As they approached, the crowd became increasingly apparent. Numerous people filled the roads leading to Meridian.

They were all heading to the festival, which included travellers, merchants, performers, blacksmiths, and craftsmen. Caravans of various sizes vied for space on the road, which was gradually widening.

Greg had to slow down the carriage a lot to avoid hitting anyone. The crowd was friendly but too big. Everyone was talking, laughing, and clearly excited about the festival.

"This is wonderful," Seraphine said as she wrote down everything. "I've never seen so many people in one place at once. I can already tell that this festival will be big and festive."

"Of course~ Today's festival brings people from all over the continent," Lylia said. "Not just competitors, but also a lot of people from different continents came to watch, merchants hoping to make deals, and nobles seeking fun. The celebration is the biggest thing to happen in a long time."

"And it's all because of the peace that has just been achieved!"

After almost an hour of slow progress, they finally got through the city gates. The guards hardly looked at them because they were too busy dealing with the huge number of people coming in to do anything more than quick checks.

The chaos only got worse inside the city. There were street performers on every corner who kept people entertained.

And there are vendors selling everything, from food and tools to magical trinkets. Every building had banners hanging from it announcing the Festival of Blacksmith Creation and the peace between kingdoms.

"Where is the place for the competition?" Greg asked Lylia.

She looked at the map she had been given and said, "The Grand Forge."

"It's in the middle of the city, a giant building that was built just for the festival. Before we can get our rooms, we need to sign up there."

Greg said, "Then let's go there first."

"The sooner we sign up, the sooner we can figure out what we're up against."

Navigating the city centre proved to be an adventure in and of itself. The streets were designed for aesthetics rather than practicality.

There were stairs and ramps that the carriage couldn't use that connected different levels. They had to park at a public stable and walk the rest of the way.

Greg said as they got off the carriage, "Everyone stay together. This place is extremely crowded, and I don't want any of us to fall behind."

They were all very close, and Hammy would ride on Greg's shoulder and sometimes bounce to other people when he saw something interesting. Greg felt better knowing that everyone had protection if they needed it, even though the arm guards were hidden under their sleeves.

It was impossible to miss the Grand Forge, the largest building in the city centre, which seamlessly blended the architectural styles of both kingdoms. Inside, multiple forges ascended to lofty chimneys, and the rhythmic sound of hammering echoed through the streets.

"That's where we'll be competing," Lylia said, her voice full of both excitement and fear.

They walked up to the main entrance, where there was a place to sign up. Long tables with officials in formal dress were processing the never-ending line of competitors. Signs showed different groups, skill levels, and kingdoms where the players came from.

Greg couldn't help but notice the other blacksmiths around them as they got in line. Some were clearly masters, travelling with whole groups of apprentices.

Others were lone craftsmen with hands that had seen a lot of work and eyes that knew what they were doing. They all looked like they knew what they were doing, were sure of themselves, and were ready to compete.

Felix whispered, "Oh my god...! This is really happening...! We're really here, and soon we'll be famous for winning this thing!"

"Don't get carried away, Felix." Greg took a deep breath and said, "Even though we're together. There's no going back now."

The line moved slowly but surely. Greg could hear bits of conversations from other competitors as they got closer to the registration tables.

"Did you know Mikhail is here? The Ironheart himself!"

"I saw Adelaide getting her workshop ready. Her tools are so precise, it's hard to believe."

"Vladimir brought everything from his forge with him, and even the three wagons full of tools!"

Lylia had told them about each of the people named, who were legendary craftsmen with decades of experience. Greg's anxiety started to rise again, but Marina's hand found his and squeezed it in a reassuring way.

At last, they were at the front of the line. An official with a stern face looked up from her work. "Names and where did you all come from?"

Greg said, "Brotherhood of Peace. We came from Ferndale, Valdris Western Territories."

The official's pen stopped in the middle of a stroke. She suddenly became interested in them. "Did you just say the Brotherhood of Peace...? The group that Greg Greyson is in charge of?!"

"That's us," Greg said, wondering why she seemed surprised.

Marina starts to smack Greg's back. "This right here is Greg Greyson himself!"

The official's professional demeanour broke a smile. "Lady Lylia Goldenwind has already registered you as special guests."

"We knew you were coming." She stamped their papers with a lot of force. "Your room is in the Honorary Guests wing of the festival complex. Here are your badges for the competition, your workshop assignment, and your schedule."

She gave him a stack of papers that looked official and eight badges that sparkled with some kind of magic. "The ceremony is going to be open tomorrow night. You should go there."

"This is where the rules are explained and the competitors are introduced."

"Thank you," Lylia said as she took the things.

Greg heard other competitors in line mumbling as they walked away from the registration table.

"Special guests?"

"Who are they?"

"That's the peaceful blacksmith that I heard about..."

"The one who won't make weapons?"

"This should be interesting to see him work directly in the competition..."

Greg tried to ignore the people looking at him and instead focused on the papers they had given him. There were a lot of events planned for the week, including several rounds of competition, judging, and public displays.

Seraphine said, "It looks like we have until tomorrow night to get ready and settle in."

"That's actually wonderful. We will need time to get the workshop space ready that they have given us."

Felix said, "We also need to observe our competitors to identify their weaknesses."

"We're not spying on anyone, Felix."

"I like to call it competitive reconnaissance!"

Greg couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them as they walked to the honorary guests' room. Other blacksmiths were definitely watching them, talking to each other, and sizing them up.

This was it. Tomorrow, they would officially compete against the world's best blacksmiths, motivated by their beliefs and for Lylia.

They were competing for the chance to demonstrate that peace can be just as strong as war. No stress at all.

"You're holding my hand too tightly again," Marina said softly.

"I'm sorry," Greg let go. "I'm just not feeling that good today."

"We all are," she said. "But we have each other. And it looks like we have matching arm guards, a team handshake, and the cutest slime mascot in the world."

"It's going to be fine."

Hammy agreed by chirping from Greg's shoulder.

"Yes," Greg said, letting himself smile a little. "We're going to be okay."

Greg thought he saw someone watching them through the crowds of competitors and spectators behind them. There was a person in a knight's armour, but they were too far away to see clearly.

Their posture, though, seemed familiar. Greg thought he might have imagined it when the figure turned and vanished into the crowd.

"Come on," Lylia said when she saw he had stopped. "Let's get comfortable for today. Tomorrow will be a long day for us all."

The sounds of hammering and forging got louder as they went deeper into the festival complex. The Brotherhood of Peace was ready for the Festival of Blacksmith Creation to start.

Greg hoped they were ready, at least. Time would tell tomorrow.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.