Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

“Let’s go.” Wellington suppressed his anger and left with his men.

Horn gave W a deep look, then turned away, leaving behind the words: "Next time, it won't be a draw."

"I'm always ready." W made a face at her retreating figure.

Lacey walked up to the Sarkaz.

“Mr. Hedley, Miss W.”

"Your Majesty," Hadley bowed slightly.

“You earned respect within the rules,” Lacey said.

Therese walked over: "They were just defending their dignity. Thank you for your help, Your Majesty."

“I’m just maintaining order in the Empire,” Lacey said, looking at Theresis. “Order is the foundation of peace.”

Therese smiled knowingly: "Order? Perhaps."

He led his squad away.

Lacey watched them leave.

Gertrude, who was standing nearby, whispered, "Your Majesty, Victoria has lost face this time, and I'm afraid she won't let it go easily."

“They were never going to let this go.” Lacey gazed at the Twin Towers in the distance.

"All we need is for them to know who's in charge here."

In the stands, Mob wiped his sweat: "Ha! What a... hilarious post-match chat!"

"The Meshko Group reminds everyone that friendship comes first, competition second!"

……

The closing ceremony on the last day of the sports meet.

This time, there was no parade; athletes from various countries mingled together, chatting and laughing as they entered the venue.

Maria Nearl pushed Remian's wheelchair.

Gummy was gesturing something to Hoshiguma.

W then attempted to slip a fake bomb into the pocket of the Lateran player.

“Look! This is what peace should look like!” Mob’s voice carried a rare sincerity.

"No borders, no barriers! Meshko Group... May the world be filled with love!"

Once everyone had entered, the lights suddenly dimmed.

A spotlight shone down in the center of the venue.

A young girl in a black dress walked out, carrying a cello.

“This is… Arturo!” Mob exclaimed.

"Leytania's most sought-after emerging artist! Deputy Minister of Culture!"

"She will bring us the closing performance – 'New Life'!"

Arturo did not give a speech; she simply plucked the strings of her violin.

The music began, initially low and somber, like a struggle under a gloomy sky.

As the music progresses and the light and shadows shift, images of Letania's dark past appear in the sky above the stadium.

Suddenly, the music shifted, becoming more exciting and bright.

Countless beams of light shot into the sky from all directions, dispelling the gloom.

Arturo recreated Letania's phoenix-like rebirth through art.

The audience was completely captivated.

Even the Duke of Wellington, who always kept a straight face, had to admit that the performance was truly moving.

Therese stared intently at the interplay of light and shadow in the "New Letania," her eyes brimming with desire.

When the performance ended, the entire audience stood up and erupted in applause.

Lacey walked onto the stage.

"Friends."

His voice, amplified, clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Over the past few days, we have witnessed strength, speed, skill, and will."

"We cheer for the winners and applaud the challengers."

“We come from different countries, speak different languages, and believe in different gods.”

"But as we stand here, we are all children of Terra."

Lacey looked around, her gaze seemingly able to pierce through one's heart.

"Peace is not something to begged for, but something to be fought for."

"Understanding comes not from compromise, but from communication."

"I hereby declare that the Terra Peace Games will be held every four years, and the doors of Trinityl will forever be open for peace and cooperation."

"Now, I declare the first Terra Peace Games closed!"

The sacred flame slowly went out.

But then, cheerful music started playing.

The closing ceremony turned into a grand carnival party.

"Wait! What's going on?" Mob jumped up from the commentary booth.

"Emperor Lacey! He... he's taken up the baton!"

Lacey took off her coat and walked to the conductor's platform prepared for the concert.

The Imperial Symphony Orchestra is ready.

Lacey turned around, smiled and nodded to the orchestra, then raised his baton.

Instead of choosing a grand and solemn court symphony, he opted for a piece adapted from a Leitanian folk dance—"The Harvest Song".

The lively and cheerful melody ignited the atmosphere of the venue.

The athletes began to spontaneously dance to the rhythm.

Gumi pulled Winter up and jumped.

Margaret Nearl and Flametail also joined.

Even the proud Victoria team had young soldiers who couldn't help but stomp their feet.

W whistled and pulled Hedley and Ines into the crowd: "Come on! Wooden Man!"

Hedley was helplessly dragged along by her, but a rare smile appeared on his lips.

Lacey displayed his talent as a master in the field of art on stage.

Music is a language without borders, and with this piece, he temporarily bridged the political divide.

The revelry continued late into the night.

The delegations from various countries began to leave early the next morning.

Before boarding his train back to Victoria, the Duke of Wellington glanced back at the Twin Towers with a solemn expression.

Challne of Casimir returned with a bang, having already booked advertising space for the next Games.

Therese stood by the platform and said goodbye to Lacey.

“You have succeeded, Your Majesty,” Theresis said. “You have given everyone hope.”

“This is just the beginning,” Lacey replied.

“I will go back and replicate your success.” Therese’s eyes were resolute.

"Kazdel also needs hope."

"Then I wish you good luck in your military campaigns."

Holy Lytania Empire: Chapter 1: Who in this world can be called a hero?

Summer of 1075 in the Terra calendar, on the outskirts of Kazdel.

Therese and Lacey sat outside the tent, two bottles of white wine on a stone stool in front of them, drinking heartily.

As the wine flowed freely, dark clouds suddenly rolled in, and a downpour was imminent.

Therese gazed at the horizon for a long while before asking, "Lassie, you've traveled to quite a few places these past few years, haven't you?"

“Great Yan, Ursus, Casimir, Letania, Victoria, Columbia… If you think about it carefully, I have indeed been to quite a few places,” Lacey replied.

Therese nodded. "Then you must know some of the heroes of our time. Tell me about them."

Lacey refused, saying, "I'm too ignorant to recognize who the hero is."

“As one of the Seven Heroes of Sarkaz, known as ‘Lacey the Immortal,’ saying such things won’t be seen as modesty by others.” Theresis shook her head, disliking her friend’s constant smirk. “Even if you haven’t met them, you must have at least heard of their reputation, right?”

Lacey had no choice but to say, "If we're talking about heroes... Emperor Fyodor Vladimirovich of Ursus, with his vast territory, well-trained army, and ample provisions, could he be considered a hero?"

Upon hearing this man's name, Therese burst into laughter: "To quell external rebellions, one must first secure internal stability. How dare you call yourself a hero when you, the emperor of a nation, are helpless in the face of internal strife?"

Lai Xi then said, "Wei Yanwu, the governor of Longmen, is the elder brother of Zhenlong, and many of his former subordinates are from his clan. Now, he is a powerful figure in Longmen, with many capable men under his command. Could he be considered a hero?"

Therese laughed again: "A dog that has lost its home, not worth worrying about."

Lacey continued, "The Witch King of Letania, a powerful figure of our time, who can decide the fate of the world, can he be considered a hero?"

Therese waved his hand: "The bones in the tomb will surely die without a burial place, and are not heroes."

"What about people like the eight dukes of Victoria and the Sicilian of Syracuse?"

Therese clapped his hands and laughed: "Such mediocre people are not worth mentioning!"

Lacey shook her head: "I really don't know anything else."

Therese said, "A hero is one who has lofty ambitions, brilliant strategies, the capacity to encompass the universe, and the will to swallow the heavens and earth."

Lacey asked, "Who can take on this role?"

Therese pointed at Lacey, then at herself, "The only heroes in the world today are you and me!"

Upon hearing this, Lacey's hand holding the wine bottle trembled slightly.

"Boom——"

Just then, rain was about to fall, and thunder roared.

Lacey calmly replied, "The power of a single shock is indeed this great."

Therese laughed and said, "Does even a great man fear thunder?"

Lacey replied, "Wind, rain, thunder, and lightning are all natural disasters; how can we not fear them?"

Therese said nothing more, shook the bottle in his hand, and Lacey understood, clinking bottles with him. The two of them raised their heads and gulped down the rest of the wine in the bottle.

"I'm not joking with you, Lacey. How long are you planning to stay this time?"

"Don't go."

Lacey shook her head.

"Oh? So what are your plans for the future?" Therese's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Future plans...

Lacey looked up at the gray sky, letting the drizzling raindrops hit her face.

Nearly three hundred years have passed since he transmigrated here, but it wasn't until recently that he recalled his memories from before his transmigration.

Therefore, he had always lived the Sarkaz way before this, and was already used to it.

More than a hundred years ago, the Sarkaz people faced extinction when a multinational coalition attacked Kazdel. To protect his homeland, he stepped forward and, together with six others, held off the coalition's attack, successfully defending their home.

After this battle, the seven of them became known as the Seven Heroes of Sarkaz.