The tavern was filled with joy and the sound of live music. People were laughing, dancing, and clinking their glasses of wine and ale together in celebration.
Vantias and his friends were gathered, enjoying the night and sharing moments of happiness.
Daggerol, staring at the table full of mugs, shouted loudly to Vantias:
"Listen!"His vision was a little blurry, and he muttered, "If you can outdrink me, I'll give you a sword forged from Majestil. But… if I win, you'll have to pay for all the drinks and food tonight. Deal?" Then he laughed.
Vantias scoffed mockingly and replied:
"You think you're competing with just anyone, huh? I've never tasted defeat in a drinking contest…"
They shook hands firmly, and then began downing their mugs of ale.
Anna, William, and Sylphy sat together, sighing as they watched Vantias and Daggerol.
Anna wore a simple outfit—a black skirt and a white blouse. Her beauty still shone, even in such modest clothes. William's white hair had grown longer, tied neatly behind his head, and his blue eyes were as deep and striking as the sea. He wore a white robe embroidered with blue designs. Women glanced at him from afar, whispering happily among themselves.
Sylphy had grown quieter since the first time Vantias had met her, more withdrawn, as if she no longer felt safe outside. Yet she had still come to the party—for Vantias' sake.
Anna sighed and said:
"Those two idiots are overdoing it again…" She looked at Vantias with concern.
William chuckled softly and replied with poise:
"Truth is, the Vantias I used to know… was a little… how should I put it… different. Now it's like he's become someone else entirely."
Sylphy smiled faintly and said:
"Maybe he hit his head, and now his mind is a little clearer…"
Anna looked surprised and repeated:
"You really think so?" Then she turned to watch Vantias competing happily with Daggerol. "To me, he's still the same fool… no change at all."
William laughed and took a sip of his drink.
"Well, when it comes to enjoying life's simple pleasures, he's still the same man."
He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and said:
"This feeling… peace… it's something I truly needed."
Anna smiled and replied:
"Tonight's a farewell party… you and Sylphy are leaving tomorrow morning for your childhood village…" She lowered her head sadly. "The years we spent adventuring together are ending… now everyone's going their own way. For me, that's…"
"I know the feeling,"Sylphy said. "It's like we just formed the party yesterday… Leaving it behind is both painful and comforting. At least the shadow of death won't be hanging over us anymore."
William nodded gently, then turned to Anna:
"I heard you opened a bakery. You always dreamed of that. I'm truly happy for you." He smiled warmly.
Anna blushed, touched the back of her neck, and replied:
"Ah… well… yes. I've kept that dream close to my heart for a long time. Without Hannibal and Vantias, I never could've made it come true." She glanced at Vantias and added with a smile:
"They both spent all their money just so I could chase my dream."
Then she laughed softly.
"I just wish you had been there for the opening… Vantias was making such a fool of himself, I still laugh whenever I think about it."
Sylphy grew curious and quickly asked with excitement:
"I want to know what he did!"
After the party, and Vantias' victory over Daggerol, the group said their goodbyes. Vantias and Anna headed home, leaving Daggerol unconscious in the tavern. As a prank, Vantias stuck a note on his face that read:
"Guess who won? Heh. Don't forget, I'll be coming for that Majestil sword."
Vantias staggered as he walked, dizziness from too much alcohol overwhelming him.
Anna, her tone a little irritated, said:
"Did you really have to drink that much?"
Vantias stopped in the middle of the road, vomiting. His face had turned pale. Then, with a joking tone, he said:
"Ah… guess this is it… Anna, tell my child I loved them…"
Anna grew more annoyed and gave him a light smack on the forehead.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Vantias couldn't stop laughing, stumbling after Anna as they walked.
"But hey, wasn't it awesome how I beat Daggerol?"he said with childish pride.
Anna sighed.
"If you ever get married one day, and your wife asks me what my brother's like, I'll tell her: he's number one in the world when it comes to doing stupid things."
Vantias clutched his chest dramatically.
"No… that's too cruel… how could you say that about your own brother?"
Anna placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling.
"Come on, let's walk like this. I don't want you falling over."
Vantias closed his eyes for a moment and felt a rare sense of peace.
When they finally arrived home, Hannibal scolded Vantias for drinking too much. Vantias lay down on his bed to rest, staring at the ceiling.
He thought:
"William and Sylphy are leaving tomorrow morning for Rizilt village… to begin a new life there."
Then he looked over at Anna and Hannibal, already asleep in their beds. His expression grew heavy, as though wondering if he truly deserved them.
He returned his gaze to the ceiling and thought:
"Maybe one day, I'll tell them the truth—that I'm not really Vantias. Will they accept me then?"
At last, he closed his eyes slowly and drifted into sleep.