The bells continued echoing throughout the city as people walked along the illuminated streets. Little by little, it became clear that most of the townspeople were heading toward the same places. Some made their way to the riverbanks. Others headed for more open squares. Many walked toward the hills near the city.
I remembered what the lord had told us earlier.
According to him, there was a specific place where the view of the fireworks was much better.
A high point that allowed you to see practically the entire city.
When I mentioned it to the group, everyone agreed to go there.
After all, if we were going to watch the festival's main event, it made sense to choose the best possible location.
We followed the streets alongside part of the crowd.
Even with so many people walking at the same time, the atmosphere remained peaceful.
Children carried colorful lanterns.
Couples strolled hand in hand.
Families talked as they searched for a good place to watch the spectacle.
It made me realize once again how far this place was from the battlefields.
There was no fear here.
There was no despair.
People were simply enjoying their lives.
After some time, we left the busiest part of the city and began climbing a stone path that led to a higher area.
The crowd grew thinner.
The noise faded as well.
The sounds of music and conversation became more and more distant.
When we finally reached the top of the hill, I immediately understood why that place was so popular.
The view was incredible.
The entire city could be seen from there.
The illuminated streets looked like rivers of light cutting through the darkness of the night.
The lanterns scattered across the buildings created a beautiful and welcoming landscape.
In the distance, it was possible to see the light reflecting on the surface of the river.
Even the nearby mountains looked different beneath the starlight.
"Wow."
Elara was the first to speak.
"It's really beautiful."
Lyannis nodded.
"More beautiful than I imagined."
Liriel's assistant silently observed everything.
She looked impressed.
Perhaps because she rarely had the opportunity to experience something like this.
Liriel stepped closer to her.
"Are you enjoying it?"
"Yes."
She answered.
"Very much."
I smiled when I heard that.
It was nice to see her enjoying moments like these.
We found an open spot near the edge of the hill and settled there.
Other people were also scattered around the area.
Some were chatting.
Others simply admired the scenery.
The atmosphere was pleasant.
A gentle breeze passed through the hill, carrying the scent of the nearby trees.
For several minutes, no one said anything.
We simply appreciated the view.
After a while, Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"It's been a long time since we've done something like this."
"It feels like years."
I replied.
"Even though it really hasn't been that long."
Scarlett let out a quiet laugh.
"Maybe because all we've done these past few months is fight."
That was true.
Ever since the war against the Demon Generals, nearly all of our attention had been focused on training, battles, and strategies.
Peaceful moments like this had become rare.
"I prefer this."
Elara said.
"Without monsters trying to kill us."
"A very reasonable opinion."
Vespera commented.
Everyone ended up laughing.
Even Rai'kanna showed a small smile.
The conversation continued naturally.
We talked about the city.
About the tournament.
About funny situations that had happened during the journey.
At one point, Liriel's assistant said something that caught my attention.
"You've all changed a lot."
I looked at her.
"In what way?"
"All of you."
She looked at each member of the group before continuing.
"When I first saw you, you were adventurers trying to find your place in the world."
No one interrupted.
"Now you're people capable of influencing entire kingdoms."
Her words made me reflect.
Because they were true.
When I arrived in this world, I could barely survive on my own.
Now I had lands.
Influence.
Allies.
Responsibilities.
So many things had changed.
But not only for me.
Everyone had grown.
Each in their own way.
Liriel smiled.
"It has been a long journey."
"It has."
I agreed.
The assistant looked at me.
"You've changed a lot too."
"I hope it's for the better."
"For much better."
That was kind of her.
As we talked, I noticed more people continuing to arrive at the hill.
The area was practically full.
Everyone was waiting for the same moment.
The fireworks.
When I looked up at the sky, I saw that the moon was high.
The stars shone brightly.
It was a perfect night for this.
Shortly afterward, the city's lights began to dim.
Not completely.
But enough to draw everyone's attention.
The conversations around us became quieter.
People seemed to realize that the spectacle was about to begin.
Then it happened.
A flash of light appeared near the center of the city.
A second later, a loud boom echoed through the air.
And a huge firework exploded in the sky.
Hundreds of glowing sparks spread above the buildings.
Reflecting off the windows.
Off the river.
Off the faces of the people.
Soon another one appeared.
Then another.
And another.
The night sky began filling with colorful lights.
Brilliant explosions illuminated the darkness in different shapes and patterns.
Some resembled flowers.
Others looked like stars.
Some spread slowly.
Others disappeared almost instantly.
It was a breathtaking spectacle.
Even for someone who had come from another world.
For several minutes, no one in the group said anything.
Everyone was simply watching.
Observing.
Appreciating.
The colorful reflections danced across the eyes of every person around me.
Elara looked enchanted.
Liriel watched with a peaceful smile.
Her assistant followed everything with rapt attention.
Rai'kanna and Scarlett remained silent.
Which, by itself, was already something rare.
I didn't feel like speaking either.
I simply kept looking at the sky.
It was beautiful.
But not only because of the fireworks.
It was beautiful because that moment existed.
Because those people could smile.
Because that city was at peace.
Because no one had to worry about war that night.
As I watched the fireworks appear and disappear, I thought about the Demon King once again.
Not with fear.
Nor with anxiety.
Only as a reminder.
That peace would not last forever.
Someday, the final battle would come.
And when that happened, I would need to be ready.
Not just for myself.
But for everyone living moments like this.
For the people of the city.
For the adventurers.
For the kingdoms.
For the girls by my side.
For everyone.
Perhaps it was at that very moment that I realized something important.
I wasn't fighting merely to defeat an enemy.
I was fighting to protect moments like this.
Simple moments.
Ordinary moments.
Moments whose value many people never truly realized until they were at risk of losing them.
Another firework exploded in the sky.
This one was much larger than the previous ones.
The crowd reacted with amazement.
Many children pointed upward.
Some people applauded.
Others cheered.
The spectacle continued for a long time.
And I remained there watching.
Feeling a sense of peace that I hadn't experienced in a very long time.
When the final wave of fireworks lit up the sky, the entire city seemed to shine all at once.
It was the perfect finale.
The lights slowly faded away.
Silence settled over the hill for a few seconds.
Then came the applause.
Hundreds of people began clapping.
Some whistled.
Others cheered.
The spectacle had ended.
But the feeling it left behind remained.
As I watched the last sparks disappear into the darkness, a small smile naturally appeared on my face.
It had been a very long time since I had felt so at peace.
And that night, sitting beside the most important people in my life beneath a sky illuminated by thousands of colors, I realized that this tranquility was exactly what I wanted to protect in the future.