Winters finally understood what was going on and, with a mix of tears and laughter, dismounted again.
"Montaigne is too naive to understand," Pisani teased, asking, "But Lailo, senior, how come you came out with us too?"
Lailo and Pisani exchanged a glance, their knowing smiles laden with deeper meaning.
Not long ago, Winters had been in the hellish siege battlefield. Now, he was a war hero, back in the bustling, crowded, and vibrant Sea Blue, surrounded by friends who only talked about women, women, and women.
Winters still hadn't gotten used to this stark contrast in circumstances, the sights before him felt like a dream, not real in the slightest.
In the square, the noisy crowd's voices gradually merged into one name: "Saint Marco! Saint Marco! Saint Marco!"
Hearing the crowd's chanting, Winters chuckled and said, "I don't remember Saint Marco personally killing any Tanilians."
The officers nearby, hearing Winters' rebellious remark, smiled awkwardly.