New Year's Festival
The streets were bustling with crowds out celebrating the New Year's festival.
I had planned to enjoy a peaceful day off at home...
But I couldn't ignore Carmen's request to meet at the clearing that night, so I stepped out.
When I arrived, Carmen greeted me with a bright smile.
Oh, you're here, Captain.
Training by yourself while everyone else is celebrating the New Year's festival? That's intense.
Haha. I think you might be misunderstanding me.
I didn't come here to train today.
See? I don't even have my sword or shield with me right now.
...You're right. So why did you call me out here?
Well...
Carmen smiled softly and pulled out a bottle that looked rather expensive.
I brought some premium mead so we could enjoy the New Year's festival together, Captain. Haha.
This mead was crafted with care by expert brewers from Monastir's top brewery.
And this clearing is nice and open, far from the crowds.
A perfect spot for quietly gazing up at the sky, wouldn't you say? Haha.
What do you think? Tempted yet?
You, putting this much thought into relaxing instead of training? That's unexpected.
I know, right? Even I'm surprised by myself.
Maybe something's changed in me lately.
Haha. But let's skip the deep talk and start with a drink, shall we?
Oh! If you're not a fan of mead, I've also got some fatigue recovery soup too.
I'll take the mead.
Haha. There's actually a special trick known only to the Knights, but I'll let you in on it.
If you mix meadwith some fatigue recovery soup, you'll wake up the next morning without a hangover—
No thanks. Just the mead, please.
The mead Carmen brought definitely lived up to the premium label.
Fragrant, smooth to swallow, and it carried that signature warm sensation of mead.
We quietly sipped the mead together for a while.
Captain.
I did a lot of thinking, alone.
About what?
I really like these peaceful, joyful days.
And I wish this kind of life could go on every day. Not just for me, but for everyone.
I wanted to protect those days.
To keep these happy moments from being ruined out of nowhere.
Maybe I was afraid. Or anxious. And I didn't want the others to feel that way too.
But I guess I couldn't hide it from you, Captain.
Maybe that's what it means to be a Captain. Haha.
You were right. I was just being stubborn.
Strange, isn't it? Being around you makes me wonder about things.
Things like what?
Things like... maybe I can make my wish come true if you're by my side.
Do you think I can do it?
Do you think I can remain a steadfast shield for everyone?
You already are. You're a fine knight, Carmen.
Haha.
That really puts my heart at ease. Thank you.
In the distance, a faint countdown drifted in from the plaza.
It must be time for the highlight of the New Year's festival, the rocket launch.
The ground shook with a booming roar, and fireworks soared into the sky.
Did you make a wish?
Of course. That's a core tradition of the rocket launch, after all.
What did you wish for?
Well...
I wished that my dream wouldn't be in vain.
And...
Haha. The other one's a secret.
She smiled as she watched the rocket vanish into the distance.
A pure and genuine smile, free of any deceit.