Chapter 30: Christmas 2024 Side Story: A Merry Navamas To All
"Have yourself, a very merry Navamas, let the yule tide..."
"Oh Navamas Tree, Oh Navamas Tree. We stand in awe of your beauty..."
All across the nation of The Great Lazek Kingdom, Henrik's subjects were gathering with their families and tribes to celebrate Navamas, a holiday gimmick of Christmas that Henrik brought about and named after the actual child of God.
It was being held a week before his party were he'd come face to face with Guy Crimson and declare to the world that he will keep the Demon Lords in line.
Thanks to a little [Law Domination] from [King Of The Heroes, Arthur], Henrik was able to make it snow all throughout the country to really make it seem like a joyous occasion. Right now, Henrik was with all his main subordinates in the castle's living room, which Lucia and some hobgoblins, along with help from Shuna and Shizu, had decorated amazingly. Whether it was the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, the garland on the fireplaces, the wreaths which hung on all the doors, both sides. Or maybe it was the massive Navamas Trees on each side of the fireplace, which stood almost as tall as Veldora's dragon form and was decorated beyond anything Henrik ever thought possible in his old life.
And this was just one room, Lucia and the girls put just as much effort into the whole castle, it would be an insult to say it looked like something from a fairy-tale. Henrik thought of the day because he knew his people needed a day of rest, to just let all the bad feelings go and be together, before getting right back to their regular lives. The oni especially, and Shuna in particular, Henrik knew needed this.
"Merry Navamas everyone," Henrik said as he entered the room.
"Merry Navamas Lord Henrik."
"Ahh, Henrik, my good friend," Veldora said as he glided to Henrik and threw his arm over Henrik's shoulder. "I was told that these strange objects under the tree that were wrapped are called presents. Can I open mine? I don't like to speculate, but, the gift with mine name is strangely shaped like manga.
As your closest ally, I think it's only right I open mine first."
"Okay, everyone can open their presents whenever. I know I kinda sprung this holiday on the kingdom, but this will be a yearly thing. So from next year, I expect everyone to get everyone they know some type of gift. For now though, all these gifts are from me.
Oh, but before the adults open the gifts," Henrik said as he turned to Shizu's students, "Kids. You first. I know it's been a while since you all had a holiday like this, but here it is. I hope you all like your gifts," Henrik said as he made all the kids gifts float to them.
Each of them got three, one practical they could use in the future, and one just for fun, since you know, it's Navamas. They all also got some manga.
Gale, being the protector of his little 'siblings,' got a legend grade shield that had a Earth affinity to it. Henrik knew in future, Gale would be able to turn it into God Grade. He also got a cool figurine of Superman, who was his favourite character back on Earth. And the first half of Dragon Ball Manga.
Ryota got a legend grade dagger that could switch between having a blade of water or wind and boost the respective element. For his fun gift, he received a toy boat that he could use to master his water affinity since the small the object, the harder it would be to fully control. He also got some World's Greatest Assassin manga.
Kenya got a legend grade sword that was made with a blade forged from steel that had refracted light in it. It took some help from Veldanava, Raphael and the copy of Raphael that Veldanava was given when brought back in order to safely create the blade so that Kenya could safely wield it. Even then, they had to ask Shizu to use [Eternal Flame] so that the light was permanently contained.
He also got some play cards so he and the other kids could stay entertained. He'd hope they'd play snap a lot so they could continuously train their reflexes against each other. Kenya was given the last half the dragon ball manga. This way, even in a little way, him and Gale could learn to start working together as the kids main offense and defence.
Alice got a legend grade tiara that Henrik forged himself and imbued it with skill. [Thought Acceleration] and [Mana Perception] to be exact. It was a new type of technology that Henrik recently invented, gear that could allow people to use skills they didn't naturally have, albeit weaker versions. He hoped this would allow Alice to further her special magic since she'd be able to perceive things in a full 360 and direct her magic in any way.
She also got a new doll and some Frierien manga.
Chloe wasn't given a piece of gear like the others, but instead a whistle. It was enchanted so she could summon Ranga whenever she needed him, as well as some books and Black Clover manga, which is also what Veldora and Veldanava got.
His subordinates however, all got weapons that they ha in volume 21, this was the last thing they needed before Henrik could ensure they were at full power and he could further it in the future.
"Alright kids, what do you say?" Shizu asked her students.
"Thank you lord Henrik."
"My pleasure kids. Now, shall we have some lunch? I hear there's a large meal waiting for us in the dining room."
As everyone was walking to the dining hall, the newly recruited Gabiru, a lizardmen turned True Dragonewt that recently swore loyalty to Henrik along with his people, came up to Henrik to speak.
"Lord Henrik."
"Ahh, Gabiru, I'm glad you're here. I've been meaning to have a talk with you but so many people have been coming to join the kingdom I haven't had much time. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I was just wondering, that tiara you gave the human girl, it was different. The craftsmanship was a masterpiece, and the power it radiated, it was immense, beyond anything I've ever felt before."
Gabiru was of course talking about the tiara that was a masterpiece thanks to the unique skill [Crafting Master].
"Ahh yes, that. I suspected you may be interested in it. I made it myself. And the power you sensed from it, it isn't really powerful, just a new type of power. Rather than it being something filled with the type of power your own Vortex Spear, instead, I designed it to be powered by skills.
It can grant it's wearer certain skills through wearing it, with the amount of times it can be used depending on the grade. Naturally, because skills are connected to the soul itself, and the tiara doesn't yet have sentience, the skills won't be as powerful compared to them being naturally acquired.
I crafted it in the hopes of it being useful to Alice's future education. Why, would you like one of your own? A beautiful tiara," Henrik teased.
"No, Lord Henrik," Gabiru said flustered before calming down and continuing," It's just. You have assigned me as commander of your Ariel attack force, I was wondering, if it would be possible for me to also take up a scientific role. I promise it won't distract me from my other duties. It's just when I saw the genius behind the tiara, I felt something I never have before. Excitement."
"Well, if you're sure it won't interfere with your main duties then I don't mind at all. Honestly, I was looking for someone to lead a science division. I'll call you to my office in the next few days to finalise the details. Since it will be government funded, I'll also have Lucia go over some stuff with you."
Gabiru looked amazed at this, back with the lizardmen, he'd rarely be accepted for such a high responsibility, at least with the trust Gabiru could feel Henrik place in him. It only made him more loyal to Henrik than he already was.
"Thank you Lord Henrik, I won't let you down. I swear, everything I do in this project will be a success."
"Woah woah woah. Hold your horses Gabiru, science isn't so simple. You'll fail and fail and fail, probably want to give up a lot. But with passion like yours, you'll go on anyway. And eventually, you'll succeed, and it will all be worth it. I don't expect results day one, just work your hardest and that's enough for me."
"Yes sir," Gabiru replied with a genuine smile before walking to his friends 'lackeys' and telling a more glorious version of the truth.
Anyway, now everyone was in the dining room filling their stomachs. The kids were devouring more food than anyone, which Shizu disliked since they were being so rude in front of Henrik and the Princes, but her flusteredness only made everyone laugh together.
"Fine, I guess you can make a mess then," Shizu said slightly embarrassed.
"I wish this could last forever," Everyone heard her mutter under her breathe.
"It will. It'll be hard work at first, but I promise, a few years, and life will be this peaceful forever. I promise. How can we fail? We have Veldanava on our side, our landslide victory is inevitable."
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Hi, Omni_God2000 here.
Merry Navamas everyone, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Here's to peace in the Great Lazek Kingdom in 2025, and hopefully some semblance of peace for us too.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned.