759. [Side Story] Brand new day
Under the snowflakes falling from the sky.
Crossroads was full of energy for the first time in a long time, making it hard to believe that a fierce battle against a monster had taken place just a few days ago.
Citizens who had evacuated returned and a hazy atmosphere of food preparation rose up throughout the city.
People from each country made their own traditional New Year’s food and shared it with each other. They handed out food to customers competitively, as if trying to show off their country’s food culture.
Originally, Crossroads did not have a culture called a New Year festival.
However, since there was no fall festival in the second year, we instead held a simple event on New Year’s Day where we shared food or set up a street stall… and this was well-received
. I think we all need time to take a breather again. Starting this year, it was completely changed to an official event.
So, strictly speaking, today is not a festival. It’s just a day where we all share food, go to a temple, pray, and enjoy ourselves in peace.
‘Is there such a thing as a festival? If we all have fun together, it’s a festival.’
As the size of the World Defense Front has grown over the past year, this time, people from more diverse countries were bringing out a variety of dishes to share.
However, for some reason, this food sharing event has become like a food fight scene between countries, with each country competing based on sales to see which country’s food is the best… It seems like something like a cooking cartoon. serenade? Did you do it?
However, this year, among many countries, the Principality of Bringer was nowhere to be seen.
“….”
Suddenly, a scene from two years ago flashed through my mind.
The sight of Dusk Bringer hanging a large pot and pouring meat stew over roasted vegetables.
The smiling face of the Dragon Lady, who said that controlling the heat is the key to grilling vegetables and that she roasted the vegetables herself with her breath. I kept raising my head and looking around.
“….”
The people who were seen in the New Year of the first year and the people who were seen in the New Year of the second year are not seen today.
Suddenly, my gaze caught the vision of the shadows of disappeared people passing through the New Year streets.
As I closed and opened my eyes, the shadows disappeared and only the laughter of people holding plates of food and having fun was heard.
I absent-mindedly follow the traces of those who have disappeared.
“But wouldn’t our maple leaf dumplings be the best? “This taste will completely peel off the roof of your mouth!”
Kuilan grinned as he took out freshly baked dumplings from the oven.
It was a dumpling unique to the Danpungrang tribe, which said that if you put it in your mouth and swallow it while it is hot, you will be lucky for the year.
Of course, I did the same thing last year, but I hated having my palate peeled, so I just received it on a plate and left it on the table to cool.
The place where I am sitting now is the street stall of the Danpunglang tribe.
As it was a popular store last year, it is crowded with other customers. I am sitting at a famous spot right next to the oven where Kuilan bakes dumplings and watching.
“This is the last peace before the storm, right?”
Kuilan, who had adjusted the fire in the oven, asked as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Now is the time for everyone to take a breather before the final sprint, right?”
“….”
I chuckled.
“For all I know, there is no fear in your voice? “Kuilan?”
“I guess you could say that the trials I’ve gone through so far have been so harsh that I’ve slowly gotten used to it all… It’s not good to let down your guard, but honestly, I feel like you can do whatever you want now, no matter what comes. “We’re going to destroy everything anyway.”
Kuilan pounded his fists together.
I laughed quietly, grabbed my share of dumplings… and quietly put them down. It’s still hot. Wow.
‘It’s just as Kuilan said.’
This can be said to be the final calm before the final five-game series.
After the final reorganization of this peaceful period is completed, from the forty-sixth stage to the fiftieth stage… there will be a constant rush.
The returning citizens will have to flee again, and we will have to hold on to the end of this winter and continue the harsh battle.
“But if I just win this, isn’t it really the end?”
Kuilan grinned as he placed another new dumpling on my plate. No, it’s so hot that I’m cooling it down, and they give me another fireball or something!
“If you think like that, it makes you think it’s worth doing, right?”
“….”
“If this ordeal is the last hill we have to overcome… I can’t help but be a little happy. “I just need to exert a little more strength.”
Is it even possible to think like that?
I just have to endure these two more months and it will be over…
‘I…’
I closed my eyes wide and opened them, trying once again to find the shadows of those who were not coming back.
‘Are we heading to the right end?’
Leading them all in the right direction…
At that time, people from the temple and retired soldiers from the old barracks came pouring into Kuilan’s dumpling stand. I waved at Thorkel, who was in the lead.
“Thorkel!”
“Ah, Your Highness! “Happy New Year.”
“You get a lot too. “Do you want some dumplings?”
Of the two dumplings on my plate, I subtly handed the fresh, fiery one to Thorkel. Thorkel didn’t hesitate and took it in one bite.
“Wow, isn’t it hot?”
When I asked Thorkel in surprise, whose complexion did not change at all, he answered calmly.
“That’s right. “It’s a long way from Cannes.”
“No, the entire roof of your mouth is not burned…?”
It seems that even the best tank on the front line can’t help but think about what’s inside their mouth…
While exchanging New Year’s greetings, I noticed that a few people were missing from the group of retired soldiers.
Even though they were Glory Knights, Chain, who was always with the retired soldiers… and who was close to Thorkel, was nowhere to be seen.
“What about the chain?”
“He left in a hurry the day before yesterday.”
Thorkell grinned inside his helmet.
“I exchanged letters with my daughter… fortunately, her reaction wasn’t too bad. He returned to his hometown. “He left in a hurry to visit on New Year’s Day.”
“Huh.”
Since I had some idea of Chain’s situation, I became a little worried.
“I heard it’s been a while since I left home. My wife also said she was very angry. “Is it okay?”
“It’s the new year.”
Thorkel spoke softly as he passed a plate of dumplings to the other veterans.
“There are few days when people’s hearts are as generous as today.”
“….”
“I don’t know when the world will end, so we need to reconcile as soon as possible… so we will have more time to love each other.”
Thorkell, whose voice was still slurred and slurred, but who had become able to speak well enough for an eloquent person, said this.
okay. Will today be the last January 1st of this world? Maybe not. I don’t know yet.
I prayed that Chain would return home safely. So I prayed that I could reconcile with my wife, apologize to my daughter, and kiss my grandchild on the cheek.
…and of course.
I also know that the human mind does not work out that well.
“….”
Kuilan, who was listening to the story, briefly glanced towards the north of the city – towards the Arian Kingdom military camp.
Come on! It made a noise and started cooking the dumplings again.
After drawing a parallel line and taking a quick look at the relationship between Kuilan and Yun that I couldn’t reach, I ate the now properly cooled dumplings and turned my gaze to look at the other side of the city.
As we welcome the new year, I hope that everyone can care for each other with generous hearts.
***
“Hmm….”
Evangeline was walking down the street with a serious face.
Although snow was pouring from the sky, the weather was mild. The streets of street stalls with hot pots on them were a bit hot just from the people and the smoke of the food.
Evangeline, who was laying waste to this street with other heroes from the Great Women’s Combat Committee… no, walking side by side and pouring various foods into her mouth, continued to moan.
“Mmm.”
The other heroes walking next to him were puzzled.
“The chairman seems very worried today.”
“Iknow, right. Normally, you should have eaten five more bowls…”
“I can’t believe you are so calm even with free food in front of you.”
“What’s going on, Chairman?”
“No, that’s it. “It’s not a big deal.”
It’s definitely not a big deal.
‘It just bothers me!’
Lucas and Hecate’s date!
But I couldn’t follow him like I used to. This time, it seemed like something really important was going to happen between the two.
‘But I’m curious! What are you going to do?! Aside from Lord Hecate, what is going on inside that old man, Lucas?!’
While wondering, Evangeline suddenly felt like she was getting drunk.
No, it doesn’t matter what happens to that guy, he’s been worrying about it on his own for a long time, right?
That guy doesn’t care who I confess to or not?
“No, thinking about it makes me mad!”
Why does it seem like only this side is losing money?!
‘I’ll stop paying attention too! ‘Live well and have fun!’
Evangeline, who was extremely feverish, started eating in anger. In front of Evangeline’s fearsome momentum, sweeping away New Year’s food from nearby street stalls one by one, the heroes of the Big Yeo Yong-Yong Committee applauded in unison.
“yes! “This is our president!”
“Please break the new record, Chairman!”
“Let’s destroy this insolent event with free food!”
“Crossroad…! “You have underestimated the greatness of the man who will be your lord…!”
Evangeline was filling her round belly with energy while listening to the members’ evil laughter and cheers.
“oh.”
“Ah…”
It was already a familiar cafeteria street, and in front of us was the New Terra food restaurant, where members of the Korean Women’s Association often had company dinners.
And now the waiter, who looked completely familiar to me, was standing awkwardly in front of the store, greeting customers.
“Hello… Hello, Miss Evangeline.”
“Oh, that’s great!”
Evangeline, feeling somewhat embarrassed, turned her gaze and greeted me.
“hello. Mr. Waiter.”
…There’s something unusual about the atmosphere.
The waiter stared at Evangeline with eyes full of determination.
The members of the Big Women’s Management Committee, who were following Evangeline in full force and destroying stores in the area, held their breath. For a moment, the front of the store was enveloped in silence that was far from the New Year atmosphere.
“This is my first time seeing you since the battle that day. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“yes. “Thanks to the lady who saved me… safely.”
Silence again for a moment.
Evangeline didn’t know what to do with this atmosphere, so she looked back and asked the members for help with their eyes, but the members were just chewing popcorn, smiling evilly with their mouths covered. These!
“Thank you so much again, you are the savior of my life.”
“No, what… It was something I had to do as the heir to the Marriage Count…”
Evangeline was embarrassed in front of the waiter who lowered his head and muttered.
It was then.
“And… I only realized this after participating in a war and facing a monster right under my nose.”
“huh?”
“You are truly an amazing person. And… I am a person who does not fit into this world.”
The waiter muttered bitterly.
“This is not the place to step forward with childish courage. “The warriors on the front lines here are fighting a much harder and harsher fight than I thought.”
“….”
“I… wanted to show you. I wanted to prove that my feelings for the young lady were genuine by confronting the monster directly. “But now I know how absurd that was.”
The waiter bowed deeply.
“I presumptuously and arbitrarily let my emotions get the best of me, portraying the young lady and causing trouble to many people. I’m really sorry.”
“No, not that much….”
“I’m planning to leave this city now.”
The waiter smiled with a sad face.
“Because I’m a helpless coward. “From that day on, I have nightmares about monsters every day.”
“….”
“Even from afar, I wish you and Crossroads good luck.”
After acknowledging his shame and weakness, the waiter greeted him once more with a much more relaxed face.
“Please consider that the confession that caused her trouble that day never happened. “I’m really sorry for bothering you.”
“…”
“Then… how would you like to eat?”
Of course I didn’t eat.
Yeo Yeong-wi and Evangeline passed the cafeteria and headed to the next street.
“…wait for a sec.”
Evangeline, who had been trudging around for a moment while losing consciousness, muttered with an expression on her face that was not at all comfortable, contrary to the waiter.
“Now this… is it possible that I got dumped?”
Even though they didn’t do anything, they confessed arbitrarily and even took back that confession arbitrarily.
“No wait, you waiter, stay there. Does this make sense now-”
0 Confession 1st time.
Evangeline, who recorded a score that is only known in legend, tore out her head and roared.
Wow…!
“…?”
And the alley on the other side.
Lucas, who was sitting next to Hecate in another cafeteria and holding a cup of coffee, glanced in the direction from which the screaming was coming.
“What is a pterosaur?”
