Chapter 21 Title: "Statue Size Does Matter (Sorry, Bob)"
Bom's POV
The dinner that night was legendary. The table was so long I thought we needed a map to find the salt. Every kind of chicken was there—breast, wings, thighs, fried, grilled, spiced, dipped in honey, even something called "chicken dessert." I didn't ask. I just ate.
By the end, we weren't full. We were foul. Pun very much intended.
As I leaned back, patting my satisfied stomach and wiping imaginary tears of joy from my eyes, Zera's knight showed up again.
"The artist is ready to meet you," he said. "Sir Bom, Sir Clavis, and… uh…"
"Bob!" Bob shouted from under the table, mouth still half full of drumstick. "It's Bob!"
We followed him to the artist's room. A hall of statues, paintings, and busts—all screaming one thing: Please admire me. I related deeply.
The artist stood waiting, a thin man with white gloves and nervous energy.
"Welcome," he said. "I'm Xeno. I just need to sketch your likenesses to start the statues."
I stepped forward first, of course.
"Ready when you are," I said, striking my signature pose—one finger under the chin, head tilted just right, lips curled into that devastating smile.
Xeno's face turned red. "You could be a model," he whispered.
"Don't tempt me," I replied.
Clavis went next. Cold. Stoic. Intense. He gave off the vibe of a knight who's been through three wars, five heartbreaks, and a mountain of emotional repression. Still—not bad. Not Bom level, but not bad.
Then Bob stepped up. Blond. Short. (Shorter than Faye. I will die on this hill.) His only strong feature? Big blue eyes.
"I'm ready!" he said.
Xeno blinked. "...Right."
Hours passed. Finally, Zera's knight rushed in. "The statues are finished! They're being unveiled outside the castle!"
Bob sprinted out the door like it was a sale on free food. Clavis and I followed.
There they were—three statues.
Mine: Tall. Stunning. Glorious. The jawline? Perfect. The pose? Iconic. I winked at myself.
Next to me, Clavis: noble, silent, powerful. A little shorter than me, but still worthy of applause.
And then...
A tiny. Child-sized. Marble. Bob.
I stared. Clavis stared. Bob screamed.
"WHAT IS THIS?! Why do I look like I'm made for someone's desk?! Why am I FUNKO SIZED?!"
Clavis rubbed his chin. "Honestly, Bob's short, but this is a little disrespectful."
I was already laughing. So was Clavis. For once, the ice knight cracked.
Xeno the artist arrived, looking mildly guilty. "I… ran out of marble."
"YOU RAN OUT OF MARBLE ON ME?!" Bob wailed.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't plan for the ears."
Cause yeah his statue didn't have ears too ...
We were crying from laughter. Bob was crying from injustice.
Then came the rest of the gang—Regis, Faye, Hector, and Queen Zera, now awake and radiant as ever. She approached slowly, her gown flowing like a breeze.
"The statues are lovely, Xeno," she said, smiling. Then she paused at Bob's.
"…Who's the child?"
Faye giggled behind her hand. "That's Bob, Your Highness."
Zera laughed gently. "Oh. Apologies."
Bob nearly imploded.
I bowed dramatically. "I'm glad to see you well, Queen Zera."
" Thanks bom " Zera said then she stepped toward Clavis. "Clavis, right?"
His soul visibly left his body.
"I heard you offered your life to save me," she said, touching his hand.
Clavis turned redder than my thunder.
Bob cleared his throat loudly. "And me?"
Zera smiled politely. "Yes, Bob. Thank you too."
Regis stepped forward, tone shifting. "Now that Zera is safe… it's time we move forward."
Zera's face dimmed. "You're going to Klapitia next, aren't you?"
Regis nodded.
She hesitated. "Be careful. Klapitia isn't like here… It's colder. Harsher. Not everyone there will welcome you."
Regis gave her a small, grateful smile. "I will. We'll all be careful."
And with that, we boarded the carriage again. Zera waved goodbye as our horses pulled us away. The city of Zarethune slowly disappeared behind us. Ahead… a colder, unknown land.
And one thing was certain.
With this crew?
The chaos was just getting started.