Aureate Flame

The room fell into a somber silence as all present contemplated the gravity of the situation. King Daemond remained silent, his grief palpable to those around him. The memory of his beloved Queen's sudden and unexpected death weighed heavily on everyone's minds.

Minister Quagmane, who oversaw customs and law and the elder statesman among them, addressed the King of Land Fae directly. "May I ask, King Daemond, why have you not yet conducted the Consecration of the Crownbearer?" 

King Daemond's reply was simple yet profound. "My child has not yet been found," he stated, and the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. There was a depth to his gaze, revealing his reluctance to pass the throne as Minister Isaac and others desired.

Minister of War and Commander Ksaver intervened, his voice carrying a weight of experience. "Why don't you pass the throne to someone else, King Daemond? Perhaps to your brother, for instance. I believe he possesses the knowledge of statecraft," he suggested. Despite still being in his forties, Ksaver bore the marks of countless battles, a massive scar marring his face from his forehead to his cheeks and jawline.

Meanwhile, Faes possessed remarkable regenerative abilities, allowing them to heal wounds rapidly without leaving behind any scars. However, certain types of injuries inflicted by dark sorcery or weapons imbued with more powerful blessings could leave lasting marks, defying their natural healing abilities.

King Daemond offered a thought-provoking perspective. "I am well aware that many of you hoped for stability with the presence of a Queen of Fire and Land Fae. However, let us consider the aftermath of the sudden change in leadership among the Fire Fae and the current vacancy in the throne."

As King Daemond's words hung in the air, a heavy silence descended upon the assembly. Though his expression remained neutral, the weight of his words was palpable. Ludwig's fists clenched tightly, his face darkening with the gravity of what had been spoken. A wave of heat emanated from him, drawing the attention of those around him. 

"I understand that you all have the best interests of the Kingdom at heart, Kings and Ministers," King Daemond continued, his tone firm but respectful. "While I trust my brother to rule in my stead, I am hesitant to interfere with fate. I believe that my child will return in due time."

Even though years had passed since King Daemond's child went missing, he spared no expense in searching, utilizing all available resources and privileges. His unwavering hope and belief that his child was still alive persisted, despite being unable to sense the presence.

King Zachariel turned to face King Daemond. "If that's the case, what do you suggest we do to prevent the impending destruction of our Kingdoms? How can we resolve the famine, the escalating war, and the impending catastrophe?" It was well known that King Zachariel had a penchant for siding with the Ministers.

Ludwig's sudden interjection stunned everyone into silence. "Divide the forces into five," he continued. "The majority of the fire knights will pursue Amelia. It's not just the loss of the Queen that's causing our Kingdoms to wither." All eyes turned to Ludwig, the room now completely focused on his words. "The Aureate Flame is still inside Amelia's body, and it has been proven from countless evidence across the lands that she is using dark sorcery," Ludwig further addressed the Kings and the Ministers. "You know very well what I am talking about."

All eyes looked deeply at Ludwig, their attention hanging on his every word. When Ludwig glanced at Liam, the focus shifted to him. Liam could sense the disagreement in their expressions, except for Minister Ksaver. It was clear that the Ministers were not in favor of their proposal. They didn't want Ludwig, and even more so, they didn't want Liam.

They had disagreed with allowing Ludwig to manage the Fire Fae Kingdom, which led to the decision for the King to remarry, despite Ludwig's mother having just died. Now, they were facing the consequences of that decision.

"If we aren't mistaken," added Ludwig, "the dark sorcery emanating from Amelia is corrupting the Aureate Flame, the very essence that sustains the Fire Fae Kingdom. We must retrieve the Aureate Flame while the second unit focuses on rebuilding the devastated areas. The Land Fae are best suited to lead this effort. The third group will secure the borders, a task that requires the combined strength of Water and Wind Fae. Given their proximity to the sea, the Water Fae will take charge, but they'll need the swiftness of the Wind Fae to properly defend the borders. The fourth group will combat the Golems, and the last group will focus on agriculture, planting and nurturing new life."

King Zachariel's amusement was evident in his raised eyebrows and hint of laughter. "Planting?" he echoed, clearly intrigued by Ludwig's unconventional proposal.

Ludwig's response was oddly serious as he explained, "Yes, Your Majesty. Planting is not just about cultivating crops. It's about securing our future amidst the chaos of war. We must ensure a sustainable food source so we can boost our resilience and strengthen our citizen's morale."

Minister Ksaver, perplexed by this unexpected suggestion, voiced his confusion. "But how does planting relate to warfare?" he inquired, seeking clarity on the matter.

Ludwig's gaze remained steady as he addressed the minister's question. "While it's true that the restoration of our Mother Nature requires the presence of the Four Queens, our inaction is not justified," he asserted. Besides, planting plays a vital role in maintaining our resources and supporting our troops. It's a strategic move that ensures our long-term survival and mitigates the impact of food scarcity during times of conflict."