Chapter 160 - 160 Paper Crown and Iron Plate (1)
160 Paper Crown and Iron Plate (1)
Under the escort of the black-armored guards, more than ten carts filled with bread and cheap wine appeared at the end of Rose Avenue. The April Fool’s parade erupted in euphoria.
They struck the scepter in their hands and rang the bell hanging at their waists with all their might. They shouted, “Offer it to the king! Offer it to the king!”
Hundreds of protesters wearing paper crowns surged toward the relief team like a tsunami. The magnitude frightened the attendants around the cart until they trembled slightly. Even the heavily armed guards’ knuckles that held their weapons began to turn pale, afraid that the mob would break through their formation and cause a riot.
In the past, April Fool’s Day was a relief event beside a pre-established roadblock. Moreover, the parade would be diverted in advance. However, even so, there were inevitably a few bloody conflicts every year on April Fool’s Day. It was common for people to die. However, for some reason, the higher-ups were crazy this year. They were told in the morning not to go out, and now, they were allowed to come out without any cover at the last minute.
However, there was nothing they could do about it. Orders were orders. They had to abide by orders that could cost their lives.
The parade lumbered over before turning into a jog. Finally, they charged at the relief team at the end of the road.
However, before the horde arrived, a wall of fire suddenly rose, separating the street.
The crowd stopped in their tracks in fear of this sudden change.
Jesse Walde, who was wearing the Duke of Thorn’s luxurious clothes and riding a white horse, rode his horse arrogantly to the relief team under everyone’s gaze.
Other than the black-armored guards, there were two magic chanters in robes embroidered with golden roses following behind him. One of them had eyes burning with flames. He was the one who summoned the wall of fire.
“Open a small hole in the wall of fire and get them to come in in an orderly manner to receive the relief package. Burn anyone who dares to attack the Rose Palace,” Jesse said to the guard.
His subordinate immediately made arrangements to abide by the order.
Most of the citizens in the slums had probably never seen real magic in their lives. The surging wall of fire was a better deterrent than weapons. Under the organization of the guards, the excited citizens lined up one after another to receive their relief packages.
However, a person who came to collect food was still burned to death.
He walked to the cart and said to the guard according to the April Fool tradition, “Offer to the king…”
Jesse waved at the mage beside him and instantly he was ignited.
Amidst the crackling flames and miserable screams, the guard beside Jesse shouted at the panicking crowd,
“These relief packages are thanks to His Majesty Jesse Walde’s mercy. Everyone, think carefully about what you should say!”
Therefore, the second person who came forward stuttered, “Praise… Praise King Jesse.”
The beggar called Jesse king purely because of the roles on April Fool’s Day. However, the guard still turned to look at Duke Jesse when he heard that. Although it was April Fool’s Day and although the Blackwater Province was no longer under the empire’s control, having such a title spread wasn’t good.
However, Jesse laughed when he heard that.
“Good, give him double,” he said happily.
With this as an opening example, every poor person who came forward to receive relief knew what to say. In the end, the entire crowd began to shout, “King Jesse! King Jesse! King Jesse!”
Amidst the tsunami-like cries, Jesse couldn’t help but spread his arms, his face filled with intoxication.
Right on the heels of that, a sharp and exaggerated voice sounded from somewhere in the crowd.
“Your Majesty! Please wear the crown!”
This voice was extremely magnetic. Just hearing it made the already fanatical crowd shout even more fanatically, “Crown! Crown! Crown!”
Under this enthusiastic atmosphere, Jesse excitedly gestured for the attendant to bring over the crown of thorns.
A magic chanter reminded him, “My lord, wearing a crown today might not be…”
“Bring it over. It’s a legend from many years ago. Moreover, didn’t you hear the people’s cries?”
Unable to dissuade him, he could only helplessly watch Jesse pick up the silver crown of thorns from the black velvet box and wear it excitedly to the crowd who kept shouting ‘crown.’
In an instant, cheers erupted from the crowd, as well as an extremely imperceptible high-pitched laughter.
The two magic chanters present felt that something had happened the moment Jesse put on the crown, but before they could sense what it was, a voice attracted their attention. ƒ𝘳ee𝔀e𝚋n૦𝐯el.c𝗼𝓂
Ugh…
A beggar who had just received relief instantly vomited after taking a big gulp of wine. Then, he gagged a few times.
The surrounding guards immediately surrounded him. Upon seeing this, he hurriedly explained, “Sir, this thing tastes like vinegar.”
“Vinegar?”
A guard snatched the wooden cup from his hand and sniffed it before immediately frowning.
Not far away, the sound of retching could be heard. It was from a beggar who had just stuffed bread into his mouth.