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with that, Leonidas continued the slaughter, leaving his inner compassion as useless, pathetic, and forgotten as the burning constitution of Elementia pinned on the temple wall.

CHAPTER 6 ELEMENTIA DAY
    T he next morning, Stan looked up and gave a groggy glance out the window. When he saw the red and blue wool blocks decorating the tops of the courtyard wall, he immediately jumped out of bed—it was an important day. As he walked downstairs from his room to eat breakfast in the castle common room, Stan remembered that the previous night, the moon had been barely a sliver. It would be dark tonight.
    The common room, with its paintings, a fire in the Netherrack fireplace, and chairs in a circle around the room, was also decorated with red and blue wool. This was probably Archie’s work. He always did love Elementia Day more than anybody else, despite the fact that it had been Blackraven’s idea to start the tradition almost immediately after the creation of the republic.
    DZ and Charlie were already awake, and they were sitting by the refrigerator, eating today’s breakfast (prepared by the Imperial Butlers), which turned out to be pumpkin pie.
    â€œAh, Stam! Hubba Erumendaduh, ol behee!” said DZ through a mouthful of pastry. “Surry,” he added as he gave an enormous swallow. “I said, Ah, Stan! Happy Elementia Day, old buddy!”
    â€œThanks, DZ,” said Stan with a smile. “I can’t believe it’s really been four months.”
    â€œFour months ago today,” replied DZ, imitating Archie’s deep announcing voice, which he would use at the ceremony in the park later that evening, “the moon was dark, as it is tonight. On that day, our beloved president, Stan2012, defeated the tyrannical King Kev in battle and created the Grand Republic of Elementia. Now, four new moons later, we celebrate that victory!”
    â€œThat’s actually pretty good.” Charlie laughed. “What kind of stuff does Archie have planned for this Elementia Day?”
    â€œWell, there’s the usual pig races, sparring tournament, and reenactment of the battle,” said DZ, “but I think we all know that the highlight of today is gonna be the Mechanist’s new Tennis Machine.”
    â€œYeah, you’re probably right, but I gotta say, I’m excited about the races too,” said Charlie. “I put down a big bet against Kat saying that Bob is gonna win the race.”
    â€œReally? What about Zoey and Porky?” Stan asked, referring to an acclaimed racer and her pig.
    â€œYeah, that’s a good point, Charlie,” said DZ. “Those two’ve won that race every Elementia Day so far, and this is Bob’s first time. What makes you think he’s gonna win?”
    â€œâ€™Cause it’s Bob!” replied Charlie. “He’s got a stronger bond with Ivanhoe than any I’ve seen, and that includes Kat and Rex.”
    â€œTo that note,” replied Stan, “where is she, anyway?” Katwas usually the first one up in the morning, and none of them had seen her yet today.
    â€œI saw her leaving the castle really early this morning with G. I can’t say she looked very happy about it. He looked hyped, though,” answered DZ.
    Charlie sighed. “Those two . . . they’re just . . .”
    â€œI know, man,” DZ cut in, shaking his head. “Some people just don’t have any class,” he added wisely.
    â€œDZ, you have pumpkin flesh dripping from your left nostril,” Stan pointed out as he pressed the refrigerator button. A pumpkin pie popped out, which he caught in midair.
    â€œI really don’t think it’s Kat’s fault, though,” said Charlie as DZ wiped the orange goo from his upper lip. “G is just overly clingy. I honestly don’t get why she puts up with him.”
    â€œWell, I think she’s just . . . ,” started Stan, but he was cut off when Archie burst