Chapter 243 - Feast Miracle

Instead of appearing on the high balcony, Maxwell and Faye emerged from below, stepping gracefully into the heart of the Royal Garden alongside those present.

The surrounding nobles, teachers, and students cleared a path, dropping into deep, synchronised bows as they passed by.

Coming to a stop, Maxwell raised a gloved hand, his deep voice effortlessly carrying across the expansive garden.

"You may all rise. Today, we drop the barriers of protocol. We gather not as separate nations, but as one unified continent celebrating the brilliant future of our youth."

He began to slowly walk along the garden path, addressing the gathered representatives personally.

He stopped first before the Eldorian student representatives. His sharp eyes softened as he looked down at Amber, Victor, Lily, and the others.

"To my own representatives of Eldoria... Though the final trophy does not rest in our halls tonight, do not hang your heads. You fought with the terrifying tenacity of a raging fire that burnt until its final flame, proving that the spirit of Eldoria shines brighter than ever. I am immensely proud of every single one of you."

He turned his gaze toward his children, Junior and Kiana, and offered them a proud nod. "Junior. Kiana. You carried yourselves with honor. Well done."

Junior’s eyes lit up with unbridled joy, while Kiana’s cheeks flushed pink as she puffed out her chest, both of them beaming with happiness at receiving their father’s rare praise.

Moving along the garden, Maxwell paused before the Rivertonian representatives. "To the brave warriors of Riverton – your resilience and stubborn grit on the field showed the true strength of your realm. And showed the whole world why each of you are to be taken seriously. Congratulations on a fight well fought."

He then stepped toward the Tricean pavilion, his eyes landing directly on Ryan before addressing them all.

"To the Triceans – the future of technological magic advancement rests firmly in your capable hands. The ingenuity displayed by young Ryan Sindell’s armor during the tournament was nothing short of extraordinary. We Eldorian’s are honoured to have had it revealed in our land, and would like to sponsor its further development so that we may see its full fruition."

Finally, he arrived at the central fountain, standing before the Myrian representatives and Izumi Ayako.

"And to the Myrians...the undisputed victors of this tournament, congratulations. Izumi Ayako, your unyielding willpower and dominance in the face of destruction has rightfully earned you a place in the history books."

Maxwell surveyed the entire garden.

"As is tradition, each of the winner’s representatives may ask a single favor of the Eldorian Crown. Name your desire – be it rare resources, ancient magical texts, or diplomatic backing – and within my power, it shall be granted. You shall receive an audience with me at my palace in two days’ time to hear your requests. And for the rest of you..."

With a gentle wave of his arm, a line of royal servants emerged from the palace, bearing silver trays piled high with exquisite, steam-billowing main courses, rare fruits, and roasted meats.

"Feast! Mingle among one another without restraint – look closely at the person standing beside you today. You may very well be walking amongst the future leaders, legends, and important figures of our world!"

With those final words, Maxwell offered a swift, majestic nod to the crowd, turning to retreat back toward the inner palace quarters alongside his royal guard detail.

The silence instantly shattered, and the orchestral music swelled to a joyous pitch. Glass clinked across every table, motioning that the real party officially got started.

Before Kurt could take two steps, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

Looking at Diana, she gestured toward the principals of Myria, Tricea, and Riverton who were signaling her over toward an empty pavilion.

"It seems my gracious presence is required. Whatever administrative things or future collaborations they are going to discuss will be too boring for you, Rosie."

"True that. Don’t worry about me. Go do your principal duties. I’ll be fine on my own."

"Don’t wander off too far," Diana leaned up to press a quick peck to his cheek before heading toward them.

Left to himself, Kurt scanned the bustling Royal Garden.

Over by the main fountain, Emelie was caught in a tight circle between Amber and Ayako. She stood there trapped in her formal dress, looking as though she would rather jump headfirst into a volcano than endure one more second being around the two battle maniacs.

To his left, Everett was surrounded by a swooning flock of young women. Now that news had officially come out that he had formally renounced his romantic pursuit of Diana, half the eligible bachelorettes present were aggressively trying to win the heart of the handsome noble.

Near the food table, Nichole was sitting in her padded wheelchair, looking ready to burst a blood vessel. Her Rivertonian teammates were crowding around her, offering plates of fruit, meat, and pastries.

"Stop it! Stop looking down on me! I can get my own damn food! I told you my legs aren’t broken, my mana veins are!"

And then... over by the raised platform... stood Princess Faye Dorothy.

She was flanked by Junior and Kiana, conversing with court officials. Kiana was naturally maintaining her poised, regal posture, actively taking part in conversations alongside Faye. Junior, on the other hand, was standing stiffly beside them looking like he was going to literally die from boredom.

Kurt chuckled quietly to himself.

Remembering Sadie’s request for exotic foods, he walked over to a nearby banquet table, grabbing a small plastic takeout container resting beside the silver trays and started filling them up.

As he turned, his eye caught sight of a figure standing completely still along the outer garden’s stone perimeter.

’Well, well, well. Would you look at that?’

Vice-Captain Kenneth stood erect in his polished silver plate armor, his hand resting on his sword hilt as he scanned the crowd with a vigilant, stoic expression.

Kurt smoothly stepped away from the crowd and walked up to the guard captain.

"Hey. Busy afternoon, Vice-Captain?"

Kenneth’s eyes flicked over, his rigid posture unbending as he recognized Kurt. "Rossana. Not particularly."

"Must be exhausting, watching people eat and drink while you stand in all that armour out in the boiling sun."

"I’m accustomed to it."

Kurt leaned his shoulder lightly against the stone pillar beside him. He took a bite of a skewer, dropping his voice low. "So... Do you know what Princess Faye and I spoke about inside her carriage on the morning you guys picked me up?"

Kenneth didn’t turn his head, keeping his eyes locked on the garden crowd. "No. My job is to protect Her Highness’s life, not to meddle in her private business."

"Do you want to know? It’s pretty important."

"I repeat, it is none of my business."

"Even if it’s something that could change the political scope of Eldoria forever?" Kurt murmured, leaning closer. "Even if... it’s something that could directly aid His Majesty, the King?"

For the first time since Kurt had walked up, Kenneth’s perfectly straight, stoic face cracked. His brow twitched, his hand tightening slightly over the pommel of his sword.

Before he could voice a response–

"KURT! SAVE ME!"

A high-pitched voice squeaked from their right.

Christy came sprinting toward him. She scrambled straight behind Kurt’s back, grabbing the fabric of his suit jacket and hiding her small body behind him like a human shield.

Kurt offered Kenneth a knowing smirk before leaving. "If you ever decide you do want to make it your business, Vice-Captain... meet me at Sophie’s Diner tomorrow morning between eight and nine."

Without waiting for a reply, Kurt turned and walked away. Kenneth stared intently at his retreating back, his mind visibly racing behind his stoic mask.

"I don’t want to talk to those ancient oldies anymore!" Christy pouted from behind Kurt as she used him to block the sight of an approaching old woman.

"Oh no! She saw me!"

"Christy Donna!" Gloria scolded, adjusting her spectacles before offering Kurt a deeply polite, apologetic bow. "Forgive her, Kurt. You know how she can get at times."

She turned back to the girl. "Christy, you cannot simply abandon Eldoria’s church’s priests! They came to pay their respects!"

"I don’t care! They talk too slow and they smell like old farts! I’m staying right here with Kurt!"

"Wha–?! How could you say that about them?!"

"Maybe she’s just hungry?" Kurt guessed. "I mean, look at all this food. People get cranky when they’re hungry."

Seeing that the stubborn girl wasn’t budging and was clinging to Kurt like a leech, Gloria’s sharp eyes flicked to him as a clever workaround forming in her mind.

"Well... Since you refuse to return, Christy... perhaps Kurt would be so kind as to accompany us? His Holiness, the Pope, expressed a deep desire to meet the young man who successfully retrieved the body of the former Saintess. We can also get some food."

"Whoa. The Pope wants to meet with me?"

"Indeed," Gloria smiled professionally. "He is quite eager to speak with you."

"Then I certainly can’t say no to the Pope. Lead the way."

Seeing Kurt walk, Christy abandoned her hiding spot and happily trotted alongside him, though she still held onto his sleeve.

Gloria led them to a quiet, elevated pavilion draped in white and gold silks. Seated in a comfortable cushioned chair was an elderly man with a long, snow-white beard, wearing the ornate robes of the pope.

’Holy Santa Claus.’

"Ah, Gloria, Christy," the Pope spoke, his voice warm, deep, and carrying a gentle authority. "And this must be the young man I have been hearing so much about recently."

"Hey– Uhh! I mean, *Ahem* Your Holiness." Kurt bowed respectfully.

"Hahaha! Please, call me Mr. Pope. Or James for short."

They engaged in light small talk as Christy filled a plate of food for herself, with the Pope offering sincere gratitude for Kurt’s role in retrieving the remains of the fallen Saintess from the cult’s clutches.

"Such an act of bravery and respect deserves proper compensation. I wish to bestow upon you a reward for your service. What is it you would like?"

"Money makes the world go round, James – I could never say no to a fat check. Send it straight to the Valentine estate. I’m currently staying there."

"Ah! That is right! Rumors abound that you and young Diana share quite the close bond. Impressive indeed, young man."

The Pope extended a wrinkled, steady hand toward Kurt. "Given your extraordinary talent for uncovering and eliminating zealots... I would consider it an honor to call you a friend of the Church."

Kurt shook the Pope’s hand with a wide smirk. "Friends with the Pope? Who in their right mind could ever turn that down?"

"I’m his friend too!" Christy piped up eagerly, bouncing on her heels. "And since we’re friends, I want to give you a reward too! Ask for anything! I can even give you a holy blessing or heal your body."

"Anything?"

"Anything!"

"In that case... I actually do have someone I’d like you to heal."

"Someone else? Not you? I could even heal your eye if you want."

Kurt tapped his crimson rose-embroidered eyepatch, smiling gently. "My eye is fine. Besides, I just got this new patch as a gift, and there’s nothing wrong with me."

He turned, pointing his finger straight across the garden path toward the food table, where Nichole was still sitting in her wheelchair, looking miserable while swatting away her teammates’ plates.

"See that girl over there in the chair?"

"Uh-huh. That’s Nichole Firestar."

"Yeah. Apparently, her mana veins were blown out during her last match, and her doctors said she’s crippled for a year. I’d like you to fix her up."

Christy looked at Nichole, then back at Kurt, her heart melting at what she perceived as pure selflessness. "You want me to heal her instead of taking a gift for yourself?"

Kurt nodded. "And if she asks who sent you... just tell her it was a favor from the ’strange doctor’ who checked up on her."

The old Pope looked at Kurt with deep admiration, resting his hands on his staff. "A truly good heart... How commendable, Kurt."

"I’ll do it!" Christy chirped happily.

Before Gloria could even open her mouth to stop her, Christy kicked off the ground and went sprinting straight toward Nichole like a little white bolt of lightning.

"Christy! Wait–"

The Pope held up a gentle hand, chuckling softly. "Let her go, Gloria. It is a good deed."

Across the garden, Nichole was in the middle of groaning in frustration when a tiny shadow dropped right in front of her wheelchair.

Christy stood there, her small hands planted on her hips and her chin held high with a remarkably smug expression.

Nichole got flustered by the sudden appearance of the world’s most revered holy figure. "S-Saintess Christy?!"

"Rejoice, child!" Christy declared pompously, pointing a tiny finger at her. "For the Goddess Bula has acknowledged your spirit, and I shall bestow upon you a grand miracle!"

Before Nichole or her shocked Riverton teammates could even react, Christy reached out and grabbed her hand.

A golden halo manifested above Christy’s head.

Then, an overwhelming, dazzling wave of pure Holy Light erupted from the Saintess’s body, enveloping Nichole in a blinding pillar of warm, divine radiance.

The scorched, fractured mana veins inside Nichole’s body began to heal and strengthen at a terrifying speed. The severe internal mana burns dissolved into nothingness and her blocked pathways cleared in a single heartbeat.

The light faded.

Nichole sat in her chair with her jaw hanging open as an overflowing surge of pure, unrestricted mana rushed through her body once more.

"I... my mana..."

She pushed herself out of the wheelchair, standing up on her own two feet without a single drop of pain. She raised her palm – and with a quiet whoosh, a bright, crackling fireball ignited in her hand, burning brightly than ever.

Tears of overwhelming disbelief spilled down Nichole’s cheeks.

She dropped her flame and looked at the Saintess with profound reverence. "I’m... I’m healed! Thank you, Saintess! Thank you so much!"

Christy puffed out her chest, offering a proud, mischievous smirk. "Don’t thank me! Thank the strange doctor! And you do not have to pay me anything!"

"W-What...? Wait! Who is he–?!"

Right as Nichole tried pressing for answers, Christy giggled, turned on her heel, and went sprinting back toward the Church pavilion.

The Rivertonian representatives immediately crowded around Nichole, cheering, crying, and celebrating their captain’s miraculous recovery.

Kurt watched the chaotic celebration with a satisfied smirk.

"Well, James. I better take my leave before that girl comes hunting for her ’strange doctor’."

"Haha. Go in peace, Kurt," the Pope smiled warmly. "The Church’s doors are always open to you."

Kurt left and began walking back toward the plastic boxes he was still filling at a separate table when suddenly–

"That was quite the remarkable deed you just performed, Kurt Rossana."

"Ha. I don’t know what you’re talking about, Princess Faye Dorothy."