The group made it back to the town square where the fountain of the light goddess is located. Coco assumed the large number of people there earlier was normal for the second largest city in the realm, however, that was not the case.
The reason for the masses being there was for the prince's political speech.
A stand was now located in front of the statue's face, some chairs have been laid out, and guards are standing in wait.
There were now over five hundred people waiting for the prince to appear.
As though planned, there were four open chairs in the front row, everyone looked at one another, feeling an odd sense of pressure, then they walked over and sat down.
There were people mingling, chatting about the state of the country, the economy, jobs, war, and events. Each of them are waiting for Prince Argis to make an appearance.
"Did you hear about General VonBon's latest move?"
"Has anyone seen King Rosella recently?"
"I wonder what the King and his son's relationship is like."
"Ever since the prince has increased his political presence, more jobs have opened up."
"Question for you, Alex."
"Huh? What's up Zena?"
"Can you explain to me who exactly put King Rosella in charge? Hearing those around us and their complaints of this 'incompetent' king makes me wonder how he got into his position in the first place." Zena said with genuine curiosity of the history of the royal family.
"Where to begin? There are four major rulers in this country. King Rosella, ruler of humans. Bellas, King of the elves. Goznoc, King of the dwarves. Then there is Varror, ruler of beastfolk. King Rosella owns most of the land in Aspril and has the largest army at his disposal. The way he got into power is simply from generational power, his father was the king, and so was his grandfather, who knows how long that list goes back. The reason for the issues between the king and his son is -"
Alex's explanation of some of the history regarding the rulers of the land and how King Rosella rose to power, was cut short, when one of the guards announced. "Prince Argis Rosella will now begin his speech."
Suddenly a man with crimson red hair dressed in royal attire, black boots, black slacks, a silver belt with a gold symbol in the front, a long sleeved black and gold shirt, a black and red cape, and a sword at his hip walked out of an alleyway.
Slowly, the prince walked on the red and gold lined carpet laid down at his feet, he waved at everyone, then he walked up the wooden stairs, and marched calmly to the center of the stand. Prince Argis Rosella faced his audience with determination. "Ladies, gentlemen, children, and more I am here today to discuss the state of our city and plans for advancement."
His voice was calm but loud.
Striking but said with sincerity.
Powerful but relaxed.
If his words had to be summed up in one word, he was prideful.
To Zena and everyone else in attendance, the prince looked normal, but when Coco, Fenrir, and Alex looked upon this man, they saw a horrifying monster.
Due to the sin seer ring, Prince Rosella's appearance was different. Although they could still see his attire, a red outline of his true form was available to their eyes only.
A thick blood red aura surrounded his body, horns that stretched two feet to the sky, wings that spanned four feet long, and nails that stretched six inches outwards all presented themselves to their vision.
Everything in Fenrir's body screamed for him to move, to run away, it was instinctual. He tried to fight it, but couldn't, after a moment he began to sit up, but Coco gently laid her hand upon his leg.
She mouthed a horrifying sentence in the dwarven language, while looking at the eyes of the demon before them. "Fji voth fjert mju, voth verol" (If we leave now, we die).
Fenrir sat down, sweat dripping down from his cheek, and looked at the prince.
The prince was staring at Fenrir with eyes of furious rage, it was only for a moment, but it was an intense second that felt like an eternity. After that second, the prince's eyes went back to looking at his supporters.
Despite the prince's murderous eyes, his voice was as confident and patriotic as ever.
"My father, King Rosella, is a coward. He has become complacent, which has caused our nation to suffer. He pays encroaching nations to not flood our gates. He avoids war in fear that he will perish. He cares only for his own life over that of his nation's success. Please, I am asking you all to voice your opinions, to vote for a new king, to give me the chance to become King of Aspril and to amend the past mistakes of my father." He said with a bow to the audience.
Cheers and shouts erupted from the now seven hundred plus people in the crowd.
For a few more minutes, Prince Argis Rosella continued his campaign against the king. Once he was finished, and as more cheers and whistles filled the air, he looked back at Fenrir instead, he first met eyes with Coco.
Coco and Agris exuded intensity, but it was like a wolf looking down on a puppy. Coco darted her eyes away, as though she lost the mental battle. The prince turned his back and walked down the steps, never turning back.
Coco watched his back, quickly they lost sight of him from the sheer number of people who wanted to speak with him.
Coco let out a sigh of relief then said, "We can leave now," and she began sitting up from her chair.
"Good," Fenrir said in response to Coco, also getting up.
Alex and Zena followed suit.
Passing through the large number of people who want the prince to become king, the group slowly walked to a corner of town, which was far less populated.
…
"What's the plan now?" Alex asked puzzled.
"We will register with the adventure guild, and train to kill the demon lord. This country's affairs have nothing to do with us." Coco said as though trying to ignore the events that had just occurred.
"Yeah right! You saw that thing, the demon king is supposed to be stronger than him, that thing? There is no way we can win." Fenrir said, with fear still clearly stuck in his throat.
"Fenrir, you know the old dwarven saying; in order to reach the summit, you have to first see the top." Coco said, trying to shake off her own nerves.
"Let's switch gears. Which guild do we join?" Zena asked, as though being at an impasse.
There are three major adventuring guilds in the city. The most well known guild, with the most S class adventurers, is called God's Hand. The second strongest guild is the Watchers - a guild that specializes in finding things, be it ancient artifacts, tools, lost dogs, and more. The lowest guild, the most disrespected, looked downed upon, poorest of the poor, is called Sinful Hunters.
"God's Hand is partnered with the church, so that's out." Zena said looking at Coco annoyed that one person has cut off so many options that would otherwise be available to the party.
"Yeah… but the watchers aren't all that strong. They don't specialize in combat, which is sort of the end goal for this group." Alex said, pointing out the obvious.
"So Sinful Hunters it is, right, let's go with them." Fenrir said, forcing a smile on his face.
"All we need to do is register with the guild, then we can find an inn and rest." Coco said just wanting some rest.