In the capital city of Daelon, The morning was filled with shouts and chaos, stalls were opening, people were walking down the streets in a hurry , confetti and stickers hanging above, the festival was lively and loud even during morning.
But, as the people were walking and running, Two fancy looking carriage entered the city and by the looks of it, it was a noble's carriage for sure. People parted sideways giving space for it to move.
''Haah..'' Hina yawned, while Hinata, Elina and Iris were still asleep ''why did we even depart in evening!''
''Because we are invited in the Festival's party'' Free answered. Nonchalantly, still half asleep and left hand.
''The festival is already lively even in the morning'' Sylvia said, staring outside the window in curiosity as it was her first time in the Hero's festival.
''Yeah....'' Free replied, as the carriage drive to the palace.
2 hour later....
Free and the others finally entered the palace, and a servant led them to their guest room.
''Baron Hoshi, this is your room, please make yourself comfortable'' the maid respectfully said before leaving.
''Woah! this room is massive!!'' Hina yelled jumping on the bed with Hinata and Elina. Free sylvia and Lina sat down in the couch while Iris was on the other room.
''The hero's festival main event will start in the evening'' Lina told Free, who had his hands relaxed on the couch, because Sylvia was gripping his hand tightly last night.
''And we have six hours of rest''
''Good'' he muttered.
''Big brother! This bed is soooo soft and comfy, i want it at home too!!!" Hinata shouted while jumping on the bed with Elina.
''Yes yes'' Free replied, he had more things to do other than arguing with Hinata.
Meanwhile on the other room, Iris and her parents were sitting opposite to each other.
''Iris'' Utto muttered.
''Yes daddy'' Iris answered.
''Did you cause any trouble there?" He asked, and Iris thought for a a brief moment.
''No. i was a good girl'' she replied, but Free would've totally disagreed if he was there.
Utto laughed loudly before patting her head. '' That's my daughter! Always respectful and obedient'' he praised her loudly, proyd of his daughter.
''Okay dear, enough with the chit chat'' Hilda said, her eyes on Iris and with a serious voice she said. ''Iris ''
''Yes mother?''
''this afternoon, you'll be the one representing the Reys family'' she said, her voice was quiet, yet it was heavy.
''Y-yes'' Iris nodded, the room was in silence but only for a brief moment before someone knocked on the door.
Knock, knock!.
''Yes''
''I-i didn't mean to disturb y-your family meeting but may i have a private talk with Iris if she's free'' it was Sylvia, and Iris jumped out of her seat hearing her voice.
''big sis Sylvia! I'm coming!'' Iris said, exiting the room without waiting for permission.
''I'm sorry if i interrupted you'' Sylvia said, before closing the door, leaving only Hilda and Utto.
''Do you think she can really represent our family'' Utto asked, his voice was filled with doubts and concern.
''Yes, she can. Because she is our daughter'' Hilda replied, no doubts and concern, only pride and confidence.
''I trust in your decision then, honey'' Utto muttered, and a faint smile appeared on hilda's face.
As the day kept on going more and more nobles, minister and ambassador arrived. And by the time afternoon came the stadium was already buzzing with loud cheers and bets.
''EVERYONE! WELCOME! TO TODAY'S HERO'S FESTIVAL! TODAY, OUR FIGHTER AND WARRIORS WILL SHOW THEIR COURAGE, STRENGTH AND MOST OF ALL! THEIR PRIDE IN THE ARENA!!!!!" The Host yelled his heart out and the crowd too was very excited for the Tournament.
On the other hand on the VIP lookout the king, the prince and many important people along with Free being one as the lowest rank noble, sat in their respective seat. Iris was behind the king and Free was beside the prince as a special VIP for saving Princess Elize.
It's suffocating sitting between powerful people's he thought.
''NOW, STARTING OUR FIRST PROGRAM OF TODAY!! THE HERO'S SWORD SHOWCASE!!" As soon as the host announced, a group of sorcerers entered inside the stadium and started to chant teleportation spell, and multiple symbols starts to appear.
Fwoosh!.
Dust spiraled in the stadium, the crowd roared in excitement, the nobles and other guest stared at the clearing dust.
After the dust cleared, a sword was in the center of the stadium, embedded in a green crystal.
''EXCALIBUR IS HERE!!!!" the host roared at the top of his lungs.
"YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!" the crowd roared in excitement.
Someone! Please take me out if you can hear me!! The voice inside Free's head started and was getting louder with each passing second.
''This voice....'' Free muttered silently.
''NOW THEN!!! LET'S BEGIN THE EVENT!!!" The host yelled, and from the gate of the stadium a muscular, tall and scarred man entered walking forward with determination, ignored the sorcerers who were injured during the spell casting.
I'll be the one, he thought standing infront of the sword, as his hand reached for it's hilt, thunder struck him, theowing hil meter away. Unworthy.
''OUR FIRST CONTESTANT! FAILED!!''
''WOOOOOOOOO!!!" The crowd roared.
One by one, contestants tried to pull the sword out of the crystal, but one by one they failed, some got thrown away and some were injured, but none even got to touch the hilt.
Meanwhile on the guest seat, provide for nobles and other important people. Sylvia's eye was on someone else's. Free, he was tilting and hitting his head time to time, and Sylvia was worried seeing him act like that.
Free... She thought.
''NOW, TIME FOR OUR LAST CONTESTANT! OUR PRIDE AND ONE THE MARTYR DISCIPLES. THE FIRST AND ALDEST PRINCE OF DAELON KINGDOM! ALFRED DE DAELONNNNN!!!!" The host announced, and a wave of cheers from the audience came.
''Annoying peasants'' Iris whispered, annoyed by the crowds cheers.
Back to the stadium, Alfred walked slowly toward Excalibur, with his mind blank and his steps heavy. I'll not fail this time he thought, his hand reaching for the sword, thunder emerged striking his armor and face, but did he got thrown? No. He didn't stop.
He grabbed the hilt of the sword and tye crowd was silent, the king stand up from his throne, staribg at Alfred, it can either be a historic moment or not, the sword will decide.
''Come on!! Accept me!!" He yelled, trying to pull the sword out but he was overpowered by it. Woosh! Thud!
His injured body was thrown to the wall of the stadium, breaking the concrete wall.
''Tch, just a little'' the host clibged his tounge in disappointment. ''NOW THEN LET'S CONTINUE TO THE NEX-!!''
''ENOUGH!!" Free yelled, stopping the host mid-sentence, the voice was now too loud, and his ten rings were violently shaking on his hand, he standed up from his seat and walk forward and jump off from the lookout room.
''Free!!" Sylvia scream, reacting first and pushing all the mistress and nobles in her way trying to reach to the lookout.
But Free used his rings to fly to the sword and stands infront of the sword Excalibur.
''you're too loud'' he said, reaching his hand to the sword, the crowd was silent, and Sylvia was in the lookout room, staring down at him.
His hand touched the sword's hilt and thunder struck him, everyone stared in both shock and awe as the thunder wasn't hurting Free but slowly nine colours started to emerge out of the Excalibur and was getting absorbed by the nine rings on his arm.
Hina, Hinata and Elina were cheering while Lina's mouth was wide open, Sylphia and Rai were silent just like the crowd.
You heard me, Messiah!
Yeah.. Free replied
Then accept me and pull me out, the Excalibur said.
Free started to pull the sword slowly, everyone's breath paused, it was an historic infront of them.
Free's breath hitched, yet he still was pulling out the sword slowly.
Now, give me a name, Oo Messiah, Excalibur requested.
''THEN, I'LL NAME YOU, COME OUT AND BE MINE!! FREEDAAA!!" Free yelled and finally the sword came out of the crystal, the glowing attributes bursting out of Excalibur, finally ended and the ten rings that absorbed the light glowed in different nine colours. Except one of them.
Everyone stared at Free, even Alfred was in pure shock.
''THIS-THIS IS HISTORY!!!!!!!" The host screamed his heart out in tears and the crowd cheered the loudest they ever did.
And Sylvia on top of the lookout room was in tears, Free was the new hero of the Kingdom. ''Free'' she muttered.
''Damn, Free really pulled that rudt out'' Iris frowned in jealousy
To be continued....