Chapter 282 - 117: Moon Priestess! Elune’s Song: Seren Hill

Chapter 282: Chapter 117: Moon Priestess! Elune’s Song: Seren Hill

When the townsfolk saw his figure appear in the distance, a deafening cheer erupted like a tsunami.

"Long live Lord Lynch!"

"Victory! We’re victorious!"

"The heroes have returned~!!"

The crowd surged forward, tossing prepared flower petals at the procession. Children laughed excitedly as they chased the large flatbed carts laden with spoils of war, while women anxiously scanned the ranks for their loved ones, weeping with joy upon finding them safe and sound.

The whole of Lakefront Town was submerged in a sea of revelry.

According to Lakefront Town’s unwritten "tradition," such a great victory meant tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

The logistics staff, having already received Aus’s orders, had set up several huge bonfires in the town square. They had prepared a sumptuous feast with plenty of food and drink to properly reward the triumphant Soldiers.

As for the spoils of war that had been hauled back, Aus quickly took charge, dispatching personnel to sort, organize, and catalog them.

The army was exhausted from the long march back, so they naturally went to their quarters to rest. It wasn’t until the sun had completely set that the rested troops began to gather in the town square for the bonfire celebration.

Even the guards, inquisitors, and enforcers who were unfamiliar with the proceedings were personally invited to the square by messengers sent by Aus.

Before the bonfire celebration officially began, Lynch stepped onto a temporarily erected wooden platform and gave a brief speech.

He didn’t give a long-winded speech. He simply thanked all the Soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice, mourned their fallen comrades, and looked forward to a more peaceful future for Lakefront Town.

Following that was a new addition to the bonfire celebration: the medal ceremony.

Aus walked onto the stage holding a tray covered with red velvet, upon which rows of brand-new metal medals were neatly arranged.

The medals were shield-shaped. The front bore the emblem of Lakefront Town—the silhouette of Mirror Lake and the mountains—while the back was engraved with the words "Gnoll Extermination Campaign," the recipient’s merit level, and their name.

In other words, each of these medals was unique.

Lynch called out the names one by one, asking the twenty or thirty Soldiers who had distinguished themselves in the battle to come onto the stage. He then personally pinned the "Lakefront Town Medal of Valor" on each of them.

The bestowing of each medal was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd below.

In addition, the families of the fallen also received a medal.

Next, to many people’s surprise, Lynch’s gaze fell upon Cam Leisuo, the Holy Knight inquisitors, and their companions, who stood in the crowd with complicated expressions.

"And you," Lynch’s voice carried across the entire square. "Although you all joined this battle for different reasons, Lakefront Town has witnessed the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of camaraderie you showed fighting alongside your comrades."

He motioned for Aus to bring the tray to them. "These medals belong to you as well. With your actions, you have earned the respect of Lakefront Town and washed away the... unpleasantness... from before."

Leisuo and the others were stunned. They stared at the medals glittering in the firelight, their hearts filled with a complex, indescribable feeling.

They had been forced to fight to atone for their pasts. They thought simply being released alive after the war would have been the best possible outcome.

They never imagined they would receive such formal recognition after the battle.

Lynch looked at them and said solemnly, "From this moment on, you are free. The oaths and military pledges you made before are hereby null and void. You are free to leave Lakefront Town at any time and return to where you came from."

These words were like a great weight lifted from their shoulders. Joy appeared in the eyes of Leisuo and the others.

Leisuo was the first to pick up his medal. He weighed it in his hand and asked curiously, "Sir, this thing... what’s it good for?"

He felt he could be direct. After all, they shared a certain camaraderie, having "shed blood" together for the young highness.

"Wearing this medal of honor will earn you the respect of everyone in Lakefront Town," Lynch explained. "You’ll also receive certain discounts when you shop at stores in town. Furthermore..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over them. "All who wear this medal are friends of Lakefront Town. The gates of Lakefront Town will always be open to them. We always welcome our friends home."

"It works like that?" Leisuo skeptically pinned the medal to his chest, then tentatively took a few steps into the bustling crowd.

Sure enough, when the surrounding townsfolk saw the medal on his chest, their eyes immediately filled with genuine respect and friendliness.

A few bold young women even ran over, blushing, stuffed the flowers they were holding into his hands, and then ran off again, giggling.

Seeing this, the others also put on their medals.

They soon discovered that whether it was the children who gathered around them or the old men who handed them mugs of ale, everyone’s eyes were filled with sincere gratitude and acceptance.

In an instant, a strange feeling welled up in their hearts, as if an invisible bond had formed between them, this land, and these people.

’This... We were forced into this fight, so how did we end up with a sense of honor and accomplishment?’

The men looked at each other, at a loss whether to laugh or cry, but the strange sense of satisfaction in their hearts was undeniably real.

Watching this scene unfold, Lynch added, "This ’Lakefront Town Medal of Valor’ is just the initial rank. If, in the future, you make further contributions to Lakefront Town—whether by repelling foreign enemies, assisting in its development, or providing other valuable aid—the medal can be upgraded. The higher its rank, the more privileges you’ll enjoy in Lakefront Town, and even..."