EG Book 7 Chapter 36 (Patreon)

*** AUTHOR’S NOTE ***

Last chapter today. Not super happy with the dinner scene at the end. I’m thinking about changing it to just the royals and Aiden’s family, along with Vaya and Jamila, rather than everyone in the party. Have the big dinner be even larger in the next book, where Aiden has to interact with many nobles and be condensended to, threatened (politely), and propositioned in various ways as he has to learn about the politics of the kingdom.

*** AUTHOR’S NOTE ***

A stage was erected, Stone, Wood, and Metal Aether weaved together to elevate a speaking position three meters up. This way, everyone could see it, from every road leading into the square. The only clear space was a path just wide enough for the chariots to move down, and the base of the stage where parking was available.

Captain Menghao jumped over the side of the chariot once he stopped us, directly in front of the stairway up. He rushed around and helped Aleks then me down.

I thanked him, then took Aleks’s arm and walked to the stairs. “Ladies first,” I said.

“Thank you,” she said, then winked, “even if you just want to look at my butt.”

I blushed, and she laughed. She stepped in front and walked up the stairs, emphasizing her stride to draw my eyes. I blushed again, then reached out for the handrail. My Aether flared throughout my body, and I stepped up the stairs. Each step was agony, but I didn’t show it on my face. I kept a smooth stride up, not too quick, but not too slow either.

I paused at the landing, facing the crowd and waving. I made it seem like I wanted to wave to them, instead of taking a break to let my meridians rest for a few seconds. I gave a wink to the crowd, then turned around and walked up. Aleks was waiting for me at the top, and I smoothly took her arm. The crowd yelled louder at that, and hoots, the equivalent to a wolf whistle in Craesti, echoed from the people.

King and Queen Craesti were waiting along with everyone’s parents and a few adivisors. Ma gave me a bright grin while Pa gave me a proud nod. I had to scrub my eyes with Aether to clear the tears out of them. We marched over to the King, who stood near the front with a single podium raised off the surface of the stage. I recognized a few of the runes Inscribed on it from the Message Inscription I learned almost a year ago now.

King Craesti waved for us to stop just on the other side of the podium. Everyone else filed in behind us, forming a line across the front of the stage. Once we were all present, King Craesti stepped to the podium. “Citizens of Craesti City,” he announced, the Inscriptions projecting his voice evenly across the crowd. “Here I present to you the Craesti Condensation competitors from the International Tournament of Champions! They stand before you victorious!”

He paused here, and the cheering redoubled as people screamed themselves hoarse, vicariously celebrating our achievents as their own. King Craesti let them cheer for nearly a minute, then said, “I could not be prouder of my daughter, your Princess Aleksandra! She won first in the individual tournament, and second overall. Three cheers for your future ruler!”

More screaming, dozens of people jumping and waving at the stage as they showed their support for the beautiful woman standing next to me. King Craesti allowed it to continue for another minute, before continuing. “She was not the overall winner of the tournament, though. That honor belongs to Knight Kupiec Aiden, who you witnessed earning a noble title only six months ago. He was instrumental to saving our beloved City from the Primordial Jellyfish. His team won first place in the team portion of the Tournament of Champions, and he came in second, losing only to Princess Aleksandra because he willingly took injuries to permantely remove the Illyrian heir! Later that day, he then proved instrumental in saving the Ashkhas Baqiya from the Illyrian plot, directing our forces to destroy the Chaos summoning ritual they had erected! The Ashkhas name him (Hero), hero in our tongue, and we do as well!”

More cheering exploded through the crowd. King Craesti let it continue for longer than he did the cheering for Aleks before he raised his hand. The crowd quieted. “His exploits continued, as he earned yet more accolades from the Askhas from discovering the secrets of the Divine Territory of (name). All told, I could stand up here for an hour just recounting his deeds. For this, he has earned significant glory for our Kingdom, and will be rewarded accordingly!”

He turned to me and smiled, “I name you Baron Kupiec Aiden, and give to you land and a charge. Develop a new town, build up a people, and strengthen our land. I reward you five platinum to construct your new dwelling and create your new domain.”

“I … uh … I,” I swallowed, then bowed deeply to him. Thankfully, Aleks kept a tight grip on my bicep, so I didn’t faceplant. I straightened up, “I will endeavor to strenghten our Kingdom and build up my town to the best of my ability.”

“Of course,” he said with a nod, then he turned back to the people. “Of course,” he repeated. “That is not his only success. As you can see in front of you, my daughter is standing arm in arm with him. She has chosen Baron Kupiec as her future partner, and together they will eventually rule Craesti Kingdom!”

At this, the cheers seemed to explode off the crowd. I saw dozens of technique designed to enhance sound appear throughout the mass of people, and the cheers of approval and acceptance echoed louder than anything I’d heard besides the roar of a Primordial. “Because of this, I now announce the betrothal of Princess Craesti Aleksandra to Baron Kupiec Aiden, and name him Prince Kupiec Aiden. May they have a long, love filled marriage, and together work to strengthen our Kingdom!”

I was pretty certain at this point that everyone cheering was trying to see if they could break the stage around us with just sound. I knew it was partially because they knew I had just been a commoner before King Craesti Knighted me. That I had grew up like them, they thought, and they saw me achieve the ultimate dream. Winning the International Tournament and the Princess’s hand at the same time was beyond most people’s dreams. Even if their approval was only because they could live vicariously through me, I basked in it.

King Craesti gestured for Vaya and Jamila to step forward. He announced their standings in the tournament, and extolled their virtues before presenting them as Knights in their own right. Everyone else was Knighted for their parts in the Tournament, the Divine Territory, and their efforts in stopping the Illyrian attack on the Ashkhas. Jamila, Bridget, and Lea were the most flabbergasted with their elevation to nobility. Jon almost seemed like he’d been expecting it, only winking at me when his Knighthood was finished. The others knew they would become nobility eventually, if only because of their family, but earning it on their own made it worth more.

“In honor of the amazing achievements of our next generation, I declare today and tomorrow a feast day! Celebrate the success of your youth! You are dismissed!” King Craesti declared, and then stood back and let the cheers die out. It took nearly five minutes before the last cheer stopped. The crowd milled about for a few seconds, before it started to disperse.

King Craesti walked over to me. “Take care of my daughter,” he said.

I clutched at her arm, entwined with mine, and bowed my head to him, “With every bit of my body, mind, and soul. She will be safe, loved, and cared for,” I promised. I turned to her. “I love you, more than I can ever really express.” I looked over at Vaya and Jamila, standing arm in arm only a meter from us. “And I love you both. I don’t know how I will ever really show it, but I promise I will do my best.”

Vaya beamed at me, but Jamila had a pensive look on her face. I knew that I had to talk to her, just the two of us, soon, or I might lose her completely.

“Baron Aiden,” King Craesti said, “return to the chariots. We will speak more over lunch.”

A shimmering curtain of Aether blocked the view of the last few people still lingering in the square. “Oh good,” I said, slumping as my legs gave out.

Aleks grinned for a second, then scooped me into a princess carry.

“Hey!” Laughter was the only response to my exclamation.

Aleks leapt off the top of the stage, landing with barely any bend in her knees even as she gently set me down, keeping her right arm around my waist.

I mock glared at her, then grinned. “Thanks,” I said.

“Come on,” Jon whined just as he slammed into the ground behind us. “I am hungry.”

We hurriedly got into the chariots. Captain Menghao nodded at me. “From what I have heard, you are a good man,” he said as Aleks helped me up. “If you hurt our Princess, the whole kingdom will hate you.”

“I have no intention of hurting her,” I said, “though I am sure I will, sometime. However, we will work through it, and come out the other side stronger for it.”

Aleks hugged my side, “That is sweet,” she said.

“Good!” Captain Menghao laughed, “Now, the King has summoned you.” With a snap of his reins, the chariot took off.

We only took another five minutes to arrive at the King’s palace. Here again, I faked being strong, as dozens of servants worked to put away the horses and chariots. Again, Captain Menghao jumped over the side of the chariot to help us both down.

A young page, an eleven year old boy wearing a gold-lined black tunic with green pants on, waited at the doorway. “Princess Craesti, Baron Kupiec, Knight Volkov …” he said, bowing each time he said one of our names, before finally finishing with “and Knight Noptep. Please, follow me to the reception hall.”

“Thank you,” Aleks said.

He gave her a happy grin, then turned and walked sedately down the hall. A dozen turns led us to somewhere I’d never been, and there was a low murmur of voices through the doorway.

Two guards stood on either side of the hall. When we approached, they turned and opened both doors. A brass instrument like a trumpet blew, though it wasn't too loud even in the small hall.

King and Queen Craesti were just on the other side of the door. Directly next to them were Ma and Pa. I broke into a grin, but didn’t try to run to them. They beamed proudly at me while the page announced us all.

Looking around, I saw Jon’s parents, Vaya’s dad, Jamila’s mom, and others I recognized. It seemed like everyone here was related to one of us.

Aleks gently pulled me forward, and I flared my Aether to keep my gait steady. “Sure,” I said, bowing to King Craesti, with Aleks holding onto my arm.

“Thank you, Baron Aiden,” he said, giving me a nod. “I was just speaking with your parents. Please, enjoy your meal.”

“We will join you shortly,” Queen Craesti said.

Ma stepped up to my other side, extending her arm. “So, uh,” she said, looking nervously at Aleks.

“Yup,” I said, bumping Aleks with my shoulder.

She shook her head at me, “Thank you, Madam Kupiec, for taking care of Aiden when he needed you. I am extremely happy to have him in my life.”

“Of course,” she said. “He is our son.”

I teared up again, squeezing her arm, as Pa walked over to a long table at the top of a u shape. He pulled out a chair for Aleks, and then me. He patted my arm and moved to hold a chair for Ma, and then sat down next to her. Jamila, Vaya, and their parents sat on the other side of the head table, with the two chairs next to Vaya and Aleks saved for King and Queen Craesti.

Ming’s dad was a severe man who seemed to be barely holding his composure. Sitting with them was Lea and her parents and Lilianna and her mother. Jon, Bridget, Milenna, and Hanna sat at the last table.

“So, three young women?” Ma asked.

“I didn’t plan that,” I said.

“He really did not,” Aleks laughed. “He fought against it for longer than I thought.”

“Why him?”

Aleks leaned into me, “He was the only guy my age who treated me like a person, instead of a target or a prize.”

“He is a good boy,” Ma said.

King Craesti sat next to Aleks. “And how are you, my dear? I know I did not consult you on your betrothal, but Casmir said you were pretty taken with him.” He looked over the happy group. “The people needed a good announcement to distract from the war and the Beast waves.”

“Beast waves?” I asked.

“As before you discovered that first Dungeon,” King Craesti said. “Dozens of Beast waves have hit the population from both the Great Western Forest and Zaboj Swamp. I have rangers searching to see if they can discover why, but so far, Light has not revealed it.”

“Dad,” Aleks said. “What can we do to help?”

“Learn and grow,” he said, giving her a grin. “You, all of you, are the future of our kingdom. We will need you soon, I think. Make yourself the strongest gatherer you can.” He turned to me. “Become the best noble you can. Aiden, as a Baron, you will be tasked with building up a new town. For that purpose, you will be given one thousand square kilometers of land just to the east of Woodfell.”

“That is Bridget’s home town,” Jamila said, talking across Vaya and Queen Craesti.

King Craesti paused, looking over at her, then nodded with a smile, “Woodfell is the north-east most town on the border of the Great Western Forest. Baron Zuguo will be your neighbor to the west and he will be available for advice in constructing a town on the Forest’s borders. Your town will quickly draw people, however, because you will have the only link to a beneficial Dungeon in our lands.”

“Sire, you mean,” I started, only to be interrupted.

“I will provide resources to construct the portal beside the town hall you build, so that you may link it to the Jungle Arena with the crystal you discovered,” King Craesti said. “It is only a day’s travel for most outside Azyl City. You will be connected to them still, as you must still work on your education and training, even if you have advanced from first tier to third tier faster than anyone else has in the history of our academies. There is still much for you to learn.”

“Of course,” I said. “Uh, will I have to leave Azyl Academy to lead the town immediately?”

“No,” he shook his head, and Aleks squeezed my arm thankfully, “though one of your first tasks will be to appoint a mayor to govern in your stead.”

I turned to Pa, but he shook his head. “I am perfectly happy leading the printing press and gem creation businesses,” he said. “I cannot take on another task on top of those.”

“Nor can I,” Ma said.

“Well, I guess that will be something to work on in a few days,” I said.

“Of course, you need to recover still. Healer (name) will be available to you after dinner,” Queen Craesti said. I felt a phantom grip on my shoulder as a stream of Wood Aether left her. “We also have a list of candidates for you to look over. We will help as much as you wish.”

“The whole kingdom is behind you,” King Craesti said, gesturing at the crowd. “None of this would be possible if not for you. Without you, we would have potentially lost a key trading partner, no one would know of the Legacy, and the Illyrians would be free to continue their raiding.” He stood, then announced to the crowd, “three cheers for our champion!”

Jon jumped onto his chair and cheered. Everyone else stood and clapped. Even Aleks, Ma, and Pa got up and turned towards me. I laughed, happier than I’d been in a long time, and thought back to the cheers of the crowd. I knew, then, that I was truly home, and that I would fight to my last breath to protect it.