Chapter 202: Standing Firm

Quesanti suddenly felt awkward and didn't know what to say. He quickly put on a smile and said, "Congratulations!"

"Thank you." Tupei didn't notice Quesanti's panic and smiled, "It seems we are going to miss each other's important day."

Quesanti laughed again. After all these years, Tupe still had a sharp mind. That was why he had befriended Tupe in the first place. There was always laughter in their time together. Hunting together, eating together, the most lasting memories between them were the laughter they shared.

Quesanti missed this relationship. However, he also knew that separation was the right choice. The last hunting of the python lion beast broke the tacit understanding between them. They were still young at that time. No one would give in to the other. And they always loved to argue about right and wrong. Self-esteem is a strange thing. Sometimes it will make you the best of yourself, but also bring you the worst results.

Quesanti had imagined many scenarios, but he never thought that he would sit at the table with this person like this, eating and chatting. But he was not unprepared. A few years ago, he promised himself that if this day really came, he would not say any words of complaint. The past is gone. In fact, what he cares more about now is the present and the future.

Quesanti looked away from the food. "How did you two meet?"

"Oh, it's funny," Tupe replied, "we met at school."

"School?"

"Well." Tupe paused briefly. "After the incident with the serpent beast, I returned to the Marrow Seal. Back to school. As you know, I have always loved studying the details of battle. So, I spent a few years learning everything I could, such as the military strategies of other distant cultures. Noxus, Demacia, and the grim warriors of the Freljord."

Quesanti pretended to be surprised. "Is that why they made you the commander?" He took an exaggerated breath. "War really makes people use their talents to the fullest. Use them wherever possible."

Tupe said with a sly smile, "I'm relieved to see that you haven't lost your sense of humor."

He leaned back in his chair. "We've all come a long way, Quesanti," Tupe said softly. "We started out as two young hunters... What did they say about us? All skill and no rules?"

Kuisanti nodded: "Now we have some skills and understand some rules... but we are still a little short of maturity."

Tupe laughed, loud and unrestrained. Quesanti recalled the warmth that laughter brought - Tupe always made people feel safe. Quesanti sighed and rolled his shoulders. For the first time since sitting in this chair, he also leaned back in the chair.

"You know, I never had the chance to say it before." Tupe started the conversation, "Maybe it was because I didn't believe it at the time, but now... I will regret it for the rest of my life if I don't say it. So I'll just say it straight away."

Quesanti looked at Tupe - he didn't continue talking, but started picking at his nails.

"I'm sorry," Tupe finally stood up and said. "I didn't support you fully. That is, about the python lion beast. At least, not the support you wanted. I didn't realize that for you-"

"No," Quesanti interrupted. He had imagined this conversation in his mind many times. Years ago, he couldn't stop thinking about it whenever he was alone. He went over his feelings and the reasons behind them. Later, it became less of an obsession and more of a lesson. A constant reminder of the transformation he had experienced, the way he finally saw the damage his ego could cause.

It took him longer to understand, even now, that his ego was a force - it could push people aside, turn the tide on the battlefield. In a partnership, this force... could also push people away. It's just that going into battle to kill the enemy is very simple and direct. But reconciling with others is too complicated and subtle.

These days, Quesanti doesn't think about this conversation very often, and he almost forgets it. Then again, he never expected to be in this situation today, but the long sleeplessness in the past few years made it possible for him to say the following words without thinking.

"No," Quesanti repeated firmly, then leaned forward. "I hurt you."

He let out a long sigh. "Yes, that lion was deadly. And yes, killing it was more important to me than anything else—it would mean I could become Nazumang's greatest warrior. But I didn't have to do it in a way that was demeaning to you. In fact, your notes helped me a lot. It was you who discovered that it was actually a bakay. Thanks to you, I was able to complete the hunt we started together. For that, I want to thank you."

Quesanti looked down at their plates. They had only eaten half of their food. They were clearly too engrossed in their conversation. He raised his eyes and met Tupe's. "I'm not a good partner either. For that, I apologize. I'm sorry."

As the cool wind blew across the desert, he saw Tupe's expression soften. The sun must have set, but he couldn't remember exactly when.

He took a deep breath and smiled, "But you should also thank me."

"Oh?" Tupe was amused. He took a sip of his wine and thought about what Quesanti said. "Why?"

"Thanks to what I did then, you are now in a career and in love."

Tupe laughed so hard that the wine came out of his nose. He rocked back and forth, beat his chest and stamped his feet. Laughter is contagious. The two men's laughter merged into the song and dance around the campfire.

"Your self-esteem," Tupe said, "will never be put down." He smiled and sighed, wiping the wine drops on the table. "That is your most powerful strength, and I - of course, it may not be just me, I will feel that Nazumang is very lucky to have you. In this world, who else can be the glory of Nazumang but you."

Quisanti lay back in his chair, admiring the vast night sky. He had imagined thousands of different ways this conversation could go in his mind. But now, seeing Tupe's success, hearing his understanding, feeling his maturity - coupled with Quisanti's own growth, he finally felt relieved.

He picked up the coconut milk wine jug and filled his own glass. "No one is more suitable than you to be the commander of the marrow seal."

"Then this is a toast to us." Tupe raised his glass and said, "Whether it's the Ascended One, the Emperor, or some monster—"

"No one can lay hands on our homeland. We will stand firm!"

(End of this chapter)