Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points!-Chapter 101: The Calm Before The Storm

Arvel cleared his throat again, adjusting his monocle, "Actually, Your Majesty, there’s something else you should know. Lady Sephira has decided to arranged a banquet to be thrown at the castle."

Arkanos raised an eyebrow.

"She invited the nobles to celebrate the the completion of the tracks as well as the launch of the train," Arvel said, adjusting his monocle again. "She seems quite eager to mark the occasion with a proper gathering."

Arkanos considered it for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Very well. I’ll attend."

Arvel smiled, relieved. "I’ll make sure everything is in order."

Arkanos gave him a curt nod as they continued walking. "See to it, then."

....

Arkanos arrived at the location Arvel had mentioned for the new guild, a cleared area near the outskirts of the city.

The area was already surrounded by construction materials and scattered remnants of earlier building projects.

The terrain was flat, and the ground was solid—perfect for a new structure.

He looked around, taking in the surroundings. It wasn’t the most impressive location by itself, but with the right vision, it would serve its purpose well.

"System... I want to erect an advanced guild building."

〘 ⋄ Construct Advanced Guild building 120 Upgrade points ⋄ 〙

"Proceed."

The moment the command left his mouth, a green hue enveloped the area.

The ground trembled slightly, and a low hum filled the air. Stone, metal, and wood seemed to materialize out of nowhere, snapping together in perfectly.

The walls rose up, and windows were cut into place. A grand building of towering stone and fine woodwork began to form, with arches and grand doors.

Arkanos stood silently, arms crossed, watching as the guild structure came to life before his eyes.

Within minutes, it was done, complete with the impiral flag, etched into the stonework, signifying it belonged to the empire . He nodded to himself.

"Alright."

"It’s time to attend this royal banquet."

As he turned toward the city, he checked the system’s timer at the corner of his vision.

The screen in his mind blinked, showing the countdown:

〘 ⋄ 48hrs ⋄ 〙

Only two days remained before the armies led by the rebels would arrive at the capital.

"The calm before the storm."

"I believe these are often moments people tend to treasure..."

He smiled wryly, his expression a bit excited.

"While I can’t help but tremble with anticipation."

The excitement could almost be felt in his voice as he walked toward his waiting horse.

...

Nightfall soon descended, the cool air filling the streets as the stars began to appear. It was time for the her vest festival, a time of celebration, a time to put the weight of war aside, even if only temporarily.

Meanwhile, deep in the kitchens of the castle, the sounds of preparation echoed off the stone walls.

The chefs and maids were astonished by the array of dishes they had been asked to prepare.

This was no ordinary meal—they were to present the finest meals ever seen in the castle.

But what was even more shocking was that...

Empress Illena had worked tirelessly alongside them.

And the results were nothing short of extraordinary.

Selvia, her head maid, looked at the work laid out before her in awe.

"I don’t believe my eyes," she said, almost breathlessly.

"You have truly outdone yourself my lady. Look at this spread! Roasted boar glazed in honey, delicate pies stuffed with mushrooms and herbs, and the fruit tarts are—absolutely perfect!"

A maid next to her gawked at the feast.

"Look at the candied vegetables! They shine like jewels. And the apple cider... it’s nothing short of ambrosial."

Selvia turned to Empress Illena, who stood at the center of the room, beaming with pride, her cheat puffed out, with a almost cat like smug look on her face as she faced upward, eyes closed.

The woman had grown in confidence and skill, and her presence now filled the room with a warmth that went beyond just her royal status.

It was her love for the work that showed—how much she had poured herself into the process.

"Your Majesty," Selvia said with a nod, "this is—remarkable. You have become a master in the kitchen... Honestly this level of skill in such a short time is honestly terrifying."

Illena blushed slightly whipping her hair at the compliment. "Thank you, Selvia, it’s all thanks to tye power of love," she said, her eyes shining.

"I’ve been giving it my all. It’s something I want to do for him. I can’t wait to feed my emperor tonight."

The maids murmured their agreement, some in awe of Illena’s transformation.

"Her cooking has improved so much in such a short time," one of them whispered to another.

"It’s like she’s become a whole new person."

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The room filled with murmurs of approval, the excitement in the air could be felt by everyone present. Illena had come far from the disaster in the kitchen she had been when she first got here, from outright burning Brad to ash to cooking dishes that were outright poisonous... Yes a few unfortunate tasters were sacrificed in the process... Their tongues at least.

Her skill now was nothing short of impressive.

"I just hope he enjoys it," Illena said again softly, her fingers running over the edge of a delicate stake she had cooked herself.

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"I want him to know how much I care."

Selvia smiled warmly. "He will, Your Majesty. He will."

...

As night settled over the city, the streets came alive with lanterns flickering in the cool night air. The harvest festival was in full swing, the market square filled with laughter, music, and the smells of food drifting through the air.

The people of the city—dressed in festive clothes—milled around in joyous celebration.

The sounds of jovial conversations filled the air as families gathered together. Children ran between stalls, some playing games, others eating sweets.

The entire city had come alive, filled with warmth and cheer in very different when compared to the looming threat on the horizon.

Garik, a stout man with calloused hands, walked through the streets with his young son, Leandor, perched happily on his shoulders.

His wife, Matilda, walked beside him, her smile bright as she adjusted the little scarf around her son’s neck.

"This is perfect, isn’t it?" Matilda said. "Just like when we were young."

Garik nodded, glancing at the lanterns. "Aye, it’s a festival. Let’s cherish it."

Leandor looked at his father, eyes wide with excitement. "Look, Father! They have candy apples!" He pointed to a stall.

Garik chuckled, setting him down on the ground. "Go on, then. But don’t make a mess."

Leandor’s feet padded quickly toward the stall, his laughter echoing behind him.

Meanwhile, Sylvana, was organizing a cooking contest among the townsfolk.

Tables were lined up, filled with sizzling food, as she coordinated a group of enthusiastic participants. Nearby, another group of adventurers was setting up for an eating competition, all had this equally excited and ready look on their faces.

"You all better be ready!" Sylvana shouted. "The first to finish their dish gets a special prize!" She held up a golden token, her eyes glinting mischievously. "So no slacking off! I want to see some real competition!"

Laughter erupted as the participants lined up, eager to show off their skills and appetites.

The atmosphere was one of pure joy, a temporary escape from the tensions looming over the city.

....

Back at the castle, the first of the noble carriages began to arrive, their wheels creaking on the cobblestone streets. Outside the grand gates, knights stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the light of the lanterns. The nobles’ carriages were draped in fine fabrics, signalling the importance of those inside.

Lionel, the young knight, stood nervously at his post. "This is my first time standing guard like this," he admitted to Darian. "What if I mess up?"

Darian shot him an easy grin. "You’ll get used to it. Trust me. Ever since the numbers dropped, we’ve all been taking on a lot more jobs. There’s no room for nerves now."

Lionel nodded, still fidgeting. "I hope you’re right."

"You’ll be fine," Darian reassured him, clapping him on the back. "Just stand tall, look sharp, and remember: this is a banquet, not a battlefield. The nobles don’t bite... At least most of them don’t."

Lionel chuckled nervously, watching as the carriages continued to roll in. The nobles were arriving. The grand hall would soon be filled with the most powerful and influential people in the capital, all gathered to celebrate the successful launch of the train.

As the night came upon them, the streets outside the castle were filled with excitement, while inside, the banquet preparations continued at full speed.

The harvest festival raged on in the city, but the true focus was on the upcoming feast—a night of celebration, of unity, and of the emperor’s success.

It was a truly beautiful sight.