Compared to the other booths, Jaden's was pretty unique, both look and activity-wise. When it came to looks, he was the only booth with a dedicated wool roof, propped up by wooden posts. It was reminiscent of a roofed merchant shop opened in the busy roads of a kingdom.

On the booth counter itself, an array of colorful objects were displayed in a chaotic but fascinating manner. Trinkets, books, fabrics, and oddities from places Dama could only dream of were scattered on the tables, each one telling a story of far-off lands. Behind the counter were many more objects of unknown use and origin. Finishing the look, a large sign above read "The World Beyond Enohay Valley!"

But something was off—Jaden was no where to be found...

"Mr. Jaden...?" One kid said as the group made it to Jaden's booth. Right after, whispers of doubt and confusion from the children filled the air as Dama and Caera exchanged puzzled glances.

Both of them furrowed their brows, as they knew Jaden wasn't the type to miss an opportunity to show off. Just then, a sudden rapid tapping echoed from behind the booth. The sharp, rhythmic beats were fast and precise, making the kids jump in surprise.

Brrr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

The drumming grew louder and faster, filling the air with an exciting energy. The children focused on the origin of the sound—behind the booth—their eyes wide with curiosity.

Then, with a dramatic leap, Jaden shot up from behind the booth, a wild grin on his face and in his usual merchant garb. Though, his hat was missing, letting his messy black hair hang loose. Hanging from his neck were two decorated drums, each strapped to his chest. In his hands were two slender drumsticks, which he twirled effortlessly before bringing them down in one final 'BAM BAM'!

"Welcome, travelers of Enohay!" Jaden declared, striking a theatrical pose. "Any thoughts on my drumroll for my grand entrance?"

The children erupted into laughter, their initial confusion turning into excitement.

One of the younger boys pointed at Jaden's chest. "Hey! That's like the thing from big sister Mary's booth, but bigger!"

"You're right!" A girl said as she pumped her arms in the air in recognition.

Another child raised her hand. "What's a drumroll?"

Jaden gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "I am so glad you asked!" He gave his drums another rapid beat. Brrrrrr-tatatatatata! "A drumroll is a fast, continuous beat played on drums to build excitement before something amazing happens—like a big reveal, an important announcement, or, in my case, a very stylish entrance!"

He rested his drumsticks on the edge of the drums and smirked. "I actually learned about drumrolls in a village far from here, in a place called Havari. They love music there. In fact, they say that if you want to be a good storyteller, you have to know how to play an instrument. I met a musician who taught me how to do this drumroll technique, and I picked up these beauties from him!" He patted the drums proudly.

Caera crossed her arms, intrigued. "So, your travels outside Enohay are how you got all of this stuff, huh?"

Jaden nodded. "Exactly! And today, kids, I'm going to show you some of the wonders I've brought back from my adventures! Step closer and feast your eyes on objects from beyond the valley that I've collected! Let's take a little trip around Eranovum, shall we?"

With that, he removed the drums from his neck, set them aside, and spread his arms wide, presenting his collection of exotic items. The children eagerly leaned forward, their curiosity now fully hooked.

Be it mysterious bottled potions, unfamiliar books, foreign gadgets—for every question the children asked, Jaden had an accompanying answer that only fueled the group's curiosity more.

Eventually, Dama stepped forward, catching Jaden's eye. "Hey, Dama! You came to check out the booth?" He said as he leaned on his booth counter. "You know, both Mary and Moa came by earlier, I was wondering when you'd show up!"

Dama nodded. "Yep! All of this stuff looks super cool! Just makes me wonder where you even got all this stuff?"

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Jaden laughed, brushing his hand through his hair. "Oh, you know, just a bit of trading, a lot of travel, and a healthy amount of bartering. But if these little beauties caught your eye, then you're gonna be BLOWN away when you see what I have for today's special attraction!

Jaden then clapped his hands to gather the group's attention. "Alright my little adventurers, gather 'round! It's time for you guys to get a taste of the really exciting things out there in the world!"

As the kids huddled over to Jaden, their excitement was palpable. Some of them began propping themselves higher by using the shoulders of others, something Caera came and stopped. Chuckling at the scene, Jaden continued whilst spreading out his arms. "Let me show you a few things from the four kingdoms of Eranovum: Reaon, Poulm, Regalia, and Jufuris!"

"First up," he said, picking up a sleek wristwatch from Reaon, "we've got a piece of technology from the Reaon Kingdom. This little beauty here is a mechanical wristwatch. It's like a portable and also stylish clock! It keeps track of time down to the second! People in Reaon are all about precision after all." He passed the watch around, and the kids marveled at the strange gadget as he continued explaining. "It tells the time without needing to be wound by hand every day, unlike the clocks here. It's a modern marvel!"

As the kids passed the watch around, they were fascinated by its smooth, metallic surface and tiny gears that could be seen moving through a glass window. Dama turned it over in his hands when it got to him, studying how something so small could hold so much complexity. "Man, I don't think even Mary or Mr. Koul could make something like this...!"

Jaden smiled. "Reaon is the most advanced kingdom when it comes to technology—at least, from what the public can see. Their scholars and craftsmen dedicate themselves to innovation, whether it's in clockwork mechanisms, medicine, or even new forms of transport. Some say their capital city is filled with wonders no other kingdom could dream of. Of course," he added with a knowing smirk, "they like to keep a few secrets to themselves."

Jaden watched the kids' reactions, clearly pleased. "See? There's a whole world out there, and we've only just begun to scratch the surface!"

"Next," Jaden announced as he reached into his bag, "we've got two very different statues!" He held up a small, finely carved figure of a handsome man, his features chiseled with precision, his stance regal and proud. The stone was smooth, the details immaculate—clearly the work of a skilled craftsman.

Then, with a grin, Jaden raised the second figure. Unlike the first, this one was crude and strange, its twisted form seeming almost unnatural. Its limbs were uneven, its face an abstract swirl of lines and shapes, as if the artist had abandoned symmetry altogether.

"Now, I know what you're thinking," Jaden said, glancing at the children's puzzled expressions. "One looks elegant, noble—something you'd expect in a palace. The other? Looks like something you'd throw away, right?" He turned the abstract figure over in his hand, letting the light catch its odd, uneven angles.

"But here's the thing—both of these are important. The first represents beauty, strength, and the ideals of the people who made it. The second? It's a piece of pure expression. It might not look 'nice' to you, but it carries meaning. To some, it might represent emotion, chaos, or even a deeper truth beyond what we see on the surface."

Dama studied both figures, his gaze lingering on the abstract one. It was strange, yes—but the longer he looked, the more he saw in its odd curves and distortions.

Jaden smiled. "Art isn't always about looking pretty. Sometimes, it's about feeling something. You can't judge something just because it doesn't fit what you expect. Both of these tell a story—just in different ways. That's the magic of Poulm, the youngest of the four kingdoms. While the others have centuries of tradition behind them, Poulm is still shaping its identity. It's a place where creativity thrives, where artists, musicians, and sculptors push boundaries. It's said that one day, Poulm will usher in a new era of art and culture!"

"Now," Jaden said with a grin, "this one is my favorite." He held up a sword, its blade shining with an eerie glow. "A knight's sword from the Regalia Kingdom. It's not just any sword—it's made with special metals from Regalia's mines. The knights there are legendary for their skill, and this sword has seen many battles. It's so well balanced, it practically feels like an extension of your arm when you hold it."

A Dama in awe reached out to touch the hilt, feeling the weight of the sword in his hand. "Woah…" He said in unison with the group of children, this being the first time they even saw a sword in person. The craftsmanship was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was no wonder Regalia was known for its legendary warriors.

Jaden's expression turned serious. "Regalia is the mightiest military force in Eranovum. Its leader, Emperor Kaiser—better known as 'The Conqueror' outside Regalia—is the main reason. Emperor Kaiser is also known as the 'strongest man alive' and is said to not even be human! Did you know there used to be six kingdoms in total and that Regalia used to have two neighboring kingdoms?"

"What!?" Almost every child gasped in unison, with even Dama and Caera getting closer, intrigued by the news that no one in Enohay ever knew.

Jaden crossed his arms, knowing what he had to say next was going to blow their minds. "Well, get this: when Emperor Kaiser was crowned, he set out on a mission to unite all the kingdoms in Eranovum due to a 'prophecy' detailing humanity's 'darkest day', ooooooohhhhh." Jaden said with a chilling tone, wiggling his fingers before continuing. "The first kingdom he approached joined him willingly, but the second resisted. In the end though, they fell, and now only four kingdoms remain. Reaon and Poulm have signed peace treaties with Regalia in fear, but for the last kingdom...well it's a different story. Speaking of which!"

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Next: (Extra Chapter 30) Jaden's Booth and the Four Kingdoms: Part 2

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