Chapter 461 - 429: Performance Of Soliders...

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

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Zaya thanked Devara again, still maintaining the respectful manner she had adopted when they first met.

She was pleased that Bek had found work, especially since he seemed genuinely determined to earn money rather than continue stealing from unsuspecting travellers.

She knew how difficult it had been for him to survive on the streets, and although she had often scolded him for his habits, she had never stopped worrying about what might happen to him one day.

Seeing him so enthusiastic about his new arrangement was a relief.

After a little more conversation, Bek explained that he and Devara were heading towards the Grand Arena to learn more about the upcoming divine gathering.

Zaya’s expression brightened when she heard that.

"You’re going to the arena? I was actually heading in that direction myself. I wanted to see whether they had finished arranging the entrance and the seating areas. Everyone has been talking about the duels, and the merchants have already started preparing for the visitors."

"Then you should come with us!"

Bek suggested immediately.

"It’ll be better than walking around alone, and I can show you the places I’ve already promised Devara."

Zaya looked towards Devara, as though waiting for his approval.

"Would that be all right with you, my lord?"

Devara shook his head.

"Of course. There’s no reason for you to ask my permission. You’re welcome to accompany us. Besides, I imagine someone who lives in Heliopolis might know a few things that even Bek has forgotten to mention."

"Hey!" Bek protested.

"I’m an excellent guide!"

"Of course you are,"

Zaya replied teasingly.

"That’s why you tried to steal from your first customer."

The three of them began walking together, with Bek taking the lead once again and Zaya occasionally correcting him whenever he exaggerated something about the city.

Devara found their company rather pleasant.

Their conversations gave him a glimpse into the ordinary lives of people in Heliopolis, something he would never have learned simply by observing the grand temples and magnificent monuments.

As they continued towards the arena, Zaya occasionally glanced at Devara.

She still couldn’t explain the strange feeling she had experienced when their eyes first met.

There was something remarkably different about him, something that made her instinctively respectful despite his friendly and approachable manner.

She eventually stopped thinking about it, assuming that perhaps she was simply being overly cautious around an unfamiliar wealthy traveller.

Devara, on the other hand, remained entirely unaware of the impression he had made on her.

He was more interested in listening to Bek and Zaya argue about which sections of the arena offered the best view of the upcoming divine duels.

After spending some time exploring the surroundings of the Grand Arena, Bek finally managed to find three vacant seats in one of the middle sections, from where they had a fairly good view of the enormous fighting ground.

The arena was considerably larger from the inside than Devara had imagined.

Rows upon rows of stone seating surrounded the central battlefield, forming a massive circular structure.

Several sections were reserved for wealthy merchants, nobles and important officials, while the lower sections were occupied by ordinary citizens who had arrived early to secure a place.

Colourful banners bearing the symbols of different Egyptian deities hung from the upper walls, and enormous statues of divine figures watched over the arena from their elevated platforms.

Devara settled into his seat, with Bek sitting beside him and Zaya on the other side.

"Not bad, is it?"

Bek said proudly, gesturing towards the fighting ground.

"I told you this was worth visiting. Just wait until the gods arrive. You’ll understand why people travel from distant settlements to watch these events."

Devara looked around, observing the enormous crowd that had gathered.

Merchants, soldiers, priests, nobles and ordinary citizens had all come together, and the atmosphere was already filled with excitement.

Some people were discussing which gods might participate, while others were making predictions about the possible winners.

A few wealthy spectators had even brought their own servants, who were carrying refreshments and cushions for their masters.

"Does this happen regularly?" Devara asked.

"Not every day," Bek replied.

"The smaller competitions are held more frequently, but divine duels are different. Whenever the gods decide to demonstrate their abilities, the entire city becomes interested. Some people even travel from other regions just to witness them."

Zaya nodded in agreement.

"My father once told me about a duel between two powerful warriors that took place here many years ago. According to him, the fighting was so intense that the ground beneath the arena cracked, and the priests had to perform rituals to restore the damaged sections afterwards."

Devara smiled.

"Sounds like an interesting spectacle."

Before either Bek or Zaya could respond, a loud metallic ringing suddenly echoed throughout the arena.

GONG!

The sound travelled across the enormous structure, immediately drawing everyone’s attention towards the central battlefield. Conversations gradually died down as several soldiers marched through the main entrance, carrying their weapons and wearing polished bronze armour.

Their shields were decorated with different symbols, while their helmets and breastplates reflected the sunlight pouring into the arena.

A group of musicians stationed near the entrance began playing ceremonial instruments, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of large drums.

The soldiers marched towards the centre of the arena before separating into several formations.

Their commanding officer stepped forward and raised his weapon, signalling the beginning of the demonstration.

The crowd responded with loud cheers.

"LONG LIVE THE WARRIORS OF HELIOPOLIS!"

"SHOW US YOUR STRENGTH!"

The soldiers began displaying their combat skills, demonstrating their proficiency with swords, spears, shields and bows.

Two groups formed opposite one another, and after receiving the signal, they began a carefully coordinated mock battle.

Their movements were disciplined, with each warrior maintaining his position while attempting to overcome his opponent through speed and technique.

One soldier advanced with a spear, thrusting towards his opponent’s chest, only for the other man to deflect the attack using his shield and counter with a quick strike.

Another pair demonstrated their swordsmanship, exchanging a series of rapid blows that produced sharp metallic sounds whenever their weapons collided.

The audience cheered whenever someone performed an impressive manoeuvre.

A particularly athletic soldier suddenly leapt over his opponent’s shield, landed behind him and placed the blunt edge of his sword against the man’s back.

The crowd erupted into applause, while Bek leaned forward excitedly.

"Did you see that? That was impressive!"

Devara nodded, observing the soldiers carefully.

Their techniques were somewhat different from those he had encountered in his own world.

The weapons were familiar, but their footwork, defensive postures and formations reflected the military traditions of this civilisation.

He could also recognise that some of the soldiers had received considerable training, although their movements were still far removed from those of divine warriors.

"They’re quite disciplined," Devara remarked.

"Of course!" Bek replied.

"These are soldiers selected from the royal forces. Only the best are allowed to demonstrate their skills during such events."

Zaya watched as another group entered the battlefield, this time carrying bows.

Several wooden targets were placed at different distances, and the archers began firing in succession.

Their arrows travelled through the air and struck the targets with remarkable accuracy.

One particularly skilled archer managed to hit the centre of three targets in quick succession, earning another round of applause.

The demonstration continued for some time, with soldiers showcasing their abilities in different forms of combat.

Some displayed their strength by lifting heavy objects, while others demonstrated their agility through elaborate movements and weapon exercises.

Devara enjoyed watching them, though he occasionally noticed that the crowd seemed far more interested in the appearance of power than the actual skill behind it.

Eventually, the soldiers completed their demonstration and marched out of the arena in formation.

The commanding officer stepped forward once again, raised his weapon towards the sky and bowed to the spectators.

The audience responded with another tremendous cheer.

Bek clapped enthusiastically before turning towards Devara.

"That was only the beginning! The real excitement starts when the divine warriors appear."

Devara leaned back in his seat, his gaze travelling towards the enormous entrance on the opposite side of the arena.

"Then I suppose we’ll have to wait and see."

Unbeknownst to the spectators, the preparations taking place behind those enormous gates were already nearing completion.

The soldiers had merely been the opening act, and the appearance of the gods was expected to turn the gathering into an entirely different spectacle.

Once the soldiers had completed their demonstration and left the arena, the attendants began clearing the central battlefield.

Several servants entered carrying decorative objects, while others arranged musical instruments near the eastern entrance.

The musicians who had been waiting beside the arena moved towards their designated positions, carrying drums, flutes, harps and several instruments that Devara had never seen before.

The audience, which had been cheering for the soldiers only moments earlier, gradually settled down as the next announcement echoed throughout the arena.

"AND NOW, LET US WELCOME THE ARTISTS OF HELIOPOLIS, WHO WILL PRESENT THE TRADITIONAL SONGS AND DANCES OF OUR ANCIENT LAND!"

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(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.