Chapter 171: Commotion (1/2)
As the large, wooden double doors to the Guild Hall creaked open, Aiden and Cole were met with a surprisingly large crowd that gathered in the hall. From the looks of it, it seemed that while most of them were adventurers or at the very least seasoned warriors, there were quite a few civilians mixed in.
They were chirping to each other, adding to the large buzzing noise that the gathered had emitted. The hall was so packed that the duo couldn't even find a way to squeeze through and could just barely squeeze themselves in and close the door behind them.
”Do you know what is happening here? What are all these people doing here?” Aiden asked with confusion in his voice. He heard about a guild meeting that his sister had to attend and met that annoying golden-armored guy who kept following her, but this seemed different. It had a different vibe.
”I... ” Cole couldn't answer immediately, he himself had no idea what this was. His head darted back and forth, trying to make sense of the situation but even after almost a minute, he couldn't come up with anything. He sighed as he continued. ”I don't know. This is certainly not a gathering for the Meet-Up, there's a lot of civilians here. Besides, this is way too many people for that.”
Looking through the crowd, Aiden saw that most of them kept stealing glances over to the upper floors as if they were waiting for someone to come and address them.
”Hmm…” He wondered, remembering the discussion he had with the leader of the examiners, Sarah. She did mention that one of the candidates are from the Guild Management, and from the looks of things, this could be a gathering to listen to the candidate's speech. Realizing this a deep frown appeared on his face, smearing his previously calm and smiling composure.
Noticing this, Cole looked at this with a confused expression.
”What is it Aiden? What happened?”
Shaking his head, the frown disappeared from Aiden's face, and with the same smile as before he looked at Cole.
”Don't worry about it, it's nothing!” Suddenly, picking up some movement from the upper floors through his [Dark Sense] he turned towards the railings, as he insipidly continued. ”Anyway, it is starting. Let's just listen for now.”
”Huh? What is starting? Listen to what? What are you going on ab-” He began bombarding Aiden with his questions, but soon he was silenced as a familiar figure appeared at the upper floors.
Wearing his golden breastplate, Sir Michael raised his hands to the air with a large smile on his neatly trimmed, bearded face. His crisp and booming, deep voice filled the entire hall.
”Greetings, my friends! I am greatly humbled by all of you that gathered here today! I swear that I will continue doing my very best to be worthy of such devotion!”
He gave a theatrical bow towards the crowd, showing gratitude and earning a loud sea of cheers as a response. He kept his humbled posture for almost a full minute before he slowly straightened his back, and raised his hands, expertly silencing the crowd.
Just from this first interaction, Aiden smirked at his figure from the back, it was clear that he was experienced addressing such crowds. His golden eyes flashed for a moment, as he scanned the man.
Although the golden glow only lasted for a fraction of a second as it just merely flashed through his eyes, Sir Michael, due to his years of experience, still managed to catch it. He quickly glanced over at the youth in the far end, before his eyes went back to the crowd.
”As this 'race' is nearing its end, we are approaching the date for the Event. I'm going to be honest with all of you, the competition will be fierce, and brutal. Our victory can only be achieved through the sweat and tears of your devotion! I can only hope that you will all continue to support me, all throughout the upcoming days and during the Event. What I can promise you is that if we will come out victorious, I will lead our home, this city out of the tainted swamp that we have been led to.” His eyes slowly paced through the crowd, he had a solemn expression on his face. Michael raised his voice ever so slightly, and with great conviction, he empathized each word he spoke next.
”I WILL BRING OUR CITY BACK TOWARDS THE LIGHT!”
Following his words, the gathered crowd erupted in a crazed, maddened cheer. For several minutes following his words, the people kept shouting his name, they looked at the man above them as if he were a god.