◈ 288. [Side Story]
An awkward air flowed between the dance festival Dusk Bringer and me.
Unable to bear it, I asked one more time.
“What are you doing here? It’s already late. You don’t go into any inn.”
At that time, Dusk Bringer’s stomach rumbled – a typical hungry sound effect was played.
“… .”
“… .”
… no what! Why do you look so pitiful! Not even a real match girl! You are the Archduke, Archduke!
“If you go out into the city, there are restaurants that open late and inns that are fine. Come and see.”
“… There is none.”
“what?”
“I have no money… .”
Dusk Bringer’s small shoulders drooped sullenly.
I grabbed the back of my neck where my blood pressure was rising. It’s a little too much to grasp the concept, Grand Duke!
“No, no matter how defeated you are, does it make sense that you have no money when you are the Grand Duke of the duchy?”
“I robbed all of my belongings as well as my jewelry and used it for military funds! Of course, there is not a single penny left for private property that can be managed by the individual.”
ok Well, since I was beaten to the level of destruction in the war, I would expect the national treasury to be empty.
“What… What about that shiny crown you wear on your head? If I sell it, I think I can buy a mansion.”
“This is an object that symbolizes the sovereignty of the principality! Of course I can’t sell it!”
I laughed dejectedly. what kind of trick is this You were a bright dog apricot… … .
“I succeeded in escaping the duchy through the siege, but all of my subordinates were injured, so I gave them all the money I had and told them to recover slowly. Guwain first came to reconnoiter to see if the southern front is really safe… … .”
“By the way, when you arrived, you didn’t have any money left?”
“okay! That’s why I participated in the martial arts competition! I thought I would give you a little prize money if you won first place! I hope this… … this… .”
Dusk Bringer took out the first place plaque and shouted out loud.
“Did you think I would give you the status of an honorary knight that you can’t even exchange for a meal!”
“It’s an honorable position, you bastard!”
As we were glaring at each other and squealing, I felt a gaze from behind. When I turn around, my party members are watching over me in a cold sweat.
“Haaa… .”
I let out a long sigh and gestured toward the inside of the mansion.
“Come on in. I will give you something to eat and drink.”
“Really?!”
“It’s a festival, but it’s not a neighborhood that’s kind enough to starve customers. Come in quickly.”
Dusk Bringer, whose face brightened, jumped like a hamster and entered the mansion.
I called Ader and ordered Dusk Bringer to eat. I also vacate a guest room.
‘First of all, it’s as if I invited you… … .’
But this was a mistake.
Dusk Bringer had started destroying my kitchen relentlessly like a dragon. What are you doing!
The chef, who was called out in the middle of the night, continued to cook, pouring blood, sweat and tears, but continued to eat Dusk Bringer.
Sharp teeth like sharks grind food like saw blades and swallow it.
“Originally, I wasn’t this hungry.”
Dusk Bringer made an excuse while inflating his small cheeks and humming.
“But during the martial arts competition, I used more energy than I thought… . I almost died of hunger. Oh, give me a bunch of meat there. And among the vegetables, I can’t eat bell peppers, so take them out.”
“… Do you eat carrots?”
“Oh how did you know? I hate carrots too! Take it away!”
Are you a kid? Where’s the age?
I sighed and shook my head. I never thought that the characteristics of a dragon with high power and low efficiency would be expressed like this.
Adult humans are eating dozens of meals by themselves. Do you have to eat that much to maintain that much output?
‘I thought the dragon would eat very well, but this went too far… … .’
If he later accepts Dusk Bringer as his subordinate, he will have to start over from organizing food expenses in the budget.
Evangeline and Lucas, who watched this scene, opened their mouths slightly.
“I thought I was the strongest among female food fighters… After all, it was the standard of the human world… … ?”
“I lost in the martial arts competition… I’ve lost the amount I eat now… … What should I win… … ? burdock… .”
“… different races Don’t feel defeated.”
For reference, Damian and Junior are diligently picking out bell peppers and carrots next to Dusk Bringer.
Really don’t pick! Don’t be picky and let them eat everything!
As I watched this devastated scene with my forehead on my forehead, Ader sneaked up to me and whispered in my ear.
“Well, lord, the food storage is running out, but… What should I do?”
“… Fill up as soon as the morning market opens. Feed me until you are satisfied.”
I clicked my tongue when I saw the winner of this martial arts competition who destroyed the dining table with a happy face.
“It’s a festival right? A festival.”
Even if there are people who can’t enjoy it, no one should go hungry.
At that time, Dusk Bringer shouted with a wide smile.
“This house cooks well!”
ah yes thank you for the compliment… … .
***
The last day of the Autumn Festival has dawned.
From broad daylight, the entire city was filled with cheerful music.
Citizens took out musical instruments that were usually only dusty from their homes and played music excitedly.
I thought it was great because it was a dance festival, but it wasn’t like that.
It was just a time to get together in the main square and dance each other for joy to this wild music.
“I told you. It’s a village festival in the countryside… … .”
Evangeline, who was watching the central plaza with me, shrugged. I chuckled.
“Isn’t this bad too?”
Citizens sang traditional folk songs together and played their own drums and stringed wind instruments.
Someone danced shoulder to shoulder, and someone pulled out a tune with a face flushed with drunkenness.
Grandparents and grandparents from the neighborhood, who are usually invisible, gather around and dance the traditional Bon Dance.
Nationwide~ Dance pride~ What is this feeling? How sweet.
“Let’s go round and round! let’s go!”
When I came to my senses, all the members of my main party were swept away by the huge Ganggangsuwolrae in the central square.
Evangeline took the lead, and Lucas and Damian Jr. all held hands and began to spin round and round laughing awkwardly in the flow of the Bon Dance.
I watched this scene from a little distance with a smile. It’s cute just watching the kids play.
“Hoo. Isn’t it pretty exciting? Even a village festival.”
Then someone came and stood next to me. Looking back, it was Dusk Bringer.
I gave him some pocket money, and he used the money to steal snacks from the street vendors, holding them in both hands. You seem to be enjoying it more than anyone else.
For some reason, Dusk Bringer blinked while looking up at me with a slightly plumper face than yesterday.
“But don’t you dance?”
“I have a solo performance scheduled later. I’m trying to save appearances.”
I don’t like it, but it’s a festival. If everyone can be happy, I should be willing to give my body.
Looking for other party members who can be seen all over the square with my eyes, I was laughing. Everyone is having fun.
“ash.”
At that time, Dusk Bringer spat out in a young voice munching on snacks.
“Gwain is an entity hostile to your country.”
“… .”
“Your father abandoned my country, which he had been loyal to for hundreds of years, and your brother led an army and trampled on my country.”
In the middle of a peaceful festival.
The Dragon Lady stabbed the heavy story like an awl without warning.
“But you invited wine. He said it would give him a chance to recover on the front lines here.”
“… .”
“Although you know that the moment you bring wine to your front lines, you will be at enmity with your country.”
And when that happens. At worst, knowing you’ll never see this peaceful landscape again.
Western Front of the Empire – The battle of the dragon blood front is not over until Dusk Bringer is captured and killed.
To be precise, until the dragon blood was taken from her.
The moment I bring her to my front line and it is discovered, the fire on the western front will spread southward.
– Will you accept me as the truth nonetheless?
Dusk Bringer’s words were full of such connotations. I listened silently and Dusk Bringer stared up at me.
“What the hell is that me? And even if you accept me, are there any plans for the future?”
“… .”
I was silent and looked at her with a faint smile.
“The answers to those questions will be heard when the Archduke fully joins us on the southern front.”
“Haha, are you saying you won’t show your hand until the end?”
“Isn’t it the way to win at a decisive moment?”
I calmly shrugged my shoulders.
“But let me make this clear. The imperial family and the empire cannot touch the monster front here.”
It is not just believing in the declaration of an independent line that was made in the past.
I know in advance what will happen to this world in the future. It is to be sure based on the memory of the attack.
In the future, many things will come like a storm in the empire.
I step out of the storm and try to walk my own path regardless of the empire.
war against monsters.
The road to the true ending to clear.
“As long as the Grand Duke cooperates with me, I will be able to prepare a sufficient foothold for a comeback here.”
“… That cooperation is fighting the monster. Is that it?”
“That’s right.”
“I really don’t understand English… .”
Dusk Bringer let out a sigh. She muttered slowly, looking down at the plaza where people were dancing to the song.
“To the extent that such a beautiful scenery invites even to the point of being prepared to be destroyed… Whether it’s worth it to the wine. I don’t know.”
“there is.”
To be honest, as the situation progressed, I ended up taking care of you and your knights as well.
“It is well worth it.”
It is true that Dusk Bringer and her knights are a formidable force.
If you can bring them under my command, they will play a big role in the war against monsters in the future.
“… .”
Dusk Bringer munched on the snack in his hand with a face deep in thought. It was time for me to say a few more words to her.
“What are you doing alone, senior!”
The main party members rushed towards me and grabbed my limbs. What?!
“Don’t just smile and watch Daddy, let’s dance, too!”
“Isn’t this an opportunity that comes only once a year, my lord!”
“It’s a lot more fun than I thought! Dance, Prince!”
“Don’t sleep! Come here too, Your Highness!”
“Gyaaaagh! wait a minute! I’m trying to hold weight after a long time and have a serious conversation-!”
However, there was no business with the stubbornness of the party members. I was immediately dragged away and plunged into the flow of the Bon Dance.
When I entered, the citizens managed to notice my presence and blew a whistle.
In the plaza filled with people and turning round and round, a wide space suddenly appeared, and I was thrown into the middle space by myself. What else is this!
“Lord! Lord! Our lord!”
“I waited only for today! I was really looking forward to it!”
Citizens around me cheered. No, what are you expecting, you bastards!
“Dance! dance! Dance-!”
“Prince Dance! Prince Dance!”
“Show me the legendary dance that turned the ecliptic upside down!”
I was driven into an atmosphere where I had to dance in an instant. I covered my face and let out a shout.
“If this was New Terra, the ecliptic, all of you would be sentenced to death for blasphemy!”
“But this isn’t New Terra?! Where is this?”
“Crossroad-!”
Whew. What can I do? It was planned from the time I submitted the application form.
After looking around at the party members and citizens looking at me with a smile, I raised my hand and waved it.
“Then put down the song first, you bastards!”
Take a good look at it, it’s an expensive dance that was only shown when the donation was 100,000 won during the streamer days… … !
I started dancing to the chorus of citizens.
The party members grabbed the boat and overturned it, and the citizens cheered and screamed in astonishment.
I was happy to break
That’s because it’s a festival.
***
“… Haha. I don’t know about the others, but I do know one thing.”
Dusk Bringer, who had been watching Ash with wide eyes, eventually let out a laugh, revealing sharp fangs.
“You are a prince loved by your subjects, Ash.”
The smile on the corner of the dragon lady’s mouth was bitter.
“The love of a subject that can never be regained forever… .”
She closed and opened her large amber eyes, pulled her hood down, and slowly turned away from the plaza.
“… It seems that this is enough for reconnaissance.”
She started walking slowly toward the west gate on the other side.
“It was a fun festival, Crossroads.”
Then he walked away and disappeared into the dimly setting sunset.
