Chapter 241: Celebrate (II)

I took down a couple fanfics posted here and are now in the process of moving to patre_on. They won't be locked or anything. I haven't been posting them as frequently, but I still want a place where readers can read them if they haven't caught up. I will still update them from time to time.

Giliath is a busy man and from vacation he returns. He is back in office to demand your power stones!

*****

At the same time.

Calvard. Capital City: Edith. Riverside.

"Aww yeah, now this is how to start a party. Happy new year everyone!", A boisterous voice rang out in one of the many popular restaurants that overlooked Calvard's riverside view. Its name was, as implied, a large river crossed through the entire street. It was definitely meant to attract tourists far and wide. And this group of people were no less. As this cheerful voice echoed throughout a local pub, clangs of glasses struck around a large open room.

This group seemed to be mostly composed of school students, with one or two adults mixed in. The youngest one here was still a kid, sporting a somewhat deadpan look in her eyes, but even she felt the festive mood spreading around the atmosphere, despite it being late into the night as it was. It was one of few days where the adults allowed one's child to stay up late no matter how long they wanted to. After all, it was the celebration of the new year.

Among this group was a cerise haired woman who already appeared to have a hint of rosy red over her cheeks, being super cheerful thanks to the ongoing atmosphere. Of this crowd, she was by far having the best time of her life. It was only earlier last year she became an adult herself, being introduced to the world of alcohol.

Sara, Lavi, Elaine, René, Van, and a guest they weren't really expecting to see now could currently be seen seated at a large table with several waitresses bustling about, bringing out one dish after another to other diners. It was jam-packed with people, despite it being after midnight. No matter the place, it seemed the concept of time was foreign to anyone wanting to celebrate the ongoing holiday.

It was definitely a time to remember. It wasn't often where people could tune into the coming of the next century. Most were unaware of the financial crisis that was about to strike the country.

"Is this the Purple Lightning's true form?", Van couldn't help but ask, seeing a tipsy Sara slightly swerving back and forth, humming a light tune as she held a large beer in her hand, looking at the large assortment of eastern cuisine before them. Van shifted his eyes toward Lavi, who remained deadpan, not disturbed by Sara's present behavior.

"Trust me this is Sara being light. I've seen how bad she can get. Being part of a Jaeger's home back in North Ambria isn't exactly the best influence to be raised under.", Lavi responded, acting as if she was already used to being around Sara's present behavior.

"No kidding. I came to Calvard to check on you kiddos but I forgot the Purple Lightning recently became an adult. I really hope she doesn't decide to pay Aina a visit like this.", A voice belonging to a blonde haired man said. He had just turned twenty-two last year and was already an adult. A glass of beer could also be seen in his hand.

"I didn't think the Zero Artisan would greet us all the way out here. Guess things have settled back in Erebonia?", Elaine said, looking at the blonde haired man sitting across from her.

"For the most part, yeah. Didn't think shit would hit the fan when I'm out in Calvard out of all places though. No idea what's going on in that Chancellor's head to be so bold to propose a hand-in-hand alliance like that.", The blonde haired man answered. He was, of course, Toval.

"You're, *hic*, talking about Naoto, right?", Sara said in a slightly slurred voice, chugging a good amount of her beer. Hearing Sara say that, Toval raised his eyes.

"You know Liberl's prince? Miles hadn't informed me that he had any connections with us in the Bracer Guild, minus that one obvious person.", Toval said, not expecting Sara to say that, keeping what he had experienced these last three months to himself. He had fought alongside Naoto, in a very similar fashion to Sara, but that was mostly on monster training while Naoto remained in Legram. Hearing this even caused Van to raise his eyebrows.

"Know him? I dare say that everyone at this table has come into contact with that prince in one way or another. I would go as far as to say he's a friend.", Van retorted Toval, causing Toval to look his way.

"Hah?", Toval questioned, not believing Van's words. René nodded his head to confirm his doubt.

"Elaine and I haven't met the guy yet, but if he's good in Van's book then he's good in ours. I'll even appreciate that prince for making Van take his studies so seriously now. You're becoming student council material by the day, Van.", René said, complimenting Van. Elaine also nodded her head.

"True. It's quite a surprise to see you so studious now, Van. But René, you forget one thing. Van hates responsibility. I have a better chance to join the Student Council in that aspect.", Elaine retorted with a rare laugh.

"Haha, fair. I couldn't give a shit about a few things here or there. You're a lot more disciplined, René.", Van also responded with a laugh.

"I guess so. People still have their shortcomings one way or another. I didn't think you Bracers would be acquainted with Van's friend.", René said, looking at Toval, Sara and Lavi.

"You'd be surprised. *Hic*. I've fought alongside that princy boy before. He's the real deal when it comes to the sword.", Sara answered, creating another wave of surprise in the group's eyes.

"Are you sure you aren't drunk at this point, Sara?", Lavi retorted, seeing Sara more tipsy.

"Oh please, that's why you're here to watch over me, aren't you?", Sara said, revealing a smile as she looked at Lavi.

"I'm still a kid, you know. It's gonna be a struggle to make it back to the Bracer Guild like this.", Lavi said, letting out a light groan, already regretting what is to come after. Hearing that caused a wave of laughter around the table.

"Don't sweat the small stuff. We're here to celebrate the new year. So celebrate we shall!", Sara declared, raising her glass upward in the air.

"Well you drive a hard bargain, but I'm not against it. I don't know what will proceed from here on, but it doesn't hurt to get together like this every now and then.", Toval said, also chiming in.

Their conversation went smoothly from here on, not expecting for everyone at the table to be acquainted in one way or another. Van kept quiet on what happened back in the caves, but he was forever grateful to Naoto rescuing him, along with the other kids at the time. Elaine was curious as to what went down and the situation hadn't been fully explained, but Elaine wasn't pushy on the matter. She was just happy to be reunited at long last with her friends, thanks to that asshole of a father of hers. He was the sole cause Van got "sold" to the cult.

Did Van have thoughts of revenge? Sure, but those feelings have muddled over the time he was trained under that wandering Dominion of the Gralsritter. He himself wasn't so interested in joining the Church, but he was grateful to that guy to help Van get back o n his own to feet after had parted ways with Naoto.

And now it has only been a few years later, but he didn't think that prince would become the talk of the whole country, likely the whole continent at this point. His current position barred Van from getting into contact with Naoto in person, but he was at least still in touch with him through other means.

It still lingered as to why he wondered if Naoto was so adamant on him studying economics, but he could only put that in the back of his mind, letting him join in the ongoing festive mood.

Seeing Van behave like himself as if the passing years hadn't changed him a bit caused a smile to creep on Elaine's lips. Many years have passed since that unfortunate accident, but it was all for the better since the three are now currently enrolled in Edith's famous school.

Like this, they ate and drank to their heart's content, enjoying the music and chatter of people, making the pub they were in lively for the coming of the new year.