Episode 56

Episode 56: The Calus Kingdom Festival (2)

Above the cliff, the path leading to the flag was narrow and treacherous.

After barely climbing the steep hill, a narrow, unmaintained trail appeared.

This rough path was blocked here and there by strangely twisted trees and large boulders.

No matter how fast the horses were, these obstacles made it nearly impossible to run smoothly.

As a result, many who had boldly entered the competition found themselves stuck here.

One wrong move could break a horse’s leg on a protruding root or rock.

Yet, Calus’s King Karssen rode through without hesitation.

As one with his horse, he stepped on rocks and leapt over bent tree trunks with perfect harmony, racing along the mountain path like a crimson wind.

Passing the dizzying trail, a perilous cliff hugging a river appeared next.

The road to the summit was a narrow ridge just wide enough for two men to walk side by side.

Worse still, the path grew narrower the farther it went.

One slip wouldn’t just hurt a horse; it would send it tumbling down the cliff.

Because of that, most competitors gave up riding halfway, crawling up the narrow path on foot.

“Move aside!”

But even on that dangerous path, Karssen did not dismount.

He only accelerated.

No one now ran ahead of him.

His eyes, fierce as the cliff, caught sight of the summit.

The red flag fluttering in the wind.

Karssen glanced back.

‘No sign of Leonard.’

“Did he give up?”

Disappointment flickered.

He had expected him to push through despite everything.

The fierce ambition burning deep in his eyes seemed, after all, nothing but simple jealousy.

“So this will end in a hollow victory.”

Perched on the saddle atop the cliff, Karssen reached for the flag.

The moment he grasped it, he would be the victor of the second contest.

That meant he had already won the competition against Leonard, regardless of the third contest.

And that gap in victory would never close again.

Just as he proudly reached for the flag—

“Who gave you the right to claim victory?”

Thunk!

Suddenly, a hand appeared, clutching the flag.

Startling, the horse reared its front legs in alarm.

Karssen, struggling to calm his steed, stared wide-eyed at the man emerging from below the cliff, still holding the flag.

“Could it be… you climbed the cliff?”

The man had scaled the sheer cliff with his bare hands.

All for the sake of victory.

He chose a daring, extreme method no one had dared before.

“I have won this contest.”

Leonard declared confidently, supporting the flag in his hand.

‘Indeed. He shows far more than I imagined.’

Karssen honestly admired him.

“How did you come to such a decision?”

“I knew if I went the normal way, I couldn’t win.”

Leonard breathed heavily.

“Do you acknowledge my victory?”

“Of course.”

Karssen smiled slyly.

“I have no complaints. There was no rule saying you couldn’t climb the cliff.”

The festival, in full swing, was now nearing its end.

As the sun set, the final contest began.

“What kind of contest will this be?”

Swordplay again? Or perhaps something unexpected like arm wrestling?

“Did you know Calus Kingdom’s liquor is famous?”

I sighed softly at Moritz’s words.

I knew very well.

“Though strong, its unique sweetness draws many from other countries.”

I had heard that before.

While preparing for the contest, I noticed him glancing steadily at me.

The Blood Lord himself had let me in on the secret.

Wait a moment.

Why mention liquor now?

Unfortunately, my suspicion proved correct.

Many bottles of liquor were carried into the arena.

“The final contest is a drinking competition.”

A long table was set up in the arena, and the participants took their seats.

Countless bottles covered the table—and even more stacked like a mountain behind them.

How many bottles could that be?

With a fierce battle expected once again—

“Then, prepare yourselves… begin!”

The sound of a horn marked the start.

Hands moved swiftly.

Bottles emptied and refilled repeatedly.

As the large barrels dwindled, more participants lost their senses and collapsed.

Soon, only a few remained.

“Long live King Karssen!”

“No one can match His Majesty!”

“Wait, look over there! That foreigner isn’t a pushover!”

Once again, the most impressive drinkers were Karssen and Leonard.

The crowd stomped their feet, cheering for their relentless efforts.

But I couldn’t help feeling worried.

I wonder how their stomachs will hold up tomorrow?

Why drink with such reckless abandon?

“Where’s Cedric?”

I realized Cedric had disappeared.

Thunk!

Leonard had just emptied the ninth bottle, placing his glass down.

“Give up, Your Majesty.”

Thunk!

Karssen slammed his glass down roughly.

“I admire your guts, Leonard.”

He, too, had just finished the ninth bottle.

Karssen’s lip twitched upward.

“But I’m not done yet. I’ve never lost to anyone.”

Let’s see who wins.

Just as Karssen reached for another bottle—

“Waaaah!”

“Look at that! Incredible!”

The crowd’s energy surged unexpectedly.

Leonard and Karssen, slightly tipsy, turned their eyes toward the noise.

They spotted a man quietly drinking in a corner.

With a hollow smile, Leonard muttered,

“I think we both lost already.”

“Who is that?”

“Amazing! How many bottles has he finished? His pace hasn’t slowed at all.”

“Seventeen bottles!”

There he was—calmly savoring the liquor in the corner.

The source of the cheers drew me like a magnet.

Did I just see what I thought I saw?

My mouth dropped in shock.

The man drained glass after glass without a hint of flush on his face.

Most would turn red from drinking, but not him.

Who is this? He drinks remarkably well.

When did he even sit there?

Focusing only on Leonard and Karssen, I hadn’t even noticed his participation.

“I never imagined the Forest Sage would be such a heavy drinker.”

Even Moritz, usually composed, couldn’t hide his surprise.

Cedric’s drinking prowess was remarkable.

Ding, ding, ding.

The bell announcing the end finally rang.

The winner was none other than Cedric, with nineteen bottles emptied.

“Unbelievable. And he’s walking perfectly!”

“Is he even human…?”

Cedric stepped down from the stage with impeccable posture.

The applause and cheers didn’t stop.

He truly was incredible.

I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

Definitely no joking about inviting Cedric for drinks.

“Quite a remarkable mage you keep by your side.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Turning around, I saw red hair.

Having met him several times, his face was already familiar.

“A powerful drinker mage—an asset to Calus Kingdom. Though he cost me the bet.”

Karssen sat down beside me with ease.

Despite drinking, he looked surprisingly clear-headed.

There was a faint trace of intoxication, but nothing obvious.

“Still not giving up, huh?”

That familiar voice followed.

Leonard also sat beside me.

Why do they both look so fine?

They must be exhausted from the three contests; shouldn’t they go rest?

As their rivalry began to feel uncomfortable—

“I have a question for Her Majesty.”

Karssen spoke with courtesy, as promised.

“What’s on your mind?”

“That explosive. Did you really plan to detonate it if I hadn’t agreed to negotiate?”

Ah, that explosive.

“Do I really have to say it?”

“It’s time to be honest, isn’t it? Even if you had, the deal can’t be undone now.”

“I might have… but…”

“I imagined you might be that reckless.”

“Watching the people slowly dry up was more painful than any risk.”

“There could have been a war.”

Karssen’s words made me smile.

“That was the worst measure, nothing more.”

“Worst measure? Then, was there another way?”

I nodded.

I hadn’t been thinking of just blowing the dam.

“Today is a festival to strengthen friendship between our two nations. If he isn’t too drunk, he might show you.”

Maybe I had planned this all along.

From the moment I left the Empire.

No—since the moment I sought Cedric to solve the drought.

Pishuuu—bang, bang, bang.

Fireworks soared into the sky, blooming into a massive cluster of light.

“What is that?”

“Fireworks.”

Luckily, Cedric hadn’t drunk himself into oblivion.

Though I had asked him to do this, it must have been hard with the alcohol.

Well, that’s just how he is.

Someone who keeps promises no matter what.

“Fireworks?”

“Yes. Flowers of fire. He always gives me flowers—even today.”

As if answering me, another burst of fire blossomed overhead.

The night sky was dazzlingly embroidered with sparks falling like flower rain.

The white light settled softly on Helena’s face.

Her eyes shimmered with iridescent colors—so beautiful, so mysterious.

Her golden hair glowed in the fireworks’ light.

Like a blank canvas, her hair was painted with mesmerizing colors.

A gentle breeze stirred her hair in the air.

Helena turned toward Karssen with a bright smile.

“Thank you for holding this festival to celebrate the friendship between our countries. This is my gift to you, and to my homeland.”

Karssen gazed at her as if entranced.

A new emotion had begun to well up in his eyes.

Finally regaining his composure, he murmured softly.

Too quiet for her to hear.

“What am I to do… I like her all the more.”