Chapter 587 – Feast of Warriors

“This is… quite stirring for one’s fighting spirit,” I remarked.

“Hmm. You were already brave to begin with. Though I think it would be unwise to get you too fired up,” King Melvin replied with a joking tone. The other three kings also smiled wryly at his words.

“At any rate, you should enjoy the knight order’s performances while having your meal.”

Dishes were being brought into the room one after another. The four kings had taken positions at the terrace seats, apparently planning to watch the events in the square from a highly visible location. We chose to watch from the windows in a way that wouldn’t draw too much attention.

The dishes being served were all exquisite, as expected of the royal castle’s chefs who had put considerable time and effort into preparing for today.

“Mmm. The royal castle’s food is always delicious,” Sheila murmured while handling her knife and fork. Irmhild and Marlene smiled warmly at the way Sheila’s ears and tail were reacting.

In the square, knight orders were riding wyverns and earth dragons, flying through the air in time with the music.

The mage corps formed lines and released light spheres and smoke screens, each group coordinating their breathing to perform magical displays.

While receiving the mage corps’ effects, they formed squadrons and performed acrobatic flights that included near-miss crossings reminiscent of air shows, and synchronized corkscrew ascents.

“Amazing…” Rasnote’s eyes were wide and blinking. This was probably her first time seeing both the royal castle and such large-scale military demonstrations. Everything she saw, heard, and tasted seemed novel to her.

“Oh. This is splendid.”

“The magical displays were modeled after Theodore’s. Since one person couldn’t handle it all, they had to coordinate their breathing like that.”

“Oh. So Theodore-dono’s influence extends even to such areas.”

King Melvin and the others seemed quite composed, exchanging such conversations while leisurely enjoying their meals and the performances.

“The mage corps members are very well-coordinated.”

“That coordination is part of the performance itself,” Claudia nodded in response to Grace’s words. That was certainly true. It also related to the coordination between the knight orders and mage corps.

“That seems like it could be applied in actual combat too.”

“That’s right. I hear the knight orders and mage corps have been interacting more than before, so they must be training in coordination.”

Rosemary answered Ashley’s comment. Yes, that was definitely for the best.

Now, as for the knight orders, they were displaying new tricks that bordered on acrobatics, such as knights riding wyverns swapping places mid-air.

These were probably techniques that could only be practiced now that aerial combat gear had been distributed and the danger of falling had been eliminated, but they seemed to have quite an impact on the spectators. Gasps could be heard from the guesthouse. King Farid also seemed to appreciate them.

The coordination between knights and their wyverns, their skill levels, and so on undoubtedly required high-level abilities. It was visually impactful, and knowing that one’s comrades possessed such high skills would be reassuring if we were to fight together. Though it was an entertainment for guests, it also served to boost morale. They’ve really thought this through.

After the Verdgar regular knight order’s performance ended, the Demon-Slaying Knight Order, following Elliot’s single command, simultaneously took to the skies.

As Elliot, leading the formation, created successive ice targets with water magic behind them, Chester and Mercedes, who had deployed charge shields on their wyverns and earth dragons, precisely shattered the targets while tracing complex zigzag paths impossible in normal flight as they crossed paths.

The Demon-Slaying Knight Order trains differently for aerial combat compared to the regular army. Even to an observer, their flight methods seemed unusual.

Especially—Elliot’s movements stood out. Using levitation to kill inertia, kicking off shields for rebound movement. Then creating clones with mirage body… This too seemed to be a spectacular sight, as the Silvatrian knights in the guesthouse were all standing and applauding.

In this manner, the knight orders’ performances greatly boosted the morale of the allied troops.

“Each of you performed admirably. We have prepared food and drink, so tonight you should eat and drink your fill and deepen your bonds with one another.”

After the performances ended, King Melvin stood up and addressed the square. He was creating time for the officers and soldiers to interact.

Musicians played cheerful music as officers, soldiers, and knights from each camp mingled and exchanged drinks. The royal castle’s square was thus enveloped in an unusually lively atmosphere.

Since various phantom beasts had gathered mainly from Silvatria, some officers and soldiers were gathered around them, petting them.

But… for some reason, this was happening near Corulis’s nest.

Of course Corulis, but also Alpha and Lindwurm, Lavigne and Eclair, Belius, Flamia, Ramriya… the familiars were mixed in there too.

Probably because Lavigne and the others were waiting near Corulis’s nest, the wyverns, earth dragons, and phantom beasts from various countries had gathered there. Well… it didn’t seem to be a problem, so I decided to observe the officers and soldiers as planned.

“That movement of Elliot-dono was incredible.”

“Does the Silvatria Kingdom’s Magic Knight Order teach movements like that?”

“No, no. That must be the Demon Slayer’s technique.”

“Indeed. I’ve seen similar movements on the battlefield before.”

“I see. So they’ve trained in the same way as the Demon Slayer. That’s quite enviable.”

Even if we didn’t join the drinking party, it would probably help boost morale if we showed our faces at the officers and soldiers’ gathering place.

Although we’re spreading false information about the Demon Slayer, the officers and soldiers present here are those who know the truth.

So, after obtaining permission, when I went down to the square with everyone, knights from various countries were already mingling, exchanging drinks and getting excited about such topics.

The previous content seemed to have been quite stimulating for them. They appeared to be still excited.

“Oh, this is Theodore-dono. And everyone else too.”

When one person noticed me, attention turned our way. There were some familiar faces among the various countries’ representatives.

“Good evening. Everyone seems to be having a lively time.”

“Indeed we are. As warriors, being shown such splendid demonstrations only increases our fighting spirit.”

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll be training together with the Verdgar Knight Order. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“It’s a shame we can’t train with the Demon-Slaying Knight Order, but warriors have gathered from various countries. In that sense too, it’s good stimulation.”

“I see. That’s how it is.”

When I nodded at their words, they smiled and then saluted toward us.

“We all pray for your military fortune and safe journey.”

“—Thank you.”

Saying this, I returned their bow. This… makes me more determined too.

We won’t reach Beriondora immediately tomorrow, but my motivation is rising. It’s like being carried by the atmosphere of the place.

While this was happening, Elliot, who seemed to have been making greeting rounds among the officers and soldiers, came over to us. Camilla, who had come with us, stood beside Elliot.

“Ah, Sir Elliot. Your demonstration and unit command were splendid.”

“Thank you. Sir Theodore, are you also making greeting rounds?”

Elliot smiled, bowed, and asked me.

“Yes. I thought we should show our faces here too.”

“Shall we make greeting rounds together then?”

“That sounds good. We have plans later, but as long as time permits, I suppose.”

King Eberhart will be accompanying us to Silvatria, and King Farid can’t stay too long, so our stay in Termwills is brief. Our schedule is packed.

Once the dinner and drinking situation settles down, we’ll probably head to the theater or hot springs with the guests. They should come to get us when the time comes, but until then, I think we should greet the officers and soldiers.

Somehow… if that boosts everyone’s morale, it’s an easy task. I was thinking that when the royal family members also appeared in the square.

“This is Your Majesty—”

The officers and soldiers saluted, but King Melvin smiled and stopped them with his hand.

“Good. Continue enjoying the banquet. We considered that our direct appearance might make you nervous, but we wanted to contribute to your encouragement. We decided to come see the officers and soldiers’ faces together with Theodore and Elliot.”

King Melvin said this and smiled at us. I see.

Since the royal family members had appeared, voices praising the names of the various kings rose from here and there. And this unified into voices celebrating and praising the establishment of the alliance—until eventually, the square resounded with the officers and soldiers’ voices of joy and determination.