Zongman: The post-2D era

"Well, the two of you should enjoy this rare time together. We will taste the dessert for you."

As Yukino spoke, she pulled Illya towards the classroom door with brisk steps, leaving behind a string of silver bell-like laughter that echoed in the classroom.

Their figures gradually faded away, leaving behind a warm and slightly mischievous back, as if adding a touch of relaxation to this sudden "detention" journey.

In the empty classroom, the sunlight shines through the half-closed curtains and onto the mottled ground, creating an interweaving of light and shadow.

Teacher Hiratsuka closed the door gently, turned around and said to Feng Feng and Artoria: "Artoria, please read the comments of the teachers of each subject first and revise your homework carefully."

"Feng Feng, although you are a wounded soldier, since we have to share the responsibility, please help me sort out these old textbooks. It can be regarded as one of your 'homework'."

Upon hearing this, Altria walked to a desk by the window and sat down. Her homework books were scattered on the desk, and red comments from teachers of various subjects were piled next to it.

She opened her math homework, frowned slightly, then relaxed, her eyes flickering with thought. The sun shone on her focused face, and her golden hair seemed to be coated with a layer of soft light.

The sun slowly sank into the horizon, dyeing the sky with a hint of orange, shrouding the campus in warm afterglow.

Feng Feng walked out of the classroom quietly, fearing to disturb Altria who was still working hard.

In the corridor, the light became soft and dim, and his footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, appearing particularly clear.

At the corner, Ms. Hiratsuka was leaning on the railing, holding a cigarette in her hand. In the smoke, her face looked serious yet with a hint of tenderness that was hard to detect.

Feng Feng walked over and took a light puff of cigarette. The smoke slowly rose from her lips, interweaving with the afterglow of the setting sun, forming a blurry picture.

"Feng Feng, Yukino and Illya went to great lengths to get you and Altria to get along. Have you really finished your 'homework'?"

Her voice was low and magnetic, and her eyes were somewhat scrutinizing.

Feng Feng gently unscrewed the orange juice can in his hand, and the sweet fragrance instantly filled the air, contrasting with the gradually quiet sunset outside the window.

"My schoolwork?"

He whispered to himself, the corners of his mouth rising unconsciously, imagining sitting side by side with Altria in a cozy restaurant, outside the window was the gradually silent city night scene, the table was laid with exquisite tableware and tempting desserts, and their conversation and laughter would become the most beautiful melody of this night.

The smiles of Yukino and Illya flashed through his mind, and he knew that this arrangement was more than just a simple dinner, but also a testimony of friendship and companionship.

Thinking of this, he quickened his pace, his heart filled with longing and anticipation for the upcoming dinner.

"Sensei, I will go to the family restaurant with Altria. Yukino and Illya should be waiting for me there."

"Teacher is leaving first. Don't forget to close the door when you leave with Altria. You, men, shouldn't be so arrogant."

Teacher Hiratsuka stood at the end of the corridor outside the classroom. The afterglow of the setting sun stretched her figure out long, and the golden light sprinkled on her slightly tired but determined face.

She took a deep breath and looked at the gorgeous sunset in the sky. She felt an inexplicable sense of loss in her heart. She missed the social party again. She was already thirty...

Feng Feng stood beside Altria. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window onto his slightly tired but gentle face, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet classroom.

He said softly, "Altria, the teacher asked me to stay and tutor you, but she has gone back first."

Upon hearing this, Altria slowly raised her head. Her clear eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts. She stared at Feng Feng quietly, and time seemed to freeze at this moment.

After staring for a full minute, she nodded slightly, with a barely perceptible flash of gratitude and trust in her eyes.

"Thank you, Feng Feng."

Her voice was soft but firm, and there was a faint smile on the corner of her mouth. That smile was like a flower blooming in spring, warm and bright.

"Yukino believed in you and decided to help you win the Fourth Holy Grail War. Now I also think that you are not a bad person."

She stood up and walked to Feng Feng. They stood side by side and worked together to sort out the homework piled on the table.

"Let's go to the family restaurant for dinner today!" Feng Feng invited softly.

"Well, I don't want Yukino and Illya to worry too much about me doing something bad to you."

Chapter 836: Altria's School Festival

Wednesday, October 19

Illya and Yukino were discussing the dishes and desserts from yesterday's family restaurant. Feng Feng, who was wearing bandages on his fingers, said:

"Although I am a wounded soldier, I have to cook dinner today."

Mr. Hiratsuka held up the school festival poster, stared at Feng Feng and said, "You should get ready for the school festival!"

Feng Feng frowned slightly and laughed:

"Altria, today, let us put aside those tedious schoolwork and responsibilities for a while and enjoy some time that belongs only to us."

He whispered to himself, the corners of his mouth rising unconsciously: "This is your school festival."

Altria gently shook the script in her hand. The large words "Death of the Knight King" on the cover looked particularly dazzling under the dim light. A barely perceptible loneliness flashed in her eyes.

The sunlight shone through the half-closed curtains, dappling onto her shoulders, forming a sharp contrast with the heavy title on the script.

"How can I be happy about a story about me becoming a knight queen and then dying in a lakeside forest?"

She sat down slowly, her fingers gently stroking each word, as if she could feel the heaviness and helplessness behind the character.

"Heh, the death of the Knight King... I really hope that I can have a grand ending like this script."

She laughed at herself in a low voice, with a bitter smile on her lips. She turned the script gently in her hands, and each page carried a different fate. She seemed to be deeply attracted by this fictional story, or she saw her own shadow in it.

"I'm playing the Knight King in the school festival play!!"

Everything around her gradually became blurred, and only the words on the script were reflected clearly and cruelly in her eyes, reminding her that even the legendary Knight King would inevitably have his end one day.

When Altria turned to the last part of the script, her face suddenly turned red. She rushed to Feng Feng, grabbed his collar and shook him, asking him why the script did not match history.

"Why did the Knight King elope with the traveler you played in the end? Can you please respect history?"

Feng Feng was amused by Altria's sudden question. He gently pushed away her clenched hands, gently pulled her to sit next to him, and they both opened the fantasy script together.

The sunlight just happened to shine on their folded hands, and the golden light intertwined with the ink on the paper, as if even the words were dyed with warm colors.

"Look, Altria," Feng Feng pointed to the last scene of the script, his tone carrying a hint of mystery and tenderness, "This is not a betrayal of history, but another possible continuation."

“After returning the sword in the stone, which symbolizes power and responsibility, the Knight King finally took off his heavy armor and chose to embark on a journey with me to find spiritual healing and new hope in a distant place. This is not an elopement, but an adventure about self-salvation and rebirth.”

Feng Feng explained patiently, his eyes sparkling with a deep understanding and love for the script, but Altria's gaze remained firm and unshakable.

She pursed her lips tightly, her brows revealing unquestionable determination.

"Feng Feng, I know you mean well, but the story of the Knight King should not be easily tampered with." Her words were light, but every word was powerful.

Just when the atmosphere was a little tense, Yukino walked lightly into the room, and the sunlight shone through her hair, casting spots of light.

"Okay, okay, two great artists, don't ruin your relationship over a script."

She smiled and tried to smooth things over, then turned to Mr. Hiratsuka and said, "Teacher, I'll take them to the gymnasium to help first. The stage for the school festival cannot be without our elaborate decoration!"

Feng Feng, Altria and Xueno walked towards the gymnasium together. Students and professional stage workers were already busy in the gymnasium, and the three of them hurriedly joined in.

The setting sun poured down like molten gold, coating the gymnasium with a layer of warm orange and yellow.

The stage lights slowly lit up, interweaving with the afterglow outside the window to form a dreamy background.

Feng Feng and Altria stood side by side in the center of the stage, surrounded by carefully arranged scenery. From the ancient castle ruins to the lush lakeside forest, every detail revealed ingenuity.

They looked around the stage that would witness countless dreams and stories. Thousands of seats were neatly arranged, as if waiting for the arrival of the audience.

The breeze passed through the hall, gently blowing Altria's hair, and her eyes were shining with expectation and determination.

"I will play myself here, a failed Knight King Altria."

Feng Feng smiled, his eyes full of tenderness and encouragement. He gently patted Altria's shoulder, and they smiled at each other. There was no need for many words. The tacit understanding and trust were deeply imprinted in their hearts.

"The script has been revised, my king. Even though you know it's a tragedy, you won't let me use a script with a happy ending?"

Every beam of light on the stage seemed to be warming up for the upcoming performance, and the air was filled with an energy that was about to explode, indicating that tomorrow would be an unforgettable night.

Feng Feng's suggestion fell lightly in the air and was resolved by Altria's determined look.

She slowly raised the prop Sword in the Stone in her hand. The sword glowed coldly and solemnly under the dim light. The tip of the sword lightly touched Feng Feng's shoulder, as if it had crossed the boundaries of time and space, connecting the weight of the past and the future.

Altria's eyes showed both reluctance and determination. She said softly, "This sword was once a symbol of my honor and responsibility, but at this moment, it is more like the last bit of my heart's determination. Even in a play, I will complete this predetermined path in the name of the Knight King."

She gently retracted the sword, and the tip of the sword cut through the air, leaving a subtle but firm trail, and said seriously:

"Even if my body is buried in the mountains and my sword falls into the lake, I do not want to be the king who rules over the people as you say."

Then she turned to face the stage, her back elongated under the spotlight, appearing both lonely and determined.

Feng Feng looked at her back, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and his eyes were full of deep understanding and support for her.

The lights on the stage gradually focused on Altria, wrapping her in a sacred and solemn atmosphere, as if the whole world had stopped, just to crown her at this moment.

Feng Feng slowly raised his right hand, gently stroked his chest, and performed a solemn and complex knight's salute. His eyes were deep, as if he could penetrate the stage in front of him and see the distant future.

There was a subtle sadness and relief in his tone:

"I, Feng Feng, may not be able to become a Knight of the Round Table under your command and share the years of glory and war, but in this fantasy utopia, I am willing to weave a gentle dream for you, the Knight King Altria."

His words were like a breeze blowing across the lake, creating layers of delicate ripples. As his words fell, the light around him seemed to soften a little.

The screen in the corner of the stage gradually transformed into a scene of a deep and dense forest. Between the interweaving of light and shadow, one could almost smell the fresh scent of soil and leaves.

Chapter 837: Altria's Relief

Thursday, October 20

Illya and Yukino are discussing the dishes, desserts, and program broadcasts for today's school festival in the broadcast room.

Altria and Feng Feng finished their class play "The Death of the Knight King" and walked among the school stalls while listening to the radio.

Mr. Hiratsuka was holding a white megaphone and guiding the many people attending the school festival.

The sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, dappled onto the bustling venue of the school festival, adding a touch of warm golden color to this autumn afternoon.

Altria stopped in front of a small stall decorated with colorful windmills and ribbons. The stall was hung with all kinds of apple candies, crystal clear and as pure and flawless as the first snow in winter.

Feng Feng walked up to the stall owner, a boy with a childish face but lively eyes, and said softly, "Please give us two candy apples, thank you."

When the boy heard this, a sly light flashed in his eyes. He quickly took the two largest candies from the shelf and handed them to Altria, while deliberately speaking in an exaggerated tone:

"Oh, great Knight King, this sweet apple candy is a small tribute from the common people to your heroic deeds. May it be as sweet and dazzling as your glory."

As he spoke, he performed a not-so-standard knight's salute in all seriousness, causing the people around him to laugh.

Altria took the two sparkling apple candies, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised, her eyes flashing with a soft light, as if she was really touched by the sudden "respect".

She turned around and walked side by side with Feng Feng towards the fragrant pancake stand not far away. The sunlight just happened to shine on her golden hair, adding a bit of brilliance and warmth to this autumn afternoon.