*Clap* Clap* Clap*
The guests clapped, but the clan leaders and their families gave a slight bow with a hand on their chest, chanting, speaking loudly in unison, "By your will, we endure. Eternal be your flame."
As the treasure glowed and disappeared into his hand by itself, Azzy faced the crowd and grabbed the armrests of the throne, addressing the clan members, "As the new head of the clan, I have something to announce."
"Hmm?" Qridus and the rest of the clan leaders looked at Azzy in wonder, as announcements weren't in the schedule at all. But they couldn't voice it out anymore as Azzy was now their clan head. Even Qridus was silent, as he already entrusted the throne to his successor.
Azzy's gaze fell upon his family, "Vesyrn Garcia and Affea Garcia. Come forward."
Everyone was just taken aback as he called out his dad and his sister. Even Vesyrn and Izora were surprised and looked at each other.
"Yes..." Affea squealed in delight, forgetting for a moment that it was an official event.
Izora had to give her a nudge before Vesyrn grabbed her hand and slowly made their way to the center of the hall, standing in direct sight of Azzy.
Azzy then spoke, "Vesyrn Garcia, receive your orders."
Vesyrn had to kneel to his son in front of everyone, although it was more like he was kneeling to the one on the throne, "Your Majesty." His tone was firm.
"Under my absence in the village, you shall act as the Acting Clan Head. Except for using Pagoda of Death, you shall have full powers of the Clan Head. You can pass any law at your discretion. And questioning your decision is the same as questioning my authority. Rejecting your order is the same as rebelling against the throne."
A collective gasp escaped from a few around. Some of them, especially Gredor Crescent, didn't like the way Azzy said it. Some pavilion masters felt like Azzy was indeed acting like a proper clan head and not some young brat. However, some thought that he was arrogant and still looked down on him because of his age.
"Okay."
Qridus then addressed the guests, "Now that the official ceremony has been concluded... let's move to the next event. Except for our important guests from far away, everyone shall depart for the Arena."
"Eh? Mom, we are not going to stay with Chuckee?" Affea asked her mother with a not-so-quiet tone. Qridus gazed at them, and Izora hurriedly hushed her daughter, "Let's go. We will meet up with Azzy later."
"But..." "Shh... Let's go..."
As everyone left, except for the guests, Qridus and Azzy, the young clan head let out a sigh of relief and looked at his predecessor, "Ancestor, how did I do?"
In response, Qridus put up a frown on his face instead, "Your demeanor matched that of a Clan head, but I hope you had informed me beforehand regarding the appointment of the clan heir. Honestly, you should have refrained from appointing your heir until a few years."
"But, it is my clan heir. I should do what I think is best for the clan's future, right?" Azzy asked calmly. It was as if he was telling him that it was his throne and the old man shouldn't put his nose in his affairs anymore.
"Yes, but I also expect you to take responsibility for your actions too." Qridus went on placing a counter-argument, "Affea is still a little girl. Once you were gone, did you think of the danger you could put her in?"
.net
"Don't worry, Ancestor, I will ensure her safety before I leave," Azzy calmly responded before focusing on the royal guests, who didn't look that pleased at the moment, "Elf King Neremym Searvale and Minamoto Clan Head Fujiwara Ryuji, both of you are interested in my plans to secure the clan's future. This is my answer.
When Affea becomes qualified enough, I will step down from this throne by myself and hand it over to her."
Qridus: "..."