Here, the margrave paused to look out upon all those gathered at the center of the camp. He looked out at all his soldiers, dressed in their northern knight corps uniforms, then all the adventurers, then Alec, Shiori, and finally, his best friend, Zack. It was some time before he spoke again. None knew exactly what emotions welled in the margrave’s heart, but as he looked down at the ground and bit his lip, all knew that he was fighting back tears.
“This is not a formal event, so let us do away with the formalities,” he said finally. “We have prepared a modest party, to celebrate the defeat of the ice dragon and the birth of a hero. Naturally, I will pay for these expenses out of my own pocket, so I expect you all to enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
The margrave gestured to some of his people, who brought out barrels of wine and began filling cups. The nearby town of Dima had also had some mead delivered to commemorate the occasion, and this was poured for those who didn’t want wine.
“I guess the good news has reached the nearby towns already,” said Shiori.
“Yeah,” said Zack. “I heard that a number of messenger birds were all sent out at once. Those who evacuated are now on their way back.”
Many of the local residents were already gathering the magical beast corpses left behind by the suppression units. Shiori was struck by how hardy the people of Torisval were under such circumstances, but she knew that without that plucky spirit, none could make a home of a place as merciless as the nation’s north.
“There is no need for formal etiquette tonight!” announced the margrave. “Enjoy yourselves to your hearts’ content! Tonight we celebrate victory! Cheers!”
“Cheers!” shouted the crowd in reply.
The adventurers and knights were all smiles. It was the joy of victory that buoyed them, along with their safe return.
“Oh, that reminds me,” said the margrave. “To my knights: The Adventurers’ Guild has no shortage of beautiful, charming women, but I implore you all to have some grace and tact about you. Do not forget that this is not that kind of party.”
A number of knights shrank suddenly at Kristoffer’s words, while the others around them chuckled.
“That’s the margrave for you,” said Alec. “He sees everything.”
He grinned, his arm wrapped around his lover while he sipped at a cup of wine. The northern knight corps were a conscientious and gentlemanly lot, but some among them were womanizers with looser morals, so to speak. While some of them, of course, longed for what might be termed pure romantic relationships, not all were so innocent in their desires.
In fact, a number of knights had already gathered around Shiori—now well-known for her development of various support spells—to “get to know her better.” The housekeeping mage was especially grateful for the margrave’s warning to his troops, as it was all too clear that some had her in their sights. Ellen, too, who looked not unlike a fairy or goddess from a fairy tale, was already cringing under the pressure of a number of young knights who’d gathered around her person.
“Get Ellen riled up, and you are bound to regret it...” muttered Alec.
Violid seemed especially intrigued by it all, noting the way in which male humans were no different from male magical beasts in their converging on attractive females—but Shiori and Ellen shared no such fascination with the phenomenon. Linus, who could see how uneasy the two women were, saw an opening and swooped in casually.
“Doctor, doctor!” he said, smoothly sliding in to take Ellen’s hand. “Come look at the pearl trout and berries I gathered. You just have to try some!”
This happened in but an instant, and the knights were left staring blankly, their prey having suddenly vanished.
“That guy is like a ninja...” Shiori uttered.
“I bet that’s exactly how he goes about his hunting too...” said Alec.
Even Rurii, who excelled when it came to sneak attacks, trembled with surprise as it clutched skewers in a feeler. All who knew Linus understood then that when he had his eyes on his prey, it was caught before it even knew what had happened to it. And so, while they were astounded by Linus’s unique talent, Shiori and Alec strolled the tables and indulged in the food on offer.
Thanks to the margrave’s warning to his less well-mannered subordinates, Shiori and Alec were able to walk without fear of being hounded. A few people asked for handshakes and some simply wanted to say a few words, but that proved enough. Perhaps it was also simply that the good food and the good company were more than satisfying on their own.
Some of the adventurers breathed sighs of relief as they sipped at bowls of soup, while a group of young knights gorged themselves on the selection available at the meat table. As they chased their meals with gulps of wine, their older superiors looked on with smiles.
The party was very much a portrait of peace, and the celebrations would have looked like any other standing party had it not been for the chipped equipment, the torn and bloodstained clothing, and those whose heads or arms were bandaged.
“The karaage is as popular as always,” remarked Alec, eyeing the knights and adventurers hovering around the dish while he tried some himself. “And yep, it’s as tasty as always too. So rich in flavor.”
“Looks like it was a good idea to make it, then,” replied Shiori. “We owe Linus our thanks for that.”
“Yep. With you and him on a team, every meal is practically guaranteed to be a feast.”
Shiori giggled.
“Thanks,” she said.
Shiori had some soup and some fruit, then decided she wanted something a little heavier. Her gaze followed the plates of food until someone held a sandwich out to her, one filled with grilled meat, pickles, and cheese.