[Ch. 10] A Parade Of Heroes

Hatsuyo sat down at the table after I had swallowed the medicine. He chuckled, "I didn't know you didn't have much alcohol tolerance."

The corners of my lips turned down, "I didn't know either."

After passing out from drinking one glass, I felt a bit discouraged. Before I could drink barrels of rum without ever feeling a single thing. Now I was starting from the very beginning.

I guess I will just have to work on building up my tolerance again so I won't embarrass myself.

Sylvia spoke, "Hatsuyo was telling me earlier that today there is a parade celebrating the warriors and Heroes who risked everything for the continent."

"Mmn."

Hatsuyo spoke, "It's true. Everyone will be there. No one will miss the parade. Today I need to go deliver the jewels and then after we can stop and watch it. Do you think you feel up to it?"

I waved my hand, "Mmn."

After finishing my drink, I actually did feel a bit better. Although the medicine wasn't as effective as healing myself with magic, it still worked well enough. I followed the other two outside while I squinted against the sun. After Hatsuyo finished his job, we left to go see the parade. The closer we got, the more crowded it became.

Hatsuyo waved to us, "I know a good spot over here!"

We pushed our way over to a building and climbed onto the roof. In the city, many buildings had roofs where people could stand and watch the parade from above. I noticed that no one watched the parade from the streets, but instead went to the roofs or stuck their heads out of windows. The roofs were filled with joyful chatter and there was also an assortment of flowers buckets set up on each roof.

I found it strange and looked at the flowers inside. There were various types and colors. There were those that were vibrant and those that were dull. However, they all blended together giving off a charming smell. Hatsuyo shouted, "It's starting!"

I didn't ponder the meaning behind the flowers and followed his sight to see the parade below. I stood beside Hatsuya and Sylvia who were leaning so far over the side of the roof I was concerned they would fall.

The parade soon began and various individuals walked along the road dancing and playing instruments from every nation. The sound wasn't disharmonious in the slightest and complemented each other nicely. It was impressive to see those from every nation being represented. Of course, I took note that this included every nation except the Eastern nation.

After they walked past, men and women dressed in traditional clothing from their nations rode through the streets on horseback. I frowned when I saw it and leaned to Sylvia, "I thought you said that the beasts all went insane? Why are they on horses?"

Sylvia whispered back to me, "Although it's true, there are still some beasts that were able to be tamed again. However, it is rare. The common person can't even dream about taming a beast. Only those with a strong core can tame them now."

I nodded in understanding, "And that only applies to these 'heroes' since they are the only ones capable of having a strong core."

"Precisely."

The crowd became rowdy with cheers as the people below passed. I squinted, "What's happening?"

Hatsuyo answered with a bright smile, "It's the Heroes."

The one who led the front held a flag displaying the nation. First, the Kingdom Sadon's flag was waved by. I recognized the golden three headed lion at once. However, I didn't recognize a single person among the Heroes for that nation.

My eyes scanned the men for the Baron, but I didn't see him. However, my gaze stopped when I noticed a silver-haired man at the end with an arrogant frown on his face. My eyes were attracted to his emerald eyes that reminded me of someone else.

I spoke to Hatsuya as I still watched the silver-haired man, "The Baron doesn't participate?"

He sneered, "He's too busy to care about our lowly ceremony."

I guess that means my father is still alive.

I closed my eyes with a bitter feeling in my chest. I wonder what he has been up to…

Another round of cheering came and I reopened my eyes. I could see flowers falling from the rooftops onto the heroes below. A few heroes would catch the flowers and wink up at the women who threw them. I raised an eyebrow when I noticed only the women were throwing flowers.

I turned to Hatusya, "What are they doing?"

"Ah, that's the flower toss."

"The flower toss?"

"Yeah. Women will throw flowers to the heroes they fancy. They do this every year. By doing it, they hope to capture the attention of their love."

Sylvia asked curiously, "Does it work?"

He chuckled dryly, "Yes, but probably not in the way they want."

My eyes slowly turned back to the road. After the Kingdom Sadon, the Northerners rode after. They were dressed in their furs with stiff expressions on their faces. Even though they were far more serious than the Kingdom Sadon, buckets of flowers still flowed from the roofs as the Heroes were paraded through the streets one by one.

The Scholars nation came next and I could recognize a select few. I had once attended the Academy and noticed them in the Library. They always kept to themselves and buried their noses in books. Yet, even though they were drab grey garments, the women still threw their flowers as they giggled coyly. I watched them below and yawned in boredom.

I never really cared for parades.

Hatsuya began to explain the significance behind the flowers, "Each flower has it's own meaning. There are some that represent friendship and admiration, but there are others that represent love and devotion. There are even flowers that represent wanting to marry another, but those are harder to find. Those with deeper intimate feelings aren't plentiful in the buckets. So it's really rare to propose with it even if the lady would like to."

Sylvia nodded, "People actually throw them?"

"Of course! There was one year someone watching threw a proposal flower to a hero."

"Did he marry her?"

He chuckled, "No… Unfortunately, he just avoided the flower like it was a disease."

"Do they have to catch it?"

"Not at all. If they don't catch it, then it means they didn't accept the other's affections."

"Oh!" I caught Hatsuya and pulled him backwards before he jumped off the building. He didn't even notice as his eyes stayed below, "This is the last one! It's the best nation too~"

Sylvia asked with a bit of apprehension, "The Phoenix nation?"

He gave her a wink, "You know it."

Sylvia shook her head in disbelief. I frowned. The last nation is the Phoenix nation? What about the Dragon clan? Now that I recall… I saw people from every nation except those from the Dragon Clan and the Old Duang nation…

Sylvia spoke, "Is your father participating?"

He sighed, "Unfortunately, he's not… There was an incident and he went to take care of it personally. That's why he sent me in his place to attend the head leader's meeting and deliver the jewels. He doesn't like these types of events anyway. He would rather be helping out people than participating in this."

I watched in disinterest as the Phoenix Heroes passed below. I thought I would recognize more, but the only one I noticed was Kuro. I snickered to myself, "He survived? I guess that mouth of his wasn't good for only gossiping."

I was suddenly startled out of my thoughts as the next person entered on a pure black horse. I sucked in my breath as my hands clutched the side of the roof.

My pupils trembled as I saw him.

The area collectively went silent as all eyes were upon the intimidating man sitting on top of the horse with a fierce glare.

He had short dark brown hair that was messy, but still added to his charm. His thick dark eyelashes and deep dark eyes were capable of drawing in even the most uninterested person's attention. Despite his good looks, he had a large scar across his face making him seem frightening and dangerous. He had a permanent scowl on his face which made his scar look ghastly.

His piercing dark eyes glared straight ahead daring anyone to challenge him.

Anyone he passed automatically trembled and had the urge to bow at his feet.

No flowers fell as the only sound came from his horse's hooves.

I was frozen as I watched him slowly march down the road.

It.... It can't be…

He was supposed to be dead…

Wasn't he?

Hatsuyo whispered, "That's Prince Raylon. He travels the continent slaying beasts and corpses like a madman. He doesn't get along with anyone, but he is the only person everyone trusts when it comes to defeating the dead and the monsters. He hasn't lost a single battle. However, his personality is a bit... Lacking. Even my father struggles to be civilized with him and my father is the nicest person around."

I was too shocked to pay his words any attention.

Despite my initial shock, a soft and gentle smile crossed my face.

I'm glad…

I'm really glad…

I turned to the nearest bowl of flowers and saw a white rose laying neatly on the top as if calling for me. I gently reached my hand in and picked up the small flower. I didn't even care that the thorns pierced my skin and caused me to bleed.

Hatsuyo continued to whisper, "One year, a girl was bold enough to give him a flower. He flew into a rage and actually burned off her face! After that, no one dared send a flower down to him. They always-"

Hatsuyo's words abruptly halted as he watched a lone white rose float gently down below.

Everyone was silent as their eyes were glued to it. The flower didn't have a single care as it glided down as if gravity meant nothing to it.

No one spoke.

No one dared to breathe.

The flower drifted down until it was suddenly grabbed.

Raylon's hand clenched the flower so tightly, it was crushed in his palm.

His fierce piercing eyes turned up with a frightening glare to determine the owner of the flower.

Everyone else speechlessly turned to see who was brave, or stupid enough, to have sent the flower as well. However, no one was prepared to see that it wasn't a woman at all, but a man with feminine features.

Raylon's dangerous glare was met with a soft smile.

A smile filled with bitterness.

Nostalgia.

Relief.

And overwhelming sadness.

I turned away from the railing and walked away with the smile still on my face..

I'm glad…

I'm glad you didn't die…

Raylon.