Chapter 283
The road leading from the outskirts to the city center. Dawn was just breaking, but the line of wagons stretched quite far. Each one was loaded with massive barrels of liquor, dried meats, cheeses, and the like.

The tavern owners came outside to greet the drivers. The streets still bore the aftermath of the previous day’s festival—people nursing their hangovers with sips of beer, others passed out and sprawled about, and piles of trash scattered everywhere.

“This way, this way! Thank you for coming. The inner storage is cleared out, so please unload here. Hey, everyone! The goods have arrived!”

At the owner’s call, the staff began hauling the barrels inside. One of the drivers took a sip of the soup handed to him and asked,

“Why such a huge order? It’s at least five times more than usual. The horses must be exhausted.”

“You know why. That’s why I promised them extra pay.”

“Not that it’s my concern, but will all this even get used? The selection was yesterday, and today’s just the closing ceremony, right? People don’t drink like this anymore. Even those who came up from the provinces are already heading back.”

The owner clicked his tongue at the driver’s interference. The ones who drink and the ones who serve don’t complain, but the ones who move the goods grumble about the effort.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Haven’t you heard? The Crown Prince’s appointment ceremony is when all three kingdoms’ leaders gather. It’s chaos.”

The appointment itself was the festival of festivals, and with the leaders of three nations attending, the size of the delegation was unimaginable. Rumors even exaggerated it as if an entire small country was on the move.

And that wasn’t all. Guests would flood in from all over Bariel, including foreigners this time. The days ahead would be far grander than any selection test.

“When that time comes, you won’t even get to tap the kegs, so we’re stocking up early. Expect orders like this every day for a while. You’ll have your work cut out for you.”

“The selection just ended, and you’re already making a fuss. The beer’s going to go bad!”

“Why would it? The longer it ages, the better it tastes. And hey, if you’re going to keep complaining, maybe send another driver!”

Unable to hold back, the owner barked, and the driver quietly got up to start unloading.

What a pain! The owner snorted inwardly, then noticed someone half-leaning against the tavern’s threshold.

“Hey! Customer!”

“Ughhh…”

“Oh dear, you look like a mess. Hey, you’re here for the ceremony today, right?”

Beric half-opened his eyes and lifted his head at the call. Seeing him, the owner frowned as if he’d just witnessed something unpleasant.

“…Ceremony?”

“You helped boost sales a lot yesterday, so I remember you. Better get moving. Whoever you are, the owner said he’d scold you if you’re late.”

“Ah! Aaaah! Ack!”

“Goodness.”

Beric was unusually sociable, sweeping through table after table alone in the tavern.

Rumor had it he’d done exceptionally well in the selection test, and the owner had rewarded him accordingly…

“Hey! Listen to me!”

“Hey, customer, come out here.”

“I’m dead. Damn, I’m dead!”

“Customer’s about to die. Hurry!”

Beric splashed water from a glass on his face to freshen up. As soon as the horse was out of the stable, he grabbed the reins tightly and kicked the stirrups. The horse, still a bit groggy, stumbled but then galloped down the street.

The owner shook his head watching with the staff.

“Whoever this ‘owner’ is, they’re going to have a hard time.”

“He sure ate a lot. Half of yesterday’s sales were thanks to him.”

“Exactly. They’re really going to have a tough time.”

Tap tap tap!

Still, it was a quiet dawn, so Beric could ride without much trouble. If he didn’t get lost, he might reach Ian before he noticed!

Clinging to hope and expectation, Beric spotted an old man across the street. If he kept going, he could probably pass by without incident…

“Huh? Uh?!”

But the old man wasn’t walking—he was crawling, hunched over, carrying a heavy bundle.

Beric gasped, yanked the reins, and the horse leapt over him.

“Whoa!”

“Hey, wait! Are you okay?”

“Goodness, you scared this old man half to death.”

“Sorry, really sorry. I was in a rush.”

Beric dismounted and approached the old man. There was no collision, but just in case, he checked carefully for injuries. The old man just stared at him.

Feeling that gaze, Beric hesitated. His fingertips felt nothing. No legs.

“Whoa. That was close! So that’s why you were crawling! Grandma, I’m really sorry.”

Beric rummaged through his pockets, counting the coins left. Ian had given him a gold coin as a congratulatory allowance, but now he only had a few copper coins left.

Still, since no harm was done, maybe this was enough compensation for the scare?

“Here, it’s not much, but go get some warm soup. It’s the best for calming a rattled heart.”

“You brat, I don’t take money!”

“Huh? Then what?”

The old man scanned Beric from under her robe, clicked her tongue, and then started crawling away.

“That’s enough. You don’t even have food.”

“…Damn it. Grandma, do you eat people?!”

“Enough! Go on your way!”

Beric grabbed the hem of her robe in surprise, but she waved him off. Luckily, the street was empty—otherwise, this scene would have drawn quite the attention.

Beric clung on stubbornly.

“If you don’t eat people, then what? What if I report you later? Ian’s going to be really mad! At least take the money!”

“I told you, I don’t take money, you brat!”

“Ugh, seriously! Then what do you want?”

The legless old woman was surprisingly strong. Had she been drinking too much yesterday? Beric was nearly dragged along, stumbling.

“Alright, alright, just put this down and let me go.”

“Take the money.”

Sigh. The old woman sighed and glanced around. She wanted to disappear before things got messy.

“I live off something other than money.”

“Damn, it’s human flesh after all!?”

“Secret.”

She snapped at Beric to shut up. He’d seen many people in his life, but never anyone so stubborn.

She yanked her robe free from his grip and said,

“But you have nothing to eat.”

Beric had never met anyone without secrets. Even children have secrets.

There were two possibilities here: either she lived without a care, or all her secrets were out in the open.

Judging by her behavior, it was probably both.

“Secret? I have secrets too.”

“…You just think they’re secrets.”

“Damn, so what? What are you gonna do about it?”

“If you really want to make amends, bring someone else. Someone thoughtful, quiet, and utterly unreadable would be perfect.”

“Strange old lady, really.”

“Who’s calling who strange?”

Beric moved her bundle across the street and looked up at the sky. The dawn had fully brightened. If he delayed any longer, Ian would definitely scold him.

“Alright. So where do I go?”

“Do you know how to read a calendar?”

“No.”

“Meet me here on the night of the crescent moon.”

“Got it. But if I report you before then, I’m really not kidding!”

The old woman waved her hand, urging him to leave.

As Beric mounted his horse and turned away, the hem of her robe slipped into the alley. Crawling and yet so fast. Beric frowned, thinking she was truly a strange old woman.

“Let’s go!”

Whoosh!

He kicked the horse into a gallop again. Now he had to make up for lost time.

In the distance, the palace gates came into view. Beric waved, and the guards waiting for his arrival immediately opened the gates.

“Thanks!”

“Hurry, Beric! Ian just asked if you’re here yet!”

Yikes! Beric panicked and urged his horse faster. In no time, he reached the Ministry of Magic and dashed up the stairs. The mages greeted him with teasing remarks.

“Beric, are you really coming in now?”

“Oh ho, you’re crazy.”

“Shut up! Where’s Ian?”

“Where else but the office?”

Tap tap tap!

Bang!

Beric flung the door open without warning. Unlike the startled Romandro, Ian only clicked his pocket watch.

“Am I… late? Ian, it’s not that—I had an accident on the way—”

“Just barely. You’ve got exactly one minute left.”

“Wow. I thought I was a goner.”

As the tension broke, the hangover hit him hard. Beric clutched his queasy stomach and collapsed forward. Romandro helped him up, urging him on.

“Ugh, you reek of alcohol. How can the star of the ceremony look like this? Your hair’s a mess, and your face is all swollen!”

“I’m only this good because of me.”

“And still not sober. Tsk tsk. Hurry up and get ready!”

Romandro held out a formal suit in front of Beric. Today was the day he’d officially join the royal guard as this year’s champion!

The attendants dragged Beric away, while Ian tapped away at his report.

“I’ll head out first. Romandro, come join us once Beric is ready.”

“Understood.”

Could a ceremony be complete without magical effects? Ian led the waiting mages as they stepped out of the main hall.

---

About five hundred candidates who had excelled in the selection process were invited to fill the seats. Most had already decided to enlist in the Imperial Defense Corps, while a few took pride simply in having participated, hoping for another chance.

Xiaoshi was among them. Wearing the outfit Jin had personally gifted him, he sat quietly among the crowd.

“I heard the winner is pretty young.”

“Yeah, hasn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony yet. They say he’s a magic swordsman.”

“Well, he did beat the captain, so winning makes sense. Does that make him the youngest captain of the Imperial Guard?”

“No, apparently someone else is captain. Not sure why—there must be some disqualifying reason.”

Murmurs about Beric rippled through the crowd.

Since that day, whenever two or more swordsmen gathered, Beric’s name inevitably came up. His victory had shaken the warrior ranks to their core.

Xiaoshi glanced up toward where Jin and Ian sat. Jin faced forward with a dignified expression, but Xiaoshi knew better—he caught the child sneaking glances and smiling in his direction.

“Ah, it’s starting.”

A soft hum filled the air.

The award recipient stepped onto the stage, gripping a magical artifact. His opening remarks quietly spread through the hundreds gathered.

“…For the health and future strength of the Great Empire Bariel, I extend my praise to all who participated. The recent events have proven our resilience and power…”

The speech was as dull and tedious as always. People stifled yawns, listening with half their attention.

“Now, we will honor those who stood out in this selection. When your name is called, please come forward.”

Rustle.

The speaker flipped through his papers, pausing briefly.

“Beric.”

“Yes! Beric here!”

“Simon, Bonita, Higa…”

Names were called one after another. Those seated in the front rows rose and made their way to the stage. Leading the group was Beric, looking sharp in his suit after a long time.

“That’s Beric with the red hair, right?”

“Yeah. So who’s the captain then?”

“Simon and Bonita, I think.”

“Oh.”

Simon was the one who had defeated Beric in hand-to-hand combat. Despite the size difference, it was impressive—almost as if he had giant blood in him.

“Beric, congratulations. Keep striving to uphold Bariel’s honor.”

“Don’t worry!”

“…Have you decided where you’ll serve?”

The speaker handed Beric a bouquet and a trophy, asking the question. Beric, as if it were obvious, pressed close to the magical artifact and shouted,

“The Imperial Guard!”

Ah, damn it. The guards watching from below squeezed their eyes shut. But Beric wasn’t done.

“Next time, I’ll be the captain!”

Simon and Bonita.

Ian watched the two new captains with a nod. These were the ones who would lead the charge in upcoming monster battles.

Celebrating Beric’s victory and the rise of a new generation, the Magic Department released a shower of flower petals.

Swish!

Flutter!

The petals drifted down in a brilliant cascade. Beric waved his bouquet enthusiastically toward the Imperial Guard and quickly shot them a wink—a silent promise to do his best.

Led by Ian, applause erupted from the audience.