The Glorious Finale

Kade's mouth still hung open.

Celia stood there in a daze as well, as though she had been struck by a Petrification Spell.

"Platinum-rank..." Kade murmured.

"A Platinum-rank Adventurer," Celia added softly. "We... we actually talked with a legendary figure for so long..."

On the stage, Arisa had already walked up to the podium.

Sunlight fell across her long golden hair, making her seem as though she were glowing.

All the noise in the square fell silent.

From members of the royal family to commoners, from legendary heroes to ordinary soldiers, everyone turned their eyes toward the blonde female knight standing upon the raised platform.

She did not use magical amplification like the emperor had, yet her voice, infused with sacred power, carried clearly throughout the entire Royal Inner Grounds.

"People of Nirose, citizens of the Tsaros Empire, and friends who have come from afar!

Her voice was warm and resolute, like sunshine in winter.

"On this sacred Glory Day, at this moment of shared celebration, I would like everyone to look back with me upon the road we have traveled."

She slowly raised her right hand and placed her clenched fist over her heart. "Eighteen hundred years ago, the shadow of the Abyss covered this land. Demons ran rampant, evil prevailed, and people wept in despair and struggled in darkness."

"But at the darkest moment, someone stepped forward."

Arisa's voice grew more forceful. "They did not retreat!"

"Because they believed that light would ultimately defeat darkness! Because they believed that justice would ultimately defeat evil! Because they believed that hope would never be extinguished!"

Thunderous cheers erupted from the square.

Arisa waited for the cheering to subside before continuing. "Today, we commemorate those heroes, those forebears who sacrificed themselves to protect this land.

"But what I want to say,"