Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Dreams Inscribed / Story
Echoes
Seven days later.
In an empty room at WGAA.
Gathered around an aged projection device, everyone takes a seat on the ground, patiently waiting for the calibration to be done.
While Liv and Lucia walk in, each holding a plate of rice dumplings in their hands.
Anyone wants rice dumplings?
Me, me, me!
Hey, don't suddenly stand up like that. You're blocking the projector.
Oops, my bad. Couldn't help but move around a bit after sitting here for so long.
You think I want this? You should go blame WGAA for still using such an outdated thing.
Hehe, this is what a premiere is all about. Gotta stick with the tradition.
Now that you've mentioned it, Ayla, is the movie going to be released today?
Hm? Well, of course! It's the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, after all.
Huh? Shouldn't you have had us double-check it beforehand...
Come on, have a little more faith in me. Director Ayla's got some professional editing skills.
I've worked hard editing scenes where you accidentally hit your allies, missed close-range dagger shots, or blew yourself sky-high while playing with explosives.
Uh... I really don't want to remember those...
You know, they are just some little unintentional mistakes!
Commandant, do you want to try a rice dumpling?
...
It's very delicious.
I tried to recreate the original based on the recipe Changyu gave me.
I'm very happy that you like it, Commandant.
The steaming hot rice dumplings emit an enticing aroma, alluring enough to make one ignore the burning heat.
At the end of the day, a new ending was still added on top of the results of the game.
It makes sense since the hero spotted us before reaching the Realm of Dragons, which caused our mission to end early in the game.
It was quite a fun journey.
As absurd as usual, but well... the ending is not bad.
...
We don't need to continue with this topic anymore.
Depending on how well the movie is received in Babylonia, we may need to make another sequel again.
Not just for next year, but also for the year after next, and the year after the year after that...
Commandant?
Is there anything bothering you?
I just want us all to still be together and enjoy the happy moments.
I'm sure we will be able to do that.
That's what I think, too.
Judging by our current circumstances, it will be like that indeed.
Regardless of the passage of time and the numerous hardships endured.
The unbreakable bond of friendship will eventually guide you and your friends together, allowing you to overcome the raging fires of war and the freezing winters.
You only wish that by then, you will still be able to see every familiar face, united once more by this table.
No... Rather than a mere prayer, this is now your mission as a commandant, a duty you must strive to fulfill...
Hey, I've done setting up the projector.
Be quiet for a moment.
Ahem... Well, then—
The premiere of this year's Dragon Boat Festival movie now begins!
The applause carries a diverse range of tones, with some sounding urgent, others nonchalant, and one person even momentarily clapping their hand on a rice dumpling before finding a moment to set it aside.
However, without exception, everyone is wearing a smile in this very moment.
The wishes are as heartfelt as always...
