Subjugation Festival

Three weeks later, the four people's identities were verified, and the guards in the canyon let them pass through the checkpoint.

The group continued on their way and soon arrived at a bustling village.

In the 31st year of the Xinshi Era, in the Imperial Territory, at the Bonye Village.

As the adventure team approached the village, a cacophony of noise and excitement greeted them.

The wide street was bustling with people, and villagers dressed in brand-new clothes strolled leisurely along the street, buying things.

The entire village was immersed in a festive atmosphere, just like during the Chinese New Year.

"Are you adventurers? You've come at just the right time!"

Upon seeing the adventurers, the villagers warmly invited the four to participate in the Subjugation Festival.

Frieren explained to everyone that the Subjugation Festival was an imperial holiday commemorating the day the Demon King was defeated.

Everyone understood, and they walked into the food plaza, each selecting their favorite foods, puffing out their cheeks, and enjoying the delicious food to the fullest.

The villagers sat in their seats, chatting loudly, claiming that touching the statue of Himmel in the square would bring good luck for the year.

Frieren was tempted. Before she had even finished her snacks, she couldn't wait to lead Dugu Qing, Fern, and Stark toward the square.

The group arrived at the bustling square, swept along by the flow of people, and came to a huge statue.

The statue is burly and fierce-looking, dressed in a noble robe, like a nobleman.

Frieren blinked, staring at the statue for a long time but still couldn't figure out what its connection was to Himmel.

But the onlookers insisted that it was a statue of Himmel, and they reverently touched the Hero's Sword in his hand.

Frieren accepted it, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

"The statue of Himmel has been completely altered; only her name remains!"

Dugu Qing patted Frieren on the shoulder. "So, heroes have their troubles, and ordinary people have their happiness. You see, ordinary people like me don't have to worry about their image being distorted."

Fern understood what Dugu Qing meant, but still whispered a reminder.

"You're no ordinary person! You're the hero who drew the Sacred Sword!"

Dugu Qing shushed, looking around warily, afraid of being overheard.

"Actually, I've seen the male version of Flamme's statue before, and I've become tolerable. The empire has always tended to exaggerate and deify these heroes. Every ruler who comes to power will make extensive use of heroes and sages, distort history, and guide public opinion to suit their own interests. This has been a common occurrence in the history of the empire."

Frieren gazed up at the statue of Himmel, her heart filled with complex emotions.

"Ding! My favorability towards the Empire has dropped to negative levels."

Dugu Qing imitated the system's voice, expressing his strong dislike for the empire's actions of rewriting history.

Frieren nodded slightly, but ultimately did not reach out to touch the statue that contradicted reality, and turned to leave.

The group returned to the food plaza, enjoying huge chicken legs, fragrant steaks, and full-bodied beer, spending a happy day.

The following morning, the group departed again, heading north.

Falbe Region, Central Avenue.

On the wide road, the truck had overturned and its cargo was scattered all over the ground, creating a mess.

A blonde woman stepped forward, looking at Frieren with piety, hoping the adventure party would lend a hand and eliminate the rampaging monsters.

Frieren asked the woman if there was Grimoire as a reward.

The blonde woman shook her head with a wry smile, saying that she only possessed one magical object: a pot that could lure people into nightmares.

According to the seller, placing the pot next to your pillow will cause you to experience extremely terrifying nightmares after falling asleep.

Upon hearing this, Frieren immediately expressed her willingness to accept the mission.

The woman went home, brought out the pot that exuded a gloomy, cold aura, and handed it to Frieren.

Frieren put the Nightmare Pot into her suitcase and walked forward.

Thinking of the enormous barrier he had encountered upon entering the Empire, Stark couldn't help but ask,

"Frieren, didn't you say the Empire was safe? How come there are monsters again now!"

Without hesitation, Dugu Qing said, "A nation that shows no respect for its meritorious officials and heroes is bound to decline!"

Frieren shook her head in confusion. She didn't care about politics; she only knew that the empire had existed for over a thousand years, possessed advanced magical technology, and was the largest magical civilization on this continent.

One hundred years ago, the Demons race launched attacks on all sides, eventually reaching the imperial capital.

But the empire, in dire straits, turned defense into offense, unleashing astonishing vitality, reclaiming the land occupied by the Demons, and tenaciously surviving for another hundred years, making it quite powerful!

As the group was still chatting, a low roar suddenly came from the depths of the dense forest.

Four robust, Spotted Demon Tigers burst through the bushes, rushing out with a powerful gust of wind.

Dugu Qing summoned his longsword and was about to pounce on the demon.

"Hey, Dugu Qing, you're always the one stealing the show. Leave these little monsters to me! If I can't beat Macht, surely I can beat these monsters!"

Stark stopped Dugu Qing, raised his battle axe, and delivered a powerful punch to the monster.

Frieren, Dugu Qing, Fern watched as Stark slashed left and right with impressive skill, and quickly felt relieved.

Stark easily dealt with the monsters and discovered the Imperial army, which had been completely wiped out by the monsters, in the forest.

"The empire of today is no longer the powerful one that Frieren remembers!"

Seeing this, Stark became even more convinced that the empire had declined.

"Perhaps! After all, the empire is based on the Demons realm!"

The group continued forward, emerging from the dense forest, and arrived at the ruins of a magnificent fortress.

The fortress has a simple appearance, its walls weathered by time and crisscrossed with cracks, bearing the marks of ancient sieges and defenses. It is now deserted.

The group entered the fortress, admiring its unique interior and searching for valuable treasures.

A rusty dagger, a broken halberd, a rotten military flag...

Dugu Qing looked around and seemed to see a glorious chapter of history unfolding here.

A fierce fight broke out from the forest.

The four followed the sound into the woods.

A shirtless, handsome man was seen tightly gripping a demonic wolf with both arms, then slamming it backward to the ground, using all his strength to tighten his grip until the wolf was strangled to death.

"Uncle, are you an adventurer too?"

Stark looked at the shirtless man, a hint of admiration in his voice.

The man stood up, stroked his beard, and said, "My name is Arume, and my ancestors were Earl once ruled this region."

Dugu Qing, Frieren, Fern nodded indifferently.

Stark was terrified and knelt down at lightning speed.

"My lord, I apologize. I was being rude just now. Please don't cut off my head."

Dugu Qing was shocked by Stark's strange actions. In his opinion, what were dukes, Earls, and barons? Were kings and nobles born with special privileges?

What does the hierarchy of the human world have to do with me, an elf?

He quickly stepped forward and helped Stark up.

"No matter what, kneeling before nobles is just too much!"

Stark stood up with lingering fear, remembering the strict hierarchical order, still afraid that the other party would blame him for being impolite, his legs trembling.