Chapter 730: Returnign home (II)
Vlad smiled warmly at the Vikings. Though he had initially entered the hall with a specific purpose in mind, joining them felt entirely natural.
These warriors had fought and bled beside him on more than one battlefield, and there was a bond between them that needed no words. To share in their celebration was more than camaraderie—it was respect.
The alcohol the Vikings drank was not ordinary mead—it was a powerful brew imported from Valhalla, known for its legendary potency. Even warriors with overwhelming vitality, like the Vikings themselves, could be knocked off their feet by its strength.
Boisterous contests quickly broke out, with warriors challenging one another to drinking duels. Before Vlad realized it, he was dragged into the chaos.
Although Vlad had never considered himself a good drinker, his body was unique. Composed of condensed psychic energy, he was immune to nearly all poisons, including alcohol.
One by one, five Viking champions challenged him. And one by one, they fell, collapsing into unconscious heaps, victims of alcohol poisoning, while Vlad remained untouched, still sipping casually from his tankard.
It was childish, perhaps—but it was fun. Vlad laughed heartily and allowed himself to enjoy the moment.
After all the brutality and bloodshed of the war, this simple act of laughter and bonding was a welcome relief. But even as the celebration roared on, Vlad never lost sight of his true purpose.
After a few hours of feasting, drinking, and singing alongside the warriors, Vlad discreetly approached Angelo and cast him a meaningful glance.
Angelo immediately understood. His eyes sharpened with clarity, and with a solemn nod, he followed Vlad to a secluded corner of the hall, away from the eyes and ears of others.
There, the two spoke in hushed tones for nearly an hour. At the end of the conversation, Vlad handed Angelo a spatial ring imbued with both data and resources—its contents known only to them. Without another word, Vlad left the hall.