Chapter 27: The kings tournament and a realization
The announcement of the King's tournament was not just any ordinary announcement - it was a momentous occasion that caused a wave of excitement to ripple throughout the kingdom. It was as if a spark had been lit, igniting an unprecedented frenzy of parties vying for the chance to become the next King's party. From every corner of the nation, parties flocked to the designated tournament grounds, determined to prove their worth and claim the prestigious title.
The sheer number of people that gathered for the event was staggering, with over 607,965,432 individuals making their way to the capital city. It was a sight to behold, with throngs of people migrating from all corners of the kingdom to witness the grandeur of the King's tournament. While most were eager to see the new king, the tournament itself was also a major draw - albeit limited in arena space.
As the sun rose on the first day of the month-long tournament, the atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation. The tournament grounds were a sprawling arena that dominated the city's skyline, its sheer size and magnificence a testament to the grandeur of the event.
Only a select few of the 12,482,746 parties that had applied were chosen to participate, having undergone a rigorous selection process that involved painstaking scrutiny of their qualifications by the Angel Administration. Out of those, only 800 made the cut. These parties were the best of the best, having brought their A-game with their best warriors, strategists, and mages, all vying for the coveted title of the King's party.
The leaders of these participating parties were a formidable bunch, exuding an aura of battle-hardened experience and expertise. Each boasted a minimum level of 7, a testament to their years of training and dedication to their craft. The members of these parties were no less impressive, with a median level of 5, indicative of their formidable skills and unwavering commitment to their cause. These parties had spared no effort in preparing their members, investing countless hours in training and honing their abilities to perfection, in anticipation of the fierce competition that awaited them.
The tournament grounds were a spectacle to behold as the battles were about to commence. Its walls towered high, adorned with the banners of the kingdom's noble houses, billowing proudly in the wind. The stands were filled to the brim with eager onlookers, their eyes glued to the arena, eagerly waiting for the first clash of swords and spells to begin. The air crackled with anticipation as the parties readied themselves for the challenges ahead, knowing that the battles to come would test their mettle like never before. The stage was set for an epic showdown, and the kingdom held its breath in anticipation of the spectacle that was about to unfold in the King's tournament.
But before the ultimate battles could commence, a grand and extravagant parade was announced by the angel administration to showcase the 800 parties that would be fighting in the highly anticipated King's Tournament. As the parade commenced, 800 party leaders stood atop massive, intricately designed wooden platforms drawn by towering troll-crawlers. The party members marched behind them, in unison, from the southern end of the city, all the way north to the top, and then back around to the arena where the tournament would finally commence. The entire event was a sight to behold and a true feast for the senses.
Leading the march was none other than Lord John, a young and privileged boy who sat atop a massive open carriage, elaborately adorned in the finest gold and silk. His entourage included his maids, nanny, and new teacher, all dressed in luxurious attire, befitting their status. As the parade made its way through the bustling streets, thousands of people lined the sidewalks, eagerly shouting their love and praise for him. "WE LOVE YOU LORD JOHN!!!" they cried out in unison, their voices echoing across the city.
Oliver, who was sitting in their guild's dining hall, was utterly taken aback by the sheer magnificence of the spectacle. "Who is he?" he asked in complete and utter awe.
"How have you not heard of him?" Charles replied, equally astonished. "That's Lord John, the illustrious Son of Pope John and Ms. Diana. She is the only lady in this afterlife to have been chosen to give birth to such an exceptional child. Although there may be people here in the afterlife younger than him, a mere 5-year-old, none of them possess such an awe-inspiring appearance. It's quite remarkable really, since everyone here is an adult in the prime of their life, no matter when they died. Lord John's birth and his family's story hold an unparalleled significance in the afterlife."
"But why is there such an enormous crowd of people praising him? Didn't they see kids before?" Oliver inquired.
Amelia interjected, "Well, of course, they most likely have. But you see, there have been rumors circulating for years that anyone who beds the young lord will be blessed with the ability to have children. If that happens, the lady that bears the child could potentially become a noble, with their role being higher than that of the king himself, without having to be a high-ranking adventurer. This means they don't have to do anything to prove themselves, other than being pretty."
Oliver was taken aback, "They could have more power than the king himself?"
"Indeed," Amelia confirmed. "That's how much power Lord John's family's story and his birth hold. But don't be fooled by his young age; just because he's a kid doesn't mean that people aren't willing to commit heinous acts for him. Every now and then, people try to kidnap him. When he was only a year old, there was a break-in to his room. Luckily, a king's party member saw them and stopped the break-in. Since then, the king's castle has had a constant group of guards patrolling the grounds, ensuring his safety and protection."
Oliver's eyes widened as the flood of people continued to pour into the guild's dining hall. The vast space had been designed to accommodate a few thousand people, but the hundreds of thousands of guild members present were quickly filling every inch of the room. The sheer size of the gathering was mind-boggling, and Oliver couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.
"Wow, this is insane," he muttered to himself.
As if in response to his thoughts, Richard spoke up. "Alright guys, it's getting pretty crowded in here. Let's talk some more on the way to the dungeon. I found a quest we can do that could test Charles and Amelia's level increase. Now that you've both leveled up, we'll have more complicated missions."
Oliver and Charles quickly got up and followed their party through the sea of crowds. The hundreds of millions of people who had migrated to the nation to see the new king candidates and Lord John filled the streets. It was a sight to behold - a sea of humanity as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with the excitement and anticipation of the crowds, and Oliver felt a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the event. It was like nothing he had ever seen before - a true spectacle that was beyond his wildest imagination.
Once they made their way to the central cave Richard began the overview of the quest. "So now that we have more than three people at level three - me, Raphael, and you, Amelia - we can technically enter the third level. But the guild recommends having five level three members before attempting it. Fortunately, my level four status gives us a pass."
Oliver listened intently, his eyes darting around the dark corners of the cave. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched - that something was lurking just beyond their line of sight.
"On the third floor, there's a flower that grows down there and is used as an ingredient for a special defense potion for a client," Richard continued. "So on our way down there, the first and second level is down to you three, Luis, Oliver, and Charles. We want to get you two to level up, just like Charles and Amelia. You three, until you reach the next level, will be looters and carry everything. Alright?"
The group nodded in unison before continuing on their way.
As they walked, Amelia approached Richard. "Why don't you look for more party members?" she asked. "If we get twenty or thirty new members, we could clear out the first levels and have more people later on to clear large floor levels and mini bosses. If we get a few of them up to level two, we could take on more quests."
Richard sighed heavily. "You see, for one, our guild - just like all the thousands of guilds scattered throughout the city - is oversaturated with parties. Even though hundreds of thousands of people come to our city daily, after death, the majority of them are looking for parties with good perks. Hundreds offer perks in Dara, armor, and housing. That's a lot we have to invest into a new member - another reason why I don't want more members or a ton of members. I don't want to watch after so many people while fighting mini bosses and other creatures. Remember what happened the first time Oliver joined our guild? Now imagine if there were five times more people, like you suggest - so many people would be separated and most likely die."
Amelia nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You're right, but what if we get at least two or three more people? Let's find enough members so we can have ten members rather than six."
"I will think about it." Richard responded
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