Chapter 93

Chapter 93: The Dream of a Hero

“Grete, are we really okay doing this?”

Bade stood amidst the striking crowd, looking at Grete, the slightly older youth beside him.

“There’s no problem, don’t worry. Even if they want to arrest someone, it will only be me. They need people to work after all.”

“Then wouldn’t you be in danger?” Bade was somewhat anxious. It was rare to have such a good friend.

“Haha, I have my own way. Someone has to do these things, right?”

“Sigh, everyone thinks like that. They always hope others will step up while they themselves remain unscathed.”

Grete sighed as he looked at the dazzling sunlight, blocking part of it with his fingers. A small amount of light seeped through, like a beam piercing through a dark canyon.

“An individual may feel lonely and weak, but if they unite together, trust each other, and support one another, they will gain immense courage.”

“I am not fighting alone.”

“This simple yet plain statement brings me great peace. Perhaps this is the power of unity.”

Bade silently watched Grete. He didn’t quite understand the concepts and grand principles, but like many ordinary people, he had once dreamed of being a hero.

Like the wandering poets sang, when crisis strikes and one finds themselves in dire straits, a hero always appears. Strong beyond measure, breaking and overturning everything, saving everyone.

As a child, he often hid in the corners of taverns, listening to the bards play their strings and tell such stories. Under the dim lights, those poets would spin fascinating tales of dragons, princesses, knights, and mages. Each character vividly alive, as if they were sitting in the tavern, drinking ale, casually discussing their adventurous lives.

Sadly, those times are long gone. He is no longer the boy who eavesdropped in the countryside tavern. In pursuit of his dreams in the big city, he collided with hard reality like a young calf hitting a massive stone, bleeding and bruised. Only now did he gradually realize how insignificant and fragile he was in this world, and the word “hero” had long faded away.

If not for meeting Grete, I might have remained lost in this despair and confusion, thought Bade.

“Thank you, Grete.”

“Huh? Why suddenly say that? Are you leaving already?” Grete was surprised; the protest hadn’t ended yet.

“No, thank you for helping me get back my stolen wages,” Bade smiled at Grete. Though his face wasn’t particularly handsome, at this moment, he appeared very natural and sincere, making others less concerned about his appearance.

“That’s nothing. Aren’t we friends?”

“Yes, friends still need to say thank you,” Bade insisted slightly.

The prolonged protest finally ended. The Nisos Guild sent someone out to negotiate. Under Grete and others’ insistence, the representative agreed to improve employee benefits. The new brewery would close, and those who fell ill due to work would receive compensation.

After receiving satisfactory answers, the protesters slowly dispersed. Grete was then surrounded by everyone, cheered, and thrown up, then landed. Later, they chose a restaurant to celebrate properly.

Unfortunately, there were too many people, and the restaurant couldn’t accommodate everyone. So, they set up a bonfire on the beach and bought smoked meat, fish, and alcohol.

They sat around, some loudly recounting their heroic experiences during the day, teasing and praising each other. Laughter echoed under the night sky.

Bade also sat with them, squatting on the ground, flipping grilled fish, occasionally chiming in with exaggerated laughter.

The orange flames illuminated excited faces and lively eyes. These previously dull and numb faces seemed to regain color, warm and orange.

Yellow-fried fish sprinkled with a little salt, the fatty and lean meat skewers dripped oil next to the fire. The aroma of food mixed with the scent of burning pine wood, making everyone’s mouths water and appetite increase.

Some couldn’t wait to take off the skewers, only to be scalded and emit strange sounds, followed by more laughter echoing far across the beach under the night sky.

After finishing their meal, they started drinking and singing folk songs, some keeping rhythm. This continued until late into the night.

—

After the night gathering, Bade supported Grete back to his place. At this point, Grete was somewhat drunk, walking unsteadily, though he hadn’t completely lost consciousness.

“Bade, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?”

“Not really, probably just live better, eat well every day.”

Bade thought for a moment and expressed his view.

“That won’t do, you must have a dream!”

“Dream? I don’t know, I just want to survive.”

“That’s because you haven’t reached that point yet.”

“One day, you’ll find something buried deep in your heart, something you can’t let go, something you always want to try.”

“Then, you’ll know your dream.”

Grete suddenly became clearer.

“Okay.”

“What about you, Grete? What’s your dream?”

“If you laugh at me, I won’t tell you.” Grete walked a bit unsteadily again.

“I want to be a great hero, admired and loved by everyone. And… and make countless beautiful girls fall for me, hahaha.”

Under the dim moonlight, Grete laughed wildly, startling a few dogs barking in the middle of the night.

Bade, supporting Grete’s shoulder, laughed along. Which young man doesn’t like pretty girls? It’s just that everyone usually pretends not to care.

Then, the two talked about the beautiful girls of Hope Lane, from the girls in the workshop to the ladies in the tavern, from the daughters of common families to the daughters of guild leaders.

Walking and stopping along the way, they finally approached Grete’s place.

“Do you know who the most beautiful girl in Hope Lane is?” Grete asked.

“No,” Bade answered honestly.

“She’s Miss Lacy of the Callites family. Unfortunately, she rarely shows herself. I’ve only heard that she has golden hair and clear azure eyes. Her beauty is like the moon in the sky, dreamy and not of this world.”

“Is she more beautiful than Miss Fionne of the Anemyi family? You said Fionne was the epitome of beauty just now.”

“In fact, I haven’t seen her, but Miss Lacy has recently implemented many benevolent policies and benefits. So, I think she is a hero and even more beautiful than Fionne.”

“That makes sense.”

Bade agreed, then helped his friend into the room, laid him on the bed, and left the house.

The crescent moon appeared and disappeared in the mist. Continuous insect sounds echoed from all sides. The chill of the night made it feel cold.

—

(End of Chapter)