I want sake!

After I arrived back at the castle the civilians ambushed me with flowers. I've been in war many times, but this has never happened before. No no, at best they bow or fall into dogeza in awe or appreciation to show their respect.

My view was actually nearly blocked just by the amount of flowers at one point. No no, I understand that you are grateful for the protection, but why are you tossing flowers at me?! No, I suppose it's because they're happy... but... is this tradition here?!

I nearly stopped riding just from momentary confusion. I believe the word for what happened in that moment is 'Culture Shock'. People here are... overwhelming in their affection... as these... public displays of affection were never part of my former life I am... not used to it... and neither was Lily. As such, neither of us appear to have immunity to their cheers and affectionate eyes... or the flowers. Especially the flowers. I just barely managed to send them back an expected smile as well, though I nearly solidified.

So, after somehow getting through giving my report to Eric he declared the following:

"A feast for victory!"

And everyone cheered. No, I did notice the civilians being quite well dressed... did they expect it? Eric... were you springing a surprise party on me with everyone else knowing about it?

As we made our way to the inner ring I found out my suspicions had been right. Long tables longer than anything I'd seen except in winter court at the clan kyuden... People bustled everywhere and the entire area buzzed with life. It became a party before we even sat down, with alcohol and fried... red... meat... vegetables, tiny sized potatoes and thankfully: fish.

I haven't told you about this, but for... religious purposes I cannot eat red meat... Lily kind of has to though... Ah, but, since we live near Lumere we almost always get fish for dinner, but today appears to be an exception... as there's a calf... an actual roasted calf... Actually... it's not just the meat, it's also the wolf mantle. Fur has always been a no-go as well... but I can't say no, and Lily doesn't care at all either...

So... for all of these reasons I want alcohol.

"You can't, you're only 8," Eric denies me with a scowl as I reach for the wine barrel.

I nearly click my tongue at him.

"I can conquer a Fort but my lord still won't let me have a cup of wine." I say to the guard captain next to me with a smile, but he just laughs in return.

"You would probably faint with your body being as small as it is," he attempts to meditate between us.

I am already aware of that though, but I really need it to mitigate the feeling I'm sitting with right now. I mean, no matter when, there is always a pair of eyes on me, gazing at me with their intense and sincere admiration. I'm not used to getting this kind of attention, furthermore... all the men have been making weird looks at me and to each other for a while now!

It's clear they are planning something. Their playful looks are frazzling my nerves that were already wearing thin from bad sleep and the flower throwing from earlier. I am overwhelmed, I want to rest a bit.

By the way, you'd expect the heroine to be here, right? But apparently they'd left while I was still at Fort Brightstone. Well, it wasn't a surprise. Since Claire had gotten the protection of a light fairy she couldn't be ignored any further. Jacqueline likely took her daughter to the Baron she had her with. In the end the timing was pretty much the same in the story, however, Claire wouldn't be introduced to the public until she entered the academy. Well, she was incredibly valuable and the Baron wouldn't have enough power to protect her for all those years if people knew about her. It was likely something like that.

I glance to mother who is being the hostess for the party. She actually appears to be having fun. I was under the impression she didn't care for commoners, but perhaps she's gotten closer to them during the siege while I wasn't looking. No... closer would be an exaggeration, she may just not hate them anymore. Also, I think she's drunk. The knight standing behind her has a worried look, and so does our butler.

My observations are interrupted as the men at our table begins to rhythmically hammer the table.

The table is shaking.

My plate too.

What are you guys doing? I raise an eyebrow at them but they seem quite caught up in what they're doing.

'Oh oh~ oh'

Singing? Now? We aren't marching though? It is quite an odd time for a group song though...

Meanwhile the other tables with soldiers join in. I glance to the Guard Captain as well, since even he joins into this... unexpected behavior, and I suddenly get a creeping feeling.

It's that isn't it?! This is what you guys had been preparing!

I veer my eyes towards Eric that is merely watching me interested with a secretive little smile.

"A wise boy once said:" A large man stands up among the crowd and sings out in a strong voice. It would be perfect for a marching song, but for everything else I'm not sure-

"Once your soul's in the battle"

"there's no going back."

Hold on... didn't this sound somewhat familiar? Everyone else finally join in as well..

"You must fight or fall!"

...something about it was familiar... not the song... but the situation...

"And during the charge,"

"you feel the blood start to boil in your veins"

"as you run."

"Under the eyes of heaven!"

Ah~ it was like when we charged at the separate strike force. Ah, they really understood, the feeling of the charge! ...Wait...

"As the fires inside"

"are ignited by Scorog"

"we charge to war!"

"It is as was promised"

"When the wolves have been wounded,"

"Scorog howls!"

No. no no no wait a moment! Wait! Why are you all looking at me and raising your glasses at me at that last line?! No... wait... is.. are you singing to ME?! I feel dizzy and grip my cup tighter as my heart starts to pump against my ribs.

"Our Warrior was marching to war"

"Forged in the Heavens by the Heroes of yore!"

"Baptized in water, and leading us far"

"Such is the hero of our!"

My head feels light. I am not a god. I am not dead either! Don't dedicate songs to me!

I feel short of breath and my view is swimming at their immense gesture. My body is burning. Also... The last line... the last line of the chorus makes everything worse... because when they sing it I can see the worry and sadness in their eyes. Someone told them that they wouldn't see me again, for they still look at me as a boy... this is... their goodbye to me... I feel like everything I've said since the siege started is being turned against me. I know that I am being praised, however, in... in such a manner... it's simply too much! Even if you're saying goodbye this is too much!

They repeat the chorus again which cause me to look down... until the hammering stops for a moment and the following lines come with raised glasses and every gaze on me.

"First to the battle"

"First to the feast"

"Our destiny is waiting,"

"Never must we retreat!"

They start hammering again, and it's clear even to me that they don't want to say goodbye.

"Our Warrior was marching to war"

"Forged in the Heavens by the Heroes of yore!"

"Baptized in water, and leading us far"

"Such is the hero of our!"

I have to face them... I must... no matter how embarrassing it is, and no matter how overwhelmed I am I must face them... but... they're so bright...

Unable to handle it any longer I reach over and grab the wine keg and fill a cup as they're about to finish. I can't face this any longer while being sober!

I raise a glass as they finish the last chorus.

"FOR VICTORY!"

and as I do the castle grounds resound with their voices:

"FOR VICTORY!"