Parallel Vol.2 [Legacy Edition]

Chapter 10: Dreadful Exposition

News of Riven's capture spread like wildfire across the lands. Bards sang of the valiant soldiers who braved death to restore order to the land. Of the great red general who led his front line with courage, and his trusted lieutenants who led the assault on the towers. But the loudest of praises were heaped on the Great General Leila Lightwood, shrewd tactical genius who dared the steep cliffs to launch a surprise attack on the king. As leader of the Hopeful Maggots, it was later revealed that Absalon's guild was a sub-guild of hers. She had coordinated the attack with him in secret so as not to tip off the drakul.

Following the events of that fateful night, waves of change rippled over the lands. First and foremost was the new King's strange decision concerning the drakul: Not only did he forgive their crimes, but he urged co-habitation from his country men. He refused to give them a separate land of their own, insisting all of Rosendun should live together as one. 

The first few days were hard on the drakul as most men still harbored strong hatred for their kind. But despite counsels against, King Parissius stood firmly by his decision. However, were it not for the drakul's fierce loyalty and pride, his plan may very well have backfired. 

Where the others races showed hatred, the drakul emulated kindness. Where the others looked upon them with hatred, they returned acceptance. For they had made a vow to try their darndest to make this work, and while anyone could argue they weren't actually at fault, they never brought it up.

Eventually, Rosens began to feel shame for attacking people so full of pride, who refused to stoop to their level. Slowly, but surley the attacks ceased. 

Bards lauded the King's decision to stick by his plan, as it would usher in a new age of peace in Rosendun. 

Absalon was promoted to official general of Rosedun's main army with his lieutenants each commanding sizeable legions. 

The relatively unknown guild 'Hopeful Maggots' received a lot of plaudits from the people for their heroic antics behind enemy lines. They were granted a land of their own in Ranad where a guild home was built in their honor. 

It wasn't long till every adventurer wanted to join the renowned guild, but their selections were so few and far between that eventually, the clamor for spots stopped altogether.

Meanwhile, under Leila's watchful eyes, Absalon led the army on their first real conquest to end civil wars and monster invasions in Rosendun in an attempt to unite the land fully under one flag. Of course, this also meant clearing the high level beasts around the borders to open trade routes with other countries. 

This quest filled the adventurers with a 'sense of purpose' which most felt they lacked before. Many decided to join the army's ranks to try and work their way up. Others started actively forming guilds to rival Hopeful Maggots undisputed control. A few others switched to crafts at the behest of the royal palace which paid top Syros for well made works. It was rumoured this request for an influx of craftsmen also came from the Hopeful Maggots.

Naturally, for the craftsmen to succeed, gatherers were needed to work the environment and obtain necessary raw materials. And in turn, for the gatherers to succeed, they needed warriors to clear dangerous beasts from the surroundings. And finally, for the warriors themselves to succeed, it all came back to the excellence of the weapons craftsmen made. After all, it was soon clear crafted weapons were superior to store-bought stocks.

This rapid increase in activity occurred in less of a fortnight. Rivalries grew, new players flocked to Rosendun, and the economy flourished as a result of the influx of adventurers. 

In a month, there was a difference so stark, many could scarce believe they were still in the same country. Racism had been all but squashed, guilds were growing left and right and it seemed talks could soon resume with nearby neighbours.