969 Raising the Morale
Noel stood on top of a podium, witnessed by almost all the people from his territory. The soldiers were obviously at the very front.
He was accompanied by Anna and Howard by his side.
The people couldn't help but look at this youth before them. Most of them weren't aware of Noel's appearance due to him isolating himself in either his workplace or his mansion.
However, those whose workshops were visited knew the identity of this man.
"Is that the lord?"
"Is there something wrong?"
"Yeah. It's weird for him to gather us here."
"Haven't you heard the rumor about the Supreme Devil Organization?"
"Right? It seems that they are about to send tens of thousands of demons to our place."
"What? Will we be destroyed?"
"No way. This city is splendid, but it's not fully built yet. So, I don't want it to be destroyed."
"That's right. Why would those terrorists harm us? Where is the kingdom?"
"There's no way those people will send reinforcement here. I heard they executed the lord's parents in the past. They must want him dead."
"Then…"
The people were quite scared because of the incoming attacks. How could they not? The scale of this attack was far bigger than anything everyone had seen before. Their city hadn't been completed as well.
However, some of them gritted their teeth and said, "If that's the case, I'm going to fight on the wall too. I don't have the same ability as the soldiers, but I can release some arrows. I can even bring items to the top of the wall if necessary."
"That's right. I have confidence in my stamina."
"This place can't be destroyed. It's the place where our dream lies."
Their words echoed from across the street, making people realize how wonderful the city was. It was a dream for the commoner to have a chance to get a good life with treatment beyond that of a noble.
They had to protect this place from their enemies.
After a lot of whispers, Howard suddenly stepped forward and shouted, "Silence!"
The people were startled by his voice. It was loud and echoed through the city, thanks to the help of spiritual energy.
They all couldn't help but look at Howard with a dumbfounded expression.
"Some of you might have known me, but…" Howard raised his hand and introduced himself. "My name is Howard, Ardagan Family's Garrison Captain!"
"The captain?"
"I heard the captain is a strong man from the soldiers."
"Then…"
Howard extended his hand to Noel and continued, "And the man standing here before you is none other than your lord, the Earl Ardagan, Noel Ardagan!"
The people looked shocked. While most of them had heard the rumors, this was the first time they saw their lord.
They never thought that the lord was so young. Then again, they heard of his achievement. Repelling the Supreme Devil Organization, killing a Devil Saint, and even becoming the creator of the runes. More importantly, it was the lord who enabled them to live in comfort.
People who had experienced bad things and endured harsh reality in their previous place knew what kind of change brought into this city. For the first time in their entire lives, they thought they wanted to dedicate their lives for the sake of the city and chase after a dream that wasn't possible before.
At that time, they couldn't help but bend their knees.
"My wife died in the harsh summer because we didn't have enough water."
"I was treated like trash because I broke my ankle and was exiled."
The people who heard and saw their change couldn't help but follow them. They fell to their knees while lowering their heads. It wasn't a rare sight for a noble, but this was probably the first time that they bent their knees solely for admiration and gratitude.
"As expected of the lord…" Charlotte smiled while glancing at the woman beside her. "Are you going to fight as well, Rose?"
"Of course. While I'm learning from you to become your successor, I am a former knight of the Demon Banner Army. Still, this is the first time I've seen a noble so respected before." Rose smiled.
"This is just a start. Master is going to become an even bigger figure in the future." Tristan looked at him with a smile.
"This is necessary steps if we want to win the war. If the hearts of the people don't unite, they might panic and cause commotions inside the city. Our current strength is only enough to handle the threats from the outside after all, so we can't afford the citizens to be rioting." Livia closed her eyes, understanding Noel's action. But she had no power to inspire the common people despite being a princess.
The pillars were standing not far from the platform. They all looked at the difference between this city and any other cities they had visited. They looked like they were aware that Noel might be able to make the unthinkable happen.
Finally, Noel stepped forward while spreading his arms. "I am Noel Ardagan, the head of the Ardagan Family."
His voice was solemn and calm, neither too soft nor too loud. He spread this voice to soothe the people's hearts with spiritual energy.
Everyone's eyes were glued to his figure.
"As you all know, we are about to fight against the Supreme Devil Organization. This treacherous organization wants to unleash tens of thousands of demons on this land.
"However, our city hasn't prepared itself for combat yet. Only our northern wall has been built, while a lot of buildings have yet to get the foundation.
"In other words, we will be in a very disadvantageous position. I say again. Without the complete wall, we have to completely annihilate the enemies."
The people were stunned. If there was only a north wall, they would be flanked by every other side, which would be impossible to protect.
One of the people couldn't help but ask out loud, "But… but how? We don't have any walls to protect ourselves from the demons."
Noel's expression remained calm. "I am aware of that. However, we have no choice but to stop them here. That's why I have asked for help." Noel raised his hand and asked, "Saintess of Moon Temple, Layla!"
Layla, who had been standing at the very center of the city, released her spiritual energy. All of a sudden, a translucent barrier emerged from the ground and shot up to the sky, creating a star-shaped wall. However, the barrier continued expanding upward to create a dome.
"That's…"
"A barrier?"
Noel continued, "This is the barrier of the Saintess of the Moon Temple. It's said that this barrier can hold tens of thousands of demons for days. Do you understand what this means?
"It means that no demons can enter our city. However, if we only hole up here without doing anything, the barrier will collapse sooner or later, and in the end, everyone will lose their lives here. That's why we have our wall!
"This wall is not only for our protection but also the symbol of our counterattack. Are you tired of having the Supreme Devil Organization terrorize the land?
"I understand that you are terrified. The enemy is that notorious organization, while many of us are normal people. And if you do fight, many of you will lose your lives.
"However, do you know why they want to destroy us? Take a look at the people around you. Have you seen their smiles? Or maybe you have grown tired of it.
"I want this city to be the pillar of ushering in a brand new era, a city where people get what they deserve and live like proper human beings. But because they are afraid of our land, they are trying to destroy this city. That's right. They are so afraid of us that they need so many demons to attack us.
"That's why we will fight. We will show them that this city will be the zero point of the new era. We will show them that we don't have to fear the Supreme Devil Organization anymore. Instead, they should be the ones to fear us!
"WE ARE STRONG!" Noel paused for a moment.
One of the younger people couldn't help but stand up while shouting, "My lord. This city fills me and my mother with hope. My dad died because of the brutality of the previous city and it was only after arriving in this city that my mom started to smile again. I promised him I'd protect my mother. No way, I'm not gonna let my mother lose her smile anymore!"
The woman next to him teared up. She was proud and grateful.
"My lord. I couldn't become a soldier because I lost my hand, but I can still wield a spear to fight."
"My lord. I might only be a carpenter, but I can still wield my spear if necessary."
"My lord, I might be a woman, but I can still release an arrow or help with anything."
"I'll fight too!"
"Please allow me to fight too!"
"My lord. Me too!"
"We're done being weak."
"Rise up, everyone."
"It's time for us to instill fear in those treacherous bastards."
"That's right. We're done being the oppressed!"
"We'll show them our courage."
"Uooohhhh!"
The people couldn't help but stand up as a sign of joining the battle. They all roared the same thing. "We chose to fight!"
While hearing the voices filled with energy, Dimitri couldn't help but smile. He remembered the time that Luke Ardagan helped the people, the people were only on the receiving end, satisfied that they got the help they needed.
But Noel was different. He didn't want the citizens to only receive. Instead, he inspired the citizens to believe that they were not so weak that they could only do nothing but rely on their lord. They could do the same thing.
As Noel said earlier, this city would become the land that would create a new brand era. The runes made it possible for even normal people to fight the demons.
"Maybe I've grown too old." Balott rubbed both his eyes, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.
"This is the man who will surpass all the previous heads of the Ardagan Family." Jasmine smiled excitedly. She was quite frustrated that she couldn't do it more recently.
Noel raised his hand and shouted, "I have heard your resolve. This battle will determine the new brand era. Will we be etched into history as the vanquished? Or will we fight for our survival and emerge victorious?
"Without a doubt, we will be under the protection of the ancestors of the Ardagan Family.
"In one hour, the demons will arrive at our door. We shall kill every single demon and crush the Supreme Devil Organization.
"If you have any doubts, just look at my back. I, Noel, will show you that we, too, can fight back."
