Chapter 114: Night in the Imperial Capital

To the surprise of the Rollin family, the day after they sold their three small cottages, Morey and Karina arrived at the Chu-en Church with several servants in tow, carrying numerous bags and parcels. After visiting little Hawk, who had just undergone surgery, they paid a significant amount of gold coins to the church and moved into the rooms adjacent to the Rollin family. Morey explained that he had some chronic ailments and intended to stay at the church for a long-term recovery.

The Gegir couple had initially felt quite unsettled after moving to an unfamiliar place, but with the arrival of Morey and his daughter, their discomfort quickly faded as they found companionship. They spent their time chatting and confiding in one another, and within a few days, the two families had become exceptionally close.

Having endured the bloody slaughter in the Maya Mountains, Rollin found the time spent with his family to be especially precious. The arrival of Morey and Karina added a sense of tranquil, neighborly harmony to this warmth. During this period, Rollin did not skimp on his Green-Winged Bee honey, sharing it with his parents as well as Morey and Karina, though Gegir was always reluctant and somewhat resistant to consuming it.

One day, Rollin handed cups of prepared honey to the chatting Gegir couple, Morey and Karina, and of course, little Hawk and the donkey, Blackie.

Blackie, naturally, went without saying; ever since the Maya Mountains, he had become addicted to it and could hardly go a day without a drink.

Little Hawk also adored the sweet and delicious taste of the Green-Winged Bee honey. He took the cup and immediately pressed his small mouth to it, drinking eagerly. Rollin’s mother, Isha, and Karina particularly favored the honey. After several days of consumption, they discovered that its effects were quite remarkable, with its beauty-enhancing properties becoming quite evident.

Morey drank his with great pleasure, offering praise from time to time, while only Gegir sat with a furrowed brow, staring at the honey without drinking.

"Uncle Gegir, why aren't you drinking? The honey tastes wonderful, and its beauty benefits are quite significant!" Karina asked.

"Oh, niece Karina, I've never really liked sweet things since I was a child, so, so I think I'll skip it," Gegir said, shaking his head.

A glint of mischief flashed in Karina’s eyes. "Uncle Gegir, you really must drink it even if you don't want to! Otherwise, Aunt Isha will keep getting more beautiful while you stay exactly the same. Be careful, or Auntie might leave you for someone else later!" Having spent several days with the Rollin family, Karina had grown close enough to speak with such refreshing candor.

"What kind of talk is that, girl!" Morey interjected, feigning anger.

"Uh..." Hearing Karina’s words, Gegir instinctively glanced at his beautiful wife, Isha. At that look, his heart stirred. Although Karina had been joking, Isha was indeed noble and beautiful, while he had grown prematurely old and worn due to years of toil. By comparison, he really did feel he was no longer a match for her.

At this thought, Gegir picked up his cup and, as if downing a shot of spirits, tilted his head back and drank the honey in one gulp. He then slammed the cup onto the table and said, "Rollin, get me another cup!"

Gegir’s sudden action startled everyone, and then they burst into uproarious laughter. Isha, sitting beside him, gave him a playful, chiding look and said, "Look at you, grown man and still so rash. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at in front of everyone?"

Her comment only served to make the others laugh even harder.

Gegir smoothed back his sparse hair and put on a look of defiance, saying, "What is there to fear? Rollin and little Hawk are our sons, and niece Karina and brother Morey are like family. There is nothing funny about this."

The group had not expected the usually honest and quiet Gegir to say such things today. Isha gave him a gentle nudge, little Hawk’s eyes went wide, Karina covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, and Rollin, acting as if he hadn't heard, picked up his cup to mix more honey.

Morey waved his hand and laughed, "Well said! Old brother Gegir is right. The relationship between our two families goes without saying. That was truly a display of your genuine character, brother!"

At that moment, Rollin secretly gave Karina a thumbs-up. It turned out that seeing his father refuse the beneficial honey, Rollin had spoken to Karina in private, and she had promised she would find a way to make him drink it. Seeing his father finally comply, Rollin was delighted.

...

Amidst the daily laughter of the Rollin and Morey families, the Martial God Festival arrived quietly.

The Chu-en Church was already adorned with lanterns and colorful ribbons. Everyone wore new clothes and exchanged blessings. Morey and Karina arrived at the Rollin home early in the morning, and the two families worked together to prepare a meal, their laughter echoing through the air. Even Blackie the donkey snuck into the room to play happily with little Hawk.

After the two families finished a sumptuous dinner, they decided to go out for a stroll.

Rollin pushed his brother’s wheelchair in the lead with Karina by his side, while the Gegir couple and Morey walked behind them, chatting happily. Blackie, who loved a crowd, naturally tagged along.

This was their first Martial God Festival in the imperial capital, Hertz. They saw that the vast streets were almost completely packed with celebrating crowds. Bright lanterns hung outside the shops and homes on both sides of the street, illuminating the road, while the tall buildings in the distance were lit up in a kaleidoscope of colors, looking truly magnificent.

As the group moved slowly with the crowd, a dazzling light suddenly shot up in front of them, bursting in the high sky with a booming sound into a display of colorful patterns, drawing gasps of wonder from the crowd.

"Oh, the fireworks at the Imperial Plaza are so beautiful!" Karina exclaimed, jumping with joy. "Brother Rollin, shall we go to the front to get a better look?"

Before Rollin could speak, Morey stepped forward, reached out to take the handles of little Hawk’s wheelchair, and smiled. "Rollin, go ahead. You’re young—go and enjoy the festivities!"

"This..." Rollin looked at his brother, who puffed out his cheeks and gestured playfully. "Go ahead, brother! Little Hawk wouldn't dare interrupt a date between you and Sister Karina!"

The words caused both Karina and Rollin to blush.

"You little rascal, you know too much!" Morey couldn't help but pinch little Hawk’s cheek with a laugh.

"Go on and have fun, Rollin, but be safe and remember to come back early!" Gegir patted his son, who was still standing there foolishly, and urged him on.

Rollin gave a faint "Oh," but didn't take a step. Just then, he felt his palm grabbed by a warm, smooth hand, and to his surprise, he was pulled by Karina straight into the crowd.