Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 84: The Midsummer Flame Festival

The continent of Isilia boasts numerous festivals, and these occasions are not merely days of joy and relaxation for all sentient beings; they are often intertwined with the beliefs and deities of various intelligent races. This holds true for the human kingdoms as well.

However, some festivals are unique to specific intelligent races, such as the Elves' Moonlight Festival in honor of their protector, the Moon Goddess Elune, the Dwarves' beloved Wine Festival, and the Humans' Midsummer Flame Festival, a day of reverence for their supreme deity, Helios.

Unlike shared festivals among all sentient beings, such as Valentine's Day or Harvest Festival, the unique festivals of each intelligent race are held in higher regard by their respective nations. For all human kingdoms on the continent of Isilia, the Flame Festival, symbolizing eternal brilliance, stands as the most significant celebration.

With bonfires that burn throughout the night, fireworks that soar into the sky, flowers, streamers, acrobatics, and dances, during the week-long Midsummer Flame Festival, all citizens of the human kingdoms joyfully emerge from their homes to celebrate this sacred and joyous occasion. For the nobility, this also entails lavish banquets.

The Midsummer Flame Festival of the year 5579 on the continent of Isilia was no exception. Even before the most important day, June 25th, all human nations were already immersed in a festive atmosphere. In the Kingdom of Bylins, bonfires blazed brightly, illuminating the sky over the capital, Beneto.

What a lively scene! The celebrations in the capital are indeed far grander than those in Rutitania. Look at the continuous fireworks; the kingdom is truly affluent! If it were Rutitania, one could only witness such a spectacular display on the festival day!

At the Bylins Martial Arts Academy, Darn had shed the robe he had worn for several weeks and donned a splendid noble outfit. As he climbed into a carriage, gazing through the window, the boy, who had not relaxed or enjoyed himself in a long time, expressed his thoughts.

In preparation for the Midsummer Flame Festival, the Bylins Martial Arts Academy had also organized various celebratory activities. However, for the noble students, participation in the academy's festivities was optional, as the banquets hosted by noble families were far more enticing to the now-grown noble youths with diverse aspirations.

Building relationships, forging friendships, and establishing agreements or alliances could quietly occur during the grand-scale banquets of the Midsummer Flame Festival. In the Kingdom of Bylins, any significant gathering would undoubtedly attract the attention of His Majesty the King. Yet only during the Midsummer Flame Festival could all nobles, whether students or not, freely attend and host various banquets.

On June 19th, the first day of the Midsummer Flame Festival, Darn stepped out of the Bylins Martial Arts Academy for the first time, heading to his first noble banquet since arriving in the capital, Beneto.

"Ah, it's been ages since I've attended a banquet! I've nearly suffocated in the academy! Tonight, I can finally have some fun, and perhaps make a few useful friends!" The carriage was not solely occupied by Darn; noble youths Langiro and Bab, also from Rutitania, were present.

"Indeed! Let's throw money at them... and sample the delicacies of the capital, comparing them to those of our Rutitania chefs!"

These two statements reflected the distinct personalities of the speakers, with the first belonging to Langiro, the son of a Rutitania official, and the second to Bab, the son of a tax officer.

However, regardless of their remarks, they did not affect Darn, who was admiring the night view of the capital. In his heart, he was not contemplating the pleasures of the banquet but rather...