Chapter 808: Grand Parade
In the night, the three of them sat around a table, with candles lighting up their faces.
“It looks quite sumptuous,” said Night Spirit, looking at the five differently sized plates on the wooden table. They contained roasted potatoes, whole wheat bread, orange-braised duck legs, vegetable mushroom soup, and a fruit cheese platter.
Compared to a regular family’s dinner, this was indeed quite lavish, with some ingredients sourced from Lolan Hill’s personal storage space, which tasted excellent.
The roasted potatoes were small and round, peeled and fried until golden, with a crispy skin sprinkled with a bit of salt before being served.
Whole wheat bread was the main course tonight, still fragrant when cut open. Eating it warm had a great texture. The combination of orange and roasted duck provided a slightly sour and sweet taste that balanced the greasiness of the duck. The vegetables and mushrooms were stewed into a creamy white soup, very delicious. Finally, there was a post-dinner snack, a cheese and fruit platter.
“I want that duck leg,” said Night Spirit, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she looked at the crispy roasted duck on the table.
“Sure.” Lolan Hill took the duck leg bone and used a small knife to slice off the leg, handing it to Night Spirit.
Chirp chirp~ (I want one too)
On the side of the table, Dai Ju perched on a wooden rack, staring hopefully, clearly wanting to eat something.
Tonight, it had helped Night Spirit stir milk for a long time, doing quite a bit of work, but unfortunately, Night Spirit didn’t seem to have the ability to fulfill its promise promptly.
“Chicken legs will definitely be available. When we return to the East, I’ll ask the chef to prepare plenty for you,” Night Spirit comforted Dai Ju after finishing its work, painting a beautiful picture.
Seeing Dai Ju’s pitiful look, Lolan Hill shook her head helplessly. This little creature was getting more and more greedy.
Logically speaking, it should eat vegetarian food, not meat. Perhaps after advancing in cultivation, its digestive capacity had become much stronger. However, Dai Ju only ate cooked meat and disliked raw meat.
Lolan Hill then cut another duck leg and placed two strawberries on Dai Ju’s plate.
“This is a reward for your hard work today, but try to be more restrained in the future. I don’t think your weight has ever gone down,” Lolan Hill tapped Dai Ju’s head with a spoon, scolding the greedy bird.
For the blue raven beside Dai Ju, Lolan Hill also prepared some slices of duck and pieces of fruit, without showing favoritism.
Turning back to the table, the three continued enjoying their dinner, chatting occasionally.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” asked Bumansa, tearing off a piece of bread and tilting her head to look at the two.
“I don’t know, I just follow Lolan Sister,” replied Night Spirit, swinging her little legs freely in the air from her high wooden chair.
“Any suggestions, Bumansa?” Lolan Hill looked at Bumansa, sensing she might already have an idea.
“Why not come help at my bakery? It would be perfect to get two free helpers, hehe,” Bumansa smiled.
“Actually, it’s also an experience.”
“Sure,” Lolan Hill and Night Spirit readily agreed.
—
On the other side of the continent, after the war ended, everything finally settled down.
In the capital of Clancia, Soland, a grand parade was taking place.
The vast parade square today was filled with figures, with people of various races and outfits gathering, forming a colorful and lively sea.
Along the main thoroughfare of the parade square stood rows of legion soldiers, with countless lances densely arrayed like a forest, their sharp tips pointing skyward, reflecting fish-scale-like glints under the sunlight.
As the solemn horns sounded, massive formations marched into the square. Steel-clad knights lined up in formation, countless banners fluttering in the wind, the swallow-tailed flags on their lances dancing in the breeze like undulating oceans.
“Forward, until the end of the world!”
A stern yet resolute voice echoed throughout the capital.
Knights in crimson and gold capes entered the square first. These were the most honored legion of Clancia, the Calamity Knights. Their golden spiral lances were entwined with eternal holy flames, flickering like fierce winds as they advanced, creating a suffocating yet powerful presence.
Following them were the warriors who made outstanding contributions during the war.
After the fall of the Dawn Fortress, the Holy White Shield Knights, who held back and resisted the Imperial army, securing a withdrawal opportunity for the rear. These foot knights, carrying silver-white shields, wore full-body armor with feather-like patterns on the sides of their helmets.
The Crimson Branch Arrow Toxins Legion, who resisted the Imperial cavalry on the Windy Plains and ambushed and poisoned the red dragons in the decisive battle. They were wrapped in bandages, wearing light black armor, their long and blood-red spears in hand.
When the Imperial army attacked Hopeland City, the Nightfire Gun Guard, who defended against the enemy and killed many of them. Since defeating the Frost Alliance, the Callistus Guild had become a semi-private, semi-public large guild. They absorbed Tisiphone’s weapons manufacturing industry and trained the guild guards, forming this elite militia guard of 5,000.
The Aurora Horn Knights, who blocked the Imperial army’s advance through the southern hills of Clancia, disrupting their logistics. These rangers from the northern part of the country wore brown armor and deep green cloaks, famous mountain legions, skilled in moving through jungles, using bows and swords to solve enemies, and serving as reliable scouts and sentinels.
The Desert Falcon Guerrilla Legion, the Grey Robe Nun Aid Group, the Crimson Flame Patrol Legion, the White Moon Airship Bombardment Team, the Starwind Song Air Cavalry, and so on.
These brave warriors, heroes who had walked through fire and blood, passed through the battlefield, their special badges gleaming with gold on their chests, representing indelible achievements, telling stories of battles fought through blood and fire.
And these last ones came together, jointly crafting this hard-won nation.
Clancia, meaning the country blessed by starlight. Its flag embroidered with golden stars and wheat ears symbolized the origin and oath of the nation.
Pulman, the founding monarch, stood on the grand viewing platform, surveying the nation’s elite. His weathered face bore some wrinkles, and standing beside him were a group of founding heroes in blue capes. Among them were world-shaking warriors, battle-hardened generals, wise and perceptive scholar mages, and business geniuses with unparalleled influence.
Most of them had once been of humble origins, unremarkable, but now they were all leaders capable of standing alone. Under their leadership, the people of this land finally escaped the darkness and welcomed a new life.
From resisting the West Wind to establishing independence, from defending against the Frost to uniting seven countries, and from fighting the Empire to ultimately prevailing, over the past twenty years, too many changes had occurred. The entire nation’s spirit had been like a piece of metal placed in a hot furnace, constantly hammered.
Pain, bloodshed, ideological disputes, and defense battles did not bring it down; instead, they continuously refined the nation and its people’s spirit and will, making them more resolute and strong.
“We shall break through all obstacles, long live Clancia.”
The cheers drowned out the sky, and the excited faces of the crowd on the square formed a boiling sea.
What was the source that changed everything, bringing this decaying nation back to life?
Whenever Pulman thought about this question, he would recall the distant forest from over twenty years ago. There, by a warm campfire, a silver-haired girl told him everything with care and tenderness.
(End of Chapter)
