novelGiants of Arafell
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Looking up and squinting his eyes due to the sunlight, Norcet once again felt awe at the amazing sight which was in front of him.
Although he had seen it many, many times before, it's grandeur was something that didn't lessen no matter how many times one lay their eyes on it.
"Waaaaah...."
Hearing this sound from beside him, Norcet looked at his 10-year-old son whom he had brought along because he wanted him to see the incredible sights in the world.
His mouth was open, and drool had started to drip down along his face.
As one of the wealthiest traders in Lanthanor, he had enough power and wealth to ensure his safety almost anywhere on the Central Continent.
"Dad, who are they?", the kid finally asked, wiping away the drool and turning to his father.
"Son, they are the protector giants of the Kingdom of Arafell. Legend has it that they were the chief protectors of Goddess Arafell who established this Kingdom. After their death, they were turned to stone using an ancient process. At least, that is what the stories say. Many believe that they are just stone statues. What do you think, son?"
Watching his son think with his eyes furrowed, Norcet also looked forward again and tried to find the answer himself.
In front of him were two 30 m tall humanoid figures that stood facing each other while holding an enormous 40 m tall gate in between them. The stone was grey, and there was almost no damage on it even though it was claimed that this structure had guarded the capital of the Kingdom of Arafell for centuries.
On their backs, both giants had enormous hammers that looked like they would have been able to flatten entire towns if someone was able to actually wield them.
As for their facial features, both giants had V-shaped faces with round noses and large eyes.
If they really were stone statues, then the craftsmanship of the person who had made them really had to be admired due to the sheer amount of detail that was visible clearly even from the ground.
"They look... real, dad. My teacher also said that it's very unlikely, but I believe."
Smiling and patting his son's head, Norcet said, "Good. Like I always tell you- listen to what everyone has to say, but always make your decision on your own. Now, let's go in. Uncle Kellor asked us for a favor; we should take care of it first."
Since he had started to send his kid to the School of Lanthanor, Norcet had been pleasantly surprised to see that all the knowledge was actually making his son think more on a day-to-day basis.
Praising the King in his mind, he looked at the Mage who had just teleported them over and said, "Let's go."
There were only three of them, but the Mage was actually an Eminent Human who would definitely be able to get them away in an instant if needed.
If it weren't for him, they would have had to travel to the Arafell the'normal' way, which would have taken weeks.
Teleportation really did make things much easier, and it made Norcet wish that there was no limit to what could be carried on a single teleportation trip.
On both sides of this enormous gate, there were smaller ones which looked tiny in comparison. Still, standing at 10 meters tall, they did their job in protecting the capital city.
The Capital's official name was actually "Goddess Arafell's Abode", but everyone just called it'capital' because the other option was too long.
After approaching the smaller, 5 m tall gate set in the wall to the right of one of the giants, Norcet presented a token that he had obtained when he had passed through the main gate of the Kingdom of Arafell a few hours ago.
The guard in charge was human, but a giant stood nearby in green clothes.
He was at least 13 feet(4 m) tall, and he seemed to be looking around with a smile on his face.
The giants of Arafell actually had two characteristics that they were known by in Angaria: their size and their calm nature.
In this regard, there was actually an age-old saying in Angaria:
"If you wish to learn the meaning of patience, then look for a Giant of Arafell."
Of course, when the coin flipped and when a Giant truly became infuriated, there was no foe more fearsome.
This was because although they were known for their patience, there were certain topics that would drive them to deadly rage if touched.
For the kid, it was the first time seeing such a fascinating creature. Yet, instead of its size, the kid was actually most impressed by the pure smile on its face as it gazed at the lush fields of grass all around it.
As if feeling his gaze, the giant turned around and made its way over.
With a smile, Norcet, who was waiting for the tokens to be checked, turned around to the giant and said, "Hello, noble giant! Would you be interested in attending an event where competitions of skill and passion will regale spectators with sights they have never seen before? Then come to the "Olympics", an event conducted on the soil of the Black Raven Kingdom and co-hosted by the Kingdom of Lanthanor! The two Kingdoms will be duking it out in contests of strength, teamwork, and talent to establish once and for all that their Kingdom is stronger than the other! It will be a feast to see! All are welcome! Please take this pamphlet, where all the details are mentioned!"
By his side, both his son and the Mage became shocked on seeing Norcet raise his tone and speak these words while making grand gestures with his arms.
Due to his charisma, they could almost see the incredible sights that were promised, making them want to definitely view this event without any doubt.
His voice had also drawn the interest of the soldiers who were checking the tokens and even those who were standing in the queue to enter the Capital of Arafell.
Glad that he was having an excellent start in the task he had been assigned to by Kellor, Norcet smiled and took out a stack of simple pamphlets made of parchment that he started to distribute to everyone who was listening.
After taking the pamphlet and studying it for a few seconds, the giant asked in a rough voice, "Why Olympics? Why not simply Games?"
Of course, one other thing that Giants were known for was their simple-mindedness that was clear in the way they spoke.
Yet, each giant had a different way in which they had communicated. Bos, who had been the Envoy to the King of Lanthanor, was of the type who referred to himself in the third person no matter what he said.
In answer to this, Norcet took a deep breath before launching into the explanation given by Kellor when he had asked the same question.
"Once, the King of Lanthanor, who is the one who had the idea to begin these games in the first place, had gone to a forest to collect some berries to eat when he was a kid. He had wanted to help a child who was starving on the road due to having no food, and King Daneel had also been very poor because of his family's condition. While he was collecting the berries, he was approached by an old man wearing white robes who seemed to be raving with madness. Seeing the King, the old man grasped his shoulders and said a few strange words before disappearing forever. The King had no idea that the words meant, but he decided to use one of those for these games. As for the exact words and his real reason, the King has decreed that he will announce it after the games commence. If you wish to find out, then you must come!"
Hearing the long but very interesting story, the people all around started to whisper to themselves as the interest inside them grew to witness such an incredible event that might occur only once in their lifetime.
"You can go in. And can I have a pamphlet too?"
Hearing these words from the guard, Norcet beamed before handing one over and striding into the gate.
He had a lot of places to go to to advertise in the same way, so he did not wish to waste any time.
Before he had become a successful trader, he had been a bard who had always found happiness when he managed to spellbound someone with his narration.
Having the chance to do so again, he was so excited that he had even forgotten his companions.
Turning around and still seeing them poring over the pamphlets, he shouted, "Let's go! We have a lot of ground to cover!", before continuing to walk with a spring in his step.
.... .
Meanwhile, in the Palace of Lanthanor.
Sister Xuan, who was currently eyeing Eloise and wondering just what she and the King were talking about every day, stood up in her chair suddenly as she had just noticed something that had startled her.
Quickly calling Molan, she said, "Notify the King. She is going to wake up soon, " before sitting back down and seeing the hand of the woman twitch visibly, indicating that the hibernation was about to end.
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