”

Raven took a deep breath and answered the question.

”Pardon me for my unfiltered opinion Your Majesty but believe it or not, the Kingdom is on a steep decline.” He paused to allow his words to reach the hearts of everyone here. And even though no one spoke, everyone inwardly nodded their heads in agreement.

”On top of this decline, we are also exposed to dangers. We are always under the threat of a beast horde, we are also being targeted by the Black Curtain Guild. It would've been fine if they would give us time to recover the quality of our forces and numbers but as if they're going to do that.”

”I might sound like an alarmist but if things were to remain stagnant, within a decade we might face a great calamity that will cause the Kingdom's foundations to be uprooted.”

His warnings brought shivers to anyone who listened. Specially those who are aware of the true mastermind behind the Black Curtain Guild.

”The invasions and the beast horde opened my mind. If we really wanted to survive, something has to change. It's gonna be a long work and the results might be uncertain but its better than leaving the situation as it is. I have faith in our people. If the aim of this reform was achieve then I could almost guarantee that in less that a century, there are no place in this world where our people couldn't go.”

”In that future. This world would be centered around us, humans. Nothing will be able to threaten our race. I want to live until the day that our kingdom will grow so big that it's inappropriate to call it a kingdom anymore, instead it shall become an empire. The Final Haven Empire.”

As soon as he said that, everyone's breath hitched. Their eyes brightened as they were able to somehow see the visions inside Raven's mind.

A thriving world where countless of humans live in peace and harmony. A world completely focused around humans and humans alone. The true Golden Age where humans no longer have to hide and could stand proud and tall. Without a doubt, everyone in this room wanted to witness such a thing happen, this specially goes well to the older one's since they witnessed the cruelty of the world outside.

If there's someone who's bold enough to dream about such thing, it would be Raven. Which is why he's standing in front of everyone right now.

Raven finished his speech with a nod to everyone inside the room. The King had a serious expression and was looking at him intently. It was like he was trying to see through Raven's true intentions even though he himself knew that what he said earlier was his true intent. In the end, no one could really tell how the King's thoughts work.

After a high tension silence, everyone heard the King spat a long sigh. It was as if he was holding his breath for a long time.

Raven saw how the King's attitude change. A smile appeared on his lips as he rested his back on the chair.

”Well, what can I say? I'm impressed, child. Very well, I approve of this reform!”