Chapter 136: The Reward [1]
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AYC 556
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Under the warm afternoon sun, a distinct clatter and laughter permeated the air.
Agatha, the capital city of the Aeon Empire, also known as the White City, was now bustling with people.
Banners displaying the coats of arms of the Aeon Empire and the Kearny Kingdom flutter gently in the breeze, while colorful pennants adorn the surrounding buildings.
As the tantalizing aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, it enticed the senses of all those present.
Numerous stalls were meticulously arranged, each one offering a delightful array of culinary delights.
From savory snacks to mouthwatering sweet treats, the choices seemed endless.
Skilled chefs and pa.s.sionate vendors worked diligently, their hands a blur of activity as they prepared and served their specialties with utmost pride.
The festival erased the boundaries of social cla.s.s, bringing together people from all walks of life to revel in the joyous occasion.
Suddenly, amidst the excitement, a deafening sound reverberated through the air, causing heads to turn upward in curiosity.
—Boom!
A shower of golden sparks cascaded down from the sky, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
Gasps of awe escaped the lips of the crowd as the golden cascade gradually transformed into a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of hues.
—Boom!
Another explosion erupted, and this time, brilliant reds, blues, and greens burst forth, painting the sky with vivid strokes of color.
The daylight fireworks possessed a unique charm, unlike their nocturnal counterparts that relied on darkness to enhance their splendor.
—Boom! —Boom! —Boom!
As the bursts continued, the air filled with a symphony of crackles and pops, blending harmoniously with the resounding cheers and applause of the crowd.
Amidst the sea of people, two young men with contrasting hair colors pa.s.sed through the crowd.
"This way!"
Nathaniel, with his sleek black hair, led the way and Adrian, his blonde hair shining in the sunlight, followed obediently, trusting his brother"s guidance.
A few months after their graduation, the Kearny Kingdom"s convoy arrived at the Capital and today marked the wedding of Arthur and Charlotte.
However, Adrian and Nathaniel, who had not yet undergone their coming-of-age ceremony, were forbidden from attending the adult affair.
That was why they sneaked into the Plaza to enjoy the festival.
Nevertheless, Adrian couldn"t help but feel a sense of monotony in his life after graduating.
Though he received tutoring in mine management and engineering, the absence of his peers made his days feel empty.
But still, Adrian was grateful that Nathaniel visited him regularly, as it helped alleviate his boredom. .
Arriving in front of a food stand, Nathaniel immediately placed two silver coins and ordered.
As Adrian waited for their food, he couldn"t help but notice the palpable excitement in the air.
Unlike other festivals, today there was an unusually large crowd at Agatha—almost ten times the usual number of visitors.
It appeared that the citizens of the Empire were eagerly antic.i.p.ating the unification of the two Kingdoms.
"Here."
Adrian"s attention was brought back to the present as Nathaniel"s voice broke through his reverie.
He looked up to see his brother holding out a skewered grilled squid.
Grateful, Adrian took it from Nathaniel"s hand with a smile.
"Thanks."
Nathaniel nodded his head.
As they savored the flavorful squid, a sudden change in the atmosphere caught their attention.
The distinctive clatter of the festival subsided, gradually giving way to a hushed silence that enveloped the plaza.
Instinctively, they lifted their heads, their gazes drawn to a giant screen that materialized in thin air, displaying the grandeur of the wedding hall with breathtaking clarity.
"So, it started, huh?"
Nathaniel commented as he observed the spectacle overhead.
The grand hall, beautifully adorned with flags representing both kingdoms, came into view on the screen.
Arthur and Aerilyn, the representatives of the Empire, sat alongside Leowy, the King of the Kearny Kingdom, and Charlotte, the bride.
They were seated at a long table, facing each other.
As the silence continued to hold the plaza in its grip, an elf with the appearance of a middle-aged man, adorned with green hair and emerald eyes, stepped forward.
It was Rulodia Edenville, the Elven King of the Ardeen Kingdom, acting as the neutral mediator for this momentous occasion.
"As the neutral mediator, I am here to witness the signing of this peace treaty. May this union bring harmony and stability to both our Kingdom."
Rulodia glanced at both representatives in turns and continued.
"With the signing of this treaty, may the bond between our kingdoms be sealed. Let this union be a beacon of hope for all nations, proving that even the deepest divides can be overcome through diplomacy and love."
As the ceremony progressed, the representatives from both kingdoms picked up their quills, their hands steady with determination.
With each stroke, they signed their names and affixed their respective wax seals to the peace treaty laid before them.
The atmosphere in the plaza was filled with a sense of collective antic.i.p.ation, as if the crowd held its breath, waiting for this pivotal moment to be completed.
Shortly thereafter, Rulodia carefully examined the doc.u.ment, his eyes scanning every detail.
Satisfied with its authenticity, he nodded his head in approval, signifying the successful sealing of the peace treaty.
"Huaaa!!"
"Long life the Emperor!!"
The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing through the plaza, a collective of hope and joy that filled their hearts.
Turning to face both representatives in turns, Rulodia continued.
"With the signing of this treaty, let the bond between our kingdoms be sealed. May this union inspire others to seek peaceful resolutions and remind us all that unity is stronger than division."
The representatives nodded in agreement before exchanging smiles.
"And now, let us proceed with the wedding ceremony! Through live broadcasting, we invite you all to share in the joy and celebration of this union, as we embark on a new chapter of peace and prosperity."
As Rulodia"s words echoed through the plaza, Arthur and Charlotte made their way to the altar.
Soon, the plaza erupted in cheers and applause, celebrating the unity of the two kingdoms.
Nathaniel watched the scene with a face devoid of any expression and mumbled.
"It"s changed…"
He knew that the story would change as he had made several alterations to shape the fate of this world.
But if it was for the greater good and the peace of this world, he didn"t mind at all.
However, the fact that everything went according to plan made Nathaniel slightly anxious.
"What"s changed?"
Adrian asked; however, instead of answering his question, Nathaniel looked at him with surprise.
Although Adrian had no idea what it was, he had a hunch that Nathaniel was referring to the storyline that had been changed due to his interference.
Recovering from his surprise, Nathaniel smiled and shook his head, trying to dismiss his earlier concerns.
"Nah, nevermind—"
"Halt! Stop right there!"
A commanding voice rang out, cutting through the celebratory atmosphere, causing all eyes to turn towards the source of the commotion.
To their surprise, dozens of wagons entered the plaza.
However, what made it even more peculiar was the fact that no coachmen were guiding the wagons; they seemed to be moving on their own.
"Halt! Wagons and carriages are not allowed to enter!"
Several knights shouted, attempting to bring the situation under control.
The wagons eventually came to a stop, but the tension in the air remained palpable.
Since the wagon was covered with a white cloth, the knights immediately a.s.sumed a guarded stance while slowly approaching it.
As the knights approached, they cautiously used their spears to lift the cloth.
Suddenly, a small stone hurtled towards one of the knights, causing him to instinctively tilt his head.
"Stay away from us!"
A child"s voice echoed from within the wagon, startling the knights.
Without wasting any more time, the knight lifted the cloth, revealing dozens of children huddled inside.
Their appearance was disheveled, their clothes torn and stained with dried blood and dirt.
Bruises and scratches covered their skin, telling a tale of hardship and suffering.
"This wagon is full of children!"
One of the knights exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.
Others quickly chimed in, realizing that all the wagons contained children in similar conditions.
As the children looked at the knights with a mix of fear and wariness, one knight decided to take action.
He placed his weapon on the ground and approached them slowly, trying to convey a sense of safety.
"Hey, it"s okay. I won"t harm you."
The knight rea.s.sured them, his voice gentle and soothing.
However, the children remained cautious, their eyes filled with uncertainty.
Undeterred, the knight extended his hand, offering a gesture of trust.
"I am an Imperial Knight, you can trust me. I promise I won"t cause you any harm."
After a brief silence, one of the children mustered the courage to respond.
"Will you torture us?"
The child asked, their voice trembling with fear.
The knight shook his head, his heart aching for the children"s suffering.
He moved closer, maintaining a gentle demeanor.
"No, I swear. I would never harm you."
After a moment of contemplation, the child cautiously reached out and took the knight"s hand.
With a mixture of relief and grat.i.tude, the knight carefully lifted the child out of the wagon.
Adrian and Nathaniel, who had witnessed the scene unfold, exchanged glances.
Without hesitation, they navigated through the sea of people, making their way to the front of the crowd.