[BL] Challenge: 100 Baby in Fantasy World-Chapter 281: Engagement Party

The engagement between Gara and Madha was simple but heartfelt.

The two of them stood together on a small, flower-decorated stage, exchanged rings, and shared a few words of hope for each other.

After that, the guests were free to eat which, unsurprisingly, became the longest part of the event.

Gara and Madha went from table to table, greeting and chatting with the people closest to them.

"So, are you two going to tell your classmates about the engagement?" Orman asked curiously.

"We’re not planning to make an announcement," Gara replied, smiling. "But if anyone asks about our relationship, we’ll tell them the truth."

The three Gyakarta Academy students nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, Yugo—Yuvika’s father—finally couldn’t hold back from bringing up business matters.

"Congratulations as well to Alrova for recently gaining access to Palapa Mount through the Rolion Merchant House," he said.

"This is all thanks to Master Gara’s ability," Hilda replied politely, but proud.

Her status as a slave no longer bound her to Gara. What tied her now was trust and genuine admiration.

Gara only responded with a small smile.

At the front table, Madha was chatting with Tristan and Agus, while Fian... remained silent unless directly spoken to.

Madha couldn’t help but wonder how someone as self-aware as Fian could sit so quietly without even trying to start a conversation.

When the meal ended, the guests began to take their leave. Kian, Mohan, and the group from Raksa County were the first to go.

Agus, Della, and Fian returned to the dimensional space, while Madha accompanied his older and younger brothers for a stroll around the city.

Hilda stayed behind to direct the clean-up crew.

Gara, Wina, and Tristan, meanwhile, went upstairs to the restaurant’s second floor to talk in private.

"Uncle, Madha told me you’ve been named heir to the Marquess title," Gara began.

"That’s right, Gara," Tristan said seriously. "In return, the Cakra House will now support you completely—and openly."

"Openly?" Wina echoed, worried by the word. "What do you mean by that?"

"We can’t keep Gara’s identity hidden forever," Tristan explained. "He’s already made a significant impact in both Alchemy and Herbal world..."

He continued, outlining his reasoning, then exhaled deeply. "I plan to bring Gara to Eshaan House and claim what rightfully belongs to him."

Wina froze. Her immediate reaction was rejection. "But what about Gara’s safety?!"

"As long as he remains a student of Gyakarta Academy—and under the protection of Cakra House—the druids won’t be able to act recklessly," Tristan assured her.

It was clear he’d thought the plan through. He turned to Gara, silently asking for his thoughts.

All this time, Gara had avoided taking risks. Rather than confront danger, he’d always preferred to hide...

"Gara," Tristan said firmly, "you—no, we—are strong enough now.

Instead of waiting for them to find you first and plot behind the scenes, it’s better if we step forward. That way, we can prepare for whatever they try next."

And Tristan was right.

Gara was no longer the weak human boy who once had nothing.

Now, he had wealth, powerful connections, and influential people willing to stand by his side.

"Uncle... what about my children?"

In truth, everything Gara did was for his kids. His greatest worry had always been them.

"Let them meet their father’s family. They’re the ones most capable of protecting the triplets," Tristan replied firmly.

"No!"

"Their father’s family?"

Gara and Wina spoke at the same time. Gara’s voice was sharp with refusal, while Wina’s was confused.

The more she heard, the less she understood.

"Gara, do you... know who the triplets’ father is?" Wina turned to him with a soft, almost pleading gaze.

Gara took a long breath before finally telling her the truth.

The middle-aged woman covered her mouth in shock. So the triplets’ father was someone Gara saw almost every day.

"Mom, even if he looks great on the outside, he’s rotten inside. No matter what, I’ll raise them myself," Gara said stubbornly.

Wina swallowed the countless questions that came to her mind.

Tristan, too, didn’t push further.

"All right, Gara," Tristan said at last. "For now, the triplets are safe enough in your dimensional space. Even Sir Agus Soren doesn’t know where they are."

He paused, then added more gently, "But I still hope you’ll consider revealing your identity. You’re the one who said you were tired of always running.

That’s why I came back to Cakranloka City—to gather strength, so I can protect you and your children."

Gara fell silent. He had only said those words to convince Tristan to let him go to capital city.

Never realizing how heavily they had weighed on his uncle for the past six months.

Their talk ended without any real resolution.

After a while, Gara invited Tristan into his dimensional space to visit the triplets.

Of course, Tristan was thrilled.

Wina led him upstairs, while Gara went down to the basement to fetch something.

When Gara returned to the second floor, he found Tristan sitting on the carpet, holding baby Aldwin in his arms.

The old man was rubbing his bearded cheek against the baby’s head.

Fortunately, Aldwin only giggled instead of crying.

A faint smile crept onto Gara’s face. For a brief moment, he saw what a family should look like.

"Uncle," Gara called out, holding up a small box in his hand.

"What’s that?" Tristan asked as he approached, still carrying Aldwin.

He actually wanted to hold Ava and Arion too, but those two refused to be held by strangers.

"An enhance crystal. For you," Gara said.

Tristan didn’t look surprised. He probably already owned one or two of those crystals.

"You have to use it yourself. No one else," Gara said firmly.

"I’m too old for that, Gara," Tristan replied with a faint chuckle. No wonder he hadn’t reacted much, he never planned on using it.

Gara frowned. "Uncle, use it. Now."

"Using an enhance crystal isn’t something you just do on a whim, Gara. It needs preparation—the backlash can be severe—"

"I have a friend at the academy who can detect compatibility between crystals and elements," Gara interrupted quickly, lying without hesitation.

"This one’s compatible with earth-type users, Uncle."

"Really?" Tristan asked, looking both anxious and hopeful.

"Try it," Gara urged.

Tristan nodded and went to use an unoccupied room on the first floor to activate the enhance crystal.

...

Gara stepped out of his space for a moment to see Madha’s brothers off at the teleportation hall.

"Gara, once again—thank you. Because of you, the farmers in Suruta Village and the nearby areas, including ours, are earning so much more now," said Seno, Madha’s older brother, sincerely.

"That’s not because of me," Gara replied modestly. "The villagers worked hard planting those herbal crops. They’re simply getting what they deserve."

As the demand for Alrova’s products kept rising, so did the need for quality ingredients.

To maintain their standards, the Alrova House partnered with several herbal farming villages around Falopo Town, making them their main suppliers.

On the condition that Alrova would oversee the quality of their herbs.

Thanks to that high standard, the buying price was higher than average. The villagers’ income skyrocketed ever since the partnership began.

Gara didn’t know it, but almost everyone in Falopo Town now worshiped his name.

"Brother Gara, you have to visit Falopo Town again, okay?" Wasa said excitedly, clearly hoping Gara would come home soon.

Gara only nodded, though he had no idea when he’d actually be able to return to that small town.

After sending Madha’s siblings off, they went back to the Alrova Shop—specifically to the third floor—so they could re-enter Gara’s dimensional space.

Madha continued his training while Gara decided to take a break.

To be honest, his mind was still occupied with Tristan’s earlier offer.

"Should I really reveal my identity?" he murmured, staring at the blue sky through his window.

The more he stayed still, the heavier his thoughts became.

So, after making sure his three children were sound asleep, Gara left his room and wandered aimlessly through the house.

Then he heard something from the kitchen.

Inside, Wina was making dough. But she seemed lost in thought, her bowl already half full of flour.

"Mom," Gara called, quickly grabbing the bag of flour before the entire floor turned white. "Are you okay?"

Wina blinked, startled, realizing she had zoned out. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"You’re thinking about what I said earlier... about the triplets’ father, aren’t you?" Gara asked softly.

"Sorry," Wina said first, with a faint smile. "I know you don’t want to acknowledge the triplets’ father, but I can’t help thinking about it."

"I should be the one apologizing—for not being honest from the start," Gara said. "But, Mom, even without him, I can protect the triplets."

"I know you can," Wina replied gently. "But I’ve been thinking about your future, Gara. Not just about having a partner—but about your freedom."

She sighed. "I’ve met your business partners, your friends from the academy... I just want you to have the chance to focus on yourself again."

She looked at him with quiet resolve.

"That’s why, to me, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if you told the triplets’ father about them. So the two of you can raise and protect them."

...