victory

"Master Joseph the Warrior." He chewed on these words sadly and with a nostalgic tone, as if if he spoke too harshly, the words would be dissipated in the wind.

He ignored the townspeople who were laughing and malicious.

In fact, he just wanted to see the hut his parents left him, and now it seems that there is no need to miss it.

There is actually a window outside the hut. When he was still living here, he always looked at the streets and alleys of the town from the inside.

But now, he couldn't get in, he stood outside, looking into the hut.

There was a man with dark brown hair like him, who was sitting idly on the bed, and his arrogant eyes met his four eyes because of his pampering.

He saw that even if the man was not in battle, he was wearing shiny silver armor without a trace of a sword.

His expression darkened even more.

"Sorry to interrupt," Joseph heard himself say.

When he turned to leave, his vision suddenly became clear.

It was only when he took a good look at this familiar yet unfamiliar town that he saw the flags and huge posters hanging between the houses.

It read: "Welcome to Warrior Township."

Ten years ago, the fake portrait that the painter made for him was reproduced many times, exquisitely framed, and hung on the exterior walls of every household.

The houses along the main road of the square set up stalls outside their homes, and he heard people soliciting, "Come and see, this is the coat of arms that Master Joseph carried with him when he joined the army. Wear it, you You can also become as lucky and brave as Lord Warrior! Now you only need three silver coins!"

He opened his eyes wide. His eyesight is very good now, but he still didn't recognize what the so-called coat of arms was.

But most of the people who came and went were tourists, but they exclaimed, "Ah, this is the hometown of the Son of God." Then they stopped at the vendor, "Really? I want a coat of arms."

he feels embarrassed...

All of this seemed to have given him a slap in the face, and the shame that had kept him silent for ten years had revived again.

In a panic, Joseph closed his turban and mask, which were already firmly wrapped around him.

He was embarrassing...maybe...he shouldn't have come down the mountain at all.

but the dragon...

He thought of the gentle and lonely young man in the cave.

It's okay, he reassured himself.

At least, the man called "Joseph" who was fed in the log cabin with rich clothes and fine food was not himself.

He squeezed his fists, decided to ignore all this, sold his fruits and vegetables for a few silver coins, then took a bottle of rum and ran back to the cave where the young man was.

He went to the market place.

I found a vacant booth and put carrots and potatoes one by one.

Beside him, a woman was selling wooden toy swords, engraved with the words Joseph, the god of heaven, and several children came together with great interest.

In the whole market, there were very few people selling fruits and vegetables, and the shouting vendors were all promoting the deeds of "Joseph" and selling a few souvenirs by the way.

He lowered his eyes impatiently.

After the sun has set, people seem to remember that they will be hungry.

He spent the whole day setting up a stall in the market, and only in the evening did he have business.

When the last customer bought his radishes, a smile appeared on his face hidden behind layers of cloth towels.

The tavern had already lit the lights, and there was a lot of people inside, all of whom were strong men punching and drinking.

He traded all the money he made for a bottle of rum in the tavern.

The old Jack who sells liquor is a drunkard, and he is also his former buddy. Ten years later, although he still looks as drunk as before, he is much older.

Joseph saw him skilfully scoop solid wine into a wine jar, his previously strong arms were now trembling a little, and he sighed how time flies.

"Thank you." He took the wine, put down the silver coins, and eagerly opened the bottle to take a sip of the rich aroma of rum.

"Wait." Old Jack stopped him, "Traveler from outside, if you don't mind, why don't you chat with the old man?"

Joseph's footsteps paused, he thought of the dragon, but he kept looking at old Jack with his begging eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was rude." Old Jack's old cloudy eyes were embedded in his wine-stained face, showing a bit of repentance.

He sat in the high chair and waited for old Jack to continue.

"Really, you look too much like him."

"…What's the meaning?"

"Joseph...you are so similar to Joseph when he was young.

Joseph's hand holding the wine was extremely stiff.

But it's impossible for someone to recognize him dressed like this... He thought of this, and his tense nerves relaxed again.

"Why?" he asked carefully.

Old Jack showed a tired smile on his drunken face, "When Joseph was young, he always liked to come to our place. When he bought wine, he also loved to smell it like you, intoxicated, just like smelling wine. It’s like some kind of treasure. Selling the wine to him and watching him make that action is the happiest moment for me... After all, he admitted in disguise how good my wine is hahaha..."

"It's just a pity," Old Jack changed his subject, and his tone became emotional, "We did bad things later..."

"You mean... what?"

"Ouch." Old Jack slapped his own mouth, "Look, I'm drunk, what am I talking about? I'm really old... or... or..."

Joseph stood there, watching old Jack turn his back, wipe the corners of his eyes with his dirty cuffs, feeling aching in his heart.

He thought of dragons.

Long once said to him, "It's okay, you have already repented, so I forgive you."

Old Jack was also confessing. From his dim eyes, he could see the tiredness tortured by guilt.

So, he said softly, "It's okay, boss, you have already confessed, and you will be forgiven."

Old Jack stiffened with his back on his back, and said wearily, "Go quickly."

Joseph came out of the tavern holding the wine bottle.

The bottle of fragrant wine in his hand made him intoxicated with a strange feeling.

His face, which had been pale with shame, returned to a healthy rosy color.

He felt that he was walking in this transformed city, but not so sad.

Is it because he forgave them?

Joseph didn't know...

But, he is indeed, not the one he was ten years ago, left alone, crippled.

Yes, he not only has healthy limbs.

When he turned a street corner, he was pleasantly surprised to see his dragon!

The unique giant dragon in the world is watching him tenderly under the yellowing street lights of the town!