Once war became part of the agenda, preparations raced forward like a wild horse freed from its reins. Tonyger had entered a state of readiness early, with the White Lion Infantry beginning to fill out its ranks, and since Medisha returned to the territory, the training for the Wind Archers had also been scheduled.
Under the Princess’s directive, neighboring Lords of Tonyger also started expanding their noble private armies, these people were mostly hostile to Lengshan Domain. But since Count Rangdenier suddenly turned against the Kingdom, opportunists became increasingly rampant.
Though Brand was not fond of these people, he didn’t outright reject them.
The Moon of Summer Haze passed quickly, and before the Book Scroll Month arrived, the Earth had already begun to emit a fiery aura. The gradually rising temperatures scorched the leaves, with the scorching sun licking the surface of the Southern Territory day after day.
Finally, Flada and the Southern Army units arrived on schedule, but before the last festival of midsummer, Brand wisely soothed his people from a tense agitation. In the weeks before the end, he organized the Fire Festival championship in Lengshan Domain as planned.
This tournament corresponded with the winter hunt festival, with a slightly less formal tone, but due to the open supply of alcohol, it attracted Lords and Knights of various sizes from nearby areas.
The tournament grounds were set outside Fir Castle, and the continuous clamor of the grounds almost ignited the entire territory.
Yet some quiet places still maintained relative independence.
Thin wooden walls separated the noisy ocean from the quiet inside the tavern, only sometimes invaded by mercenaries’ resounding whistles into this relatively independent space. The hall was filled with the unique scent of overcooked meat and spices, although pungent, it paradoxically evoked a strong sense of home.
Several wooden tables had unique names written on maple cards: for instance, Brand, Romantic, Antitina, etc., belonging to the store owner or were exclusive spots for close friends. Outside the tavern, the signboard seemed brand new, featuring a picture of a three-masted sailing ship with the words ’Lord Roman’s Smuggling Anchorage,’ such a vulgar name was naturally someone’s exclusive.
However, the interior of the tavern felt relatively cozy; Qian was seated at a wooden table in the southwest corner, observing the growing crowd outside — mostly young members of the White Lion Legion or local people, farmers — ever since refugees began flooding into Tonyger, the newly expanded White Lion Legion far surpassed the meager thirty or forty that joined during Kagris’ time. Besides, as more settlers moved into the territory, tenant farmers, traveling merchants, and craftsmen began to populate the countryside of Lengshan Domain.
At this moment, an archery championship preceding the Summer Festival was taking place in the open space outside the tavern, and many beautiful Tree Elf girls were on the field, thus attracting an unprecedented crowd.
She turned around and saw a girl clad in silver armor placing a bouquet of daisies beside a wooden tray, then clasping her hands together, closing her eyes, and silently praying. The scene mirrored in Qian’s eyes, she watched quietly and asked, "Is her name Beth?"
Frey opened her eyes, a sorrowful look emerging in her brown eyes, silently nodding, "Beth loved festivities, and this archery contest would definitely be her favorite, competing with the legendary Tree Elves..."
"Please don’t be sad, Miss Freya, the living must continue moving forward, past... the veterans often advised us, death is just an unnamed stele, while the living carry more burdens to continue the trek, hence we must be resilient," Qian comforted.
"Sorry, I understand, yet I can’t help but remember past events, especially at times like this." The girl from Buqi countryside blinked lightly, sighed, "Sometimes I wish to return to those times, to rewind time when there’s no war, how wonderful..."
"I, can understand..." Qian cautiously replied.
"Hmm?"
Qian looked at Frey’s expression, thought for a moment, and said, "Because since childhood, I’ve experienced many battles. In almost every battle, companions died, some I had just met not long ago, some were dear friends sharing daily life, when I was a child, every time I would cry loudly, causing a lot of jokes. But gradually, I became familiar with the separations of life and death."