Part 5 (4)

Babida and his companions, uncle Bibi and the young maiden Suzie, were shaken up by the late Governor's henchman's assertion and were now impatient to know the content of the rolled golden paper.
"I have to admit that I, myself, was hooked by His Majesty's proclamation." Polo then said, piquing, even more, Babida and his associates' curiosity.
"Let me read it to you first before its formal publication !" The late Governor's aide-de-camp spat out as he unfolded the papyrus.
"By imperial order of His Majesty Batang V, at the third moon following the passing of Governor Kola II, our valiant warrior Babida the lumberjack will be Commander of the imperial forces and lead the military expedition to the forbidden mountain where dwell the newborn Monster and the devilish bats that threaten peace upon our land.
Shall the new Commander succeed in his mission, he shall be rewarded with the second most valuable position of authority in the empire." Polo revealed the imperial order to Babida and his companions.
"In short, Comrade Babida, you are from now on the Supreme Commander of the imperial forces and soon you shall become Governor of Okunde province." He clarified and kneeled before the new imperial army chief Babida with the right foot on the ground while extending his hands and forming a fist.
Uncle Bibi kneeled as well to pay his homage to the new Commander.
The young maiden Suzie was in shock. She refrained from jumping on Babida to enlace him in front of Polo, though the temptation to do so was strong.
She quietly thanked the ancestors for their favor upon the lumberjack and implored them to guide him in his new function.
Babida stood still, for His Majesty's decree wasn't quite a surprise to him. He had received the revelation already from the ancestors a few days back.
He was just wondering how the divinities made the Emperor appoint a non-member of the imperial family to the rank of the army chief, the third most influential position in the land.
Yet, since it wasn't the right moment to investigate the mystery, the logger put the interrogation on standby and celebrated his nomination with Polo and his companions.
"Long live His Majesty Batang V!" The new Commander in chief of the imperial forces declared.
"His Majesty shall be assured that I shall fight till my last breath to defend the land against its enemies." Babida boldly added.
"Well, My Commander, it's time to introduce you to the troop." Polo told the woodsman who nodded.
"Guards!" shouted the late Governor's henchman.
And two young and fresh imperial sentinels rushed to his office.
"Play the announcement horn! There is a message of great importance from His Majesty!" ordered Polo.
"At your command, sir!" The soldiers exclaimed in unison and left the room.
A few minutes later, the sound of the horn resonated three times across the area and caught the attention of the troop in the Okunde's garden.
"Oh, oh! We have a message from the Emperor earlier than scheduled. Only one moon has passed yet." uttered a warrior in astonishment.
Warriors left their tents and the lawn of Okunde's garden and massively flocked to the Governor's headquarters' esplanade. They heaved their eyes to the balcony and waited for the imperial messenger.
There was a bit of nervosity in the air. The men in uniform were extremely depressed since the bats' attack and were in dire need of a leader to boost them up and guide them to victory.
At the beginning of the military expedition to the forbidden mountain, they had only one target: the newborn Monster. And now they also had the terrifying flying mammals to defeat.
The imperial soldiers kept looking at the balcony of the administrative building to perceive any human shadow but there was still nothing that was happening.
They began to groan, for they were very impatient to hear His Majesty's message. When they were starting to get a bit too loud, the late Governor's henchman Polo showed up holding with him a folded papyrus.
Like one man, the troop kept quiet to listen to the imperial messenger. Polo unfolded the sheet and commenced perusing His Majesty Batang V's order.
At the mention that Babida the lumberjack was going to be Commander of the imperial forces on the third moon following the passing of Governor Kola II, the men in uniform went wild and cheered.
They whistled and chanted so loudly that their voices crossed Okunde's garden and reached the center of the village.
Polo had not finished reading the imperial message yet. So he lifted his hand in the air to command the troop to recollect itself and allow him to go to the end of the decree.
The warriors obeyed the instruction and stood still. The imperial messenger thereupon resumed his announcement.
He informed the troop that their new Commander was tasked by His Majesty to continue the military expedition to the forbidden mountain and annihilate the newborn Monster and the devilish bats.
Polo went on by also informing the soldiers that Commander Babida would be elevated to the position of Governor should he accomplish his mission.
This last news caused more noise than the previous cheer. The men in uniform tapped the ground and shook dust. Youyous emerged and spread above the Governor's headquarters' esplanade to the last limits of Okunde village.
However, Polo wasn't done yet. There was something important that needed to be added to the spectacle: the introduction of the nominee.