Speech!

While everybody continues to arrive, you briefly exit to garb yourself proper.

Everyone crowds the Throne Room--even more than the previous evening. Every last resident of Castle Phoenix is present: Niki, Eva, Amara, Nyllia, Yin, Peony, Snow, Alice, Delphi, Vivi, Luna, Laira, Jelly, Dajy, Klava, Raleza, Brizi, Vodrani, Tom, Bek, Summer, Taiga, Stax, Koblix, Mipa, Lynx, Chula, Vaerila, Hini, Patricia, Sen-nu, Mela, Fava, Linzeri, Lalarin, Cat, Shivra, Dix, Malakae, Mina, Rose, Yaera, Aris, as well as over a dozen regular folk--a mix of commoners, from tradespeople to ex-bandits. Also present is the once-again sovereign of the Empire of Tivera, Queen Catherine II, much to the awe of the newcomer residents of Castle Phoenix who are less privy to your doings.

Rada Beela is also there--the only remaining member of the Circle within your home.

Anastasia, Ariusia, and Meti are still in the dungeons below the castle. Imaeris is missing in action. William Cresswell and his people are presumably back home, and you can't help but wonder what he's up to after all that's happened. Lady Vex of course has returned as well. Rinlin Vali, the catfolk scout, has departed once more. Nyllia's party is still helping in Avana, and you can only imagine Allie is either doing so as well, or as gone off to find herself. The other ALICEs are out there somewhere as well and the Circle of the Unicorn is back doing whatever it is they do.

Breiah, of course, is missing as well. There's no telling where she went, or what she's doing now.

When you enter once more, one by one, everybody hushes. You're dressed in your usual suit of armour, though now you're back is warmed by a thick, woolen cloak with light, fluffy trim around the neck, while the rest is a shimmering blue. Atop your head is a thick golden crown circled by large gemstones of every colour. In addition to the signet ring you wear, you adorn your fingers further by silver and gold. It was quite the haul you found after clearing out Elok Daven's lair. According to Stax, your hoard is now more than full enough to last a long time. You weren't living in poverty before, but you definitely don't need to go quest for coin anymore.

The sound of Lauo sliding from its scabbard quiets the remainder of your people. You hold the blade up with pride as you stand in front of your throne, and the metal shines with a subtle pink hue. After all eyes have properly lingered upon your visage, you lower the sword back down, and slowly sheathe it back to your side. Next you raise one of your ring-covered hands and begin speaking at last. "We've gone through a lot. Some of you have been here since the beginning, and others not, but to me, you're all equal members of Castle Phoenix. This was always a place for misfits to find their way, even if at first, it wasn't always like this. A lot has changed, especially with me."

Fang blows a whistle of cheer with two fingers in her mouth, but she's quickly hushed by Lalarin's hand over her lips.

You continue. "I was born on Earth. Another world, far different than this one. There, dragons and elves and wizards are things of fantasy, only in books and games and things like that. Instead of magic we have phones, cars, and pieces of technology I can't even begin to explain. You've already seen hints of it. Ealdorman showed me many things from Earth, and we've been working on getting a little game system working--" You pause for a moment and wave your hand dismissively. "That stuff isn't important right now. I've called you all here because we achieved a great victory. What we did will forever be remembered in Tivera history texts for generations. No longer are we a group of outcasts hiding from the rule of the Empire. King Thadius is gone, and one again, the lovely Queen Catherine II is on the throne. Going forward, Castle Phoenix will be a recognized sovereign nation. Tivera will be our ally. Trade will be opened in full, and not only will no longer need to fear an invasion, but the opposite. Working together, no foe could possibly oppose us!"

As your audience applauds, eyes move to the queen who stands amongst them like any other. Some later arrivals likely came here to escape the law, though it doesn't seem like the queen has quarrels with any present, not even Rose and Mina of Shadow Garden.

"We wouldn't have made it this far without all of you!" Once again, you pause as the crowd claps and cheers. "Now allow me to continue my initial thought. My point was that I came here from Earth, and when I first arrived, I thought I could be a hero. In my world, that's a classic story. Guy appears in a fantasy world, starts really overpowered, forms a harem, and slays the Demon King. Though pretty quickly, I realized that no world is that simple. I was kicked around, almost killed, and some of the people I met drove me insane."

As a light chuckle falls upon the audience, Niki shouts, "Oh you know you love it!"

"Case in point." You wave your hand dismissively towards Niki, in jest of course. "Everything started falling apart after that. I found out I was some twisted experiment. I almost lost my mind to it. Then I was banished from Tivera, and I had to abandon the mansion I was gifted to live in a castle in the mountains. I mean, skipping over the fact that I helped slay the Demon King after all. A lot good that did with Thadius taking the throne. The only thing I was given after that was a bounty. I went from Adventurer to Demon King myself. It started terribly. But over time, we all kinda bonded over our struggles. Unfortunately for Elok Daven, we only became stronger." You look to the queen in the crowd and gesture a hand for her to come. "Please. As the ruler of Tivera, you should at least stand up here."

With a nod, the beautiful queen steps past the others. Her heels clack against the carpet leading up to the throne. She takes a position to your left, and there she stands with an ease that seems to come naturally to her. She waves a hand slowly through the hair, and smiles gracefully. "Thank you," she says.

"Is there anything you'd like to say?" you ask.

She doesn't hesitate to raise up a affectionate hand towards the people before her, as if beckoning someone to take hold. "I welcome you, people of Castle Phoenix. I encourage you to freely travel between our lands. The first project I wish to complete is a proper road from here to Avana."

"So we won't have to go through underground criminal networks for things anymore?" you ask.

"You aren't supposed to say that to me." She looks to you coyly and grins. Her eyes than turn back to the audience, and when they do, she raises a hand up to place upon your shoulder. "King Warren is your leader. He has been for a long time. There's nothing I need to say about that. Though on his story of Adventurer to Demon King... I do have one thing to add. He may call himself as he wishes, and you may use any title you desire, but as far as I'm concerned, he is Hero King Kyle Warren. I say that we cast away thoughts of Thadius, and we use his phony title for a use that's more appropriate. If anyone in my life should be called a hero, it's the man beside me now."

"Haha, yeah!" Niki cheers. "Hero King sounds badass!"

Amara looks to her. "Indeed. Powerful, but regal as well."

Eva puffs up her chest as she lays her hand pompously upon it. "If someone's going to have people like us by his side, he should be called something like Hero King. Maybe we should all get titles like that. I could be called... Wizard Queen?"

"Why do you get to be a queen?" Niki asks. "I only see one throne."

"Well then maybe I'll buy a second one!"

Queen Catherine II looks to you and speaks softly. "I don't believe you'll have their attention much longer."

You roll your eyes. "I'm aware." Once again, you raise a hand and try to steal their focus back. "I won't keep you much longer! I didn't call you here to announce any sort of great happening. There's no coming war, or an invasion to plan for. We're finally safe. Our foe is slain, and now we can reap the rewards. Expect the quality of life here to increase. It'll take time and effort, but we aren't just going to repair the damages. Castle Phoenix will be even better than before! I want this place to be more than a hideout. It's going to be a proper town, with plumbing, food and drink of all kinds, all safe within unshakeable walls. So go now, everyone. You're dismissed. If you have concerns just let me know, but otherwise, go about your lives. And do what the queen suggested. Visit Avana once again."

"You should soon as well," adds the queen. "I believe there's a certain home there that misses you."

People slowly flood back out through the front doors. There's much to do, as you implied, but this is the sort of work that seems to bring people joy. They're working together towards a common goal, which is effectively just to live happily with one another. It's better than having to deal with a maniacal villain bent on interdimensional domination. As more disappear from view, you remove the crown from your head and place it upon the seat of the throne. The air inside the Great Hall has become rather warm from everyone present, so you slip off the royal cloak as well.

You let out a long, relieved sigh as you slide the tips of your fingers back through your brown hair, while stretching your back. It's a bit of a rush. It feels like far more stress than you thought present is running out from your body all at once. For a long moment, you shut your eyes and reflect on how far you've come. Than you slowly open them, and the first view you're given is Eva, Amara, and Niki watching you intently.

"Is something the matter?" you ask.

"Hm? No. Not at all," Eva replies.

"Good, good. Then go ahead and enjoy your day. It's a little cloudy, but the sun is peaking through."

Amara smiles and chuckles. "But Kyle. We are enjoying our day."

"Yeah. The most fun we have is around you," Niki adds. "You really are hopeless, huh? I thought you were the smart one."

"Aren't I the smart one?" Eva asks.

She stares intensely at the bunnyfolk before her cheeks inflate in a **** attempt not to laugh.

"Are you laughing?!" Eva shrieks. She grabs the girl by her sides and attempts to shake her, but she's as sturdy as a statue.

"Nice try," says Niki. "You won't--Aahh~!"

She buckles the instant the rabbit's fingers get to work. They wiggle against the girl's sides, and the tickling causes Niki to fall into a squat.

You look past them to see Yaera watching with a smile. Not far is Rada, who seems mostly lost in thought, though his eyes are on his daughter. Perhaps he's going over all the ways he could approach, and what he should say. The three girls bicker and laugh, and if there were any stress remaining in your system, this would have cleansed it. You enjoy their presence as well, and for a time, you just stand around the Great Hall and chat.