「The next day.」
By afternoon, at the cathedral in Viscount Keton’s Territory.
Viscount Keton’s Territory was a fairly large parish, and its church could accommodate over two hundred people. Now, however, it had been temporarily requisitioned by Fang Zhen.
The local Parish Priest felt rather wronged, but Matthew went to persuade him. Representing Fang Zhen, he also made a sizable donation to the Tade Church, which successfully placated the priest.
At noon, the sun hung high, its scorching heat stirring a sense of restlessness.
Just after lunchti, a steady stream of nobles began making their way to the cathedral.
Among them were several familiar faces, including the nobles Fang Zhen had previously t in Count Quentin’s Territory.
This ti, Fang Zhen had invited a total of six Counts.
Each of these Counts had four or five Viscount vassals, in addition to several powerful Barons whose influence was comparable to that of a Viscount.
A few other nobles did not attend, either because their territories were too remote or for other reasons, but they were not many.
In total, thirty-three nobles arrived. Including their attendants and confidants, the crowd numbered between one hundred fifty and one hundred sixty people.
Inside the hall, more than two hundred chairs had been arranged.
Upon entering the hall, the nobles instinctively seated themselves according to rank and their relationships with one another.
The Counts occupied the front seats, with the Viscounts behind them. Farther back were the few Barons, along with the nobles’ confidants and attendants.
Once they were all inside, the cathedral’s great doors slamd shut. Soldiers stood guard as the doors were barred and secured with a bronze lock.
A commotion instantly broke out among the nobles inside.
"Quiet!" At that mont, a gruff voice suddenly bood out.
Tahar, clad in full armor, was standing beside the cathedral’s pulpit. The shout had co from him.
The nobles were clearly displeased. Figures like Count Quentin whispered to one another with furrowed brows. But at the sight of the Augustus Army’s fully armored soldiers, their courage waned, and they dared not protest too loudly.
Just then, the sound of drumbeats and wind instrunts suddenly echoed through the cathedral.
The music, it had to be said, was actually quite stirring. The lody was sonorous and emotionally evocative.
As the music began, the nobles grew even more bewildered. They fell silent, however, curious to see what Fang Zhen intended to do.
Amid the sonorous music, the rhythmic clang of footsteps echoed. Dressed in full armor, Fang Zhen strode forward with a determined gait.
Instantly, the gazes of every noble present fixated on him. They held their breath, and not a single disruptive sound was made.
With the live music as his backdrop, Fang Zhen walked up to the pulpit. A lectern stood before him. He stopped, placed both hands on it, and looked down at the nobles, his gaze piercing and resolute.
Under his gaze, any noble who t his eyes could not hold contact for more than three seconds before looking away.
The nobles’ Spiritual Power and willpower were far inferior to Fang Zhen’s.
After all, Fang Zhen had carved his path through blood and slaughter. These complacent nobles, who did nothing but occupy their seats of power, were no match for him.
Fang Zhen just stood there, remaining silent for nearly half a minute.
This confidence, an utter lack of fear of the awkward silence, intimidated many of the nobles below. The hall fell into a strange, profound quiet.
Another few dozen seconds passed.
Fang Zhen felt the ti was right. He opened his mouth to speak. "I am Fang Zhen. I am a world-class Warrior. I am a world-class Martial Artist. I am also a ruler. My voice radiates across the sky and the oceans. It travels over the land. When I face the great sea, my voice can raise the waves. Here, I inhale fresh air and absorb the newest of creeds. Like the lion on the savanna, the tiger in the forest, the eagle in the sky, I move beneath the golden sun. I use the peak of my power to forge a life of peaks, achieving one impossible feat after another."
"Today is a new day. It is a new day for the entire world, and a new day for , an ascendant ruler. On this coastline, my day begins with the rising of the sun."
"My speech is like the sun, its light illuminating the earth and its warmth radiating across the sea. I possess endless energy, because I am the world’s greatest leader and Commander-in-Chief."
"I love the roar of a crowd, and I love the thunder of voices! Wherever I go, I bring wealth and prosperity. My magnetic field radiates throughout the universe! I project positive thoughts and spread a positive mindset. I am spreading the gospel of wealth and power to you. The more I spread, the more I receive. And as long as you follow my instructions, you too will achieve greater wealth and success."
As Fang Zhen delivered this opening speech, he activated his Persuasion and Violent Hypnosis skills. His voice, enhanced by his Primal Source Vibrating Vocal Cords, beca magnetic and seed to echo from all directions, carrying an indescribably infectious quality.
The nobles below were instantly stunned.
Even in this day and age, these nobles had never witnessed such an opening. It was so confident, so full of passion. Although they weren’t entirely sure what Fang Zhen was talking about, they felt a fire ignite within them.
The tone of Fang Zhen’s opening speech was anything but humble, even for this era. But it was precisely for this reason that the sheer power of the confidence in his words made them dare not question him.
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