Chapter 148: The Restoration
Flora’s melodious chanting quickly took effect.
Through the senses of his undead insects, Abyss saw countless golden rays of light emanating from the mouths of the Lord of Nightmares’ followers, like zippers closing from left to right, silencing them instantly. It was the Silence spell, the same one Flora had used against Bishop Dallan, rendering the powerful mage speechless.
Now, even their silent prayers were disrupted. This spell was particularly effective against mages, and even more so against Divine Arts users like these followers, who lacked sufficient divine favor to resist Flora’s power.
The followers across the kingdom fell silent, unable to utter a word until Flora released the spell. Divine incantations required spoken words, not written ones. This effectively prevented them from using their powers collectively.
Abyss, seeing the silenced followers, opened his eyes, looking at Flora.
“It’s done,” she said, exhaling softly, a warm smile on her face.
“Excellent. Now the Lord of Nightmares can’t use his followers to gather power through their prayers,” Abyss said, smiling, patting Flora’s knee, making her blush. “Your Divine Arts are truly unmatched. We’ve cut off all his escape routes. His only options now are to surrender… or to fight to the death. But an Outer God’s instinct is survival. I wonder what he’ll choose. We’ll soon find out.”
“What’s next?” Leona asked cheerfully. “Can we have a feast after the battle is over?”
“Of course,” Abyss said, relaxing, leaning back against the carriage seat. “As long as the Lord of Nightmares doesn’t have any other tricks up his sleeve. Remember, Leona, those followers Flora silenced might not be all of them. I might have missed a few. Although he can’t use them to gather power quickly, he can still use them to attack us. And the artifact is still out there, and Kohler’s whereabouts are unknown.”
“Ah… That’s still troublesome,” Leona said, groaning, covering her head with her hands.
“But at least we’re not constantly under threat anymore, are we? The Lord of Nightmares can only use his pitiful followers to annoy us now. He can’t cause any real damage,” Rebecca said, smiling.
“Exactly, Leona. You can relax a bit… Here, have this. I think you need something to improve your mood.”
Abyss summoned his magical catfish, retrieved a roasted chicken, still warm and fragrant, and tossed it to Leona.
Leona’s eyes lit up at the sight of the food. She caught it, tearing off a leg and happily munching on it, offering the wings to Flora and Rebecca, then giving the parson’s nose to Abyss.
…
Abyss and his companions didn’t participate in the Restoration Army’s battles, not because they were indifferent, but because this was the Ossi people’s fight. Their direct involvement would diminish Givia’s accomplishments and potentially affect her future authority. Abyss didn’t want to create instability or give the Lord of Nightmares an opportunity to regain his influence.
Givia had never requested their help. She knew that their assistance was a gesture of goodwill, not an obligation. Years of hardship had taught her valuable lessons, including the importance of not taking their support for granted.
The Restoration Army’s campaign progressed smoothly after Abyss had shattered the surrenderist nobles’ confidence. And the followers of the Lord of Nightmares, silenced by Flora’s spell, were easily identified. Givia, exploiting their inability to speak, had issued a nationwide alert, instructing her people to detain anyone who had suddenly become mute. It had been incredibly effective.
The Restoration Army’s momentum grew, their victories snowballing. The surrenderist nobles, realizing their cause was lost, their wealth and their power slipping away, either surrendered or fled the country. But few managed to escape—those who did had wisely abandoned their possessions, traveling light.
Many towns were easily captured. Some even raised Givia’s banners before the Restoration Army arrived, declaring their loyalty to the former king and his daughter.
It was a swift and decisive campaign, the Restoration Army absorbing the surrendered troops, their ranks swelling. And wherever Givia went, she was greeted by cheering crowds, their support exceeding even that of her father, who had ruled for decades.
Givia didn’t disappoint them. She promised economic reforms that would benefit the people, focusing on the nobility, a top-down approach, but still beneficial to the commoners. Both nobles and commoners supported her cause.
And her most popular promise, of course, was to nullify the unequal treaty Kevin had signed with the Western Empire. She swore a solemn oath before her army and the Nine Gods, pledging to protect the Ossi Kingdom’s interests.
The Restoration Army marched onward, their victories unimpeded. Within ten days, Givia had led them from Oakning to the Ossi Kingdom’s capital, Ossi City.
She entered the palace without resistance, welcomed by officials, soldiers, and servants. She pardoned those who had served Kevin, then finally met her father, his health recovering, but his spirit weary.
The former king, seeing his daughter’s transformation into a strong and capable leader, and considering his own failing health, issued a royal decree.
Effective immediately, he abdicated the throne, naming Givia his successor. Prince Kevin, branded a traitor, was now a wanted man. Givia was the rightful ruler of the Ossi Kingdom. Her coronation would take place after the kingdom was fully restored!
Leave a Reply