Chapter 211: The Celebration and the Prelude to the Military Shopping System
Chapter 211: The Celebration and the Prelude to the Military Shopping System
The sun had begun to rise over Akarios Island, casting a warm glow on a scene that had been marked by devastation just hours before. The beach was no longer filled with the sounds of battle but with the soft murmurs of life returning to normal. Coalition soldiers moved slowly, some still in shock, others visibly relieved that the day had finally come when they could celebrate a victory instead of mourn a loss.
Vincent stood at the command tent, watching the horizon as the first light touched the water. His body ached, each movement a reminder of the fierce battle they had fought. Yet, despite the soreness, there was a calm in the air that he hadn't felt in weeks. The adrenaline of war was giving way to the quiet realization of triumph.
"Sir Vincent!" called Brandt. His uniform was freshly cleaned, and his expression was no longer one of worry but of joy. "The troops are gathering near the main campfire. The elves and dwarves have prepared a celebration in our honor."
Vincent nodded, a small smile breaking through his stoic demeanor. "Well, we deserve it. Lead the way, Brandt."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
They walked together toward the heart of the camp, where a massive bonfire had been constructed. The flames crackled and leaped into the air, surrounded by a semicircle of soldiers, elves, and dwarves who had banded together for this moment. Laughter rippled through the group as stories were exchanged, and mugs of ale were passed around with generous hands.
Queen Velara was the first to speak, her voice powerful and confident. "Tonight, we celebrate not just a victory but the bond we have forged in battle. Humans, elves, and dwarves together, we have stood against the dark tide and emerged stronger."
A roar of approval erupted from the crowd, weapons raised in acknowledgment of her words. Velara's emerald eyes swept over them with pride as she lifted her own mug high. "To Akarios, and to those who fought with courage unmatched!"
"To Akarios!" the crowd echoed, their voices thundering into the early morning air.
Princess Elara stood beside Velara, her presence serene yet commanding. She stepped forward, her gaze meeting those of the soldiers. "This victory was not without sacrifice. We have lost brothers and sisters, warriors who gave everything for this day. Let us remember them as we celebrate, for their spirits are with us now."
A moment of silence fell over the camp, and even the crackling of the fire seemed to soften in respect. Then, almost as if on cue, the dwarves broke the silence with a song. It was deep and melodic, resonating with a pride that could only come from warriors who had fought and won against impossible odds. The song spoke of resilience, of friendship forged in the heart of battle, and of hope that the coming days would be brighter.
Vincent's heart swelled with emotion as he listened. The song was soon joined by the elves, whose voices added a high, harmonious counterpoint that blended perfectly with the deep tones of the dwarves. The humans joined in too, their voices rough but earnest, adding a new layer to the music that filled the camp and reached out to the sea.
As the song concluded, a sense of unity swept over the gathered warriors. Vincent stepped forward to address them, the light from the fire casting shadows across his weary features.
"We have faced an enemy that sought to break us, and yet here we stand, not broken but stronger than before. This battle was a test, and we passed it together. There will be more challenges ahead, but tonight, we rest and celebrate our victory."
A cheer rose again, and this time it was unbridled, full of the energy that had been pent up during days of tension and battle. Soldiers clapped each other on the back, and even the most stoic among them couldn't help but smile.
The celebration grew livelier as the minutes turned into hours. Tables were brought in, loaded with a variety of food that Vincent's chef teams had managed to prepare from the camp's stores and local ingredients. Freshly baked bread, roasted meats, stews simmered with wild herbs, and an assortment of fruits filled the tables. The scents wafted through the air, mixing with the salt from the sea and the lingering smoke of the bonfire.
Curious murmurs rippled through the group as the elves and dwarves approached the tables. While accustomed to their own culinary traditions, the spread of human food was a novelty to many of them.
"Come, try it!" called Brandt, lifting a plate toward a group of dwarves with a welcoming grin. "It's not as strong as your ale, but it's hearty enough to warm you up."
Gundar, the burly dwarf who had passed Vincent a mug of ale earlier, stepped forward, eyeing a piece of roasted meat with suspicion. He picked it up with his thick fingers, sniffed it, and took a cautious bite. His eyes widened, and a grin broke out beneath his singed beard. "By the stone, this is good!" he declared, earning laughs from the nearby soldiers.
The other dwarves, encouraged by Gundar's reaction, reached for plates of their own, eagerly tasting the new flavors. They exchanged loud exclamations and hearty nods of approval, discussing which dishes they preferred with gusto.
Not far from them, Princess Elara and a few of her kin delicately sampled the human fare. An elven warrior with silver hair and bright eyes took a sip of the rich, spiced stew and closed his eyes as the taste hit his palate. "This is unlike anything we've ever tasted," he said, turning to Elara with a smile. "There's a simplicity to it, but it's filled with heart."
Elara's gaze softened as she took a bite of the bread, its crust crisp and center soft and warm. The elves were known for their refined, lightly spiced dishes, and the robust flavors of human food provided an interesting contrast. "It speaks of resilience," she murmured. "Much like them."
Queen Velara, observing the scene, raised her own mug and chuckled. "It seems humans have more to offer than just valor on the battlefield."
Vincent, catching the comment, walked over and offered her a plate. "We do our best, Your Majesty. Sometimes a full stomach is as important as a strong sword arm."
Velara's laughter rang out, a rare and genuine sound that turned a few heads. She took the plate and nodded in appreciation. "I see why your troops rally so fiercely under your command, Vincent. You understand what keeps them going."
As the hours slipped by, the shared meal created bonds deeper than those forged in battle. The clinking of mugs, the laughter of soldiers, and the hum of conversations filled the air. Tales of courage and moments of levity during the battle were shared across the tables, bringing a lightness that had been absent for too long.
A young human soldier, who had barely seen seventeen summers, nervously approached an elven warrior with a plate of food. "Would you like some?" he asked, his voice tentative.
The elf looked down at the boy, surprise flickering in his eyes before he softened and accepted the offering. "Thank you, young one," he said, breaking a piece of bread and sharing it with the soldier. The gesture was met with approving nods from both sides.
Gundar, now on his third helping, raised a mug and called out, "To new allies and shared victories!"
The camp roared in agreement, their collective voices reaching the heavens as if to announce their resilience to the gods themselves. Even the sea, which had claimed so many lives hours earlier, seemed calmer under the glow of dawn.
Vincent took a step back, content to watch the scene unfold. For now, they were no longer just warriors or leaders or soldiers-they were survivors, finding solace in the simple act of
breaking bread together.
***
Late in the evening, Vincent retreated to his bedroom where
the echoes of laughter and music still drifted in faintly through the open window. The celebrations outside were beginning to quiet as exhaustion settled over the camp, but there was a sense of peace that permeated the air. The long, arduous hours of battle seemed like a distant memory now, softened by the shared warmth of camaraderie and victory.
He sat at the edge of his cot, rubbing his temples. The strain of the past few days weighed on him, but so did the knowledge that they had won, if only for a moment. The responsibilities that came with leadership, the need to remain vigilant for the next threat, all loomed over him like shadows creeping into the firelight.
He laid down on his cot and opened his military system.
They had killed a lot of demon forces, including one of the Demon King Generals, leaving him with a copious amount of gold coins that he could use to enhance his military force.
"Now then-where do I start?"