Chapter 22

Two years had passed since my encounter with the genius noblewoman, Arselia Oriondor.

By now, I had grown taller, and my muscles had developed a bit.

This was likely thanks to the relentless daily training in swordsmanship and combat energy.

After all, I was going to fight that genius noblewoman.

I didn’t think I could win with half-hearted training.

“Oh, I can see it!”

My brother, who had his head poked out of the carriage window, shouted.

It seemed the walls of the royal capital were now in sight.

For my brother and me, this was our second time in the royal capital.

Because today was two days before the Arcana Eclipse: the Mystery and Miracle festival, the line extending from the gate was even longer than before.

It was enough to make me grimace.

If our carriage had to join that line, I would have sighed.

However, nobles don’t have to wait in line.

Nobles can pass by the commoners and enter the royal capital directly.

I’m sure it’s frustrating for those waiting in line.

I’m not someone who usually cares about status, but at times like this, I was grateful to be a noble.

“Oh! Look, kraze! It’s amazing!”

My brother cheered as the carriage entered the royal capital.

He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the window to look outside.

“Whoa…”

I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

The bustling crowds… the colorful decorations everywhere…

I, someone with no vocabulary or artistic talent, found it hard to put into words.

So I could only think that it was amazing.

“Father! We can do whatever we want on the first day, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Yay! Then, Kraze, let’s explore all kinds of places together on the first day!”

My brother’s eyes sparkled as he invited me.

I had expected this, but… the day before the magical combat competition, I wanted to remain calm and focus on swinging my sword.

However, staying too tense isn’t good either.

…Well, I guess it’s fine.

“Sure.”

“Alright!”

My brother rejoiced at my agreement.

He hugged me as a natural reaction.

He’s already twelve years old, and as he’s been growing into an adult’s body, I could feel it more clearly when he hugged me.

I had hoped that, along with that, his perverted tendencies would disappear, but they haven’t changed at all.

With a sigh at my ever-unchanging brother, my thoughts turned to the upcoming magical combat.

“Citizens of Eldoria Kingdom. The day has come once again.”

The dignified voice of the king echoed throughout the royal capital.

Everyone had stopped in their tracks and remained silent.

“Though there has been no war between nations in these past five years, we have suffered various calamities at the whims of monsters and gods.”

Whether five years feels long or short depends on the person.

But every day is important, regardless.

“Nonetheless, the fact that we’ve reached this day is thanks to the tireless efforts of my people. As the royal family, we must offer our gratitude.”

A nation exists because of its people.

“Now, shall we begin?”

Though the crowd was silent, I felt as if I could hear the sound of someone swallowing.

“Rejoice, citizens! Dance, citizens! Laugh, citizens! I, Ishtar Eldoria, the seventeenth king of Eldoria, declare! Let the Arcana Eclipse: Mystery and Miracle, begin!”

After a moment, the entire royal capital erupted in cheers.

In this moment, there was no distinction between royalty, nobility, or commoners.

The greatest festival of the Eldoria Kingdom,

The Arcana Eclipse: Mystery and Miracle, had begun.