Chapter 734: Building an Academy
Nyx spoke without hesitation, ignoring the Ant King’s intimidating form. “For your strength, loyalty, and leadership over the great ant Colony, you are appointed Deputy General of the Royal Army, second-in-command under General Hans.”
The crowd gasped with surprise, then approval. It wasn’t normal to give a beast such a title, but this was no ordinary beast.
“In battle,” Nyx continued, “you will coordinate directly with General Hans. Our enemies will face both human strategy and the power of your colony. Your duty is to make sure the ants fight as one with our human soldiers.”
The Ant King’s mandibles twitched. He placed a claw across his chest in a salute he had copied from humans. The gesture looked strange, but it carried weight. A low chittering followed, and though most didn’t understand, Nox did—it was a pledge of loyalty.
Pride swelled in Nox’s chest. Who could have imagined this? A massive insect, once feared, now stood among humans as a recognized officer.
Hans stepped forward. He extended his hand. The Ant King leaned down and tapped Hans’s forearm gently with a mandible—an odd but strangely moving handshake between man and monster, sealing their bond as comrades.
“And of course,” Nyx added, her gaze shifting slightly to the largest presence in the room, “Her Majesty, the Ant Queen.”
At the opposite side of the hall, where the ceiling arched highest, stood the Ant Queen, surrounded by a few of the elite black-carapace guards.
She had remained mostly stationary to avoid unsettling the others. Despite her fearsome size, those who knew her saw a strange gentleness in the way her antennae moved, almost as if noting each person’s presence in greeting.
Nyx bowed her head respectfully toward the Ant Queen. “Your Majesty, the Ant Queen will continue to lead the ant colony as she always has.”
Nyx’s formal tone had a note of reverence; everyone in the room understood that without the Ant Queen’s brood and their tireless labor, Cromwell would never have been rebuilt so swiftly.
“We recognize you as the Sovereign of the Great Ant Legion, allied to Cromwell. You shall remain supreme commander of all ant warriors and workers. They will build for us, and if need be, fight for us at your direction.” Nyx smiled faintly. “Simply put, we wouldn’t be here without you. We trust you to keep guiding your colony in support of our kingdom.”
The Ant Queen’s antennae dipped gracefully in acknowledgment. Through the subtle empathic bond Nox shared with her, he felt a wave of calm satisfaction.
The Ant Queen made a low humming sound; those near her felt it more than heard it—a soothing vibration that was her way of pledging continued cooperation. A few people found themselves smiling; one did not need to understand the language of ants to sense the goodwill.
Nyx moved on. “Jack.”
Jack rose up with a grin on his face. He had been leaning back and observing.
“You are hereby named Captain of the Crownhold Guard. You’ll command the city guard and also lead the Royal Guard—the elite tasked with protecting Nox and the royal family.”
The next couple of names that were called were the likes of Elvin and a few others. Elvin was appointed as the Chief Ranger of the Kingdom.
His duty was to command the scouts and rangers, ensuring the forests, mountains, and borders were guarded. From the Luminary Forest to the mountain passes, they would be the kingdom’s eyes and ears.
Elvin bowed with a ranger’s salute, fist to chest.
The likes of Serena weren’t given any posts yet, as she was still technically young and inexperienced. The same applied to Akira and few others.
“Gordon,” Nyx announced next, and the old druid, father of Serena, stepped out. Fresh chapters posted on NoveI~Fire.net
“You are appointed Royal Quartermaster and Minister of Logistics. You will oversee food and supplies for both soldiers and civilians. The roads between Crownhold and Lumina Bay, the stockpiles, the armories—all will be under your care.”
The reason he was given this role was not only because he was one of the older settlers but also because of his profession as a druid.
The animals and the forest all listened to him. There was no better person for this role than him.
Gordon’s face lit up, and he bowed low.
Then Nyx’s gaze shifted. This next name was one several people had already expected, because they had contributed greatly to the war.
The necromancer rose from her position, her expression unreadable and her tubby eyes alert. She had been the one who raised armies of the dead to fight demons and later used them to rebuild roads and homes.
“Eve,” Nyx said with respect, bringing strength into her voice. “You are appointed Grand Magister of the Cromwell Kingdom. You will be the king’s chief magic advisor, leading our sorceries and undead forces. In peace, your magic will rebuild and protect. In war, it will strike fear into our enemies.”
Eve bowed, placing a hand over her chest and said in a voice that didn’t hold much emotion, “I accept. I vow to use my magic for Cromwell’s prosperity, and my undead will serve in the shadows or on the battlefield as needed.”
The hall felt reassured at her words. Even Nox, remembering during the war when trusting her had been a gamble, felt pride. That gamble had paid off.
Nyx rolled up the scroll. “That completes the primary offices and commands.” She stepped back, ready to give the floor to Nox.
Wendy, who had been quietly listening by Nyx’s side, suddenly raised her hand hesitantly. “W-what about me?” she asked in a small voice. “I’m not strong like a general or wise like a governor… but I want to help too.”
A hush fell. Many in the room had been thinking the same question—what would become of Celine’s daughter in this new kingdom? Nox gave Wendy a gentle, encouraging look.
“You’ve already been helping a lot, Wendy,” he said. “The sketches you made for the city layout were brilliant.”
Wendy blushed at the praise, wiping a strand of white hair behind her ear.
Nox cleared his throat and said, “Wendy, we’re going to be raising a Royal Academy here in Crownhold eventually—a place to teach not just combat, but engineering, architecture, magic, and healing. How would you like to be the headmistress of this academy?”