In the dawn after the battle and the cleanup, there were virtually no casualties or even injuries, a miraculous outcome considering the adversary had been a commander of the Nightmare Legion.
We had a modest celebration.
Heroes sat around in the partially destroyed but still beautifully adorned banquet hall, chatting and drinking.
The party was over, so everyone sat around calmly, talking, drinking beverages, and snacking.
It was a slightly different atmosphere from the usual victory feasts, a gentler, more subdued mood.
And at the center of it all was Nameless.
When Nameless first entered the banquet hall, she received hostile glances from several other kings.
It was inevitable. She represented the Lake Kingdom, the source of the monsters.
She was initially met with wary eyes, suspected of being the root cause of all this trouble.
But now, the other kings were crowding around Nameless with interest and awe, trying to engage her in conversation.
'After all, wielding such a sword of light. She seemed like someone born to defeat those monsters.'
An otherworldly deity tried to descend from the darkness, and Nameless, wielding her sword, emitted light and repelled this deity. Everyone at the gathering had seen it.
The kings present were all warriors who wielded swords themselves.
They could not overlook Nameless's extraordinary prowess.
Thus, the various kings at the gathering were trying to converse with Nameless and forge a connection with her.
Initially bewildered, Nameless was now handling the situation with composure and dignity.
Seems a few hundred years haven't entirely erased the poise ingrained in her during her princess days.
'Nameless's debut in the current world seems quite successful.'
While watching this scene from the second-floor terrace, I heard a slightly petulant voice behind me.
"Taking care of a debutante's introduction during a war with monsters... Really, you are bold and extraordinary."
Turning around, it was Serenade.
With her aqua hair lightly tied at the back and wearing a simple black dress, with a coat lightly placed over her shoulders, Serenade handed me a glass of champagne with a silver glance.
"I always end up admiring you, Your Highness."
"Haha... I thought the best place to demonstrate Nameless's current value was on the battlefield, especially against a tough enemy."
Once the World Guardian Front officially launches, kings from all over the world will gather here at Crossroad with their troops.
It was a plan to create allies for Nameless beforehand, and it seemed to be going well.
"It's a bit grand to call it a debutante ball, but, well. It went as planned."
Accepting the champagne glass from Serenade, I gave her a knowing wink.
"You did well today, Serenade. The operation was successful thanks to your command."
"I only did as you had instructed beforehand, Your Highness."
"If it weren't for your quick thinking, we wouldn't have had such a perfect outcome. Just accept my compliment."
We quietly sipped our champagne.
The view of the banquet hall, partially destroyed from the battle, came into sight. I licked my lips awkwardly.
"Anyway... the hotel's a mess now. Sorry about that,"
"Haha. No, it's okay. Facilities like these can be repaired. To save lives, a bit of damage like this is perfectly acceptable."
A brief silence followed.
Serenade quietly looked at Nameless and then blurted out.
"...She's a beautiful person."
"Nameless? Right? I was also surprised. In that underground dungeon, she was completely drenched in sweat, but once she cleaned up..."
"Today's enemy commander was also a beauty."
"White Night? Although her skin was ashen, yes, by any absolute standard, she was quite beautiful."
"There's never a shortage of beauties around His Highness..."
Serenade mumbled absent-mindedly, then suddenly came to her senses with a start and waved her hands frantically at me.
"No, no, it's not that I'm jealous! I don't have the right to be! It's just..."
"Serenade."
I smiled wryly and put down my empty champagne glass.
"It's okay to be jealous."
"What...?"
Serenade blinked her silver eyes in confusion.
"That means...?"
"Serenade."
"Yes, yes?"
"It's going to get busier from now on. There might not be occasions like this for a while. So..."
I gestured towards the first floor.
"Shall we dance?"
Serenade blinked blankly for a moment and then nodded vigorously, her cheeks turning red.
"Yes!"
We quietly descended to a smaller hall next to the brightly lit main hall, already turned off and cleared out.
Instead of music, the sound of people laughing and drinking came from the hall next door. In place of the lights, faint moonlight filtered through the windows.
Here, we slowly held hands, pressed close, and stepped gracefully to the rhythm.
I whispered to Serenade, who was cautiously stepping with a blushing face.
"Are you disappointed?"
"About what?"
"Not dancing under the bright lights, being the center of attention... but quietly dancing in the shadows like this."
I didn't wait for Serenade's response and continued.
"Sorry. I'm the type who doesn't boast about what's truly precious, preferring to cherish it privately."
"..."
Whether she was dumbfounded or purely admiring, I couldn't tell.
Serenade eventually narrowed her eyes and smiled.
"Really... if only words were enough."
In the dark, narrow hall, without an orchestra or music, we twirled in the moonlight.
***
"Okay~ So!"
In a corner of the banquet hall.
Dressed down in casual clothes instead of armor or a dress, Evangeline, with a bottle of drink in hand, declared,
"It's been a while since our last Crossroad Women's Hero and Mercenary Rights Meeting! Today, we're also welcoming a new member! Let's drink until the sun comes up!"
Gathered around were Evangeline, Junior, Yun, and the new member, Nameless.
Nameless, who had been dragged to this gathering somewhat unexpectedly, tilted her head.
"Crossroad Women's Hero and Mercenary Rights Meeting?"
"Ah, you think the name's weird, right? Listen, Nameless, there's a deep meaning behind this name..."
Evangeline rambled on with a grand explanation.
After finishing her explanation, Evangeline looked around, puzzled.
"But where's our senior magician... Lilly?"
"She went straight home to see Sid."
Vice-chairwoman Lilly of the committee had been absent since a few months before giving birth. Today, right after the operation, she went straight home to her baby, Sid, who was under the care of a nanny.
Evangeline wiped her mouth, feeling somewhat disappointed.
"Wow~ Just thinking about Sid makes my mouth water. Are all babies that cute?"
"No, they are cute, but why would that make you drool..."
"It's just that I'd have no wishes left if I could give those soft cheeks a kiss. Ah, is this why everyone becomes crazy about their nieces and nephews?"
Indeed, Sid was very cute.
'I wonder if she'll really let her kiss him someday...?'
Wondering if invoking the loyalty of the Crossroad Women's Hero and Mercenary Rights Meeting might persuade Lilly, Junior filled all the glasses with liquor.
Including Evangeline's glass of juice, there were five glasses in total.
The glasses were passed around. All four seated took one, leaving one remaining.
Thud.
Evangeline placed the remaining glass on the empty floor. Nameless, tilting her head, asked,
"What's this empty glass for?"
"Well, you see."
Evangeline gave a bitter laugh and scratched the back of her head.
"It's for those who were part of our group but have departed."
"Oh..."
"I thought about pouring for the number of those who've left, but then it would just make me sad thinking about each one..."
Evangeline coolly added,
"Thought it would be too much to handle if the number increases, so decided to pour just one glass."
"..."
This was a drinking session at the front lines.
Nameless stared blankly at the glass for those who had left and those who would leave. The overly filled liquor shimmered red.
"Alright, no more heavy talk! To celebrate Nameless joining! Cheers!"
The four clinked their glasses together.
"Originally Dusk Bringar, Verdandi, and Elize were also members, but they didn't come today, maybe they had their own after-parties. But next time, let's all gather and have a drink!"
Soon the members started sharing various stories.
They began with talks about Lilly, who was raising Sid, then moved on to former comrades who had passed away - like Margarita who was part of this group, Reyna who came and caused havoc, and Jupiter who had connections with Reyna...
Over the past two years, many memories had accumulated, as had many farewells.
The liquor flowed, and as is common with young people's drinking sessions, the topic eventually turned to romance.
"...So I went like this, Kuilan's lips, smack!"
"Oh my, oh my, oh my! That's amazing!"
"And then the follow-up was like this, bam! Bam!"
"Kyaaa, that's crazy, crazy! I'm definitely going to learn and use it too!"
Yun, recounting her day's brave acts (?), had Evangeline covering her mouth in awe when she suddenly looked at Nameless.
"Oh right, speaking of which, Nameless! Who was the person you danced with earlier?"
"Hmm?"
"I saw from a distance, you were dancing with someone! Who was it? Did you find a nice man on the surface?"
Junior joined in.
"That... was the lord's aide, right! You were dancing with him?"
"Oh, you danced with him! He's always been nice to us, providing food and drinks whenever we visit the lord's mansion."
Evangeline seemed to think of the lord's aide as nothing more than a vending machine that provided meals and lodging.
Evangeline rested her chin on her hand and hummed.
"But what was his name... I joined the academy after he was stationed here, so I'm not sure."
Junior also tilted her head.
"Right. His presence is oddly elusive, so I can't really remember his name. Umm..."
"..."
Nameless blinked blankly.
Why was it? Even though she had danced with him earlier, his face was already becoming blurry.
His name.
His name...
In a hurry, Nameless stood up from her seat and nodded to the other members.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back."
And with that, Nameless hurriedly left the banquet hall.
"Wow, Nameless. Didn't expect that from her..."
Watching her leave, Evangeline raised her glass in admiration.
"So young!"
No, you're the youngest...
Thinking this, Junior and Yun watched as Evangeline raised her glass again.
"Alright, let's drink! Leaving our princess who's gone to find her fate! We'll drink among ourselves! Who knows when we'll have such a gathering again?"
***
As dawn broke in the east and the moon was about to disappear in the west,
"..."
Aider stood numbly at the hotel entrance, following the moon with his eyes as it set in the west.
Tap-tap.
That's when the sound of shoes echoed.
Startled, Aider slowly turned around to see Nameless catching her breath.
Aider showed a faint smile.
"...Do you need something from me, Princess?"
"Haa, haa, haa..."
Finally catching her breath, Nameless mustered all her courage and asked.
"May I ask your name?"
"..."
"Though I have no name to give you... I still wish to know yours."
After a moment's hesitation,
"...Aider."
He slowly voiced his name.
"My name is Aider, Princess."
"Aider..."
Rolling the name in her mouth and closing her eyes to savor it, Nameless smiled shyly.
"It's a beautiful name."
"...Indeed."
Aider smiled back, equally shy.
"Truly... it's a beautiful name."
"I will remember your name, Aider. And the time I spent with you today."
Nameless smiled faintly, her face still wet with sweat.
"Let's meet again."
After a courteous bow, Nameless disappeared back into the banquet hall.
"..."
Watching Nameless's retreating figure, Aider looked as if he might crumble at any moment.
Someone casually approached Aider and draped an arm over his shoulder.
"Why do you look like you've lost everything in the world?"
Turning around, it was Ash.
Aider struggled to smile after a long pause.
"I just don't want today to end. A miraculous day like this, where I could dance with her... I hate to see it end."
"Tomorrow will bring its own sun."
Ash smiled wryly and patted Aider's shoulder.
"There will be more good days, Aider."
"...Yes. Tomorrow, a new sun will rise."
Aider looked up at the sky again.
The brightening east was ready for sunrise, and the moon hanging in the western sky had almost vanished.
"But I will never forget the moonlight of today."
Aider slowly closed his eyes.
As if to etch the dance with Nameless deep into his soul...
"I will never... forget it."
***
[STAGE 25 - CLEAR!]
[STAGE MVP - Ash(EX), Scarlet(N)]
[Level Up Characters]
- Ash(EX) and 30 others <Expand List>
[Deceased Characters]
- None
[Injured Characters]
- None
[Acquired Items]
- Grand Sorceress Magic Core(SSR): 2
- Elite Lich Magic Core(SR): 10
- Lich Legion Magic Core(R): 30
- Offensive Magic Talisman: 10 <Scroll>
- Defensive Magic Talisman: 10 <Scroll>
- Auxiliary Magic Talisman: 10 <Scroll>
[Stage clear rewards have been distributed. Please check your inventory.]
- SSR Grade Reward Box: 2
- SR Grade Reward Box: 5
>> Get Ready For The Next STAGE
>> [Next STAGE: Happy Together]
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading