A Farewell Feast and Lingering Shadows

Consequently, a contingent was set to depart at dawn the following day.

That evening, the village hosted a long-awaited feast, a celebratory send-off for these heroes, and Eric and his companions found no reason to decline the revelry.

“Indeed, good things truly come to those who safeguard this village!”

Eric declared, draining a gulp of wine before leaning towards the Village Chief beside him.

“We’ll be departing soon.

We’ve certainly caused quite a bit of trouble over these past years.”

“Nonsense, as I’ve always said, everyone in this village knows who is trustworthy and who is not.”

The Village Chief clinked his cup against Eric’s.

“Should you ever tire and wish to return, you’ll always be welcome.”

“By then, you’ll likely be resting peacefully in your grave.”

“Then my son will come to greet you.”

The Village Chief added, “He’ll even recount your legends to my grandchildren.”

“…There’s no need for that.

Legends passed down through generations inevitably change in the telling.

Besides, that good-for-nothing (TL Note: “Guasong” is a colloquial term, often used to describe someone useless, foolish, or a ‘good-for-nothing’.) son of yours, do you truly believe he’ll find a girlfriend and carry on your lineage? Honestly.”

“You’re only saying such things to avoid getting off that wine stand tonight.”

“Heh heh…”

The older men drank, reminiscing about their passionate youths, while girls in their dresses swayed into dance.

Though the village had only been tidied that morning, now bonfires blazed, with people dancing around the colossal flames, celebrating their victory, and simultaneously offering prayers and well wishes for those who could no longer partake.

“…Many lives were lost during this incident.”

Anto remarked from the side of the bonfire, “Yet, precisely because of that, a celebration is all the more necessary.

People need festivities to forget their sorrow and fear.”

“Aren’t you going to join them?”

Ilivy asked from beside him.

Anto pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

“I’ll wait a bit.

Let me give her a little more time.

She might still be struggling to accept it right now, but that is the reality.”

“In the end… she recognized me.”

Anto whispered, “Can light truly bring them happiness?

When the priest departed, I also used Holy Light, and he said it would guide him toward the ascending steps.

But I honestly don’t know where he’s going.

Will it truly be a land of lush pastures and abundant water, as the books claim?

Can I simply believe it because it’s written?”

“I guide their souls away, yet I know not where they ultimately go.

Only by choosing to believe in this book can I find a reason for peace of mind.”

Anto offered a somewhat self-deprecating smile.

Ilivy offered no reply, and Anto rose, book in hand.

“Yet, what must be done remains unchanged.

I still have to make an appearance later tonight.

How ironic.

When my mother passed, a celebration awaited me in the village.

When Hillevi left, the village still had a celebration.”

“If you told them your thoughts, they wouldn’t disagree.”

“That would be quite a downer.”

Anto said then, “…When people are happy, nothing should be allowed to dampen their spirits.

The festival must go on.

Anyway, Knight, did you not bring any civilian clothes?

This armor…”

“I came here with a mission, so I remain armed at all times.”

Ilivy replied, “Only then can your safety be best ensured, my Lord.”

“I told you not to use titles like ‘my Lord’ or ‘Holy Child’.

I have a name; I am Anto.

You can simply call me that.”

Anto said, looking at her, “Just call me that.

Can you?”

“If that is your command.”

Ilivy said, bowing, “As you wish, Anto.”

“Ah… alright, let’s go join them now.

I’ve already guessed what state Eric will be in when he gets drunk.

He’s probably already been drunk under the table, heh heh.”

Meanwhile, amidst the warriors, the two Transmigrators from the Council were also reveling in the festivities.

Confronted with the array of food, Mula ate with gusto.

“Wow, Senior, Senior!

I never imagined the roasted beast meat from the borderlands would be so succulent and rich with sauce!

It turns out the boss truly held back before, sigh, making my impression of the borderlands unnecessarily poor! Honestly!”

“Slow down, no one’s going to snatch it from you.”

Tikka couldn’t help but remark from beside her, “While I know you were exhausted all day yesterday, we are, after all, adventurers from the Council.

We need to maintain a decent image.

Let’s not give the villagers the impression that we’re insatiable gluttons who would enter every home and demand their wealth, alright?”

“There was a time, it seems, when that was indeed the case, when adventurers were permitted to plunder homes…”

“That was something that happened in an unmentionable era of the past; it’s no longer allowed.

Moreover, we, who protected the city, are now heroes.”

Tikka said after taking a bite from his bowl, “There are many things a hero cannot do.”

“Ah, that’s merely taking on more responsibility yourself, but… it’s also understandable.”

As Mula spoke, a little girl suddenly approached, offering her a bouquet of flowers.

“Mama said that Big Sister saved my Papa.”

The little girl whispered there, “Thank you, Big Sister from the Council.”

“…Oh, I see.

Well… it wasn’t really ‘saving,’ just doing what was expected of me…”

Mula suddenly seemed flustered in front of the little girl, a panic that Tikka, standing beside her, observed clearly.

After the girl departed, Mula glared at the grinning Tikka and snapped, “What are you laughing at?

Why are you making that face?

Be careful, or I’ll hit you.”

“Nothing, nothing at all.”

Tikka waved his hand as if nothing were amiss.

“It’s just that, while your personality might be a bit… challenging, being contradictory isn’t always a bad thing, is it?

You never actually abandoned us and fled, even though you truly had the chance.”

“I’m quite curious now as to how little you think of me.

While my personality might not be as good as you imagine, there are many things I wouldn’t do, and abandoning my own people is certainly one of them.”

Mula declared then, “Besides, if I did something like that, others would look down on me, regardless of the reason.

And this time, meeting that boy was truly an unexpected delight.

I’m a little intrigued by this child.

Don’t you think this journey would be quite interesting if we were to undertake it?”

“Interesting, yes, but danger is the primary concern for this journey.”

Tikka said at that moment, “Facing fragmented sects and other powers, it will be incredibly difficult to protect him with just us.

Yet, for now, this is all we can do.

This journey might be a legend, or it might be a tragedy.

But regardless, we live in the present, we enjoy the present.

So let’s fully experience this feast, treating it as if it were our last.”