611. [Side Story] The last festival,
the end of September.
The day of this year’s Fall Festival has finally dawned.
Not just across the Crossroads, but across the Everblack Empire—and many other countries, a festival to thank the year’s harvest and encourage those who have worked hard throughout the year.
It’s the original meaning, anyway, it’s one of the few seasons that everyone around the world enjoys.
“wow.”
Wake up in the morning and go to the city with the main party members who stayed at the mansion.
The city was crowded like never before. Every street was packed with people.
Exciting music from the morning, the shouts of drunk people cooking, games, and bargaining cries. It feels like not only the eyesight but also the ears are filled with color.
“The scale is completely different from the year before.”
As I spoke while looking around the city, Evangeline nodded with flushed cheeks, apparently excited.
“The effect of the proclamation sent by you must be no joke!”
“That’s right… I didn’t expect it to be this much…”
I spread two proclamations all over the world on the Serenade side.
Soldier Recruitment Announcement. And Fall Festival Notice.
My intention in issuing these two proclamations together is clear.
We’re preparing for a doomsday battle, so any nerds with the courage to participate in that battle will be well fed and played.
‘But why did so many people come!’
At face value, it’s an autumn festival~ Oh yeah~ Didn’t you just rush to the southern end of the monster front?! huh?! It’s very dangerous here! It’s an autumn festival now, but it’s usually a monster festival?
I’m not sure which side I’m attracted to, but anyway, the crossroads are at the crossroads like never before.
It is terribly crowded with guests from all over the world.
‘I realize the effect of advertising all over again… That’s why everyone is putting their heat on PPL…’
Even so, there were a lot more people than usual due to the joining of the World Defense Front. Because of my proclamation, guests are pouring in like this.
The vacant buildings were converted into lodging facilities, and citizens offered rooms left over from their homes as guesthouses.
Even that was not enough, so it was only after erecting a lot of portable accommodations made of tents that we were able to meet the demand.
‘It’s a shame the Winter Silver Merchants prepared it in advance.’
I ended up throwing a proclamation without any countermeasures, but the serenade prepared it on its own, so I was able to hit it like this, albeit tight.
Tourism is not usually difficult. City management isn’t easy…
And what Serenade prepared wasn’t just accommodations.
“This is a famous tour near Cross Road! Departing every hour from noon…” A
Winter Silver upper tier employee holding a pamphlet at the gate was guiding the tour course while shouting like that.
“A specialty tour…?”
I frowned.
“…was there anything special about Crossroads?”
What else is there besides monsters?
“Why is there no specialty! A lot!”
I asked nervously at Evangeline, who was getting hot.
“What do you have? Let me know.”
“Uh…”
After hesitating for a moment, Evangeline then jerked her index finger up… and pointed at herself.
“…Evangeline Cross?”
“Get out of here, child. Go get some snacks.”
“Hey, I was going to do that anyway, didn’t I? This way!”
Anyway, it seems that there is a tour course that I hadn’t even thought of. Thinking whether we should go later when the time comes, we headed to the stall street, and eventually had to open our eyes wide.
“Wow, what is this! Awesome!”
What unfolded in front of us was a row of stalls that stretched out in all directions from the central square of the city.
Even in the first year, there were various stalls, but this time, the stalls were organized by street and section, and were lined up neatly, as if they were very determined while preparing for the serenade.
This is southern food, this is northern food, there is meat, seafood, and vegetables
. Do you think you are doing the same thing as you were doing two years ago?
‘But it’s really amazing.’
I looked around and marveled.
The central plaza was packed with tables and chairs, and it seemed like you could eat the food you bought from the stalls here.
People from the upper ranks of Winter Silver were moving as facilitators everywhere.
Tables and chairs were set up, trash cans were emptied, and people bringing new food were guided and seated.
A small stage was prepared in the center of the square, and bards were preparing to begin their performances.
Looking at the signboard in front, it seems that the performances will continue throughout the day, changing bands.
“You really gave me strength, serenade…”
“Whoops. It was lacking, but I worked hard in my own way.”
I muttered without thinking, but I heard an answer from beside me. Wow what a surprise!
When I turned around, I saw a serenade approaching me smiling brightly as if something was being prepared in the central plaza.
“Welcome, Your Highness. It’s still before the full-fledged start, but how… do you like it?”
“You always do more than I imagined. Great serenade.”
“It’s a festival that Your Highness personally declared to the whole world. I have to do my best to prepare.”
I didn’t even know that… I left all the preparations for the festival and did nothing but training for our party, repairing the walls, and doing military work… I
felt guilty. I’m sorry.
“I’ve prepared for festivals before, but this time, without even realizing it… I worked even harder.”
Serenade whispered while examining the streets of stalls that stretched out in all directions.
“As Your Highness said, I prepared thinking that the world might end tomorrow.”
“…”
“If the end of the world really comes. Then… we should all play happily as best we can without regrets.”
The serenade turned to me and gave me a sad eye smile.
“Because we should make the most enjoyable memories that no longer exist.”
“…”
I whispered with sincerity while suppressing the tingling in my stomach.
“I hope you will make good memories too. serenade.”
“Sure. I will do my best to make the most enjoyable memories in the world.”
Serenade sneaked closer to me and shed her eyes.
“Will you allow it, Your Highness?”
I laughed awkwardly at the serenade that asked me meaningfully.
“Anything I can give.”
Serenade smiled as if she liked the answer, bowed gracefully at me, and then left the words ‘I wish you a happy festival’… and often walked to the other side of the plaza to prepare for the festival.
Look that way, then breathe in and turn around.
“….”
“….”
I found my party members looking at me with a firm gaze.
“What, you kids!”
Without realizing it, I blushed and shouted Barak.
Why are you making faces like grandparents looking at their grandchildren proudly at a kindergarten school performance? uh!
***
Around noon. Time for the real festival to begin.
This time, there was an unprecedented turn for congratulatory speeches prior to the festival, and that would be the case.
Chuck-
It was because the emperor himself visited this festival.
As if he had been pouring and drinking with his subordinates since the morning, this man stood up on a podium in the plaza with a face flushed from alcohol and even slightly staggering. You are enjoying a very rural festival!
Is it because it is a festival held on the border? The emperor opened his mouth very comfortably, not paying attention to ceremonies or formulas.
“Nice to meet you. My subject who lives on the Crossroads!”
hurray!
Long live His Majesty the Emperor!
All of the screaming imperial citizens got down on one knee and bowed to the emperor.
But this is the world defense front.
Although it is a limited period, it is an independent route operated independently of the imperial decree.
There are also many non-empires here. There are even a lot of foreign kings who can be said to be on the same level as the emperor.
Among them, there are not a few who still have remnants of the Empire.
They only showed the minimum courtesy and watched with their heads upright whether or not the emperor entered. Some still did not hide their hostility and gnashed their teeth.
In any case, even at stake, everyone was an ally now. The emperor smiled at them too.
“Also, nice to meet you, all the warriors of the World Defense Front. And all the kings gathered to protect the world.”
The emperor raised his arm and scanned the city.
“Now we all – the world knows the hard work you have done in the bitter battles fought in this land.”
The World Defense Front has become an organization to which almost all countries around the world have joined.
Reports of the battle that took place here were spread all over the world. Everything, even the most recent Lord of the Flies battle.
Everyone now knows that the Kaiju Front is truly preventing the world from perishing.
“Also, that the battle will continue in the future. And that everyone here will continue to fight fiercely. We all know.”
The fact that the remaining battles will also become harsher if they become more severe, but not less.
Everyone is unaware that the fate of public life truly depends on the front line here.
“That is why!”
Then, the emperor let out a loud voice and raised his wine glass upwards.
“You have a right to rest. You deserve to eat and drink freely. Even if you are the best trader in the world, if you don’t rest enough, you won’t be able to stand up.”
The Emperor showed his molars and a characteristic smile.
“Let us all do our best to enjoy this Mangjunghan. Alright then! Announcing the start of the festival… Cheers!”
Cheers-!
The emperor briskly poured a glass of wine into his mouth, and those gathered in the plaza—and even those who watched the scene from the street as there were no seats in the square—swallowed the cups in their hands.
The emperor, who had emptied his glass cleanly, laughed and waved his hand before going down the podium.
The people of the Empire applauded enthusiastically, and those who did not cheered with joy at the start of the festival.
Even if it is a frontier, it is the land of the empire anyway.
It was an unprecedented scenery for a Crossroads where the emperor himself had fun and gave a congratulatory speech. The air heated up in an instant.
The minstrels who had taken their places on the stage began a merry performance, and the already drunk people sang along.
Like the festival of change, there is no formality. Because of the overflow of people, there is no meaning of a senior seat or a VIP seat.
However, the mixed and mixed people gave and received each other, ate food, drank alcohol, and chatted even with strangers.
I sipped the drink in my hand as I watched this scene.
“…”
I could see my men everywhere in the square and on the streets.
Perhaps it was because almost a month had already passed since the last battle, but his expression brightened considerably.
The scars still remain… but
the darkness etched into everyone’s hearts and faces has yet to completely escape.
Still, everyone was laughing a little. So I was a little relieved.
“The schedule for this festival… On the first day, we eat and drink as usual. The second and third days are martial arts competitions. And on the evening of the third day.”
Demian, who read the festival schedule announced in a corner of the central plaza at once with his clairvoyant eye, said with a broad smile.
“It’s a dance festival!”
“Pooh!”
I spewed out the drink I was holding in my mouth.
Oh, that’s it again!
***
same time.
North of Cross Road. The military base of the Principality of Bringer.
Most of the refugees had already returned to the Principality of Bringer, and Dusk-Bringer was the only military force stationed there.
It was because Dusk Bringer had sent everyone to the festival.
Only a minimum of guards and Dusk Bringer and her four dragon blood knights remained in the camp.
“…”
Dusk Bringer was floating in his tent – curled up in the air.
Naked, with her long black hair disheveled, she meditated with her eyes closed in the whirlpool of transparent magic.
It was then. Dusk Bringer, who was sinking into himself, heard the old knight’s cautious voice from outside the tent.
“dismissal. A guest has arrived.”
Dusk Bringer replied angrily.
“Didn’t anyone tell you not to accept it?”
“Ha-oh-ah…”
At the next words, Dusk Bringer opened his amber eyes.
“…His Majesty the Emperor of the Everblack Empire has come in person.”
Dusk Bringer, who clicked his tongue, stopped meditation and released the vortex of magic. The captured magic was absorbed into her heart.
throbbing.
“….”
He calmed down by pressing once with his fingertips on the dull, dull pain in his chest.
Dusk Bringer, wearing a negligee that was lying carelessly on the floor, shouted sharply.
“Have guests.”
Fluttering –
as soon as the permission was given, the Emperor – Traha entered the tent.
“The festival is in full swing, what are you doing here?”
“…traha.”
The emperor, who entered this place without an attendant, held a bottle of dark red wine in his hand.
“Would you like to have a drink after a long time, sister?” Towards the old grand duke
, who had once raised him,
was his guardian, was also an enemy to be killed, and now became his son’s helper-
the emperor smiled bitterly.
“Because I don’t think there will ever be another chance like this again.”
