Chapter 2: Drink Up, Warrior, This Is the Joy You Deserve!
Year 831 of the Falling Stars Era, December 24th, Northern Lands, Moldova Territory, Black Forest Fortress.
The Black Tide had already receded. The frenzied beasts that had gathered together had collapsed into disarray from fighting amongst themselves, leaving the plains before the fortress covered in purple-red frozen blood, staining the once pristine white snowfield into a mess of chaos.
After confirming that the vast majority of the magical beasts had returned deep into the forest, and that the remaining ones had all become corpses, the fortress immediately erupted into heartfelt revelry.
The many days of battle had kept countless warriors' nerves tightly strung. Although they had gotten enough rest in the last few days, their hearts still couldn't relax—but the news that the Black Tide had completely departed finally lifted the last great weight from the people's hearts in the fortress. Instantly, even the ice-covered towers were filled with the atmosphere of laughter.
The snowdrifts piled up by the ice butterflies were quickly cleared away. Red flags symbolizing victory were hung at the door of every household, even those that had lost a father or a son. Though tears glistened in their eyes, they still raised the red flags of victory and revealed smiling faces.
Because praising victory is a tribute to the dead. If the victors cannot rejoice, then what value does sacrifice hold?
So let them praise—even if they laugh through tears, they must declare victory.
The violet-haired Countess Verdani ordered a proclamation to the entire city: she would hold a grand victory banquet in the evening. Anyone could attend, all food would be free, and everyone could drink to their heart's content until the next morning.
The efficiency of a fantasy world was still quite fast. Under the hard work of the Silver Knights and Black Iron Warriors, the central square of the fortress quickly became filled with bonfires and tables. Grills and large barrels of ale were set up to the side. Two banners were erected in the center of the square: one was the [Red Background, Gold-Trimmed Six-Pointed Star] representing the Skarant Family, and the other was the [Black Background, Gold-Trimmed Sword-Wielding Hand] representing the Radcliffe Family.
Time passed quickly, and the preparations became more and more complete. By evening, the white Glowstone Lamps were lit, illuminating the square, while piles of bonfires were also kindled, emitting a red glow. Instantly, the entire center of the fortress was as bright as daylight. Fruits, vegetables, raw meat, and seasonings were all fully prepared. And sitting behind the bonfires were faces—tired yet joyful.
The night was cloudless. The twin moons shone down upon the land. Accompanied by the twinkling stars, the magnificent purple-blue sky canopy was so beautiful. And against this backdrop, the Countess Verdani walked up to the high platform before the square. She looked around at the crowd below, and then, under the gaze of her people, opened her mouth to speak.
But at that moment, she suddenly took a deep breath. The expression on her face shifted and changed. The female mage seemed to be recalling the hardships of the previous battle and the despair of waiting for reinforcements. But in the next instant, she adjusted her emotions, smiled, and loudly declared to everyone in the square:
"No need for long speeches now, my warriors! Cheer for victory!"
Before her words had even faded, and before Verdani could turn and walk down from the high platform, the crowd in the square had already begun to shout enthusiastically: "Long live victory!" "Long live the Lady!" "Long live the celebration!"
Some people raised their cups and shouted loudly: "A toast to our reinforcements!"
This remark quickly won everyone's approval: "Yes, praise the knights of the Radcliffe Family!" "Right, a toast to the true knights!"
The excitement kept rising. And as the large central bonfire in the square also began to blaze, emitting a golden-red light, the carnival atmosphere was completely ignited.
At this moment, the Countess had already left the high platform and entered a lavishly decorated building across the square.
Opening the door and going up the stairs to the second floor, Verdani entered a large hall. In the center of the hall hung a Glowstone Lamp carved from blue crystal—exquisite and luxurious, flowing with magical light. The ceiling was decorated with something, and a little girl seemed very excited. She asked in a soft, fluffy voice, "But big sister always says that magic is the highest~"
"Don't worry about what others think, little Furan. If you want to do something, just work hard at it. Everyone has different choices!"
Unlike when she was beside the warrior, Ying's little face seemed a bit flushed. She had shed her previous soft and gentle personality and now looked completely like a life mentor. She clenched her small, fair, slender fist and swung it in the air: "My master is a warrior, and your father is a swordsman. There is no high or low in professions—it only depends on a person's choice!"
Without warriors, wouldn't the meaning of weapons cease to exist?
This little one had clearly been drinking.
Smiling, Joshua shook his head. He could easily tell that the golden-haired, red-eyed little girl sitting on Ying's lap had features from both Brandon and Verdani, and even her temperament was a bit similar. She had perfectly inherited her father's hair and eye color. And on the sofa beside Ying and this little girl named Furan lay a purple-haired girl. She looked a bit older than Furan but had already fallen asleep, curled up in a sleeping posture as cute as a kitten.
"Excuse me, my lord. Please let me pass."
Footsteps sounded from behind, followed by a faint, cool voice. Joshua turned to look and found it was the silver-haired, blue-eyed maid named Night. She was holding a sheep wool blanket that looked very comfortable and warm, with red patterns on it.
It seemed she had come for the sleeping little girl.
Nodding, Joshua sidestepped to make way. He had no intention of going in to disturb his Divine Mechanism. He continued standing at the doorway, watching everything happening inside.
Although Night didn't talk much, she was indeed a dutiful maid. She gently covered the sleeping purple-haired girl with the sheep wool blanket, then cleared away the plates of food on the table in the room. Her movements were crisp, clean, and very graceful.
Seeing this rare, heartwarming scene, the warrior's expression involuntarily carried a trace of warmth.
Since his transmigration, Joshua had already changed the fate of many people—his own, Ying's, Verdani's and Brandon's, and countless warriors and ordinary people. They had survived and been given a new life because of the warrior's battles. These two little girls before him were the same. Because of the warrior's aid, their mother had not died as she had in the previous life, and they would surely have a happy childhood that they had never had before.
Perhaps they didn't know, but the truth was indeed so.
Joshua didn't care whether his actions were protecting the weak or changing others' fates. He didn't care whether others saw him as good or evil. He just wanted to fight against stronger beings, to slaughter freely and thoroughly, to satisfy the craving in his heart…
But now, it seemed this feeling wasn't so bad either.
No longer paying attention to Ying and the golden-haired little girl's play, he sidestepped to a nearby window. The black-haired, red-eyed warrior looked at the celebration in the square. His knights and Verdani's warriors were drinking together heartily. They boldly stuffed roasted meat into their mouths, not caring whether it was raw or cooked, whether it was burnt or not—they just chewed and swallowed it down, then burst into loud laughter.
Neither cheap nor expensive wine was spilled freely. Everyone temporarily forgot the arduous battles of the past few days and laughed loudly. Some who had drunk too much had already started wrestling and arm-wrestling under the crowd's watch, stirring the atmosphere even hotter.
Gradually, the expressionless Joshua revealed a smile.
Perhaps this was the purpose of his transmigration?
Shaking his head, the black-haired warrior raised an imaginary toast to the twin moons in the sky, then lifted his cup and downed the spicy liquid in one gulp. With a loud laugh, he turned and left.
Such things didn't matter at all.
Whether victory or defeat, whether joy or sorrow—in this dangerous and passionate world, on this continent full of battle and strife—warrior, you should always drink freely at any time. This is the joy you deserve!
—The next day, noon.
Before the Black Forest Fortress, fully armed knights were clad in silver-white armor. Just as when they had set out, they formed neat ranks, waiting for their lord to give the order.
Under the watchful eyes of many garrison soldiers on the city walls, the leading warrior rode his tall black dragon-blood warhorse. Silently, he waved his hand at the golden-haired swordsman and the violet-haired mage at the city gate as a farewell.
Cheers rang out, like the rumble of thunder. The black-background, gold-trimmed sword-wielding hand banner began to move, fluttering in the wind, snapping loudly.
The knights departed amidst the blessings of the crowd and returned to their homeland.
(To be continued.)