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Chapter 58 - Ceremony

Chapter 58: Chapter 58 - Ceremony

The next morning.

A ceremony was set to mark the official opening of the newly built road.

Baron Hornvale and Baron Needlehart had already arrived, waiting at the intersection where the new paths from all three territories met.

The area was filled with people, mostly subjects from both baronies.

The energy in the air was lively with conversations flowing and excitement buzzing through the crowd.

From the direction of Lootwell, another group approached.

They are the Lootwell subjects, led by Sebas. They joined the gathering with quiet pride.

But Lucien himself... was still nowhere to be seen.

He hadn’t arrived yet.

Even so, no one seemed impatient. Instead, the crowd continued to chat cheerfully, sharing jokes and stories.

The two barons were swept up by the festive atmosphere and couldn’t hide their enthusiasm.

Aldren and Roneth were especially animated. They spoke with clear pride about their roles in the road’s construction. They were eager to tell anyone who would listen.

Despite Lucien’s absence, the ceremony was off to a bright and hopeful start.

Just then... something appeared in the distance.

High in the sky, a figure was approaching.

The crowd grew quiet.

Conversations stopped.

Eyes turned upward.

Everyone became alert.

As the figure came closer and the image became clearer, a wave of shock rippled through the people.

It was Lucien.

Riding Sparkles.

The majestic beast strode through the air with elegance. Its every movement was graceful and proud.

Sparkles carried Lucien like a king from a tale.

Untouchable.

Lucien hadn’t meant to be late.

Earlier that morning, Elk had gifted him a special outfit tailored for this ceremony.

A ceremonial garb woven from Sun Thread.

It shimmered with an unearthly light. Pure and almost divine.

But wearing it... was a different matter.

Lucien had stood in front of the mirror for hours, wrestling with his pride and discomfort.

The robe looked far too holy... like something a saint or demigod would wear. It was beautiful... but embarrassing.

By the time he gathered the courage to put it on, his people had already left for the ceremony.

So, he grabbed Sparkles and soared into the sky.

Now, as he neared the intersection, all eyes were on him.

The wind stirred his robes.

The sunlight caught the golden threads.

The sight was unforgettable.

Lucien looked like he had descended straight from the heavens.

And the crowd could only stare in awe.

Lucien’s presence was overwhelming.

With his radiant garb and commanding aura, he looked less like a nobleman and more like an untouchable being.

The sight stirred something deep in everyone watching.

Then... something unexpected happened.

One by one, Lucien’s subjects dropped to one knee.

In perfect silence, they turned to face him. Their heads bowed low.

The moment felt sacred.

Even the other onlookers. Baronial subjects, heirs and the two barons themselves...felt the pull.

The atmosphere was so heavy with awe. It was as if the air itself urged them to kneel.

They resisted.

Barely.

Out of sheer pride and duty as lords, the two Barons remained standing.

But it was clear.

Many of them trembled.

Their legs unsure.

Their hearts shaken.

But they didn’t. They have to keep their dignity as a lord.

But it was noticeable that their feet are trembling.

Still, the others can’t resist and kneeled too.

But... the two Barons couldn’t bring themselves to scold the kneeling men and women. Though it might have looked like disloyalty... how could they blame them?

Anyone witnessing Lucien now would understand. He didn’t look like a man anymore.

He looked like a legend brought to life.

But then... Lucien descended.

He looked over the kneeling crowd with deadpan expression.

His brows raised in disbelief.

"What are you all doing?" he said flatly. "This is an important ceremony, not a cult gathering. Don’t embarrass me like this. Come on, stand up already. Clara! Fix your face. Ew you’re drooling or something!"

The holy atmosphere shattered instantly.

The two barons could only offer hollow laughs, caught somewhere between amusement and confusion.

Truly, Lucien was impossible to predict.

His subjects stood up as if nothing strange had happened.

The few from the other baronies who had knelt were now red in the face. They scrambled to their feet in embarrassment as if just realizing what they had done.

Lucien strode over to the two barons and gave a sheepish cough into his fist.

"Ahem, my apologies for the display, Barons. I hope you won’t take offense. My people... aren’t exactly well-versed in proper ceremony etiquette."

He avoided eye contact as he spoke, clearly a bit flustered.

Baron Hornvale chuckled. "Surely you jest, Baron. We’re all the same here. That’s nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Yes," added Baron Needlehart with a laugh. "In fact, your presence may have already blessed the ceremony. You arrived like something out of scripture!"

Lucien let out a modest laugh. But as he activated INSPECT, he saw the truth.

They weren’t just flattering him. They meant it.

He gave a quiet nod of acknowledgement.

Soon, the ceremony began.

Each lord stepped forward to give a brief speech.

Short but heartfelt.

They spoke of unity.

The strength found in alliance.

And how the bonds between their territories would lead them to a brighter future.

Lucien listened quietly, nodding in satisfaction.

Then on cue, the three barons raised their voices together.

"And with that... let this road bring growth and connection to our land!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

People laughed, hugged and shook hands with those beside them. Joy rippled through the gathering like a wave.

The way that once took two full days to travel now took only four to five hours by carriage using the new road.

That single change meant a lot.

The people cheered louder, not just for the present but for the future they could now believe in.

After the cheers began to settle, Lucien stepped forward and approached the two barons.

"Barons," he began, "there will be a feast tonight in Lootwell. I’d be honored if you could join us."

The two exchanged a glance.

There was a pause. Subtle but telling.

Baron Hornvale was the first to respond, offering a regretful smile.

"I’m truly sorry, Baron. I have pressing matters to attend to. If it’s acceptable, may I send my son in my place?"

"Likewise," Baron Needlehart added. "My son will represent me as well."

Lucien didn’t press the issue. He simply nodded.

"I understand," he said calmly.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

After Lucien left, Aldren turned to his father.

Curiosity was written all over his face.

"Father... there’s no pressing matter waiting. Why didn’t you want to go?"

Baron Hornvale dropped the formal act and gave his son a sharp smack on the head.

"Idiot," he muttered. "Do you really think the young Baron wants to sit and talk with old geezers like us? You’re the future of our territory. It’s you who needs to make a good impression on him. We’ve done our part. It’s time we step back and let your generation take the reins. So be a good son.... understand?"

Aldren rubbed his head in protest, grumbling under his breath.

Roneth, of course, didn’t escape either... earning a matching hit from his father.

Seeing that, Aldren felt a little better.

But what they didn’t know... what they couldn’t have known... was that Lucien did enjoy their company.

He wasn’t just inviting them out of duty. He had wanted to spend time with all of them.

And in a few days, when the truth became clear... the two barons would quietly regret this decision.

A missed chance that would come back to haunt them every five minutes.

•••

Nightfall.

The plaza was alive once again.

Everyone had gathered for another feast. It’s the second one since Lucien had become Lord of Lootwell.

But this one was different. Very different.

The first feast had been filled with hope and a spark of change.

But tonight... that change was real.

Laughter echoed through the air. Joyful chatter spilled from every corner.

The entire plaza glowed. Not with candlelight anymore... but with the brilliance of newly installed streetlights.

They cast a soft, golden hue over everything, turning the celebration into something almost magical.

The lights didn’t just illuminate the feast. They set the mood.

Warm.

Festive.

Proud.

At the center of it all stood Lucien who was quietly observing everyone.

A glass of Carrot Juice was in his hand.

The barony his father left for him... had become something else entirely.

There were no helpless faces anymore.

No hopeless eyes staring into the dirt.

People had changed.

They stood taller now.

Worked harder.

Smiled more.

Lucien’s plans... step by step... had worked.

The foundation was strong.

Of course, the threat of the Coalhearts still lingered. He hadn’t forgotten them. Not for a second.

But it wouldn’t be long.

After the Grand Banquet, he’d deal with them. For good.

And when that day came... his territory wouldn’t just be a rising star on the borders.

It would shine as the greatest.

Lucien stepped forward. His gaze swept across the crowd.

"Everyone," he began. His voice was steady but warm, "I won’t make this long. Words alone can’t capture what I truly want to say."

He lifted his glass of Carrot Juice high into the air.

"To every hand that built this dream... Raise your glasses."

The crowd responded, lifting their drinks with pride.

Lucien smiled.

"To our hard work... and how far we’ve come. May our land thrive even more. Cheers!"

Clink.

The sound of glasses meeting filled the plaza, followed by a wave of cheers and the collective gulping of drinks. Each one honoring the journey they’d taken together.

And with that, the feast began.

Lucien watched as everyone laughed, danced and enjoyed the night.

It was a scene he wouldn’t forget.

Meanwhile, he quietly called over Sebas and the division representatives.

He handed them a Spatial Bag. It contains long-awaited rewards. Lucien carefully prepared it in advance.

He then gave them a list detailing which rewards were meant for which individuals and teams.

The rewards included the juices extracted from the special crops.

Solar Carrots. Winter Radishes. Gale Beans. Aqua Melons. Granite Gourds. Zap Berries.

Each juice granted specific attributes.

Lucien had tried them all himself and absorbed every benefit they offered. Now, it was time to share the gains with the people who earned them.

There were enough for everyone.

And that’s not all. Within the Spatial Bag were other surprises. More rewards meant to delight and encourage everyone.

After Sebas and the division representatives expressed their heartfelt gratitude, they bowed deeply to Lucien.

Each of them offered parting words filled with respect, loyalty and promise.

"We’ll carry out your intentions, Young Lord," Sebas said with a firm nod. "You can count on us."

The others echoed the sentiment.

Then one by one, they said their goodbyes.

Lucien called over Aldren and Roneth.

With a small smile, he handed each of them a finely wrapped box.

"These are tokens of trust and recognition," Lucien said. "Use them well."

Their eyes lit up with excitement. They didn’t dare open the boxes just yet but they knew... whatever was inside, it wouldn’t be ordinary.

"Thank you, Baron," Aldren said sincerely.

"We’ll live up to this," Roneth added.

They both meant it.

Afterward, the three chatted casually. The conversation was flowing easily.

Lucien eventually said something lighthearted.... but it left both heirs frozen for a moment.

A beat passed and then they excused themselves.

As they walked away, Aldren muttered under his breath, "Oh Father... you completely misunderstood the Baron."

Roneth sighed. "Now I don’t know who the real idiot is. But... lucky us. The gifts are ours. Ha!"

The two shared a laugh, their regret eased just a little by the weight of the boxes in their hands.

...

Lucien made his way toward Maxim, who stood near the edge of the plaza.

They talked for a while.

Nothing too serious, just light conversation.

But Lucien could sense it...

Maxim had questions. Plenty of them.

Yet, he didn’t ask.

Instead, he smiled and said, "Are you ready now?"

Lucien responded with a simple nod.

Maxim wasn’t just an advisor. He also wasn’t just a tax-collector.

He acted like family and for that, Lucien was deeply grateful.

Tomorrow, the two of them would be leaving for the capital.

But even as he prepared for that journey, Lucien’s thoughts remained with Lootwell.

He didn’t want his people to sit still in his absence.

He wanted them to grow.

To lead.

To thrive.

Just as he had always intended.