Reincarnated Prince just wants a quiet life

Part 18: A New Era

Crossing the plaza in silence was nerve racking as I could feel everyone's eyes on me. As I reached the stage and climbed up the set of stairs I was met with the stunned faces of both my parents and Milim. I gave them a small bow before turning to the soldiers in the plaza and shouting out, "At Ease!" and with that simple phrase thousands of bodies moved in unison as they changed their stances to a more relaxed one. My voice rang out clear as day in the silent plaza and seemed to echo. The flying demi-humans slowly descended and landed in the open spot that had been left for them. Now the entire plaza was filled with neat rows of soldiers whose eyes were all turned towards the stage.

Nodding in approval I once more turned to my parents with a wide grin, "Hello Mother,Father it is good to see you in good health. You as well lady Milim it is a pleasure to see you in good health." I said giving another short bow.

"As are we to see you in good health, son." My father said in a stunned tone, "Just what in the world am I looking at?"

"The Emerald Guard, Father. It is the division that you have tasked me to train." I said flatly before adding in a more playful manner, "They're awesome right? Don't they look great?"

"You have outdone yourself once more Ivan" he said still in shock, "it is good to see you though, you have.... Grown"

"I have only been away three months, father. I can't have grown all that much." I respond with a smile, "But enough about me I am sure that the people are all waiting for your speech as am I. It's been a while since I last sat and listened to a speech instead of giving one."

With that I gave him a pat on the shoulder before giving my mother a soft hug. Taking my seat I smiled at Darcia who begrudgingly took her seat next to me. Milim looked between the two of us skeptically before taking her seat behind us.

Looking over Darica before taking a seat next to me my mother leaned in to ask, "Is that meant to be her uniform? Isn't it a tad gaudy?"

Darcia nodded her head furiously in response, "I think so too, ma'am."

"Come now don't you think it looks good on her. She is our valkyrie." I said

"Valkyrie?" she asked

"It's an angle of battle. One whose strength inspires awe and reverence. Whose beauty matches their prowess in battle and one who ultimately leads deceased soldiers' souls to the realms of the gods where they will meet their judgment." I said.

"W-would you stop it already!" Darcia hissed as she reached over to pinch my cheeks, "I do not need such an embarrassing title."

"Too late for that," I said giggling and sticking my tongue out at her.

Catlin looked at us in shock before a laugh escaped her as she reached up to pinched my cheek, "Quit acting like a child and pay attention to your Father. Geez I take my eyes off of you for a moment and you go and make so much trouble."

I went to protest but was stopped short as I heard my father start speaking. Rubbing my cheeks softly I turned to face my fathers back as he spoke. He spoke about the courage of the people to stand firm against the Whilhelmianin army and the dedication to the reconstruction effort. He thanked the people for their hard work and for not giving up hope. He mentioned the soldiers in the plaza being a part of the new division under my command and that I would elaborate in my speech. It was a rather generic speech but the people who had been stunned into silence by my appearance seemed to regain their early festive mood.

My mothers speech was similar but she focused on the future more than the past. She talked of new ideas that were slowly getting put into practice that would greatly benefit the nation. She put an emphasis on the new creations that the empire's best minds were trying to create. It was a hopeful speech that would give the people something to look forward to, whether it be new technological inventions to governmental policies that would affect everyone.Once more the people seemed to regain some of their festive tone that I had inadvertently sucked out of them.