Alf waited at the foot of the dais, hands steady even as his heart beat with pride. He watched as Garius approached, his entire family arrayed in solemn procession, and the golden hall alive with mana-cams capturing every moment.
On the right, King Lioness, King Veldrac, and Queen Mylezra had already risen from their ceremonial seats, witnesses to history.
Garius couldn't help the amused sigh inside his mind.
Javier really went all out. Gold everywhere, even those puppet knights look like statues. Is he trying to embarrass me? He nearly smirked, catching the subtle angle of the mana cams, knowing the live broadcast was showing every detail.
Well played, my youngest son. Two can play this game.
Alf stepped forward, withdrawing the Armand Scepter from within his coat. He moved to the center of the dais, paused, and, knocked the scepter three times against the polished stone. The clear, ringing sound silenced the entire hall.
Alf's voice carried, steady and deep:
