Chapter 283

Chapter 283

On the road leading from the outskirts to the center, despite the dawn barely breaking, a long line of carriages stretched out. Each one was loaded with huge barrels of alcohol, dried meat, and cheese.

Tavern owners came out to greet the coachmen. The aftermath of the previous night’s festivities still lingered on the streets. People still sipping beer, those passed out and sprawled on the ground, and piles of garbage scattered about were evidence of this.

“This way. Thank you for coming. We’ve cleared out the inner warehouse, so please move everything there. Boys, the goods are here!”

At the tavern owner’s call, the staff began carrying the barrels. The coachman, sipping the soup handed to him, asked:

“But why did you order so much? It’s at least five times more than usual. The horses had a hard time.”

“I know, I know. That’s why I said I’d give you a bigger share.”

“It’s not for me to worry about, but will all this even sell? I heard the selection ended yesterday, and today’s the wrap-up. People don’t drink like this anymore. Even those who came up from the provinces seem to be heading back.”

The owner clicked his tongue at the coachman’s meddling. Neither the one selling the alcohol nor the one buying it had said anything, yet here was the delivery man complaining about the difficulty.

“Don’t talk about things you don’t understand. Haven’t you heard the rumors? They say all the leaders from the three countries are gathering for His Highness Prince Jin’s appointment ceremony, and everyone’s in an uproar.”

A prince’s appointment ceremony itself was already a festival of festivals, but to have the leaders of three countries attend? It was impossible to even guess the scale of the diplomatic missions. According to exaggerated rumors, it was said to be on the scale of an entire small country moving.

And that’s not all. Guests would be flooding in from all over Bariel, and this time, foreigners were expected to join the crowd as well. It would be a series of grand days incomparable to the selection exam.

“When that time comes, even if you want to buy alcohol, you won’t be able to. That’s why we’re stocking up like this in advance. I’ll be ordering about this much every day for a while, so brace yourself for some hard work.”

“You’re making such a fuss when the selection just ended. The alcohol will go bad!”

“Why would the alcohol go bad? It gets better with age! Ah, if you keep complaining, don’t come! Should I ask them to send a different coachman?”

At the owner’s scolding, unable to bear it anymore, the coachman quietly got up and started carrying the barrels.

How pathetic! The owner was inwardly snorting when he noticed someone half-sprawled on the tavern’s threshold.

“Hey! Customer!”

“Uurgh...”

“Oh my, your face is a mess. Customer! The sun’s up! Aren’t you participating in the award ceremony today?”

Beric half-opened his eyes and raised his head at the voice calling him. The owner frowned as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“...Award ceremony?”

“I remember you because you helped me make a lot of money yesterday. Shouldn’t you hurry in? Didn’t you say your master or whoever would scold you if you’re late?”

“Ah! Aaaah! Ah!”

“What the.”

He had been so sociable, coming into the tavern alone and sweeping through table after table in an extraordinary manner.

From what he had overheard, it seemed he had achieved excellent results in the selection exam, and his master had rewarded him...

“Horse! My horse!”

“Boy, bring out the customer’s horse.”

“I’m dead. Damn, I’m screwed!”

“The customer says he’s going to die. Hurry!”

Beric splashed water from the table on his face as a makeshift wash. As soon as the horse came out from the stable, he frantically gripped the reins and kicked off. The horse, also seemingly not fully awake, staggered as it galloped down the street.

The owner shook his head as he watched with his staff.

“My, whoever his master is, they must have a hard time.”

“He ate a ton too. He accounted for half of yesterday’s sales.”

“That’s why I say, they must really have a hard time.”

Clop clop clop!

Thanks to the quiet dawn, Beric was able to ride unhindered. If he didn’t get lost, he might be able to arrive before Ian noticed!

Barely holding onto hope and expectation as he galloped, Beric spotted an old person crossing the road in the distance. If he kept going, it seemed he could just about pass by...

“Huh? Huuh?!”

The old person wasn’t walking but crawling on the ground. Hunched over, even carrying a heavy bundle.

Beric gripped the reins in surprise, and the horse leaped over.

Neigh!

“Hey, shit. Wait a moment! Hey, are you alright?”

“Oh my, this old person’s heart nearly stopped.”

“I’m sorry. Really sorry. I was in such a hurry.”

Beric dismounted and approached the old person. He didn’t feel like he had hit them, but you never know, right? As he looked them over, checking for injuries, the old person just stared blankly at Beric.

Feeling that gaze, Beric hesitated. The empty sensation at his fingertips. There were no legs.

“Gasp. That was close! Right, you weren’t just crawling for no reason! Granny, I’m really sorry.”

Beric rummaged through his pockets, counting his remaining money. Ian had definitely given him a gold coin as pocket money and congratulatory gift, but only a few copper coins remained.

But since there hadn’t been an accident, and it was just for startling them, wouldn’t this be enough?

“It’s not much, but go get some warm soup. It’s the best for calming your nerves.”

“You fool, I don’t take money like that!”

“Huh? Then?”

“Whew. I thought I was dead.”

As the tension dissipated, his hangover hit. Beric clutched his nauseated stomach and stumbled forward, and Romandro lifted him up, urging him on.

“Ugh, you reek of alcohol. How can the main character of the award ceremony look like this? Your hair’s a mess, and your face is all puffy!”

“Someone of my caliber can handle this much.”

“And you’re not even fully sober on top of that. Tsk tsk. Hurry up and get ready!”

Romandro thrust a formal suit in front of Beric. It was the day of the year’s winner and his official entry into the Imperial Guard!

The attendants dragged Beric out, and Ian tapped the report.

“I’ll go ahead. Sir Romandro, please come with Beric once he’s ready.”

“Alright.”

How could there be an award ceremony without magical effects? Ian left for the main building, taking the waiting mages with him.

***

The five hundred or so who had participated in the selection and achieved outstanding results were invited to fill the seats. Most had decided to join the Imperial Defense Department, while a few found meaning just in participating and looked forward to the next opportunity.

Xiaoshi was one of them. He sat among the people, wearing clothes that Jin had personally gifted him.

“I heard the winner is quite young.”

“Yeah. They say he hasn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony yet. Because he’s a mage-knight.”

“He beat the captain, so he deserves to win. Then is he the youngest Imperial Guard captain ever?”

“No. I heard someone else is becoming captain? I’m not sure of the details, but it seems there’s some disqualifying factor.”

People murmured, bringing up Beric.

Since that day, whenever two or more swordsmen gathered, Beric’s story was always mentioned. It was a shocking event that shook the martial world.

Xiaoshi looked up at where Jin and Ian were sitting. Jin was looking ahead with dignity, but Xiaoshi knew. The child was secretly glancing at Xiaoshi and smiling.

“Ah. It’s starting.”

Whirr. Whirr.

The Prime Minister ascended the platform and grabbed the magical tool. His greeting softly spread to the ears of hundreds.

“...For the healthy national power and future of the great Bariel Empire, I extend praise to all who participated. The events that have continued over the past days were strong and powerful...”

The Prime Minister’s greeting. As always, it was utterly boring and old-fashioned. People inwardly swallowed yawns and let the words go in one ear and out the other.

“Therefore, we will bestow awards on those who have shown particular excellence in this selection test. Those whose names are called, please come forward.”

Rustle.

The Prime Minister briefly paused as he turned the page.

“Beric.”

“Yes! I’m Beric!”

“Simon, Bonita, Higa...”

A string of names followed. Those sitting in the front row all stood up and ascended the platform. At the forefront was Beric. Dressed in formal attire after a long time, he looked quite presentable.

“Is Beric the one with the red hair?”

“Then who are the captains?”

“There, Simon and Bonita.”

“Ah, I see.”

Simon was the one who had defeated Beric in hand-to-hand combat. They said there was a big difference in weight class, and it’s truly impressive. One might wonder if he has giant blood mixed in.

“Beric. Congratulations. Please continue to strive and firmly uphold the spirit of Bariel.”

“Don’t worry!”

“...Have you decided where you’ll work for Bariel?”

The Prime Minister asked as he handed him a bouquet and trophy. Beric, as if it were obvious, leaned close to the magical tool and shouted:

“The Imperial Guard!”

Ah. Damn it. The Imperial Guard members watching from below squeezed their eyes shut. Regardless, Beric added loudly:

“Next time, I’ll be the captain!”

Simon and Bonita.

Ian watched the two new captains and flicked his hand. They would be the ones leading the vanguard in the monster battles to come.

Celebrating Beric’s victory and the birth of a new generation, the Ministry of Magic set off flower petals.

Swoosh!

Rustle!

Flower petals settled down beautifully. Beric waved his bouquet around and looked towards the Imperial Guard. And he quickly threw in a wink. It was a silent greeting, saying let’s work well together from now on.

Applause erupted from all sides, led by Ian.

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