Even When Cheers Fade: Chapter 5

Even When Cheers Fade: Chapter 5 is an Adventure Mission on The Xianzhou Luofu from the Luminary Wardance event.
==Steps==
# Return to the lounge
# Head to the Skysplitter and watch Boothill's final
# Boothill and Luka drinking together in Aurum Alley
# Return to the lounge and prepare for the "Ringmaster's Challenge" match
# Step up to the Ringmaster's Challenge arena and conduct the final match
# Step up to the Ringmaster's Challenge arena and conduct the final match
# Return to the Skysplitter and bid farewell with Carmella
==Dialogue==
===Return to the lounge===
: (Trailblazer): (Luka's going to challenge Yanqing soon... I should join him in the lounge to make sure he's ready.)
;(Approach the marked location)
: Carmella: Wow, a source just informed me that General Jing Yuan himself will be present for the upcoming "Ringmaster's Challenge"!
: Luka: Huh? The general is such a busy man. I can't believe he's coming to watch a nobody like me in action...
: Carmella: Mr. Luka, know your worth! You're far from being a nobody now!
: Carmella: The most popular Wardance contestant from another planet is challenging his disciple. Of course, he has to be here.
: Luka: This is so stressful. I can't embarrass Belobog in front of General Jing Yuan! I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my throat!
: Carmella: Um... Being too nervous might affect your performance. How about a bottle of Sweet Dreams Soda?
: No no no!
:: Luka: Right... I shouldn't drink that.
: Try it. It might help.
:: Luka: I'll pass.
: Carmella: Ah! How about this! Let's go watch someone else's match, shall we? According to the schedule, the current match is... the current match is...
: Carmella: ...Between Boothill and Yanqing!
: Luka: Oh? That sounds interesting.
: Carmella: Let's go! You need some fresh air. Being cooped up here in the lounge will only make you more nervous.
===Head to the Skysplitter and watch Boothill's final===
: Luka: Let's get moving. We might miss the match if we wait any longer.
;(Teleport to the Deck Wardance Stage)
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): What an intense battle! If I had hands that could sweat, they'd be drenched by now!
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Still, I wonder why Mr. Boothill suddenly decided to holster his gun and forfeit the match?
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Was he intimidated by Yanqing's swords, or was he forced to leave because he's wanted by the IPC?
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Regardless, I hereby declare the winner of the match: The Luofu's ringmaster, Yanqing!
: Luka: We're too late. Looks like we'll have to catch the replay later on...
: Boothill: Son of a fudge, now that boy is strong!
: Boothill: Well, I'll be hornswoggled, you all come to see my match? Too bad. Those lil' IPC fudglings are on my tail. I gotta hightail it outta here.
: Boothill: But you know, no matter how tight the schedule, there's always room for a goodbye. Before I head out, let me buy you a cup of tea. Du's Teahouse in Aurum Alley has some mighty fine fudgin' tea.
: The tea served there isn't suitable for someone his age.
:: Boothill: Tsk, son of a Wubbaboo, that isn't an issue at all! Boss Du's place also offers beverages suitable for all ages!
: But the tea has a real kick to it. It's pretty fiery stuff.
:: Boothill: Fiery, just the way we like it! Us grown men need it strong and kickin'! Fudge yeah!
: Carmella: No way! You're wanted by the IPC! How can I trust you to take him out for tea!
: Boothill: Camera girl, I don't even mind that you're one of them lil' IPC fudglings, yet here you are, acting all forkin' judgmental.
: Luka: (Trailblazer), Miss Carmella, please don't worry about me. I believe Boothill means no harm. I'll be back soon.
: Don't you bully him, Boothill!
:: Boothill: Come on now, that ain't gonna happen! Diggity fudge, what kinda man do you take me for?
: Luka, don't drink any "tea" that you aren't supposed to have!
:: Luka: Relax, I'm pretty self-disciplined. I usually don't even take drinks with sugar in them.
:
===Boothill and Luka drinking together in Aurum Alley===
:
: Boss Du: Mr. Boothill, welcome! Please take a seat!
: Boss Du: Hey, isn't this the Luka "Strongarm" that everyone's been talking about?
: Boss Du: It's a pleasure to have two distinguished guests here today! What can I get for you? Just let me know!
: Boothill: I'm fixin' to leave the Luofu, so give me a send-off with a cup of that single malt strong tea you only get on the Xianzhou — no need for the fancy stuff, "Pauper's Blood" will do just fine.
: Boothill: As for him... He's about to face a tough battle, so... fix him up a glass of Hero's Spirit.
: Boss Du: No problem. I'll be right back.
: Luka: ...The vibe of this place is similar to Belobog.
: Boothill: Haha, I'm glad you like it. I'm buying you drinks for two reasons — I want to apologize to you. That's the first.
: Boothill: My intention was to test your resolve... but threatenin' a competitor with life and death was a bit over the line.
: Boothill: I'm real sorry! If you drink this cup of tea, it means you forgive me, okay?
: Luka: I learned a lot from that match against you, Mr. Boothill. Actually, I should be thanking you for that.
: Boothill: Okay, glad you ain't mad. Let's get to the second reason — I think you should pull out of the competition.
: Luka: That's out of the question. I won't back down, just like how I faced your gun last time.
: Boothill: I'm leaving not just because time's running out for me, but partly because of that ringmaster too.
: Boothill: This kid's young, but he's got some serious skills. Facing him will take too long and there's no guarantee of winning. It ain't worth gettin' caught by those forkin' IPC hounds over a competition.
: Boothill: You're different. You always have the choice to leave. The whole cosmos knows about you and Belobog now, so you've already achieved your goal.
: Boothill: No one will blame you if you withdraw now. But if you step into the ring, you'll be crushed. You get what I'm saying?
: Luka: I understand, but I'm still going to step into the ring and throw a punch. Win or lose, the outcome isn't the only thing that matters.
: Boothill: Hahahaha! I'm impressed kid!
: Luka: Ah... you're testing my resolve again! I almost fell for your trap!
: Boothill: Dog my Wubbaboos, you're forking sharp, boy! You remind me of a friend, a girl called Rappa. She's set in her own ways just like you.
: Luka: Is she as weak as me?
: Boothill: Well, can you crush a star with your bare hands?
: Luka: Uh... Can she?
: Boothill: She can't, but she always insists that she can.
: Luka: Hahahaha, that's ridiculous!
: Boothill: But holy forkeroni, she's really strong.
:
===Return to the lounge and prepare for the "Ringmaster's Challenge" match===
: (Trailblazer): (It's getting late, the match with Yanqing is starting soon... I wonder if Luka's back. Let's see whether he's in the lounge.)
;(Approach the marked location)
: Luka: Can't believe the match is about to start... I feel as though I'm having a dream.
: Carmella: Stay calm, Luka. Just treat this like any other regular point-based tournament.
: You're already destined to be in the history books.
:: Carmella: Right! Regardless of how the "Ringmaster's Challenge" transpires, you've already made a mark in Belobogian history.
: You're already a big shot.
:: Carmella: Right! Regardless of how the "Ringmaster's Challenge" transpires, you're already a superstar!
: Luka: That's exactly what makes me feel like I'm dreaming!
: Luka: In fact, the biggest takeaway from this trip to the Luofu is that it made me realize something.
: Luka: I don't fight to gain or prove anything... I don't even do this for the sake of winning.
: Luka: Whenever I throw my punches, I feel like I'm the happiest man in the cosmos — that's the only reason I'm doing this.
: Carmella: Even though I don't fully understand it, I'm still pleased to witness your growth!
: Luka: Well, it's time for you to get ready for the final battle.
===Step up to the Ringmaster's Challenge arena and conduct the final match===
;(Talk to Luka or Carmella again, optional)
: Carmella: Even though I don't fully understand it, I'm still pleased to witness your growth!
: Luka: Well, it's time for you to get ready for the final battle.
;(Challenge Yanqing on the Tactical Board)
: Luka: (I can't believe it took me so long to realize that Gepard, Argenti, Boothill, Svarog, and Mr. Tail were all trying to tell me the same thing.)
: Luka: (Oh~ does this mean I've got one foot in the realm of the "strong" now?)
: Luka: (Maybe it's the mentality that makes you strong.)
: (Trailblazer): Luka, are you ready to challenge Yanqing?
: I've been ready for a long time.
:: Luka: I've been ready for a long time.
:: Carmella: Wow! I'm not even ready yet!
: Please give me a moment.
:: Luka: Please give me a moment.
===Step up to the Ringmaster's Challenge arena and conduct the final match===
: Yanqing: Hi, Mr. Luka. We meet again.
: Luka: ...How's this possible? You're... You're... Lengfeng!
: Yanqing: Sorry for not revealing my name previously. I'm the Luofu's ringmaster, Yanqing.
: Yanqing: Mr. Luka, I've had my eye on you these past few days. You weren't aware, but I was in the crowd watching all your matches.
: Yanqing: I must say you're a formidable warrior — you're resilient, sharp, and strong. What's even more impressive is your resolve. Every punch you throw shows a courage that doesn't care about winning or losing — that has left a deep impression on me.
: Yanqing: I've heard about what happened to your planet, so I understand how you need this win. Just one more step, and you'll take Belobog's name into the history books with you.
: Yanqing: But as the Luofu ringmaster, there are things I must uphold.
: Luka: I don't have a stirring pre-battle speech, Yanqing.
: Luka: Thanks for giving me directions when I was lost. Many have done the same thing for me these last few days, and it's thanks to all of you that I'm here now. Do you still remember the lofty aspirations we yelled loudly at the sky?
: Luka: "I! Luka! Will be the winner! I will defeat Yanqing!"
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): All eyes are upon Luka "Strongarm", who has finally arrived in front of Yanqing after overcoming numerous hurdles!
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Since the beginning of the Wardance, the match between Luka and Yanqing has been the most anticipated one among the audience. Now, this highly awaited showdown is about to unfold before viewers across the cosmos!
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): What will be the final result of this match? Let's watch and find out!
: Yanqing: Anyone who qualifies for the "Ringmaster's Challenge" is a respectable warrior.
: Yanqing: You're a top-notch boxer, just like I'm a top-notch swordsman. The outcome of this match isn't going to change that.
: Luka: Yanqing, I'll give it my all to defeat you.
: Yanqing: Likewise.
----
:(Begin battle against ) 
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Both fighters are ready!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): The final showdown!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Begins now!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Yanqing's flying swords are swirling around the ring...
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): How will Luka deal with them?
;(After breaking one of Yanqing's sword)
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Luka has knocked down Yanqing's swords!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): He's off to a flying start!
;(After Yanqing's HP drop to 60%, immediately enter Phase II)
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Luka's truly a magnificent warrior!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Yanqing's starting taking this more seriously!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Luka seems to be struggling to land a counter! What is Luka going to do?
;(When Yanqing takes his third turn)
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Yanqing's about to unleash his signature move!
:Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Luka! Will you be able to take this?
;(When Yanqing's Vibes reach 100%)
:Luka: Your swords are so tough. My iron arm has gone kaput...
:Yanqing: In this case, I'll stop using my swords. Let's decide who the winner is with our bare fists.
;(Cutscene plays)
;(Cutscene ends)
----
: Luka: Yanqing... are you doing this out of sympathy? I don't need a victory like this, because I have no problem accepting defeat.
: Yanqing: No, you aren't defeated.
: Shouting Crowd: Luka! Luka! Luka! Luka!
: Yanqing: Can't you hear? Everyone's cheering for you, Luka.
: Shouting Crowd: Luka! Luka! Luka! Luka!
: Yanqing: I think that in their minds, someone like you could never be considered "defeated."
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Such a moving battle!
: Luka: Thanks, Yanqing. In a true fight, does losing even matter?
: Luka: Winning and losing are part of any match. But I gave it my all, I did it! I kept throwing punches, punch after punch, until the very end! When I go back to Belobog, there will be another fight waiting for me in the future, and many more battles to come!
: Luka: Margie, I tried my best... Just like you, I won.
: Shouting Crowd: Luka! Luka! Luka! Luka!
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Though Luka takes his defeat in stride, the audience's passion stays strong! Their constant applause is a salute to this resilient Belobogian fighter.
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): In my view, there is no winner or loser in this match! At this moment, the admiration both sides have for each other and the audience's enthusiasm speaks for itself! This is an unprecedented match that goes beyond winning and losing!
: Owlbert (Remote Puppet): Stop pointing the camera at me! Focus on them two kids!
:
: Luka: I didn't expect... my Wardance journey would end in this way.
: Luka, how do you feel?
: It was an unexpected ending.
: Luka: I've never felt so at ease.
: Luka: I think it's time to pack up my things and head home with Lynx and the others.
: Xikui: Sorry for disturbing your rest, Mr. Luka. General Jing Yuan would like to meet you. Please make your way to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
: Luka: Me? But I lost the match. Is the general really interested in meeting defeated contestants too?
: Xikui: As a Sky-Faring Commission staff member, I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question.
----
:
: Jing Yuan: Hello, Luka from Belobog. It is a pleasure to meet you.
: Luka: General Jing Yuan, it's my honor to meet you, but I'm not quite sure why you summoned me here to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
: Jing Yuan: Because of that exciting match earlier, and also because you're the second Wardance contestant from Jarilo in the past seven hundred years.
: Luka: Do you mean... Have you, by any chance, heard of Igor Haft?
: Jing Yuan: Igor... what a nostalgic name. I know him, actually, I should say I will always remember him. You and he are two of a kind.
: Luka: General, do you know about Igor's experience on the Xianzhou?
: Luka: In our hometown, many of us have heard of Igor Haft's heroic tale, but we don't know what he really went through during his journey beyond the sky. Please, you have to tell me his story!
: Jing Yuan: That was over seven hundred years ago. At that time, I was young and also serving as a Wardance's ringmaster.
: Jing Yuan: Igor, a tall and red-haired boxer, appeared in the ring. Every swing of his fists felt like it carried the weight of an entire world.
: Jing Yuan: He had a peculiar habit after finishing a match — while turning down all the prizes and gifts, he would talk about his homeland's plight to the spectators, warning them of the Antimatter Legion's attacks, as he sought help from those who were capable.
: Jing Yuan: Just like that, he conquered every opponent and finally stood before me, much like how you faced Yanqing. He threw his punches in silence, matching me blow for blow.
: Jing Yuan: But as the fight was nearing its end, he suddenly stopped and left the arena...
----
:
: Jing Yuan: Igor, the alliance leaders have listened to your tale, and your homeland's struggles, and many Cloud Knights feel sympathy for your situation.
: Igor: Is there... anything more than sympathy?
: Jing Yuan: They are unable to send forces. We've received a warning signal from the Yaoqing, meaning a major conflict between the Xianzhou and the Denizens of Abundance is imminent.
: Igor: I understand. Thank you, Jing Yuan.
: Jing Yuan: Where will you go next?
: Igor: I'm headed home because my home needs me... I thought I would surely find a way to rescue it, or at least someone in this vast cosmos would hear my plea for help.
: Igor: But I was wrong. Jarilo-VI's tragedy is insignificant. Disasters unfold in every corner of the universe, if not here, then there — if not today, then tomorrow. People have grown accustomed to the disappearance of insignificant stars in the sky.
: Igor: While I've been fighting here? My family and friends are bleeding to death because of the Antimatter Legion's invasion. With every fist I threw, their hopes dimmed a little more.
: Igor: It's time for me to go back now. If a child cannot fight to protect his mother when she needs it, what right does he have to call himself her son?
: Igor: See you again, Jing Yuan... No... considering my age, I don't think we will be seeing each other again.
: Jing Yuan: I wish you victory, Igor.
: Igor: You too, Jing Yuan! If the opportunity arises, I'd love to fight you again!
:
: Igor: ...I'm coming back, Mother.
: Igor: I've come out on top in all my fights. But this time, victory is out of my reach.
:...
----
: Jing Yuan: The Wardance is held to foster friendships through combat arts. However, I was just a Cloud Knight Lieutenant at that time, powerless to change anything. I couldn't even utter any words of solace as I watched his despondent silhouette grow smaller.
: Jing Yuan: And just like that, he left. Time flew by... and then, in the blink of an eye, three hundred years had passed.
:
: Sky-Faring Commission Advisor: Pardon my interruption, General. What was the name of the world you just mentioned?
: Jing Yuan: Let's send an invitation to that world called Jarilo-VI for the Wardance this year. Hopefully, his descendants will respond.
: Sky-Faring Commission Advisor: General, the astral charts of the Sky-Faring Commission indicate that... this world has been destroyed.
: Jing Yuan: ...
: Sky-Faring Commission Advisor: General?
: Jing Yuan: Send an invitation. Even if it is just a wish that won't come true.
----
: Luka: So this is why we received that invitation?
: Jing Yuan: Igor gifted me a keepsake before he left.
:
: Luka: Is this...
: Jing Yuan: We took this picture before we parted ways. Despite feeling crestfallen that day, he still kept a smile on his face.
: Jing Yuan: Now, I'd like to give something to his descendant in return for his gift.
: Jing Yuan: Seven hundred years ago, I didn't have the chance to help his home. But it's still not too late for me to step in.
:
----
:
: Bronya: With the Everwinter Monument as our witness, I, the Supreme Guardian Bronya Rand, hereby announce that the Xianzhou Luofu - Belobog Mutual Trade Agreement is now in effect!
: Yukong: I've heard stories about Belobog where the residents, in their most desperate times, steadfastly maintained the spirit of the Preservation, resisting fate until the break of dawn.
: Yukong: It wasn't until I stepped onto this land of heroes myself and felt the burn of the perpetual ice on my skin... that I finally realized how solemn the belief of the Preservation is and how great the people struggling there are.
: Yukong: From today onward, the Xianzhou Luofu fights alongside you, until the Eternal Freeze turns into the spring breeze and the frozen land melts into fertile fields.
:
:
: Jing Yuan: My old friend, you once expressed your desire to be a long-life species. Because we had a longer lifespan, you thought we would have more time to grow, rectify mistakes, and change the future.
: Jing Yuan: You were wrong, Igor. "The next punch is always what matters most." For our world, the future is what truly matters.
: Jing Yuan: We don't just appear out of nowhere. Each of us comes from the world that was there before we were born.
: Jing Yuan: People are like a giant tree, closely intertwined and ever-growing. People shape history, history creates heroes, heroes inspire the future, and the future brings forth new people.
: Jing Yuan: My old friend, your call for help back then has been answered. Luka is the answer.
: Jing Yuan: He isn't just a boy. Instead, he's as ancient as your civilization, and he's the embodiment of Jarilo-VI.
: Jing Yuan: ...I should have realized sooner — a civilization that can give rise to someone like you wouldn't be easily wiped out.
:
: Luka: Mr. Gepard, are you ready? I'm here to return that victory you lent me!
===Return to the Skysplitter and bid farewell with Carmella===
: Carmella: Perfect timing, (Trailblazer). Now that the Wardance has ended and Luka has returned to Belobog, it's time for me to go.
: Why don't you stay for a couple more days and enjoy yourself?
:: Carmella: Haha, how am I going to afford that? Besides, Mr. Owlbert's been urging me to go back and write the next script of Keeping Up With Star Rail for him.
: Will you be able to get that permanent position you're after?
:: Carmella: I hope so, haha, but Mr. Owlbert keeps saying that I still lack experience, so I guess I'll have to gain more experience for a while longer.
: Carmella: Honestly speaking, these days of participating in the Wardance with you have been the happiest of my life.
: Carmella: Now that Luka is the hottest rising star in the whole cosmos, he'll definitely have lots of chances to participate in major tournaments in the future.
: Carmella: When the time comes, I hope you'll still be his coach, and I'll still be in charge of covering your stories.
: Carmella: By the way, this is the issue of the newspaper that features the showdown between Luka and Yanqing. I bought 100 copies. This one's for you to keep.
: Carmella: Oh, no! It's getting late, I'm about to miss my starskiff! I should get going! I'll see you next time!
: I'll make sure Luka becomes the champion next time!
:: Carmella: Of course! It's just a matter of time before he becomes the most dazzling champion in the cosmos. I've got a knack for reading people!
: I'll be the contestant myself next time.
:: Carmella: Hahahaha, that works too. Luka can be your coach then!
: How about you be a contestant yourself next time?
:: Carmella: Haha! Oh, no no, you might as well just give me three punches and end me now!
;(Open Luofu Sports Illustrated Issue 5)
;(Obtain )
==Trivia==
* The mission description is quoted from four missions of the Luminary Wardance Adventure Mission chapter, which forms a Chinese poem in the poetry form.
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