After winning the grand tournament and meeting the Emperor for a short congratulations, Leo was escorted out of the arena to receive medical treatment, while the workers quickly got to work in setting up the rewards stage.
Every year at the grand tournament, the Emperor gave a customary speech to the masses where he talked about everything from the state of the economy to the border tension with the Empire's neighbors.
While not a highlight of the grand tournament, this speech was very important for all players of Terra Nova Online to understand what the future of the game was going to be and how the game's main storyline was going to develop in the near future.
"My dear citizens…." The emperor began with a warm smile on his face as he sucked the crowd's attention towards him with all his natural charisma, commanding them into a pin-drop silence as he spoke.
"Yet another year has passed by and we have received yet another champion for the Grand Tournament. This time not from any of the Royal Academies, but from amongst you the masses ...." The Emperor said, as he knew exactly how to please the crowd with his words and chose them specifically to appease the commoners.
"There's no question that SkyLion of the royal knight academy also fought well and that it was a hard-fought victory for The Boss, however, in the end, The Boss of the streets won it all and I enjoyed his fight thoroughly.
Did you all enjoy it too?" Julien asked, as the crowd cheered at his question to signify their approval.
*Cheers*
"Not only did The Boss fight well, but so did Tracy of the Elves and Troy the Beastman, as all the myriad races comprising the Unity Empire seemed to have given it their all to win this year's tournament, and perhaps the next champion might be from amongst them…." Julien said, as while he did not mean those words, he maintained the facade of unity at least in public.
"However, while the unity inside the Empire is only being strengthened year on year, the situation at our empire's borders continues to worsen everyday…." Julien said, his tone turning grim.
"The demons with whom we share a border to the north have been a source of constant trouble for us.
For decades we have been embroiled in a battle of attrition against them, being forced to construct countless fortresses along the northern boundary and being forced to deploy countless of our young and brave men to man those forts.
While the unity Empire always has a place within its lands for every peaceful species…. It can never allow demons into its lands because demons are not a peaceful species.
They rape, they pillage, they kill and they destroy.
There is not one good thing about the demon way of life and hence, they are the only species we must never allow within our lands" Julien said, as he painted the demons as the evil race and tried to increase the already high mass hysteria regarding demons.
"Unfortunately, while we hold our borders strong. Our less resourceful neighbors can't do the same.
Reports suggest that towards our Eastern Borders the demons have started to raid and heckle the nomadic tribes of the forest and while we have sent assistance to those tribes and promised them asylum in-case they need to flee their homelands, we now fear that should the nomadic tribes fall to the demons, then a second battle-front might open up against us, with the demons trying to push into our Empire from the less guarded Eastern front…." Julien said, as his words caused many commoners to break in sweat, as everyone was too used to the peace of the Empire and felt uncomfortable thinking about a big war.
"I do not wish to frighten you…. For even if the demons dare open up a new war front the mighty Empire will never let them take even a single square-inch of our land.
However, I'm still informing you about these problems because you as independent citizens of this Empire deserve to know the truth about the situation of our lands…." Julien said as he paused and scanned the crowd, looking at their reactions, before breaking out in a smile once more as he said "Okay, enough grim news…. Time for the victor to be rewarded with his wish.
THE BOSS….. bring him out…."
Clapping his hands, Julien started a polite clap wave amongst the crowd as Leo walked out once more to the arena after being cleaned and tended to, as the medical staff bandaged the wound to his head which he had received because of Luke's German suplexes.
Just like the rest of them, Leo too heard the Emperor's speech with great attention as the fact that there was a possibility of a new battle-front opening from the East-Side, gave Leo the jitters.
He was soon going to be a baron in the Eastern Duchy and he did not like the sound of having to deal with war or refugees one bit.
How was he supposed to run a successful trading company if all his attention was spent in dealing with war and crime?
Hence, although Leo walked out to the newly built stage at the center of the Grand Arena, his mind was clouded with fears about the future, as he stood before the Emperor.
"The Boss….. as you already know, I Julien D Evanus, the third Emperor of this magnificent Unity Empire has sworn upon my honor, to grant you one wish of your choice, as long as the wish is reasonable and within my capabilities to fulfill…." Julien said, spreading his arms wide as he gestured for Leo to ask for what his heart desired.
"You can ask for anything, from riches to land, from weapons to palace…. As long as it's reasonable, I'll grant it. So what is it that you want?" Julien said, as a soft smile spread on Leo's lips underneath his mask.
'Whatever I want huh?' Leo thought mischievously as he dropped down to one knee and began with his request.