Herald of Steel

Chapter 772 Lapitus and the People (Part-1)

The nucleus of the cheers that originated in the crowd, if one looked, could have been traced to a handful few, all planted by Melodias.

This was not something Alexander had instructed the man to do but he did after learning from seeing Alexander.

And Alexander appreciated it, for infected by these men, the crowd too began to chant similar words soon, albeit in a much lower octave.

Most were not as enthusiastic to cheer for the man who had made them go through what they did.

At least not yet.

But still Alexander's promise of food and money did work to alleviate some of the grievances they had.

They could rest easy about not having to worry about starving or becoming destitute.

That 300 libra might not be able to change their life, or even compensate for how much they were robbed, but if every single one of the family were to get it, including the four to six children each family had, well it could certainly help them get back on their feet, and who knows, perhaps even start anew.

So given Alexander had shown himself to be a generous lord, many of them felt hopeful that their future might not be so hellish under Zanzan rule as their ancestors had forewarned.

As for the more clever ones in the crowd, especially those who could do the math, they were much more surprised by the display of Alexander's wealth.

They calculated that with the city having a hundred thousand, the meals and money would cost him at least 20 million ropals.

And though this was a large sum even to Alexander, to Tibians it was astronomical.

So these sharp minded individuals even began to look forward to being under such a wealthy patron.

Of course, such shrewd and visionary fellows could be counted on one hand, and most were only looking forward to Alexander's cash prize, and even though after the battle the city certainly did not have its pre-war numbers, but still, this along with the house restoration would not be chump change for Alexander.

But still, it was a necessary expense no matter how Alexander saw it.

Alexander kept his own speech very succinct, knowing after the ordeal no one was eager to hear Alexander's ramblings.

That was why he did not make grand promises like improving the living conditions or creating more jobs.

Instead, he kept his words limited to those three promises and after the crowd had time to calm down a bit, Alexander then gestured for Lapitus to get up on stage with him, for a move that they had discussed already.

The man had been initially surprised when Alexander asked him to accompany him to the square, much preferring to stay at the mansion and organize the documents Alexander wanted as quickly as possible to make time to visit his wife afterward.

But when Alexander insisted, he knew he was in no position to decline.

And along the way, he was also informed why the man wanted him.

It was to reward him, to elevate his position among the people, and to make him announce some things that Alexander felt embarrassed to announce.

Lapitus climbed up the stage to stand next to Alexander, his head reaching Alexander's chest.

And once he revealed himself, at once he sensed a sea of gazes fall on him.

Almost all were negative, with eyes of scorn, hate, and even fury, for the people seemed to know who was to blame for their misfortune.

They knew it was Lapitus who killed the lords and opened the gates, and though they did not say it out aloud, they blamed him for all that happened afterward.

In fact, judging by their stares, the disgust they felt for Lapitus might have been larger than even Alexander and his men.

After all, Alexander was the enemy and an outsider.

It was only natural that he would be hostile towards them.

But Lapitus, he was a Tibian, born and raised in this very city.

So the people were appalled to learn of his treachery, and how he broke his oath.

To them, the very act appeared to be blasphemous to their ancestor.

Thus for the man himself, feeling these stares, Lapitus felt a bit ashamed, and he wanted to even shrink his body.

While Alexander seeing this only sneered at the crowd,

'Heh! Just a few days ago you were begging him to open the gates. And now that he has done exactly that, now that he has saved you from certain slaughter you suddenly turn to hating him? For something he even had no part in? Heh! Truly 'people' are despicable.'

The reaction of the crowd brought much disdain in Alexander, for if he really had carried out the massacre as promised, he was cocksure that almost all the people standing in front of him would prefer what happened to them now but the alternative.

But were they grateful?

No, they only saw Lapitus for the pain they brought him, not the salvation.

But this type of ungratefulness should be solely attributed to the Tibians.

That's why Alexander did not say 'you people'.

But he said 'people' as in the general concept of a group of persons.

Even if you do a hundred good things for them, many times they will only remember that one bad thing that happened.

And it was because of this that Alexander had brought Lapitus up to the stage to remind the crowd.

Once Lapitus, in his fiery, red armor placed himself behind Alexander, he introduced,

"Fellow citizens, I believe this man is known to you all, Ser Lapitus. He was the first one to see the error of those arrogant lords and took up the great burden of opening the gates."

"He knew it would be a great sin to break his oath, but he did so anyway, willing to bear the guilt if meant he could save the city and its citizens."

"Many of you might see him as a traitor. And an oathbreaker. But remember! He is your savior. And if not for his brave actions on that day, a fate much worse than now might have awaited your city."

"On that day the Goddess Gaia took pity on you, and convinced your ancestral spirits, letting Lapitus be their champions, thus sparing the city."

"Hence, for his valiant effort of saving Thesalie, I declare Lapitus to be a noble, a Shordar (Baron) of Adhania!"

Alexander's loud proclamation sent a whirlpool of murmur across the gathered crowd, as almost everyone seemed to have an opinion about this.

There were those who swallowed everything Alexander told whole, as turning to their adjacent men they nodded,

"Right, right. What happened was not Lapitus's fault. He really did save us."

"So that it was the ancestors. No wonder."

To others did not buy Alexander's bullshit wholesale, murmuring to themselves,

'Heh, so this is how he rewards a traitor. Isn't he afraid he is going to get backstabbed himself?"

This type of think of course only belonged to the smart ones in the public, while the majority were a lot more confused, asking each other,

"Huh? Is that really what happened?"

"Did our ancestors really say so?"

Alexander was fine letting the crowd talk among themselves about their skepticism.

As long as they talked, he could make them swallow the things he came up with.

But he did not want them to be doing so right now.

So drowning out these hushed murmurs, he proclaimed,

"And because of his great contribution, he has asked me for gifts for you. And I have granted them. Hear them if you so wish."

Saying these mysterious words, Alexander then let Lapitus take the stage,

"*Ahem*," Facing such a large crowd?Lapitus first felt like clearing his throat, hiding the nervousness with it.

The man might have led armies to war, but surprisingly found addressing such a huge crowd intimidating.

But still trying his best to recall what Alexander asked him to talk about he began, starting with a friendly address,

"Friends and brothers and sisters of Thesalie, I'm here to inform you that Lord Alexander has agreed to let us worship our ancestors without any persecution. In return for my loyalty, he has promised the sanctity of all our temple, its priests, and all the valuables inside."

"He is truly a magnanimous rule"

Lapitus's voice sounded very sincere at this point, though the reason for it was not exactly the freedom of religion he was preaching.

It was because of the nobility he was granted.

When Alexander had told him about it along the way, doing so in a casual off handed manner, like it was of no real significance, Lapitus had initially felt Alexander was joking.

And it was only now, after Alexander had made the declaration public did the fact truly start to sink in.

And Lapitus was certainly overwhelmed by it.

For if there was in his life that he truly desired, it was the title of nobility.

The want was almost innate like it existed in every man, but it was also because, one- after his grandfather and father's contributions of Lord Ponticus's family, it was generally accepted he was going to be made one.

But more importantly, it was because he wished to be worthy of his wife.

And now he had.

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