Back on the stage, Selene learned all the crucial details from Orion and Crystalia. Though she had fallen into a daze for a few minutes, she immediately regained her composure. She decided to take charge, explaining everything that had taken place to the citizens of the Prismerian Kingdom, while leaving out some crucial bits.
Her eyes were calm and steady, her posture straight, exuding a regal elegance that hadn't diminished in the slightest, even during her days locked up in the dungeon. The moment her calm and convincing words concluded, every citizen of the Prismerian Kingdom gained an understanding of what had happened.
However, that didn't stop shock from covering their faces as they processed all that Queen Selene had uttered.
Foreigners from outside the mountain! So, such a thing had happened, and none of them knew about it.
However, Queen Selene's following words left them exceedingly dumbfounded.
"White Flame is dead!"
This time, there wasn't an eruption or a loud, repetitive beating drum. Instead, their minds instantly collapsed as soon as they stared at the Queen in shock and disbelief.
It took a whole five minutes for the crowd to digest the information they had just learned.
"White Flame is dead! He's dead!!"
"HAAHAHAHHA!!! At last, after several years of living, who would have thought that I would be the only one in my family to make it out of this mountain!!"
"HAHAH!! Naka be praised, the curse has been broken!!"
Seeing her citizens erupt joyfully, Selene released her next important piece of information.
"These are the foreigners from outside the mountain," Selene said, stretching her hands towards Orion and the others.
"And it's all because of Mr. Orion, the leader of the warriors that had come outside the mountain, that all of this was possible," Selene added, not wasting any time giving the whole credit for the event to Orion. After all, if Orion hadn't returned with the warriors from his village, they would never have had the chance to kill White Flame, not to mention being here since the Gemheart Clan would still have controlled the Prismerian Kingdom.
"No wonder they looked unfamiliar; as it turns out, they were all foreigners from outside the mountain who had helped our Prismerion race kill White Flame and get rid of the curse."
"No matter what, they helped us since they had assisted us in getting rid of the curse that had troubled us for several thousands of years; they are our saviours."
"ALL HAIL THE FOREIGNER FROM OUTSIDE THE MOUNTAIN… ALL HAIL ORION!!"
"ALL HAIL THE FOREIGNER FROM OUTSIDE THE MOUNTAIN… ALL HAIL ORION!!"
Within seconds, the whole avenue erupted with praises and gratitude, thanking Orion and the warriors for their help, freeing them from the curse that had plagued them for thousands of years.
While the majority of the praise was directed towards Orion, the other warriors couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment in their hearts. Seth, in particular, smiled lightly, not shying away from their thanks. 'Coming here was not as bad as I had expected,' he thought to himself.
After the passionate praises had settled, Selene proceeded with the punishment for the Gemheart Clan. The Crystalforge Clan, once boasting 1,800 members, had been significantly diminished by the Gemheart's actions, leaving a mere 850 survivors.
In contrast, the Gemheart Clan still numbered around 1,500 members. Selene, instead of opting for a total execution, decided on a punishment that would strategically benefit the Crystalforge Clan. Recognizing the need for strength and assistance as they prepared to leave the mountain, she concluded that leaving only one-third of the Gemheart Clan intact would serve their purpose.
It wasn't out of pity; instead, Selene was practical in her decision-making. The Gemheart Clan, now reduced to a vassal, would act as a 'subordinate clan' or, in harsher terms, a 'slave clan.' The title offered a glimmer of hope for eventual freedom, but in reality, they would serve the Crystalforge Clan until the latter reclaimed its former glory. The Gemheart Clan, once powerful, would now be at the beck and call of the Crystalforge Clan, forever eclipsed in their defeat.
Of course, it wasn't a matter of distrust in Orion's strength or that of his village. The issue lay in the discomfort of having to rely on another person's protection and strength, clinging to their thighs without a sense of dignity.
The thought of depending on others for survival would make it difficult for Selene to sleep peacefully at night.
However, since Orion had yet to explain the problems of the outside world thoroughly, Selene remained oblivious to the forthcoming shift in her perspective. Little did she know that, in the outside world, their strength would soon prove meaningless, forcing her to reconsider her preconceived ideas.
Naturally, it took several pleas from Selene before Orion reluctantly handed over the matter of the Gemheart Clan to her, particularly after hearing her plan. While he had no qualms about wiping out a clan, especially one like the Gemheart Clan, he recognized the delicate situation of the Crystalforge Clan and the Prismerian Kingdom.
Strength was important, especially after the formidable display by him and the warriors. Rather than exterminating the Gemheart Clan entirely, Selene proposed using them as hardworking slaves until they could regain their former strength, at which point they could decide their fate.
Satisfied with the plan, Orion was more relaxed, especially given the suffering the Gemheart Clan had caused his partners. It seemed fitting to reciprocate the same before their eventual death.
"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!! DON'T KILL ME, I WANT TO SEE OUTSIDE THE MOUNTAIN!" Garnet's desperate plea echoed loudly before abruptly halting, his body trembling under Selene's cold gaze.
"If you want to escape death,then tell me how to remove this artefact from my neck and my husband's as well," Selene stated with an icy stare that sent a shiver down Garnet's spine.
"I... don't know. The artefact was discovered by the Gemheart Clan's elite warriors somewhere within the mountain."