Devta Bhakta System : Rise of the Protector
Chapter 15 : "A Feast of Smiles… and Silent Calculations"
Saira took Suraj's hand and, without a single backward glance, led him toward her private sanctum. This grip wasn't a mere gesture; it was a silent covenant—a declaration that from this moment on, their paths were no longer separate. Behind them, Saira's parents moved toward the main hall in solemn silence. Commands were to be issued. Invitations were to be sent. The very foundations of the city needed to know: tonight, the balance of power would shift.
This banquet was not just a celebration. it was a warning. A signal to the entire city.
Upstairs, Saira's room was strikingly simple. No unnecessary opulence, no hollow showmanship.
"This is my room," Saira said, taking a deep breath. "In here, I am not the cunning auctioneer the world knows. Here... I am simply me."
Suraj scanned the room, a faint, serene smile gracing his lips. Below, the energy in the hall was already reaching a fever pitch. News of the Darban family's sudden engagement spread like wildfire through the city's veins. Hearts shattered, voices fell silent, and in the shadows, the seeds of envy began to sprout.
In the quiet of the room, Suraj sat at the edge of the bed and gently pulled Saira toward him.
"You are breathtakingly beautiful," he said, his voice a low, tender caress.
Saira flushed, a radiant warmth spreading across her cheeks as a shy smile played on her lips. "You are a rogue," she laughed softly, yet made no effort to move away from his embrace. Suraj gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I love you," he whispered near her ear. Saira didn't speak; she simply closed her eyes and held him as if he were her entire world.
A soft knock interrupted the moment. "Get ready," Saira's mother's poised voice drifted through the door. "Everyone is waiting below."
They rose together. Saira pulled a deep, crimson-red gown from her wardrobe. "How does this look?" she asked.
"Perfect," Suraj replied, his eyes locked onto hers. Saira smiled and disappeared into the dressing room.
Now, it was Suraj's turn. He stood before the floor-length mirror and closed his eyes, summoning the System's 'Attire Section.' Thousands of options flickered before him—royal robes embroidered with gold, armor studded with celestial gems. But Suraj sought impact, not vanity. He selected a White Silk Sherwani, woven with silver threads so fine they were invisible until the light caught them, making him shimmer like a phantom.
When he looked at his reflection, the transformation was lethal. His flawless, radiant face, his sharp jawline, and the profound depth in his calm eyes held a magnetism that could force anyone to bow. He looked like an ancient deity who had deigned to walk among mortals. Simple. Silent. Terrifyingly attractive.
The dressing room door opened, and Saira stepped out. Suraj was momentarily breathless. The crimson gown clung to her curves like flickering flames. Her fair skin against the red fabric created a mesmerizing contrast. She had styled her hair in a loose bun, accentuating the elegant curve of her neck.
Saira looked at Suraj and froze. "You..." her words caught in her throat. "You truly look like a prince."
As they stepped out, Saira's mother was waiting. She looked at the couple—the perfect union of ivory and crimson—and for a moment, even her discerning eyes widened. This wasn't just an engagement; it was the dawn of an empire. Proudly, she led them toward the grand staircase.
The main hall below was packed. Every titan of the city was there—Poison Master Lavanya, the mysterious disciples of the Dance Hall, the heads of the Alchemist Union, and various Hall Masters. Every eye was glued to the staircase.
As Suraj and Saira descended, a heavy, suffocating silence fell over the hall.
"Gods... Saira looks like a celestial goddess tonight," a young cultivator whispered involuntarily.
"And who is that man with her?" a female alchemist asked, narrowing her eyes. "Look at his face... it's flawless. So calm, so magnetic... is this truly the man who caused the uproar at the auction?"
In the corner, a voice dripped with spite: "No one heard a whisper of this, and now Saira is engaged to a stranger?"
Countless gazes tried to pierce through Suraj. But his silent presence, his broad shoulders, and his poised stance suppressed the very 'Qi' of the hall. Saira gently squeezed Suraj's hand. It wasn't out of fear; it was a reminder—You are not alone.
At the podium, Rahul Darban raised his hand. The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Even the wine in the cups stopped rippling.
"Today," he began, his voice steady and resonant, "this gathering is not for a deal. Today, we announce the engagement of our daughter."
The Hall of Elders moved forward. Saira's mother, Rashi Darban, approached with grace. In her hands, resting on silk velvet, were two rings—not merely jewelry, but artifacts glowing with an ancient luster.
Suraj was the first to step forward. His fingers were steady, possessing the iron discipline of a warrior. He slid the ring onto Saira's ring finger. The moment the metal touched her skin, a subtle tremor of electricity raced through her body.
A smile of profound satisfaction appeared on the faces of Rahul and Rashi Darban. The elders of the Darban clan struck their wooden staves against the floor—a traditional sign of blessing and seal of approval. And then... the elders began to clap. Within seconds, the entire hall erupted into a thunderous roar of applause. It wasn't just noise; it was the city's elite acknowledging a new power.
Now, it was Saira's turn. With trembling hands but unshakable faith, she took the ring and slid it onto Suraj's finger. As the ring settled, Suraj turned his hand slightly and interlaced his fingers with Saira's. The grip was so natural, so firm, that Saira felt as though she were standing within the walls of an invincible fortress.
The applause doubled. People stood in respect. Saira looked at Suraj, and amidst the crowd, she felt as if time had stopped. Suraj's flawless face, his steady gaze—he was no longer a stranger. He was hers.
Suraj held her hand firmly, and for the first time in that tense hall, they shared a genuine smile. An elder whispered from the side, "A perfect match."
With the ritual complete, servants arranged three distinct tables. Azure Lotus Wine, Crimson Spirit, and Moonveil Wine were served. Every expert in the room knew: this was not a meal, it was a display of sheer resources.
Then began the procession of gifts.
The elder from the Beast Hall stepped forward, his steps heavy with prestige. He offered a black metal token. "This is a Beast Token. With this, you may claim any beast from our hall."
Suraj took the token and bowed his head slightly in respect.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in Suraj's mind—
[Ding! Beast Token acquired. Do you wish to secure it in the Inventory?]
Suraj gave his silent consent.
The next gift came from the Doctor Hall. Three wooden boxes: 'Blood-Silk Grass,' 'Moonbone Root,' and 'Spirit Dew Orchid.'
As Suraj took the boxes, the voice rang out again—
[Ding! 100,000X Return System activated... Congratulations! 100,000 ultra-rare herbs have been successfully added to the Inventory.]
Inside, mountains of treasure were forming, yet outside, Suraj's face remained a mask of flawless, emotionless calm.
The Formation Master stepped forward. "A Formation Amplifier Disc. it draws the surrounding energy ten times faster."
[Ding! 100,000X Return System activated... 100,000 Formation Discs recorded in Inventory.]
Then, the City Mayor offered a chest filled with Spirit Stones.
[Ding! 100,000X Return... 100,000 chests of Spirit Stones received.]
Finally, the Master of the Painter Hall came forward. He held no physical object, but a glowing seal.
"This morning," the Master announced, his voice booming, "this young man created sixteen 4-Star paintings before the auction. Therefore, the Painter Hall officially declares Suraj a '4-Star Painter'."
Every eye in the hall was fixed on him. What was this boy? A warrior? A musician? A genius painter?
The crowd expected Suraj to greedily hoard these priceless treasures. But instead, Suraj gently pushed all the physical gifts toward Saira.
"For me," he said, his voice so calm it stunned the room into silence, "these have no meaning. If I am to increase my strength, I would rather make my fiancée the strongest woman in this city."
Saira was speechless. Her eyes welled with tears. For the first time, she felt that this man didn't care about the world's riches; he cared only for her.
"What a selfless soul..." someone whispered in awe.
But no one in that hall had the slightest inkling—that the 'selfless' man who had just given everything to his fiancée had silently become the wealthiest and most dangerous man in the city, thanks to the System.
Saira's parents stood by the stage. They saw clearly that this engagement wasn't just a union; it was a line drawn in the sand of the city's history. On one side of that line lay peace. On the other... the preparation for war.
The grand hall was saturated with the intoxicating aroma of 'Azure Lotus Wine,' but Suraj realized that amidst this sea of luxury, there was nothing for his soul. Golden chalices, crystal platters, and the roasted meats of thousand-year-old spirit beasts were spread across the tables—dishes that would make kings weep with desire. Yet, Suraj felt no hunger. He had never been a man of spirits, and tonight, this hollow opulence weighed heavier on his mind than on his stomach.
Suraj cast a glance at Saira. She stood near the podium, draped in her crimson gown, the ring on her finger shimmering—a constant reminder to the world that she now belonged to him.
Taking a slow, steady breath, he turned toward his future father-in-law, Rahul Darban.
"Father-in-law..." Suraj's voice was effortless, yet it pierced through the hall's cacophony like a clear bell.
Rahul Darban stiffened for a heartbeat. It was the first time someone had addressed him with such casual intimacy in front of the city's elite.
"Yes, son?" Rahul replied with a warm, approving smile.
"To be honest... I don't have a taste for these royal delicacies," Suraj said, scanning the room. "I am a simple man. All I desire is some basic bread and vegetables. Would you permit me to use the kitchen?"
For a moment, the entire hall froze. The musicians stopped their strings.
"My son-in-law wants simple food?" Rahul Darban's laughter boomed across the hall. "Today is indeed a glorious day! Servants! Immediately prepare—"
"No, Father-in-law," Suraj interrupted, raising a hand. "If you don't mind, I would like to cook it myself."
The silence deepened, turning into a heavy shroud of disbelief.
"Cooking? This boy is going to cook?" someone sneered from the shadows.
A wave of mockery rippled through the warriors—to them, a powerful cultivator holding a frying pan was an insult to his prestige. But on the other side, the eyes of the young women in the hall sparkled. A man who could dominate the world and yet cook for his woman? It was a fantasy come to life.
Suraj stepped toward Saira and took her hand, leading her to the center of the hall. He leaned in so close that to the onlookers, it looked like a deep embrace. A surge of subterranean envy raced through the crowd.
Suraj rested his hand on Saira's waist and whispered near her ear, "Darling... would you like something to eat?"
Saira's face turned a violent shade of crimson. "Y–You... have you gone mad in front of all these people?" she stammered, giving him a playful, powerless nudge against his chest. But her eyes betrayed her joy. "Whatever you make... I'll eat it. Just make sure it tastes good," she added in a mosquito-thin voice.
Suraj smiled and stepped back. His focus shifted to a world only he could see.
'System Interface, Open,' he commanded mentally.
The glowing blue screen flickered into existence. Suraj clicked on the 'Shop' icon. Everything was exorbitantly priced, and Suraj counted his Devotee Points with calculated precision. He selected the 'Basic Cooking Equipment Pack' for 5 Devotee Points.
[Confirm Purchase?]
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Suraj confirmed three times in his mind.
[Ding! 5 Devotee Points deducted... 100,000x Return System Triggered!]
[Congratulations! You have received: 'Ancient Celestial Cooking Equipment Set']
A mischievous glint appeared in Suraj's eyes. He swept his hand through the air, and suddenly—out of thin air—pots, a stove, a wok, and a knife began to materialize. The crowd gasped, their eyes wide with shock.
"Is that a Space Storage Ring? Or some divine sorcery?"