Chapter 21: Hunting for Salvation
The aroma of grilled fish permeated the air.
Women carried platters of freshly cooked fish.
The residents sat together, holding newly grilled fish in their hands, eating and talking, occasionally laughing.
"To our great lord!" someone shouted.
Everyone raised their cups, excitedly echoing: "To our great lord!"
Cups clinked, and laughter rose and fell.
Sitting in the main seat, Vaerik watched it all, his lips involuntarily curving into a smile.
Compared to the overt harmony yet covert scheming at noble banquets in the south, he preferred being here with ordinary residents, laughing, singing, and dancing around the bonfire.
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, but Vaerik casually took a wooden lyre handed to him by a knight.
His slender fingers plucked the strings, producing a series of crisp notes, and he began singing a tune from his homeland (Earth):
"Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me... Small and white, clean and bright, you look happy to meet me..."