NOVEL WEB Chapter 15: The Day of Celebrations Part 2
Date: 18th Tempestia, 1763 (Starday)
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Vajra's Residence(Kingdom of Celestia)
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The scene opens in the Kingdom of Celestia's Vajra's Residence. The Vajra is the Protector of the Kingdom, the ultimate weapon, and the embodiment of the Thunderbolt that united the various tribes of Celestia under a common rule, that happened the night the ancestral leaders had the divine revelation. Though he is a figurehead, his duty is more towards the protection of the Kingdom, still, he needs to be informed of all things happening in the Kingdom. He might be a figurehead, however, he is the Strongest Individual living in Celestia, his mere presence is enough to make people sweat, and his gaze can even make the dead speak all their lies.
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In an opulent throne room adorned with the regal splendor of Celestia's kingdom, the Vajra, the revered protector, sits majestically on his throne. The room, a testament to grandeur, is bathed in the golden glow of countless shimmering lanterns, casting intricate shadows on the finely crafted walls. The Vajra, embodying the essence of a king, is draped in a rich, traditional attire. His upper body is bare, displaying a sense of power and confidence, while a finely woven cloth rests gracefully around his neck. He is adorned with elegant, historically inspired jewelry, adding to his royal demeanor.
His attire is completed with traditional pajamas, perfectly blending majesty with comfort. The throne itself is a masterpiece, crafted with exquisite detail, featuring ornate carvings that tell tales of the kingdom's glorious past. The Vajra's posture is relaxed yet authoritative; his arm nonchalantly resting on the throne's armrest, his head supported by his hand, exuding an air of casual nobility.
His expression is one of subdued ennui, a bored look etched across his face as he gazes disinterestedly at the messengers before him. These messengers, representing the various tribes within the kingdom are reporting the day's events and concerns. They stand in a semi-circle, each eagerly waiting for their turn to speak, their faces animated with the importance of their news. Yet, the Vajra's gaze drifts away, unimpressed and unmoved by their reports, as if their words are a monotonous hum in the grand scheme of his rule.
The atmosphere in the room is a blend of reverence and underlying tension, as the messengers try to gauge the Vajra's reactions, hoping for a flicker of interest. The entire scene is a striking portrayal of a ruler who has seen it all, a protector who sits at the heart of power yet remains distant from the mundane affairs of his realm.
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"Almighty Vajra, your daughter is here to see you!" said one of his attendants.
Meanwhile, the flock of messengers around him all struggling for his attention, said in unison, "Sir Vajra, you need to prepare for the grand party at Stromgarde tonight, we request you to attend it as the representative of our Kingdom, you cannot say no, this is part of your duty!"
As if he wanted all of them to just leave he said, "Yes, yes don't worry I'll attend that celebration event, you guys just prepare whatever you have to and then we'll leave!"
They all finally settled down as if they heard what they all wanted to hear, and finally let out a sigh of relief, while they feared Vajra, they knew he was impartial and just whereas the tribal leaders these messengers relay messages for, are the ones that often try to pull things from the shadows behind.
They all bowed down and took their leave, getting the result they wanted, and hurried back to their tribal leaders in order to prepare for the meeting that would follow after the celebrations.
Vajra, knew that all of this was just a charade as those sly old tribal heads just wanted to attend the "actual meeting" that would happen later that night, while his attendance was just a facade and "convenience". He didn't care about all that as long as it didn't harm his kingdom and his people.
"Sir Vajra, are you really planning on going to this event tonight?" asked a concerned Mohini.
"Ahh, no need for the formalities, my daughter, they are all gone," said Vajra, smiling as he waved his hands to signal all the attendants to leave them alone.
"Father, are you going to play by their hands?" Mohini asked again, clearly concerned!
"Oh, my loving daughter, you don't have to worry, those old fools they can never wield me, the mightiest weapon of Celestia, I am just playing along to know their motives that's all, you don't have to worry at all," said Vajra giving her a warm smile.
She could see the purity of his words through her eyes, the only person who would never lie to her!
"if you say so, father," said Mohini as she hugged him. It was only around him that she could be carefree in her real original self, the innocent daughter walking side by side, holding her father's strong and warm hands as they walked through the jungle of deceptions and mischief, that is, the world. She fears nothing when he is beside her, she can be careless and carefree in his proximity, something she misses when she is in the outside world.
"Well, my daughter do you want to come with me to the celebrations tonight at Stormgarde, " asked Vajra
"Ya, sure, this way I will also have time to observe those envoys of tribal heads coming with you"
"Ah, my loving and caring daughter, I am not bringing you there for that purpose, I just want you to have some fun there, you should enjoy your life as well, my child," said Vajra.
"I know, father, however, I as your daughter, as you are bound to the Kingdom, so am I, I cannot just let those people do whatever they want. We already know they are planning on doing something against you, then how can I stay still as your daughter?"
Hearing this, The Vajra, let out a loud laugh,
"Oh, I must have truly done some good deeds in my past life, to have a daughter like you but you don't need to worry so much, your father is still young as well, those old skeletons will never be able to harm me," he said flexing his biceps.
Seeing him, Mohini also let out a huge smile { well, if anyone saw that smile, they would at that very moment fall in love with her }, she knows her father is someone who will never change!
"Well, in that case, Father, shouldn't we also prepare if we have to attend this event tonight"
"Ya, my daughter, you are right," said Vajra as he let out a huge breath, "I never thought when I accepted this position that it would be this much work, I sometimes really miss my old days," he said as they both got up to get ready for the event tonight.
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: Prince's Garden, Stormgarde Mansion, The Kingdom of Stormgarde
Railan's POV:
"Say, Railan, is everything to your liking"? asked Prince Salem
"Yes, Prince Salem, everything is just perfect!" I replied, sipping my tea.
"Railan, I told you to call me just Salem, we are friends after all!"
"As you say, Salem" I smiled back.
"So are you excited about the celebrations tonight? Every important person from the continent would be there, I know it might sound a bit overwhelming but don't worry it's supposed to be a "party" rather than a proper formal event, you should just enjoy it!"
"Prince, ahh...no.., Salem, I wanted to ask when can we get a copy of the details of the project that we discussed a couple of days back," I asked him, I also need time to understand the specifics, although Cerci will handle these parts I want to contribute as well!
"Ahh, that, don't worry, well tomorrow before you leave, I will take you to the area where we plan on developing the project along with the royal treasurer, and after the survey, he will give you all the details and whatever you want before you leave!" he replied back
"Hmm, it sounds good, I'll take this chance to also see the Stormgarde markets" I replied, while laughing a little.
"As you wish, Railan" he also smiled back.
But this one thing is still on my mind, "Salem, why isn't Siddhanth by your side today ?"
"Ohh, that's well he wanted to meet his parents today before the main event tonight, so he took a day off, but don't worry he will attend the party tonight, I personally invited him along with his family"
"Oh, okay, I understand" I replied. Since I came back, I couldn't have a proper conversation with Siddhanth, I mean, it took me a lot of time to come out of that "fan" mode whenever I saw him, so I just wanted to have a nice chat with him! Though meeting my other favorite characters is also nice! I glanced back at Salem and then focused back on my tea and biscuits in front of me.
"Aria, are you all settled well?" I asked my AI in my mind!
"Yes, Master, we are, Prince Salem is such a great person, the rooms he provided for us are so great!"
"Well, Technically, you don't have a room, nobody can see you remember" I smirked at her or I should say did that in my mind.
"Don't you have anything else to do, Master?" she glared back at me, her master!
"No, nothing exactly,"
"Then DO NOT DISTURB me again, I am currently soaking myself in the warm bath prepared by the Prince's attendants for ME and Cerci!" and with that, the connection was cut yet again
Meanwhile, I choked a little on my biscuit as she shouted in my head,
"What, are you alright, Railan?" asked Salem,
"Ahh, no no, I just didn't swallow that biscuit properly, it's alright" I replied sipping back tea to swallow that biscuit completely.
"Oh, are you sure, do you need help?" asked a concerned Salem.
"No, no, everything's fine, Salem," I said as I signaled him to relax in his seat.
"Well, if you say so" he replied, still unsatisfied by my response.
"Ahh, So Salem, you have an elder sister, am I right? And today is essentially the celebration of her first child right?" I asked him just to change the topic of the conversation.
"I could see the sparkle form in Salem's eyes as he decided to spare no details"
"Well, you know my sister, Princess Yasmine? She's genuinely the kindest person you could ever meet. I barely remember our mother; she passed away when I was just a few months old. But everyone always says that Yasmine is just like her, a living reflection, even down to the smallest details. I've seen it myself in our mother’s portraits. And just between us, Railan, I ask you this as a friend, never mention this in front of her, Yasmine practically raised me. She's always been more of a mother than a sister. Now, she's found her equal, the best man in all of Stormgarde - Sir Sahir StormSword. My father, King Idris, gave him that title, StormSword and I can't think of anyone more deserving. He's a man as mighty as the storms we're named for, yet as steadfast as the very mountains that surround us, and tonight is the celebration of the child brought by their union, I am just so happy for them" I could see in his eyes, that he was really happy and truly wished for their happiness.
I just hope everything goes fine, I mean from what I remember about this whole filler chapter was that nothing major happened except that there was this sideline noble's son who disrespected Siddanth as he is a "commoner" because I think Siddanth nudged him by mistake while talking to Salem and even after he apologized to him, that noble's son didn't stop talking trash about him. Then Salem intervened and the matter escalated to the point that King Idris of Stormgarde interfered and being the "Berserker" he is, ordered both of them to settle the score with a fight where the winner would be declared correct according to the traditions of Stormgardians!
Of course, our hero Siddanth will win, and that too easily but now the top brass of this world would take note about him, from Sir Sahir to Sir Lucius of Avaloria would express their "desire" to see his growth and someday fight him at his best.
Ya, the generic hero plot. Well, I am just glad that I will get to witness this firsthand, to be honest, I am excited to see some action. Ever since I have come to this world, I haven't witnessed a proper action fight, well I don't count Jim vs Farkas as a fight as Farkas was just casually blocking the blows just to assess Jim's strength.
Meanwhile, here I am, though according to Farkas I have improved a lot through the physical training that I am doing daily, I still don't have like "powerful attack" of my own. Ya, I do know the basic ones as taught in the class like a basic fire spell and water spell but since I don't have much affinity for both of those attributes my attacks are pretty average, and due to my low mana pool( but a growing one), the amount of attacks I can do is also limited.
"Railan, you seem to be lost in thought!" asked Salem.
"Ahh, no no it's nothing, I am just really excited to meet Lady Yasmine and Sir Sahir, after hearing their praises from you, I just can't wait to meet them and congratulate them on their newborn!"
"Ohh, yes yes, I wish I could help you right now, they seem to be busy with tonight's preparations but I'll make sure you meet them tonight at the celebrations," He said smiling, excited about the event tonight.
"Oh, Thank you so much, Salem," I just smiled back. Well, I do want to meet them but I am also excited about the Siddanth's introduction tonight!
We then talked for a couple of minutes but then Salem was summoned to prepare for his entrance into the event along with his Family including the King, Lady Yasmine, and Sir Sahir.
"Pardon me, Railan, I must take your leave now otherwise my sister will be mad at me, usually I don't care about that stuff much but today, I'll give her a free pass," He said jokingly.
"Well, I suppose if you want you can look around the castle, I'll assign Daman to your assistance," said Salem as he stood up from his chair.
"No, no need for that Salem, I'll be heading back to my room, I'll relax for some time and I also have to prepare for the event tonight," I also said jokingly.
Salem while laughing responded, "As you say, Railan, however, you are my guest, I'll still assign Daman to your care, the castle can be like a maze for people not well versed with it, but he'll guide you to your room," as he signaled for Daman to come in and guide me.
"Then, Railan, I'll leave Daman with you, feel free to ask anything you want here, and with this now I take your leave, " finally he motioned for the messenger who brought the summoning message to lead him as he started following him.
"My lord, please follow me," said the messenger as they slowly vanished from my sight.
"Daman, can you guide me to my room" I asked the newly assigned attendant.
"With pleasure, Sir" he replied with a bow, gesturing for me to follow.
"Ah, Daman, also prepare a bath for me, I'd love to have a warm relaxing bath,"
"Sure, Sir, as you wish," he said as he continued guiding me to my room.
Time: ??? (Before the celebrations)
Location: Kingdom of Stromgarde
???'s POV:
"Have I made myself clear to you all?" I asked the group of people(wagoners) abducted by my men.
"Yes, Sir, will you release our family members if we do as you say, " said a man amongst the group
"Worry about them after you have delivered this order, you understand, if any of you still have any questions come forth and I'll make sure you and your family are together in the afterlife course,"
"So if we just deliver these food and other supplies as ordered to the royal palace you will set us and our family free right?" they all said in unison.
"Silence, all of you, be silent now, if you do as I say, you will not suffer but if anything goes wrong, you and your family will never see the light of day again"
All of them quiver in silence as they want their family to be saved.
Go ahead now, the royal guards must be waiting now for these supplies!
"But wouldn't we get caught by the magic barrier if we deliver anything other than the said stuff?" asked a concerned person from the group.
"Don't worry I have cast a spell to fool even the most notable barriers and guards, don't worry about them, all you need to worry about is my wrath and your family if you wish to see them again,"
{They all nodded their head as the man clad in black ordered them, his face covered by the scarf, but one could see that he was well-built and muscular}
"Now, leave all of you, leave before you make me angry"
{All the wagoners leave in a hurry}
My men are already deployed within the castle, all I need is to deliver this equipment and they'll know the rest, tonight, well, let's just say, I'll give Sahir a gift he'll remember forever," I suddenly remembered the day he defeated me, humiliated me to the point that I had to leave my place, today, I'll claim my position back and win Lady Yasmine for myself, tonight, is the night when Lady Yasmine will be freed, I will liberate her!
To be continued