Under the snowflakes falling from the sky, it was hard to believe that just a few days ago, Crossroads had been the site of fierce battles against monsters. Now, it was filled with a long-awaited vibrancy.
Citizens who had evacuated returned, and the city was filled with the hazy steam of food being prepared everywhere.
People from various countries made their traditional New Year’s dishes and shared them with each other. As if trying to show off their country’s food culture, they competitively offered food to guests.
Originally, Crossroads didn’t have a New Year’s festival culture.
However, because there was no autumn festival in the second year, they had a simple event on the first day of the new year where they shared food or set up stalls instead…
This had a good response. And it seemed like everyone needed a break. So, from this year, it was officially changed to an official event.
So, strictly speaking, today is not a festival. It’s just a day where everyone shares food, goes to the temple to pray, and enjoys peace.
‘Well, what’s so special about a festival… If everyone is happy together, that’s a festival.’
As the World Guardian Front has grown in size over the past year, people from more diverse countries were sharing a variety of dishes this time.
But for some reason, this food-sharing event turned into a food fight scene between countries, competing to see which country’s food was the most delicious based on sales… It seems like a cooking manga-like development. Serenade? Is this your doing?
However, among the many countries this year, the Bringer Principality was nowhere to be seen.
“…”
A scene from two years ago suddenly flashed through my mind.
The image of Dusk Bringer hanging a large pot and pouring meat stew over grilled vegetables.
The smiling face of the Dragon Lady, saying nonsense like how she controlled the fire to grill the vegetables herself by breathing on them, because fire control was key.
I kept looking around, raising my head.
“…”
The people I saw on New Year’s Day in the first year, the people I saw on New Year’s Day in the second year, are not visible today.
Suddenly, the shadows of the people who had disappeared from my sight flashed across the New Year’s street like a hallucination.
When I closed and opened my eyes, the shadows disappeared, and only the laughter of people enjoying themselves with plates of food echoed.
While I was blankly chasing the traces of those who had disappeared with my eyes.
“But still, aren’t our Maple Leaf dumplings the best? This taste that peels the roof of your mouth!”
Kuilran grinned as he took out freshly baked dumplings from the brazier.
It was the unique dumpling of the Maple Leaf tribe, which was said to bring good luck for the year if you put it in your mouth and swallow it while it was still hot.
Of course, I hated peeling the roof of my mouth, just like last year, so I just received the plate and left it on the table to cool down.
I am currently sitting at the Maple Leaf tribe’s stall.
As it was a popular stall last year, it is crowded with other customers. I am sitting in a prime spot right next to the brazier where Kuilran is baking dumplings, watching.
“Is this the last peace before the storm, Captain?”
Kuilran, who had adjusted the fire in the brazier, wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked.
“Is this the time for everyone to take a breather before the final sprint, right?”
“…”
I chuckled.
“You don’t sound scared at all, considering you know that, Kuilran?”
“The trials we’ve been through have been so harsh that I’ve gotten used to them… I know being careless is bad, but honestly, I feel like, whatever comes, do as you please. Because we’ll just break it all anyway.”
Kuilran bumped his fists together.
I quietly smiled and grabbed my dumpling… then quietly put it down. It’s still hot. Ugh.
‘It’s as Kuilran says.’
Now is the final calm before the last five consecutive battles.
After this peaceful period, once the final preparations are complete, from the forty-sixth stage to the final fiftieth stage… it will come relentlessly.
The citizens who have just returned will have to evacuate again, and we will have to continue the harsh battle, holding onto the end of this winter.
“But still, if we win this, it’s really all over, right?”
Kuilran grinned as he placed another new dumpling on my plate. No, I’m letting it cool down because it’s hot, and you’re giving me another one like a fireball!
“If you think about it that way, it feels like it’s worth it, doesn’t it?”
“…”
“If this trial is the last hill we have to climb… I’m even a little happy. Because we just need to put in a little more effort.”
Is it possible to think that way?
If we endure just two more months, it’s over…
‘I…’
Trying once again to find the shadows of those who will never return, I closed and opened my eyes wide.
‘Am I… heading towards that end properly?’
Leading all of them, in the right direction…
At that moment, people from the temple and retired soldiers from the old barracks rushed into Kuilran’s dumpling stall. I waved to Torkel, who was at the front.
“Torkel!”
“Ah, Your Highness! Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year to you too. Do you want a dumpling?”
I subtly handed Torkel the one that had just come out and was as hot as fire from the two dumplings on my plate. Torkel took it in one bite without hesitation.
“Wow, isn’t it hot?”
Surprised by Torkel, who didn’t change his expression, Torkel calmly replied.
“It’s fine. It’s just warm.”
“No, isn’t your palate all burned…?”
Even the best tank on the front lines can’t help it inside his mouth…
After exchanging various New Year’s greetings, I noticed that some of the retired soldiers were missing.
Leaving aside the Glory Knights, Chain, who was always with the retired soldiers… and was close to Torkel, was not to be seen.
“Where’s Chain?”
“He left in a hurry the day before yesterday.”
Torkel grinned inside his helmet.
“He exchanged letters with his daughter… and fortunately, his daughter’s reaction wasn’t bad. He went back to his hometown. He left in a hurry to visit on New Year’s Day.”
“Huh.”
I knew roughly about Chain’s situation, so I became a little worried.
“It’s been quite a while since he left home. And his wife was very angry. Will he be okay?”
“It’s New Year’s.”
Torkel said softly, handing out plates of dumplings to the other retired soldiers.
“There are few days when people’s hearts are as generous as today.”
“…”
“We don’t know when the world will end, so we should reconcile as soon as possible… so that the time we can love each other increases.”
Torkel, whose voice is still blunt and awkward, but who has become as eloquent as any orator, said that.
Yes. Whether today will be the last January 1st in this world. Or not. We don’t know yet.
I prayed that Chain would return home safely. So that he could reconcile with his wife, apologize to his daughter, and kiss his grandchild’s cheek.
…And, of course.
I also know that people’s hearts don’t always work out so well.
“…”
After listening to the story, Kuilran glanced at the north of the city for a moment – towards the Arian Kingdom’s military camp.
Then, with a “Heave-ho!” he started baking dumplings again.
After briefly observing the relationship between Kuilran and Yoon, which ran parallel and never met, I ate the dumplings that had finally cooled down and turned my gaze to the other side of the city.
Hoping that everyone could be generous and comfort each other in the new year.
***
“Hmm…”
Evangeline was walking through the street of stalls with a serious face.
Snow was falling from the sky, but the weather was mild. The street of stalls with hot pots was slightly warm just from the warmth of people and food.
Evangeline, who had been walking side by side with other heroes of the Crossroad Hero Alliance, devouring various foods, kept groaning.
“Ughhh.”
The other heroes walking next to her were puzzled.
“The chairman seems to be very worried today.”
“That’s right. Usually, she would have eaten five more bowls…”
“To be so down even with free food in front of her.”
“Is something wrong, Chairman?”
“No, well, it’s not a big deal.”
It’s definitely not a big deal.
‘It’s just bothering me!’
Lukas and Hecate’s date!
But I couldn’t follow them like before. This time, it seemed like there would be a really important conversation between the two of them.
‘But I’m curious! What’s going to happen?! Hecate is one thing, but what’s going on with that old man Lukas?!’
While being curious, Evangeline suddenly felt a surge of anger.
No, what does it matter what happens to that old man? Why have I been worrying about him alone like this?
That old man doesn’t even care who confesses to me?
“No, thinking about it, I’m pissed!”
Why does it feel like I’m the only one losing out?!
‘I’m going to stop caring too! You can live your own life, hmph!’
Evangeline, who was completely heated up, started a furious mukbang [eating broadcast]. In front of Evangeline’s terrifying momentum, who was sweeping through the New Year’s food at nearby stalls one after another, the Crossroad Hero Alliance heroes all applauded.
“That’s right! That’s our chairman!”
“Please break the record, Chairman!”
“Heh heh, let’s destroy this event that dared to offer free food!”
“Crossroads…! You underestimated the greatness of the person who will become your lord…!”
It was around the time when Evangeline was energetically filling her round belly, listening to the members’ wicked laughter and cheers.
“Ah.”
“Ah…”
Before they knew it, they were in the familiar cafeteria street, and the New Terra food restaurant where the Crossroad Hero Alliance members often had get-togethers was in front of them.
And the waiter, who was now completely familiar, was standing awkwardly in front of the store, greeting customers.
“Um… hello, Miss Evangeline.”
“Ah, well, ahem!”
Evangeline, who was somehow embarrassed, turned her gaze and greeted him.
“Hello. Waiter.”
…Something about the atmosphere is unusual.
The waiter stared intently at Evangeline with a determined look in his eyes.
The Crossroad Hero Alliance members, who had been following closely behind Evangeline, destroying the stores, held their breath. In an instant, the front of the store was enveloped in a silence that was far removed from the New Year’s atmosphere.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since that battle. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Yes. Thanks to you saving me… I’m safe.”
Another brief silence.
Evangeline didn’t know what to do with this atmosphere, so she turned around and asked the members for help with her eyes, but the members were covering their mouths and wickedly laughing while chewing popcorn. These guys!
“Once again, thank you so much, Miss, you are the savior of my life.”
“No, it’s nothing… It was my duty as the successor to the Border Count…”
Evangeline was flustered in front of the waiter who was muttering with his head bowed.
It was then.
“And… after participating in the battle once, and facing the monsters up close, I realized.”
“Huh?”
“That you are a truly amazing person. And… that I am a human who doesn’t belong in this world.”
The waiter muttered bitterly.
“That it’s not a place to step forward with childish courage. The warriors on this front line are fighting a much, much harder and more grueling battle than I thought.”
“…”
“I… wanted to show you. That my feelings for you are real, I wanted to prove it by facing the monsters directly. But now I know how absurd and childish that thought was.”
The waiter bowed deeply.
“I was presumptuous, and I only acted on my emotions, causing trouble for you, and many others. I’m really… sorry.”
“No, it’s not that bad…”
“I’m going to leave this city now.”
The waiter smiled sadly.
“Because I’m an inevitable coward. I’ve been having nightmares about monsters every day since that day.”
“…”
“I will pray for your good fortune, and for Crossroads, from afar.”
After acknowledging his shame and weakness, the waiter bowed once more with a much more relaxed face.
“Please consider the confession that troubled you that day as if it never happened. I’m really sorry for bothering you.”
“…”
“Then… how about, would you like to have a meal?”
Of course, they didn’t eat.
The Crossroad Hero Alliance and Evangeline headed to the next street, passing by the cafeteria.
“…Wait a minute.”
Evangeline, who had been walking aimlessly with her consciousness slightly blurred, muttered with a face that was not relaxed at all, unlike the waiter.
“Is this… did I just get dumped?”
I didn’t do anything, but he confessed on his own and even took back that confession on his own.
“No, wait a minute, you waiter, stay right there, is this even possible-”
0 confessions, 1 rejection.
Evangeline, who had recorded a score that was only passed down in legends, grabbed her head and roared.
Uwaaaaaa…!
“…?”
And in the alley on the opposite side.
Lukas, who was sitting side by side with Hecate in another cafeteria, holding a coffee cup, glanced in the direction where the roar was coming from.
“What is that, a pterodactyl?”