Chapter 36: The Feast

After using threats and intimidation to have the Alchemist Association dispose of the plague toxins, Eric returned to the carriage and took the young nun, Sophie, on a proper tour of Oru City.

Being a guest from afar, the Saintess's envoy had certainly been unlucky; she had encountered his unexpected intervention on her very first day, which disrupted her original arrangements. She was then taken to the more remote Vale Town and kept in a state of anxious trepidation for over a week. Eric suspected that her developing feelings for him were likely influenced by the "suspension bridge effect."

"Has Mr. Eric ever been anywhere else?"

Watching the streetscape slowly recede outside the carriage, Sophie felt quite at ease. It had been a long time since she had been this relaxed.

"Elsewhere? I have never left the Count’s territory," Eric said. "The farthest I’ve ever been is a small town in the southwest corner of Dante County, where I went to inspect on my uncle's behalf."

"Really? But I feel like Mr. Eric seems to know a little bit about everywhere, as if you’ve been there yourself."

He had indeed been everywhere—in his past life.

"I read it all in books."

"I see..." Sophie interlaced her fingers, stretched them out in front of her, and gave a small, dainty stretch.

Seeing her unconsciously reveal a hint of fatigue, Eric said, "Let’s head back."

"Mm... alright." The young nun seemed to still be enjoying herself, but she nodded nonetheless.

The carriage turned a corner on the street. Instead of returning to the City Lord’s manor, it headed straight for the south gate. Once out of the city, they sped at full pace back toward Vale Town.

By the time they returned, it was already afternoon. The setting sun stained the sky a warm yellow, with thin clouds like silk. The fair weather had lasted all day, and it would continue into the night.

Upon arriving at Vale Town, dusk was settling in. Eric noticed that the banquet seemed to have already begun.

From the square at the center of the town to the path leading up to the high ridge where their camp was located, the route had been decorated. Many colorful garlands, fashioned from common early summer flowers, hung everywhere, looking quite beautiful. The square was filled with dining tables—evidently brought out from the villagers' own homes—piled high with all sorts of hearty food, and there was certainly no shortage of wine. Villagers hurried back and forth carrying various dishes, and everyone seemed busy.

"Looks like a grand feast."

Just as the carriage stopped, Eric saw a child shout something and go bounding off into the distance.

Eric and Sophie stepped out of the carriage. Looking closer, they realized that the delicacies on the tables hadn't been touched yet. Some villagers cheered and smiled when they saw them, greeting them warmly. Seeing Eric raise his hand in response, a bold villager shouted, "We were just waiting for you, young noble! The banquet is about to start!"

So they were waiting for him.

Eric quickened his pace and noticed that a platform had been specially erected just below the camp—presumably prepared for him as well.

"Mother Superior!" Having walked over with Eric, Sophie had been feeling embarrassed by the various gazes on the road. As soon as she saw Alaina, she ran over to her.

"Young Master, you’ve finally returned."

On the other side, Leslie came up to greet him. "You have no idea how hard it is to just watch and not be able to dig in. These bumpkins insisted on waiting for you to start the feast. Does the Young Master really care about such trivialities? We should have started eating and drinking to get the mood going."

"I do, actually."

"Uh..."

Eric smiled. "Since you can't wait, let's begin the feast."

The guard captain picked up a cup of wine from a nearby table and handed it to him, pointing toward the raised platform nearby. "They are still waiting for you to say a few words."

It really was prepared for him. Eric took the wine, walked up onto the wooden platform, and looked back at the various gazes gradually converging below.

He hadn't paid attention before, but there were truly a lot of residents in this small town.

If...

If not for this or that, he probably would have stayed on this land his whole life. When his uncle grew old or tired of the position, he would have taken over step-by-step to become the next lord, and these people before him would have become his subjects.

The villagers probably thought the same. Although their current enthusiasm stemmed mainly from gratitude, it was hard to say that it didn't include some fawning over their future lord.

A young lord who, through sword and courage, saved his subjects from the threat of evil necromancers and the undead—this would likely become a topic of conversation that would not be forgotten by the residents of Vale Town for the next hundred years.

Eric liked legends like that, too.

It was just a pity that he had already seen the trajectory of fate; such an "if" did not exist.

This was the western frontier of the Empire. When the Demon Race moved south, even if the flames of war in the north didn't reach here immediately, they would inevitably affect everyone's lives.

Eric suddenly realized that he couldn't even predict the final outcome of that war. Due to the needs of long-term operations, the main plot of the Human-Demon War in *Thorn Soul Crown* was almost stagnant, advancing only slightly with each major update. Before coming to this world, all he could see were his own and his sister's endings.

Whether the war in the north would reach this far and tear apart the tranquility of this town was truly hard to say.

And beyond saving Irene and turning around his own fate, how much could he really change this world...

"—Yo, hero!"

A red-faced middle-aged man nearby suddenly shouted, raising his cup. "You’re really late! Everyone was almost done waiting... *hic!*"

Eric snapped out of his thoughts to see a middle-aged woman beside the man elbowing him hard and glaring at him, only to shift her expression into a smile as her gaze turned toward the platform.

"Young Lord, Young Count, hero—you saved our town, please say something. The banquet is ready, and everyone is looking forward to it!"

She was right. Whether they were just waiting for the meal to start or were genuinely grateful, everyone was looking at him expectantly, hoping for a few words.

"..."

Eric suddenly smiled.

That’s right. He was a hero.

Even if he couldn't stop the future war, at least for now, he had successfully saved the residents of this town and rescued the two envoys of the Saintess.

He was already changing this world.

That’s right, he was a hero!

How could saving the world be done in one go? Let the future be left to the future; as for now, he would enjoy the victory that belonged to a hero.

"By Yela—"

Eric raised his glass, scanning all the villagers below, meeting every gaze.

"I am grateful to the gods for letting me be born here, and I am even more grateful that there are brave and hardworking villagers like you on this land. Disaster did not break you or me; to be alive is a victory in itself. As long as there is life, enjoy, celebrate, and revel! This is a victory that belongs to us!"

Reflecting the afterglow of the sunset, the young hero held his glass high. In response, a warm and prolonged cheer erupted.

"Oh—oh—"

The feast celebrating their victory had officially begun.

"The Young Master has really grown up..."

Leslie gulped down a large mug of ale, weeping. "You know, I’ve worked at the City Lord’s manor for decades; I watched the Young Master when he was still crawling on the ground. He has truly grown up now, and he has more and more of the demeanor of the Old Count... *hic!*"

"You’ve worked for decades? You’re only forty this year, aren't you? And didn't you only come here seven or eight years ago when old Quait retired?" a guard said, dodging the tears and snot being smeared on his shoulder.

"...Hmm? Did I remember that wrong?"

"You got drunk way too fast! ...Ah, Young Master."

Eric walked over from the crowd with a mug of ale, clinked glasses with the guards of the City Lord’s manor, and downed half the glass in one go.

"Everyone, relax and enjoy yourselves tonight. Tomorrow, after we wake up, we’ll head back to the city."

"Yes, Young Master!" The guards were all delighted.

"Young Master, have another drink... Oh, the Young Master is so heroic! Another one!"

"No more." Eric wiped his mouth. "I have things to do later; I can't drink too much."

"What could there be to do now?"

Eric just smiled, didn't say much, and walked away.

He hadn't tested his alcohol tolerance, but it shouldn't be too bad. Having a few drinks with the guards and villagers was fine, but drinking too much would lead to trouble.

"Mother Superior Alaina, Miss Sophie."

The two nuns were sitting at a long table filled with food, but only they were seated there. Occasionally, villagers would come over to greet them, but they wouldn't dare to sit down.

"Mr. Eric." The Mother Superior nodded at him.

He had noticed earlier when passing by that although their glasses had been poured with wine, they remained full.

"Are you not allowed to drink?" Eric sat down opposite them. A passing middle-aged villager saw his glass was empty, came over to fill it, and offered a smile.

"We may drink, but we may not become intoxicated," Alaina said. "However, neither Sophie nor I have a high tolerance for alcohol, so we cannot keep Mr. Eric company to the fullest today."

Eric didn't mind and signaled that it was fine.

"Mm... speaking of which, is there any divine art to sober up?"

Alaina thought for a moment and said, "There is one, but the process is not very pleasant."

"Is that so? Well, unpleasant is still better than being drunk." Eric was interested. "Could you demonstrate it for me?"

The Mother Superior nodded, then clenched her right fist, which began to glow as she silently chanted.

"Punch yourself in the abdomen, and you can use the power of the divine art to vomit out all the alcohol you’ve consumed."

"...Are you joking?" Eric glanced at her glass again, confirming she wasn't drunk.

"It is no joke." Alaina looked at him. "That is why I said the process is not very pleasant, but the effect is excellent."

"...I understand."

It turned out to be physical sobering.

Forget about learning it; Eric wanted to retract his request to know about it.

"Actually, I could have a little bit..." Sophie said softly, holding her glass.

"Sophie." Alaina immediately looked at her, looking somewhat helpless.

"A small sip shouldn't make you drunk." Eric picked up his glass. After waiting for the Mother Superior to nod helplessly under their dual gaze, he reached out and clinked his glass lightly against hers.

Sophie indeed only took a small sip, but she was already satisfied. "Thank you, Mr. Eric..."

"It is I who should thank Miss Sophie for doing me the honor."

Eric didn't drink much either. He set his glass down, sat with them, and picked up a huge, steaming lamb leg to tear into.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Sophie felt her cheeks burning. She cupped her face, rubbing it gently, her gaze fixed entirely on Eric opposite her.

"God, he eats so boldly..."

He didn't look like a noble at all.

Eric couldn't stay there for long, either, because someone would always want to drink with him when he stopped, and it was hard to refuse while sitting.

He wove through the banquet, his vision passing through the overflowing ale to watch the sunset completely disappear, and through his empty glass to watch the night sky rise and sprinkle starlight. In the end, he still drank quite a bit under the irresistible enthusiasm.

Although he said he wanted to enjoy the moment, there was no need to drink himself into a stupor. Feeling that he had eaten and drunk enough, Eric quietly slipped away from the banquet and wobbled back toward the camp on the high ground, looking out at the brightly lit town below.

"It’s certainly lively..."

"Mr. Eric, are you alright?" Alaina had returned to the area at some point and walked toward him.

"Mother Superior Alaina." Eric greeted her as usual to show he hadn't reached the point of losing his mind.

There was a breeze in the night. The Mother Superior walked over and looked at him. "Do you need me to help you sober up?"

"No!" Eric immediately stepped back, his arm instinctively shielding his stomach. "I’m still clear-headed."

Alaina was stunned, then couldn't help but laugh.

"I was talking about a different method... never mind then."

"There's another way?" Eric stepped back toward her.

"Yes, but it only clears the mind; it cannot change the state of the body," Alaina said, adding, "So there is no pain."

Eric was interested. "Let me try that."

The Mother Superior stepped closer, raised her hand to press against his brow, and held the holy pendant on her chest with her other hand, silently casting the divine art.

Her fingertips were a bit cold...

Eric looked up at the fingers on his forehead. By the time she pulled away and he regained his focus, he found that his mind was indeed much clearer.

However, he immediately noticed that his connection to his body seemed to have weakened; there was a strange feeling that he was himself, and his body was his body.

"How do you feel?" Alaina asked.

"Much clearer," Eric replied. "But it feels like my body is no longer my own."

"This divine art is originally used to reduce pain for the wounded... once this feeling gradually fades, you will be sober," the Mother Superior said.

Looking down at his body, Eric muttered, "That is a dangerous state."

Alaina glanced at him. "Warriors seem to care a lot about the control of their own bodies."

"Because in a life-or-death struggle, the only thing you can absolutely trust is your own physical form."

The Mother Superior nodded without saying more, and Eric followed her point. "Mother Superior Alaina seems to have had frequent contact with people like us?"

"I had more contact in the army a dozen years ago; now, less so."

She didn't intend to say more, so Eric didn't press. He turned his gaze back to the town below.

The lights reflected the night; a thousand people have a thousand faces. This feast had been going on for several hours, but there was no sign of it ending. The liveliness was constant—people eating, drinking, chatting, making noise, getting drunk, or pretending to be drunk—each busy in their own way.

Since Eric had memories, he didn't know how many banquets he had attended, but even for his coming-of-age ceremony only a few months ago, he had little impression left. Only today’s feast, he felt, he would remember for a long time, because those attending seemed more like real people.

"What a wonderful and real world..."

Eric sighed unconsciously. Alaina turned to look at him, just about to say something, when she caught a glimpse of a streak of light across the sky.

A meteor?

She quickly looked over, but there was nothing there.

It lasted for a fleeting moment, so brief it felt like an illusion. That was what Alaina believed—even if it was real, she had missed it, and it felt better to think that way.

Because they were rare, meteors were artificially imbued with many meanings on the Gaia continent. For example, merchants thought meteors brought luck, while farmers hoped for a bountiful harvest the following year.

Because they were indeed rare, even within the Church, meteors held extraordinary significance.

Having failed to see the meteor fall directly, Alaina felt a bit of regret. However, Eric beside her suddenly exhaled, as if relieved of a heavy burden.

"It’s coming."

"What..."

Before the Mother Superior could finish her sentence, the sky suddenly brightened.

A massive meteor streaked across, leaving a brilliant trail in the night sky. Before it vanished, it suddenly flared, lighting up the entire sky.

"A meteor..."

Alaina not only saw the meteor directly this time, but it was so dazzling that she was filled with shock, even forgetting to make a wish.

*Clap.* The person beside her suddenly clapped his hands.

She looked over and saw him open his arms after clapping, as if showing her the wonder before them, or perhaps as if he were about to merge into this starry sky.

"Mother Superior Alaina, please witness—this is my greeting to the Saintess."

...A greeting?

While Alaina was bewildered, the night sky became bright once more, but it was no longer just a fleeting moment.

One after another, countless meteors seemed to respond to Eric’s call, continuously streaking across the dark night sky, weaving thousands of delicate trails of light. One streak of light would pass in a flash, but countless rays of brilliance followed as if in pursuit, completely illuminating the entire sky.

"This is..."

The Mother Superior’s eyes widened, staring at the starry sky, motionless and incredulous.

"A meteor shower..."

Down the mountain, the banquet in the town, which seemed like it would never end all night, suddenly froze, and everyone looked up.

In Oru City, within the manor of the City Lord, the Count by the window also lost his words at this moment.

The stars fell, and their brilliance illuminated the earth.

In the courtyards of monasteries, on the towering spires of mage towers, in orc settlements in the wilderness, among elven tribes deep in the forest, on the surface of dark lakes, and even in the sky where wings glided—all intelligent life, in the unprecedentedly long gaze of the starry sky upon the earth, were shocked into forgetting themselves.

Because of the sobering divine art, Eric was incredibly clear-headed and incredibly relaxed at this moment, because the huge stone that had been hanging in his heart for so long had finally landed at the most opportune moment.

—The Great Meteor Shower of Dante County, the iconic event marking the official start of the final closed beta of *Thorn Soul Crown*, had finally arrived.

In his past life, he and other closed beta players descended into this world against such a background, beginning to save Vale Town, which had been almost entirely occupied by the undead.

And now, this meteor shower, witnessed by countless people, would, along with his so-called prophecy, weave an irrefutable cloak for his status as someone favored by the gods.

Before tomorrow’s sun reached its zenith, the news of this meteor shower in Dante County would reach the ears of interested parties in every corner of the Empire.

—This, of course, included that Saintess far away in the Holy Capital.

Beside him, Mother Superior Alaina was gradually being occupied by another kind of shock.

She finally remembered what Eric’s so-called greeting was.

【Your Holiness the Saintess, your devout believer Eric Cimino sends his greetings to you and prays to Yela: May the Saintess always be bathed in divine light, may divine grace be eternal, and may the blessings received be as brilliant as the stars. The gods shall also respond, stirring the night sky, scattering the stars, and bestowing supreme grace.】

—In that greeting letter Eric asked her to send to the Saintess, he had actually already prophesied this unprecedented meteor shower!

The falling of the stars seemed as if it would continue forever, but Alaina’s attention could hardly remain on the night sky. She turned to look at Eric.

The night wind whipped, his golden hair dancing wildly in the gale.

He had lowered his arms, merely looking up at the starry sky, which was weaving a white night with thousands of threads. Unlike the shock of others, his face was so calm that no expression could be discerned.

Another question sprang up in Alaina’s mind.

Was this truly a prophecy... or a response from the gods to the wish he had made?

No one could answer her.

When the last meteor disintegrated and burned out, blooming with a final, magnificent glow in the night sky, all was silent, and the night put back on its original veil.

"The business here is finished. We head back to the city tomorrow."

Eric looked at the Mother Superior beside him. "Mother Superior Alaina might as well stay at the City Lord’s manor for a few more days and wait for news—regarding my replacing Irene, I believe the Saintess will soon have a new perspective."

The starry sky returned to its silent brilliance. Alaina looked into his eyes one last time, then slowly lowered her head.

"Yes... Mr. Eric."

·

【End of the Holy Capital Envoy Arc】