◈ 282. [Side Story] Autumn Festival (3)
Two days passed in an instant, and the morning of the Autumn Festival was bright.
I stopped by the base camp around noon and called all the dispatched personnel.
In addition to the base camp stabilization work, they were in the process of installing the teleport gate completed a few days ago in the forward base and clearing the area there.
Everyone was told to stop and rest for 3 days of the festival. It’s a festival, so everyone is playing, but having to work outside isn’t it too much?
“Wow! city air! How long!”
Quylan stretched his arms upward and stretched them.
Since the end of the year was near, the five beastmen in the punishment unit had all returned to their normal human form.
It feels like a dog that molts every season, as Kuylan said before… … .
“Smells delicious!”
Hannibal, who returned with Kelly Bay, exclaimed excitedly.
The old dwarven blacksmith and his young assistant walked together toward the blacksmith’s downtown.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a festival. Wouldn’t it be fun, Lily-sama?”
“… .”
God Hand, who was dragging Lily’s wheelchair, spoke kindly, but Lily didn’t answer with a pouty face.
God Hand was sweating profusely and tried to appease Lily.
I watched the scene and approached Bodybag and Burnout and asked.
“Why are they like that again?”
The two young elves shook their heads.
“They fought… Because God Hand continues to help other women at base camp… … .”
“… .”
“I don’t think God Hand had such an intention, but… Seen from the side, it’s a situation where the outfit bursts a bit.”
Really, the relationship between these two is not easy… … . I hope you know how to solve it and play well.
“And then again… .”
All the NPCs at the base camp were invited, but not many responded. Belldandi’s Holy Grail Expedition was everything.
Jackal refused, saying that he was not yet ready to go out into the world. Granny Coco refuses, saying she’s busy with other things. Anonymous is not seen after that.
The other NPC parties are still wary of me. I understand what you’re feeling.
“Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Ash.”
As soon as I exited through the teleport gate in the backyard of the manor house, Verdandi bowed down to me.
“It’s been 100 years since I went out to the outside world.”
“Get a good rest, eat a lot of delicious food, and heal yourself.”
The members of the Holy Grail Exploration Party had much better complexions than before, but their eyes were still dark.
I hope you have fun and take care of your mentality during this festival.
After unpacking each person’s luggage in the guest room of the manor house, I stretched out my hand toward downtown Crossroads.
“It’s a festival! Let’s have fun for three days!”
***
Downtown Crossroads was crowded.
There was the appetizing smell of something being grilled or fried from the stalls that filled the streets.
I saw drunkards already sitting around and exchanging drinks. Good to sell.
In the middle of the day, merry singing was heard from everywhere. Children with snack crumbs buried in their mouths laughed and ran down the alleyway.
“I think today is the brightest among the landscapes of Crossroads I’ve seen since I was appointed here.”
“of course! This is one of the few festivals in a year!”
At my muttering, Evangeline jumped up and answered.
“There must be a lot of people who have been waiting for today! I’ve been waiting with my neck strained for the past few days as well!”
Ugh. surely.
Not only the citizens, but also Damian and Junior standing next to me. He is smiling and happy with snacks in both hands.
I’m in a situation where I came out to play with the main party members.
It’s snack time when everyone gets together and wanders around without a clear purpose.
It’s so peaceful that the days of fierce battles they’ve been through are rather like lies.
I looked at the smiling faces of the party members and the merry city scenery in turns, and I muttered in a daze.
“Certainly, festivals have magical powers that lift people’s hearts.”
“Even if it’s nothing special, it’s just fun. oh! I want to eat that!”
Evangeline, who spotted the sweet smell of sweets being baked at the stall in front, ran with her eyes shining.
I quickly took a coin out of my pocket and threw it.
“hey! Buy four servings!”
“okay!”
Snatching the coin, Evangeline bought 4 snacks with quick movements like a flying squirrel. Korean hotteok is something unreasonable.
‘I put something sweet between the carbs, but there’s no way it won’t taste good.’
As I ate the hot snack while blowing on it, Evangeline tilted her head and looked around.
“But what about Uncle Lucas?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen you since yesterday.”
I told you not to resume your escort duties and focus on recovering from your injuries. I can’t see it after it drooped and disappeared… … .
“Are you resting in your room?”
At my words, Evangeline shook her head.
“You weren’t in the room? I knocked on the door before I came out.”
“okay? So, are you being treated at the temple?”
This time, Damian tilted his head.
“No, Prince. During the festival, the temple does not operate except for the intensive care unit and emergency treatment center.”
“okay? Well, the priests should rest too.”
“yes. Especially since the saintess threatened to strike if we didn’t give her a vacation during the festival… … .”
“Um… .”
Marherita… … A lot has accumulated… … Well, I had a hard time in the last defense battle… … .
“Then where did Lucas go?”
The members of the main party were going to get together and enjoy the festival, but at this point, they reconciled.
I felt uncomfortable because I couldn’t see him.
Among the 5 members of the main party, there is no one in charge of the size, so why does it feel like the size has gotten smaller… … .
Then, Junior, who was eating candied tomatoes with a spoon, narrowed his eyes and pointed his hand forward.
“what? Isn’t that Sir Lucas?”
“Eh?”
“Oh, it’s true!”
When I looked at the direction Junior was pointing, it was true.
It was Lucas who wore a hood over a robe, but his identity was clearly visible due to his bulging blonde hair and his unique physique. what are you doing over there
After looking around, Lucas cautiously entered the barracks entrance and headed for a window guarded by several soldiers.
What is written on the signboard erected in front of the window is… … .
< Application Form for Martial Arts Competition >
“… .”
Hiding from a distance and watching the scene, I broke out in a cold sweat.
“uh… A martial arts contest?”
“It was tomorrow, right? Martial contest.”
“No, by the way, is it a tournament on a scale big enough for a guy the size of Lucas to participate in?” … ?”
After a while, I could see Lucas quickly exiting as if he had finished the reception.
The guy stealthily checked his surroundings, pressed down on the hood, and quickly ran away.
‘I can never entrust him with stealth work.’
I’ll definitely get caught. Thinking about it, we headed to the martial arts competition reception desk.
“Ah lord!”
“Are you here, lord!”
The soldiers who spotted me saluted in unison. Having bowed face to face, I nodded.
“It’s a festival, but it’s a lot of trouble. Eat and drink in moderation.”
“Haha, it’s not a difficult task. And as you said, I’m working while eating snacks.”
The soldiers were embarrassed and showed the snacks they had hidden behind. I asked with a smile.
“How is the martial arts competition? Are there many participants?”
“Oh yes! Yesterday’s newly added product is very uproar, uproar!”
“Goods? Is it new?”
“yes! Didn’t you know? The top of Winter Silver announced a new product while claiming to be a sponsor… … .”
“Is that so?”
While I was puzzled, the soldiers pointed to the poster on the wall.
i saw that Let’s see what’s new… … .
[5th to 8th place – Unlimited ticket for festival stalls]
[3rd to 4th place – Gift certificate for the Winter Silver Merchant Prize (equivalent to 5,000 Adele)]
[2nd place – Ticket to request a full set of blacksmith equipment]
[1st place – Served as a knight of the lord]
“ … ?”
no.
wait for a sec.
1st prize Isn’t something strange? what’s this? Served as my knight? Who do you like?
“Hey. Is this a product from the top of Winter Silver?”
“Yes that’s right! The Lord of the upper ranks came and attached it himself!”
“… .”
I grabbed the aching back of my neck. Serenade eh! what are you doing
I was taken aback, but I saw Evangeline writing her name on the application form with her eyes wide open.
“I want to be fifth! I want to eat unlimited number of stalls!”
“Yumma! It’s not the time!”
Following them, Junior and Damian also crept forward.
“Hehe, I’m in 4th place… .”
“Prince, please give me second place!”
“It’s not the time for you either!”
With twinkling eyes, they barely stopped Junior and Damian from trying to write their names.
Hey Wizard! clairvoyance! you can’t! If you participate, people will die!
“More than you! Why don’t you say a word about the first prize?!”
It’s embarrassing to be a little sad because you openly neglect the first place and only look at the ranks below it! Look at the first prize! To be appointed as my knight, isn’t this a big deal!
Then Evangeline covered her mouth and giggled as she explained to me.
“Ah, is that it? Because it was an honorary knight of the martial arts tournament. It’s like a title given to the winner of every martial arts competition every year. It is an honorary award.”
“ah… So, isn’t that what a real knighthood is for?”
“yes. Well, of course, being a martial arts champion is guaranteed, so there were cases where I was hired on the front line or became a real knight.”
what. So, does that mean that the first prize is the same as it was before?
Then, the uproar wasn’t because of the original 1st prize, but because of the equipment manufacturing rights, gift certificates, and street vendor tickets that were newly added by the Winter Silver Merchants below it… … .
“Honestly, just because you get an honorary award, does it come with food, money, or equipment? I don’t need first place!”
“It’s like these guys who are honest and materialistic incarnate!”
To be honest, I was a little happy to know that the participants had flocked because they wanted to be my knight! Wasn’t that what it was! It’s ridiculous that everyone doesn’t want to be in the first place!
Evangeline shrugged at me as I trembled.
“By the way, Uncle Lucas… What award did you apply for?”
“… .”
I closed my mouth and looked up at the poster.
I thought I knew what it was for, but again, it was stupid, so my appetite was bitter.
***
Inn ‘Etty’s Bees’. Dance Festival reception desk.
Fortunately, the contents of the dance festival products were relatively moderate.
In the first place, there is no ranking, only the Popularity Award, the Big Smile Award, the Cuteness Award, and so on. It’s a contest you participate in for fun.
[Best Popularity Award – The right to dance all night with anyone you want]
The contents of the highest award, the Most Popular Award, are as follows. Yeah, what’s better… … .
“This is also the right of the winner of a tradition passed down from generation to generation at the Crossroads Festival.”
Pointing to the Most Popular Award, Evangeline said.
“If you win the dance festival, you can dance with the person you want. something like that.”
“indeed… .”
“Now then.”
Evangeline quickly went to the front and brought four pieces of application form.
“Everybody participate!”
“uh?”
“uh? what is yes Seniors should also participate.”
Evangeline frowned and sighed.
“Isn’t it common sense to dance together on the last day of the festival?”
No, it’s not some kind of Bollywood movie, it’s over with everyone dancing?
What’s more, I’m not good enough! Apart from learning how to social dance from a serenade, he doesn’t even know how to dance!
I tried to run away, but before I knew it, Damian and Junior were holding me tight on both sides.
In the end, I was forced to sign the application form while screaming in agony.
“Dance Festival of the Year! The lord is participating!”
The staff at the reception desk shouted energetically and stamped the application form. People all around cheered and whistled in unison.
I clutched my head and screamed.
“When I dance, everyone will watch and laugh and make fun of me! Why are you doing this with me too!”
“Because… That’s right.”
Evangeline whispered, laughing round and round like a bad boy.
“It’s a festival!”
… Come to think of it, that was a hundred times correct.
damn it!
