"Oh, this is simply marvelous," Barov exclaimed, stroking his beard. "Who knew even running could be so thrilling!"

"Indeed, seeing the three take the lead together made my heart race," agreed Councilor Perot of Longsong. "It's a pity only one can receive the commemorative badge. It's a bit of a shame!"

"Is it really a shame?" The chief steward smiled faintly. "The winner is a Longsong competitor, after all. I wouldn't mind seeing this kind of spectacle where all the attention is focused on one person more often."

"Nonsense, Kui xiaojie was merely fortunate. If nothing unexpected happens, next year's Victory Day Games will surely fulfill your wish."

"Is that so... I'm worried about that unexpected event."

"Hahaha, common occurrences can hardly be called unexpected."

Hmm... even discussing the competition results is filled with hidden meaning. These two really get along, Roland mused, glancing at Barov and Perot, who were chatting amiably beside him. Despite the nearly twenty-year age difference, there's no generation gap. Truly veterans of the political arena.

With the top finishers already determined, everyone relaxed considerably, chatting and gossiping about the race while waiting for the remaining participants to cross the finish line. Undoubtedly, this kind of competitive event, tapping into humanity's pursuit of its own limits, possesses an innate and powerful appeal.

The atmosphere among the witches was similar.

Watching the group of eager young women, Roland couldn't help but smile.

The reason witches weren't allowed to participate was simply because the gap in abilities was too vast. To avoid dampening the enthusiasm of the general public, they had enacted such rules – not just those with magical powers, but even the God's Punishment Witches of Taqila were barred. But it seemed that holding a superhuman event was only a matter of time.

He wondered what it would be like when they applied their abilities to various sports.

"Was the sports meet in your world like this too?" Anna's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "You seemed rather distracted for the first half of the event."

"Because there were no commentators or live broadcasts," Roland sighed.

"You mean, a way to let everyone know the progress and details of the race at any time?" Anna's eyes lit up. "How is that done?"

"That's a complicated explanation," he smiled. "Do you remember the television I mentioned..."

If he wasn't so accustomed to the viewing habits of later generations, this race could actually be considered perfect – many participants, diverse competitor styles, an exciting process, and an unexpected ending. Whether it was Carter in his knight's cloak or the Morkins folk cosplaying as a wolf girl in front of everyone, they stirred up enough conversation.

And from the news he received from Joan, the champion, Kui, also had a rather dramatic story – she used to be a street rat, and after the liberation of Longsong, she became a glorious mail carrier, running through the streets of Longsong Fortress every day. It was this job that earned her the favor of the goddess of victory.

Although Kui had a significant difference in pure strength compared to the other three, a champion is a champion, and more than the result, Roland was more concerned with the impact. Her victory undoubtedly made people think of the slogan of labor changing destiny, which was exactly the kind of role model needed in Neverwinter.

...

As the sky turned crimson, the first Victory Day Games drew to a close.

Residents gradually arrived and gathered below the stage, forming a dense black sea of people, all eagerly awaiting the final awards ceremony.

For Roland, the main event was about to begin.

He stood up, nodded to Echo, and then walked to the front of the viewing platform.

A crucial war needed an inspiring start. If he planned to use a pre-battle speech to boost morale, there was no better time than now.

He slowly scanned the crowd until the area became completely silent.

"My dear citizens, you have just witnessed a miraculous challenge. In less than four hours, many people have run twenty kilometers, which is exactly half the total length of the Kingdom Avenue, on their own two feet."

"Those who have moved from other territories may not yet understand its significance – in the past, it took at least three days to travel from Border Town to Longsong Fortress, and you had to travel day and night. If anyone back then said they could arrive in a day using their own strength, they would only be laughed at, but now, you have seen the answer with your own eyes!"

"Whether it's opening mountains and building roads, or running tirelessly, this is the result of your repeated self-surpassing efforts. I believe everyone has realized that the so-called 'impossible' is just a shackle to be broken; and this race is the best proof!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Roland paused for a moment, held his hand down to quiet them, and continued, "Now, we are facing a new challenge, and that is the demons – in fact, the war has reached a critical moment! After today, the First Army will advance to the Fertile Plains and launch a second attack on the demons entrenched in Taqila City."

"These enemies are extremely cruel and insatiably lustful. Their claws have turned prosperous human kingdoms into ruins of blood and gore. Millions of innocent people have died at their hands, and their bones are enough to fill the entire Neverwinter!"

"So we must fight – before disaster befalls each and every one of us!"

"We will fight them on land; we will fight them on the seas; we will fight them in the skies, until the demons no longer exist, and no enemy can threaten the survival of humanity!"

"I am very pleased to see the presence of Morkins folk among the competitors, as well as people from the Fjords and other kingdoms... This means that everyone is putting aside prejudices and divisions and connecting further. And I dare say this will be the norm in the future! To the demons, human race, age, gender, and belief are meaningless. Slaughtering everything is the only choice they are interested in. So this is not just a war for Graycastle, but a war for all humanity!"

"My citizens, when you fear the enemy, stop moving forward, or even want to retreat, think about today's miracle. As long as we uphold our faith and persevere to the end, we will surely achieve victory!"

"Now, please let the top ten contestants come to the stage and receive the honor you deserve!" Roland said loudly.

The crowd once again erupted in deafening cheers, and this time the wave of sound did not stop for a long time, merging with the afterglow that reflected in the sky.

"Truly worthy of being called the Grand Chieftain..." Guls took a deep breath from below the stage. "You've made me want to take up arms again." He looked at Lohan and said, "Are you ready to go on stage?"

"Father, but I..." The latter bit his lip, looking distressed.

"Didn't get the championship?" Guls laughed, pressing his hand on his son's head and ruffling it. "But you tried your best to compete, didn't you? That's enough. Go, stand tall, hold your head high, and let everyone see the bearing of the heir of the Raging Flames!"

Lohan trembled slightly. He looked at his father, seeming to want to say something, but in the end he just nodded forcefully.

This time, he no longer concealed the special headdress and tail.

In the golden afterglow of the sky, the figure reflected in Guls' eyes appeared strong and upright, as if overlapping with Logar.