Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 178 Dancing Under the Fireworks
Louis had just stepped out of the laboratory when he abruptly stopped.

He raised an eyebrow, as if he had suddenly remembered something important.

“Wait a minute…” he muttered to himself, turning back to look at Hilko, who was still tidying up the medicine bottles. “I almost forgot about the important matter.”

He turned back, walked among the shelves of potions, and called out to the alchemical genius who was engrossed in organizing them: "Hilko, I actually came to see you today not just about the Knight's Potions."

Upon hearing this, Hilko looked up, blinking blankly. "Not because of that? You came at just the right time. I thought your nose was even more sensitive than the lab cats."

Louis cleared his throat and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I wanted you to make me something... well, something special."

"Oh?" Hilko's interest was piqued. He turned his head and crossed his arms. "What kind? A weapon? A potion? A magic device? Or a magic bomb!"

“Neither.” Louis paused, as if choosing his words carefully, and then slowly said, “I want to make something that can shine in the night sky.”

Ideally, they should be colorful, shaped like flowers, bursting open in the air before slowly scattering.

But it wasn't a real explosion. It was just something used for... a celebration.

Hilko's expression gradually became subtle, his brows furrowing into a question mark: "You said... it explodes, glows, makes a sound, and doesn't hurt anyone?"

Sounds like... a weakened version of the Magic Bomb? Are you planning to kill a few birds to celebrate during the siege?

“It’s not explosives!” Louis waved his hands repeatedly. “It won’t kill anyone or set houses on fire. It’s… beautiful, romantic, like a giant flower blooming in the night sky.”

It also drops down sparks like stars, flashing on and off. Sometimes they're red, sometimes blue, and sometimes gold and purple... Ideally, it could be accompanied by several bursts of fire, like they're dancing in the air.

Hilko's face clearly said, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

He blinked, puzzled. "You're... describing some kind of magic? Why me? I'm an alchemist, not a magician?"

“It’s not magic, nor is it an illusion; it’s real.” Louis sighed, realizing then that he was explaining something that didn’t exist in this world at all.

“You want to make a… ‘rhythmic, non-dangerous explosive device’ just for…showing off? What’s the point?” Hilk’s tone was already tinged with a subtle doubt.

"It can be used in celebrations and ceremonies, such as a wedding. Everyone looks up at the night sky, and with a 'bang,' a golden flower explodes, and everyone below applauds and cheers. That feeling must be amazing."

"Are you going to set off a magic bomb at your wedding?"

"It's not a magic bomb!" Louis emphasized, unable to contain himself any longer.

Hilko wore a "they're all pretty much the same" expression and silently unscrewed the cap on a bottle of medicine that had just been closed, probably to make sure he wasn't smelling the wrong hallucinogenic substance.

“I get it, I guess.” He scratched his head. “You want an alchemical device that can launch magic explosive bullets into the air, that doesn’t hurt people, has varied effects, and looks as good as possible. In short… a ‘magic explosive bullet that doesn’t kill’?”

"Yes! That's pretty much it." Louis breathed a sigh of relief; at least it was getting close.

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.” Hilko shook his head helplessly.

…………

As the sun sets, its golden-red afterglow spills across the open ground north of Red Tide Territory, casting a tranquil and gentle warm hue over the boundless wilderness.

The wind blew through the gaps in the wild grass, stirring up some dust and bringing the approaching night.

Louis led his horse into the somewhat desolate testing ground.

Hilko's figure was clearly visible in the distance.

He was standing beside an alchemical launcher, focused on directing several apprentices to place oddly shaped alchemical devices onto the launcher.

Several large metal cylinders were neatly arranged on the ground. Because they were made on the spot, they were somewhat rough and looked like a pile of giant radishes waiting to be sent to heaven.

“Wow…” Louis blinked. “This thing is even more… weird than I imagined.”

Meanwhile, the inventor himself, Hilco, stood excitedly in front of the launch pad, wearing his blackened white robe, directing his apprentices to pour some powder into the metal tube.

Sif muttered to herself, "Why does it feel more like Red Tide Castle to me?"

Louis's lips twitched. How could it resemble that? Red Tide Castle was so cool.

Then his gaze swept across the ground, and his brow twitched slightly. "And what... is written on these cylinders?"

[Prototype Demon Explosion Bomb]

[Do not lick!]

[Side effects: Tinnitus/mild dizziness/possible romantic feelings]

"Where should I even begin to complain?" Louis sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

Just then, Hilko finally noticed their arrival and waved his hand sharply: "Lord! You've come at the perfect time! Get ready!"

In the center of the open space, the last set of equipment was installed.

“The main ingredient is newly formulated magic marrow powder, one of the core energy sources,” Hilko explained to the narrator while inspecting the powder, “which is mixed with trace amounts of red platinum magic crystals…”

"Is it really safe?" Louis repeated softly, his tone subtle.

“It’s safe under normal circumstances,” Hilko replied without hesitation.

Louis's eyelids twitched slightly. Was it safe under those abnormal circumstances?
"As for the color, it relies on moss ash and gold and silver dust," he continued, his tone calm as still water. "Moss ash turns bright red at high temperatures, while gold and silver dust can reflect blue and gold light under different lighting conditions. If the proportions are adjusted well, red, blue, and gold hues can be produced simultaneously."

He spoke with great seriousness, as if he were describing a high-precision blasting project.

“It might be a bit loud.” Hilco paused for a moment, then turned to look at Louis. “Probably like… a large magic bomb.”

Louis shrugged. He didn't really care, since the fireworks display would be quite far from the wedding venue.

In the distance, several alchemy apprentices had completed their final preparations. One of them ran up quickly to report: "The equipment is all ready, the magic essence has been filled, and the process is clear and straightforward."

Upon hearing this, Hilko's spirits lifted, and he revealed a rare look of anticipation.

He waved his hand at the crowd and said in a clear voice, "Everyone, step back thirty paces! Begin the release!"

The alchemy apprentices quickly dispersed, and Hilko pressed the activation device in front of him with a palm strike.

The next moment, several cylindrical devices emitted a low hum, then with a "bang," they ripped through the night sky, roaring up with a metallic trail of flames tearing through the air.

Immediately after
"boom!"

Above the sky, the first firework exploded suddenly, like a blazing lotus in full bloom. Crimson flames cascaded down like a waterfall, leaving trails of burning patterns in the night sky.

"Snapped!"

The second one exploded with a blue light, cold and deep, like ice crystals cracking amidst the red flames, instantly illuminating the night.

"Thump—bang—smash!"

One after another, the explosions vibrated in the air like drumbeats, the three colors intertwined, and golden stardust streaked across the sky like shooting stars.

The trailing flames swirled and intertwined in the air, like a divine paintbrush, turning the dark night sky into a giant, burning painting.

It wasn't a piercing roar, but a deep, resonant thud, like a war drum or a heartbeat, striking heavily in everyone's chest.

Louis looked up at the fading flames, his eyes flickered, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

He muttered to himself, "It's a little better than I expected."

Although it failed to recreate the layered, star-like fireworks of the previous New Year's Eve, lacking the intricate patterns and lingering rhythm, and appearing somewhat rougher overall.

But in a world where the concept of "fireworks" has never existed, this scene is enough to move people. Raw, yet breathtaking; simple, yet real.

He slowly turned his head to look at Hilko, who was standing not far away by the launch pad.

He was standing with his arms crossed, looking rather strange, as if to say, "What's so strange about this explosion?"

“Not bad…” Louis said seriously, “That’s what I wanted. It can just be improved a little more, to make it… look better. For example, less violent, softer colors, and a shape that’s more… like a flower, not an explosion.”

"Flowers?" Hilko frowned, as if he had heard some heretical nonsense.

He gestured with a non-standard hand gesture that he'd picked up from who-knows-where: "If you really want me to create one of those soft fireballs that don't hurt or explode, I might need to re-evaluate the definition of the word 'explosion'."

Louis said helplessly, "I'm going to put it on at the wedding, not on the battlefield!"

“However, it’s not difficult to change.” After complaining, Hilko regained the calmness of an alchemist who could turn any emotional request into a formula. “You have to tell me first which part is ‘good-looking’.”

Is the flower pattern not elegant enough? The colors not pure enough? Or is the firing frequency not rhythmic enough? Of course, I can try them all.

He grinned and said, "This is very simple; I can do it myself."

Sif stood beside Louise, gazing up at the night sky.

Fireworks slowly bloomed overhead, like a waterfall of meteors hanging upside down in the night sky. Red, blue, and gold colors swirled and rolled in turn, like a paintbrush in the hand of a god, painting an incredible dream with each stroke.

A look of shock and joy flashed in her eyes, like a child seeing the wonders of the world for the first time.

It was a romantic scene she had never imagined, like a fairy tale, like a dream, like a miracle that could only happen in a faraway land.

But that joy didn't last long.

Because she suddenly remembered something.

These fireworks were not prepared for her.

Although I told myself a long time ago not to expect anything, and although I knew long ago that it was impossible for them to be open and honest with each other.

Even so, when witnessing such a miracle with one's own eyes, it's still inevitable to feel a little...sad.

The smile on her face gradually faded, her eyes lowered, and her long eyelashes drooped slightly.

The wind blew through her hair, and she gently bit her lower lip, as if trying to suppress some emotion that shouldn't have surfaced. Then she turned around, quietly wanting to leave the afterglow of the firelight.

"Is this your first time seeing this too?" Louis's voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Sif paused, her steps halting.

When she turned around, he was already smiling and blocking her way, his face carrying a hint of cunning, yet also a touch of clumsy tenderness.

"How is it? Does it look good?" he asked, his tone as casual as if he were talking about a rainbow after the rain.

She didn't answer immediately.

Because it really looks good.

But... that beauty doesn't belong to her.

She lowered her eyes and didn't say "but," but her calm expression revealed her true feelings.

Louis looked at her, but didn't press further, remaining silent for a moment.

Then he suddenly took half a step back, bowed slightly, and extended one hand, making an exaggerated yet extremely gentlemanly invitation gesture.

"So...would you like to dance with me?"

He smiled and spoke in a low, gentle voice, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Sif paused for a moment.

She hadn't expected to receive such an invitation at this time and in this setting.

Even more unexpectedly, at this moment when the fireworks had not yet completely faded, Louis would use this method, as if deliberately leaving her... a special memory.

"Can you dance?" she asked softly, her tone tinged with doubt and provocation.

“No,” Louis answered frankly. “However, I will try not to step on your foot.”

In that instant, Sif couldn't help but smile, the slight disappointment in her eyes being rekindled by the afterglow of the fireworks.

So she reached out and gently placed her hand in his palm.

The two stood in the center of the open space. There was no music, no dance floor, only the lingering flames and the flickering firelight in the wind.

Their steps were not elegant, and their movements were somewhat clumsy, but they didn't care.

Sif gently moved closer to Louis, her palm against his, feeling his slightly cool body temperature, like the night breeze, or perhaps... a long-lost sense of peace.

The longer Sif stood beside him, the more she could sense that there was a depth in his eyes that went beyond his years.

Behind that gentle demeanor lies an extremely firm will and a calm, even frightening, judgment.

He was a man who could truly change the course of a war and reshape the order.

Indeed... in this cruel wasteland, there are very few people who are willing to leave behind a spark of light and illuminate the way for others.

As she watched his less-than-perfect dance moves, yet his efforts to maintain a gentlemanly demeanor, an indescribable tenderness welled up within her.

Perhaps in his heart, she wasn't special.

He is destined to marry other women in the future, perhaps more than one or two.

This world has always been terrifyingly lenient towards the strong, especially noble lords like him, for whom it is not surprising to have three wives and four concubines.

She knew it.

She always knew that.

Just as she knew this dance wasn't prepared for her, the fireworks weren't lit for her, and the future wasn't reserved for her alone.

But she still reached out her hand.

As long as it's this moment, he's dancing with her.

As long as she can stand by his side in that fleeting moment of undying light, even if only once, even if only for a brief instant.

She is willing to keep this memory hidden in the softest part of her heart, without demanding or asking for anything in return.

“Louis…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if afraid to disturb this dream that had quietly descended upon her.

She didn't know what she should expect from him.

Maybe nothing at all.

But she's willing to stay with him, at least for now.

Not for power, not for responsibility, but only because... at this moment, he was looking at her, holding her hand.

(End of this chapter)