The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Chapter 860: Dream Greatly

"Thank you for joining us today for our demonstration. Like my young companion, I am surprised by how many of you have shown interest in this experiment. Truly, I expected to be the only one out here to witness this enormous, groundbreaking accomplishment!"

Mister Blim paused, and Noble took the moment to slip into her seat. The family shifted down on the bench to allow room for Teddy to join them.

Blaze was out of his suit now and standing by his sponsor. The young man had also expressed his surprise that his little demonstration had grown so large. What had been a high-pressure situation to begin with was now nearly unbearable.

"If they wanted to come, it means they have faith in the project," Blaze had reminded his family that morning.

Noble had faith as well, and thankfully, now that her younger son regained his calm, he showed no signs of losing it.

The emotional mother prepared some calm to send him just in case.

Mister Blim continued, "I would like to give a special welcome to the contingent from the government and also Lady Eunbin from the Song Clan, who is here representing her mother."

"Lady Eunbin?" The whispers rumbled through the stands as everyone glanced at their neighbor.

Three cloaked figures stood up from the back row. The center one pulled back her hood, and the woman with a single scar across her face smiled alluringly.

'Beastmaster! When did she arrive?!' Noble flicked her eyes to her husband, but he had hardly glanced back to see the commotion.

Her heart quieted a little. Beastmaster's Aspect was persuasive, but Fort wasn't even interested in gazing upon the woman at all. He only had eyes for one Saint, and she was sitting next to him.

The figures on either side of the Princess of Song had no emotional signature.

'They must be pilgrims.'

Most people believed the Ki Song perceived the world through her puppets. Having the pilgrims there was almost like having the Sovereign here herself.

'The Queen seems to have taken a personal interest.'

How had she even found out about it?

Beastmaster raised her hand to address the crowd. "I had not planned to announce my presence, but on behalf of my mother, I thank those here for their interest in modernizing Ravenheart. With all of you, I know we can have a bright future."

The crowd clapped as Lady Eunbin took her seat. She pulled her hood over her head to obscure her face. The pilgrim to her left leaned over and whispered something inaudible to even Noble. Beastmaster tilted her head up but did not respond.

The host bowed to his royal guest. "And now, I would like to introduce you to the young man who has brought us here. He approached me while waiting tables, claiming he could bring electricity to the realm. He sounded a tad ambitious, to say the least. I am a businessman and a realist, but something in me told me to take a chance. Hard work, innovation, and more than a little perspiration have brought us here today. So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I present Blaze."

The blonde boy stepped forward and bowed his head slightly. The crowd cheered.

Mister Blim patted the young man on the back. "Tell us, young Blaze, what should we expect if everything goes right?"

The inventor looked out at the crowd with a smile. "We are working on producing geothermal power. So that water over there will be turned to steam, and my machine will harness that power, funnel it through magical means, and light that bulb placed there at the top."

"So your light bulb moment will be the result of an actual light bulb. I love it!" The sponsor led those in the stands in a peppering of laughter.

"Well then, I will leave you to it!"

Mister Blim backed away quickly, taking a spot next to the bandstand. He had to be very tired from moving around due to his girth, but it seemed he was too nervous to do anything but stand and fight the urge to pace.

Noble could understand why. A small demonstration with just himself and Blaze would have been a big deal for the boy, but little more than a daily business meeting for his sponsor. Now, with all the extra eyes watching the show, the man's reputation was in many ways on the line.

If he had backed a kid and it all turned out to be a waste of time, the businessman would be a laughingstock. Why had he opened his big mouth to say he had potentially found the next big thing?!

If Noble had known the man's thoughts, she would have assured him that the government would have found out either way. Both Fort and Noble had used government resources when communicating with Beth and gathering supplies. So this level of attention might have been inevitable.

However the crowd had gathered, all eyes were now on the Blaze.

That much attention might have crushed a more timid teen, but Blaze was so relieved that the moment had come that he didn't seem to notice.

He straightened his back and addressed the crowd.

"If you all wouldn't mind putting on protective eyewear."

If the glass broke, the young man didn't want anyone to lose an eye.

The onlookers complied, with extra pairs being passed around to those who had not come prepared. Satisfied, Blaze continued.

"Load the water!"

At the instruction, men in heat suits approached the machine and carefully loaded the barrels of water. Blaze had modified the cistern slightly so that it could hold more liquid and changed the release valve so it would not get stuck.

Soon, the machine was loaded, and the top of the container was sealed shut. The cord attached to the valve was brought to Blaze, who held the alloy rope tightly in both fists.

"Clear!"

The men closest to the contraption checked the area for any anomalies or potential problems. Finding none, they backed away and gave the sign for the all clear.

Noble's nervous energy was barely being contained. The suspense was killing her. She gripped her husband's hand. He patted it lightly.

Noble could feel his anxiousness, too, but his gentle touch still managed to soothe her soul.

On the other side of her, Brock bounced his knee up and down, and Rain pressed her palms together. Even Teddy had momentarily pulled her gaze away from the volcano to watch the countdown.

Blaze ran one hand along the cord to make sure it was taut.

He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, they were clear and full of determination.

Blaze looked at his sponsor, who nodded and waved his thumb in the air a little too enthusiastically.

A small smile came onto the boy's face. The world around him faded. This was the moment he had waited for since the idea entered his head that he might be able to overcome the magical interference of the Realm.

Whether he succeeded or failed, he had dared to dream greatly, and he could hold his head high. With a nod, he secured the cord in his palms.

"Countdown ready. Three. Two. One. Now!"