"But if he loses, I'll definitely be killed by the king for allowing it."

Chuckling at the response, Elanev said, "I don't need to tell someone in your line of work about betting on something to win big. It's your choice."

Hearing this, the manager paused and tried to collect his thoughts. He was also a citizen who was proud of his Kingdom, and he had been very saddened to see it humiliated like so.

So what if the challenger lost? He could just run away. He would still be someone who did something to at least try and help the Kingdom that he loved so much.

Thinking along these lines and getting up, he said, "Let's do it. Right now. Let's go."

This made a smile appear in the man's face, as he said "I was hoping you would say that," and followed behind the manager who headed towards the gate that led to the ground.

…..

"I can do it no longer. I stayed silent till now because I thought that the Kingdom was in good hands. But seeing this King fail so many times and now even send 2000 soldiers to their deaths just to obtain some resources to train himself, I decided that I cannot stand to the side. My father always told me that the one who does nothing when he sees a crime that he can stop is just as guilty as the one who is actually committing the crime. The King of Lanthanor had no choice, and I would have done the same if it were my people were being threatened. I have always felt out of place in Lanthanor. I was unable to connect with the people. I was unable to care for them. But the only reason I stayed was for my friend, who asked for my help when he ascended the throne. I come back now to my homeland, to take back what was once my father's. I have severed all ties with Lanthanor, and my only allegiance now lies with the people of the Black Raven Kingdom. I extend an official challenge to the King, and I hope he actually takes this challenge to show everyone that he is still eligible to rule this magnificent Kingdom which has come to be because of our grand Deity. Follow me now to the Palace. Follow me now for revolution. Follow me now for a new ruler who will only have your well-being in his heart. All hail the mighty Black Raven!"

As Daneel stood disguised as a citizen in the stands of the stadium and watched Faxul as he gave this pa.s.sionate speech, he wondered if he was really seeing his friend.

Even though he had written the speech and given it to him months ago, he hadn't expected that Faxul would deliver it so effectively.

Seeing the people around him rise up from their seats and shout as one with support, he smiled knowing that the plan was going well.

It had started with the match that had been going on being interrupted by display trinkets which popped up around the stadium and showed the ghastly scene of the soldiers dying.

Next, Elanev, who was now a known face among the people walked forward and told the spectators about the King's 'l.u.s.t for power' which had led to the deaths of so many soldiers.

This was followed by this rousing speech by Faxul which was definitely a smas.h.i.+ng success.

The second part of the plan was simple: use the unrest of the people and stoke a revolution which would give the King no choice but to accept the duel with Faxul.

It was the rule of the Kingdom. A King could be challenged once every year by anyone who thought that the Black Raven blood flowed through them stronger.

The fight would be using ravens that had not been previously contracted by the partic.i.p.ants in the duel, and the winner would be crowned as King if he managed to connect with the protector Raven.

15 years ago, the present king had challenged the previous one in this way and defeated him.

Would history repeat itself, with the son of the previous king coming back to avenge his father?

This was the question that floated in the minds of the people who all trudged out of the stadium as one. Of course, more than anything, the frustration that had been bottled up because of being insulted by the man before erupted at this moment. The sight of the soldiers dying had pushed them over the edge, and now that they had someone whom they could rally behind, they were ready to demand for a new King.

In this way, a procession started which headed to the Palace. Faxul and Elanev were both at its head, with Faxul repeating a few parts of his speech at all the villages and towns that he pa.s.sed. The people did their part by explaining everything that happened, and the display trinkets that were floating in the air showing the images of the soldiers dying made many citizens drop everything they were doing and join the procession.

Daneel himself was shocked seeing the single-minded support that Faxul was receiving. Teleporting away, he prepared to carry out the second mission to help his friend.