Chapter 508: Start of the War Games

"Woah, so many people!"

Excitement and awe filled the blonde girl's eyes as she looked around. From wherever her eyes could glean at, all she saw were thick crowds of people, either already standing around a large, rectangle-shaped podium. 

At the front, standing its central piece, a lonesome black oakwood desk stood proudly. Atop of it, four distinct pergamen were unfolded and sprawled out, using small stones at its edges to weigh it down. The deep yellow old pieces of parchment filled up the surface of the desk, with each pergamen showing a different emblem, a symbol at its top.

Each showing the signature crest of one of the 'Bastions', one of the pillars of the upcoming events. Behind the table, at the far end of the podium two lines of chairs were already prepared, looking relatively plain, without much of the hauteur that usually symbolized the top of the social ladder.

Though it was still early, the large square was already starting to fill up, a literal sea of people was waiting with growing impatience for the grand spectacle that would then go for the next month, to start. Though the square had barely had any space left, that didn't stop those interested to continue gathering, gradually filling up the surrounding streets as time inched closer and closer to the fabled time, noon.

As the sun crept to its destined peak, reaching the zenith of its daily arc, suddenly the air at the center of the podium began to buzz. The space distorted, and began to faze and shake giving way to dark particles, spatial essences to coalesce and activate, rapidly forming a large [Gateway] from seemingly the empty air. 

Immediately, the noise turned silent, the people turned their eager attention towards the scene. Excitement and awe were plastered on many; magic, even though not unheard of, was not a common sight to the everyday folk. Even using the services of the church was not something they could allow themselves. Even with the usual price of a couple of gold coins, most of them relied on their own folk customs and practices to heal their illnesses. 

After all, the price of two gold coins -though far from being considered expensive-, was enough for an average family to live by for days, or in some cases, weeks!

In mere seconds a wide gate made out of energy appeared at the platform. The dark, swirling entrance looked like a window into the dark and empty void as it stared back down to the wide-eyed plebs.

In the next moment, before the people could get used to the peculiar, wondrous picture, its dark surface suddenly began to wobble, sending gradually larger ripples to all four of its edges. Soon, one by one, figures dressed in lavish clothing stepped out one by one. First, the current acting council draped in dark purple, silk-looking robes. Their faces radiated a matching, synchronous coldness, looking sternly at the gathered crowd. 

One by one as they appeared, without saying a single word or without giving a slightest of respect and greet the gathered, they turned towards the back and walked to the chairs, taking their seats and filling up the back line.

Following them, more and more officials and soon after, the leaders of the most powerful families appeared surrounded by their attaché. 

Finally, last but not least, not too surprisingly, the old butler, Sebas stepped out in his lonesome. Unlike the rest of the arrogant and proud pillars before him, he looked at the crowd, revealed a thin, polite smile, and gave a courteous bow before turning around and taking his seat at the back.

Once he stepped out, the [Gateway] behind him swiftly began to lose its luster and faded in just a few moments. 

Before the silence could completely return to the square, a purple-robed elder, the only one with a golden thread, a single line embroidered over his shoulders, stood up and slowly made his way towards the table situated at the center.

The man limped, shuffled towards the center of the stage, giving a few light, but loud enough coughs to grab all the attention of all around.

The wrinkled, aged skin on his face contorted into a theatrical smile as he looked at the large assembly of people who came eager to witness the grand spectacle. As the folds around his lips slowly parted, he pointed his right index finger at his throat, muttering something inaudibly. 

At the next instant, invisible to most, a faint, colorless strand of light shot out from the tip of his pointed finger, submerging into his throat. 

Focusing on the scene, Aiden standing at the right side of the stand with his extended crew was surprised as he caught the action. Before he could react, however, the system already sent a bell-like sound notifying its host of a sudden update.

With a thought, Aiden brought the message in front of him. 

[Arcane Magic discovered! Analyzing information… Error: Magic Proficiency skill missing!]

Furrowing his brow, Aiden scrutinized the message, frowning at its contents before his gaze returned to the seemingly harmless, pathetic-looking old councilman at the stage. He was aware that he was the Council's Lead Representative as well as being one of the pillars, contestants going for the City Lord position. 

He, or more precisely, the council itself, wasn't that weak: a large group of rough-looking band of mercenaries was standing not too far away from them. Each was garbed in strange, fur attire, vaguely similar to that of Naybeah's. They were mostly warriors, holding towering, humongous axes, maces, and swords with a few bowmen standing at their midst. Their faces as well as their mostly barren chests were painted, with tribal-looking ritualistic markings of animal heads and other strange motifs.

They were surrounded with a savage, primitive, predatory air ignoring everyone. Their gazes fixated on the elder that was most likely their benefactor for the event.

As the old man began to speak, his voice was unnaturally loud, booming and reverberating across the large square.

"Welcome to the Higrove's War Games!" He bellowed, raising his arms in the air as if he wanted to embrace the entire town into his bosom.

"First of all: Thank you for honoring us with your attention." He continued, giving a slight bow to the audience before continuing. "As you may be aware, the War Games is a long-honored tradition in our kingdom. When electing an official of such stature, that would represent each and every one of you in front of the royal house, as well as lead us to prosperity and a stable future, he or she needs to be in holding of… certain… qualities." 

He gazed around with a calm, simple-looking smile as he spoke.

"Our future leader, the City Lord, needs to be strong enough, powerful enough to be able to stand at the forefront, to trudge the unexplored and guide us through the veil of the night towards that little glimmer, that bright pillar of light that would be our hopeful tomorrow. To showcase that, our forefathers have devised this event, where all the pillars, all those that had the ambition could showcase their glory and send a group of their own into the fray."

He gave a light cough, changing the subject. His smile faded, as it shifted into a stern, somber look. His tone was grave as he continued.

"With their combined might, as well as with the assistance of the Academy, they opened a doorway to a vile, brutal world. This place, this plane of reality was different from ours. In there, life was all but all snuffed out, leaving behind only but the most brutal, most vicious, most powerful entities. Deserted plains, nightmarish jungles were but only a fraction of the spectacles that awaited our first explorers. 

Amidst the deserted ruins of what once were lush, thriving civilizations, they found the perfect place to quench their adventurous thirsts."

Once again, his expression shifted, returning to the previous smile. His tone also eased, leaving its stern trait behind as he continued.

"During their first couple of expeditions, they realized that this place, though deserted, and almost destroyed, was a veritable treasure trove! Carefully slithering their way around the dangers and various calamities, they didn't just find treasures and skills that would serve as the basis of many of our current day noble families and various powers, but also a place to settle disputes."

He gazed to the side looking at his men as he continued, slightly changing the tone.

"Eventually, their desires changed, turning into this now grand, centuries-old tradition! I'm sure that each and every one of you are just as excited as I tell you: Once again, we will have the chance to witness the birth of a legend. Once again, we will open the gates and send our most powerful warriors to search for the glory of their masters and bring honor and victory to their pillars!"

He raised his arms wide as the old man bellowed his last sentence.

"Once again, we open the gates to the Battlefield!"

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