Chapter 16: Raer Festival
“Aw, my shoulders are so stiff~”
The one rolling his shoulders exhausted was one of the Heroes summoned to ≪Victorias≫, Aoyama Takashi. Next to him stood the other three Heroes, looking just as exhausted.
The captain of the second division of the army, Vale Kimble, stood in front of them while watching these four.
“Good job. The current quest was quite rewarding again.”
The quest had been to hunt Stinger Bats in the ≪Droke Cave≫. It was put up because their population was too big and they lately started to attack the town.
Moreover, since poisonous demons were living in the ≪Droke Cave≫ too and footing was bad in the dark, it was given a rather high rank, namely C.
However, the four of them had a high level and a superb teamwork, so they managed to hunt over a hundred Stinger Bats. That should take care of the quest, so they returned to the castle.
“The EXP from all the demons sure was worth it.”
When Takashi said that, everyone nodded in response.
“Yes and we discovered some flaws in our teamwork, so we can work on that now.”
Suzumiya Chika wiped her sweat with a towel.
“Then let us take a look at your ≪Status≫ now.”
They confirmed it like Vale told them.
Taishi Aoyama
Lvl 23
HP 120/406
MP 89/370
EXP 7200
NEXT 987
ATK 212 (263)
DEF 195 (210)
AGL 130 (137)
HIT 152 (158)
INT 119 (122)
≪Magic Attribute≫ Fire, Wind, Lightning, Light
≪Magic≫ Fireball (Fire, Attack)
Flame Lance (Fire, Attack)
Wind Cutter (Wind, Attack)
Cyclone (Wind, Attack)
Thunder Shock (Lightning, Attack)
Thunder Break (Lightning, Attack)
Lighting (Light, Effect)
Light Arrow (Light, Attack)
≪Title≫ Hero, World Traveller, Harem Creator, Awakened One
Chika Suzumiya
Lvl 23
HP 134/373
MP 65/340
EXP 7200
NEXT 987
ATK 200 (250)
DEF 200 (210)
AGL 140 (155)
HIT 145 (148)
INT 120 (128)
≪Magic Attribute≫ Fire, Earth, Ice, Light
≪Magic≫ Fireball (Fire, Attack)
Flame Lance (Fire, Attack)
Grave (Earth, Attack)
Earthquake (Earth, Attack)
Ice Needle (Ice, Attack)
Ice Tornado (Ice, Attack)
Lighting (Light, Effect)
Light Arrow (Light, Attack)
≪Title≫ Hero, World Traveller, Sport Queen, Awakened One
Shuri Minamoto
Lvl 23
HP 200/310
MP 29/530
EXP 7200
NEXT 987
ATK 107 (119)
DEF 110 (121)
AGL 130 (135)
HIT 118 (120)
INT 200 (215)
≪Magic Attribute≫ Wind, Water, Light
≪Magic≫ Wind Cutter (Wind, Attack)
Green Bind (Wind, Support)
Water Wall (Water, Support)
Bubble Shot (Water, Attack)
Heal (Light, Recovery)
Antidote (Light, Recovery)
Charge (Light, Support)
≪Title≫ Hero, World Traveller, Yamato Nadeshiko, Awakened One
Shinobu Akamori
Lvl 23
HP 90/342
MP 34/500
EXP 7200
NEXT 987
ATK 115 (127)
DEF 113 (124)
AGL 165 (170)
HIT 120 (122)
INT 207 (222)
≪Magic Attribute≫ Water, Lightning, Light
≪Magic≫ Mist (Water, Support)
Aqua Spiral (Water, Attack)
Paralyze (Lightning, Effect)
Acceleration (Lightning, Support)
Heal (Light, Recovery)
Cleaning (Light, Recovery/Support)
Ray (Light, Attack)
≪Title≫ Hero, World Traveller, Curious One, Awakened One
(Looks all good, but I could do without the Harem Creator title)
Taishi wasn’t satisfied with his own title, because he didn’t have a single memory of ever creating a harem.
“What’re you spacing out for, Taishi?”
“Eh? Ah, n- nothing! Ahaha!”
He was surprised when Chika suddenly called out to him, because there was no way he could tell her about his title.
“Weirdo. Anyway, we got rather strong.”
“Yeah, our hard work paid off.”
“Yep, Shuricchi is right. We have to continue like this~”
“Yes, you are all right.”
Vale also brightened up his expression happily.
“Still, I’m really pooped today~”
“Geez, Taishi, you’re so sloppy.”
Chika cautioned Taishi, who lay down on the ground.
“Let me for today~ Ah, reminds me, Vale, did anything strange happen lately?”
“Anything strange? Let me think…”
Vale put his hand against his chin and looked musing.
“Now that you mention it, some wanted men were caught in ‘Ames’ the other day.”
“I think ‘Ames’ is a village west of here?”
Vale affirmed Shinobu’s question with a nod.
“Yes.”
“And the caught men were rather famous, weren’t they?”
“Yes, the ‘Harios Brothers’. They are notorious adventurer that murdered and thieved. Though they were stripped off their adventurer title when their crimes became known. So it is more correct to call them former adventurer.”
“Mhm, these guys were caught?”
“Indeed and the testimony of the villagers is rather garbled.”
“What do you mean?”
Everyone, not just Shinobu, curiously paid attention to Vale.
“Every villager is saying that a Hero clad in a red robe came to their rescue when the ‘Harios Brothers’ preyed the village.”
“A red robe? A hero? What the?”
“All I know is that he had black hair, used a magic that extended his sword and had a power to make his opponent faint just from a touch.”
“Black hair… couldn‘t be?”
“Th- The report also mentioned he had a self-important attitude.”
“Black hair and self-important?”
Shinobu looked at everyone’s faces and apparently everyone was reminded of the same person. But they all believed it to be some kind of mistake.
“Nah… not him. He said himself that he’s just an average person after all.”
“He would never help anyone with that twisted personality of his.”
“Haha, that’s going too far, Chika.”
“Mh~ But, I wonder what’s true. Actually, where’s he now anyway?”
No one knew the answer to that. Vale shook his head too.
“Well, thinking won’t get us anywhere. We’ll just do what we can!”
Chika declared encouraging to everyone. Everyone responded with a nod.
Hiiro’s party arrived at “Surge”, the town near the border, but an unforeseen situation took place there.
“Hey, what’s the meaning of this?”
“N- No idea…”
Hiiro frowned sullen, whereas Arnold next to him twitched his cheek muscles.
A large number of people had set up stalls and attracted a crowd in front of them. Hiiro, not a fan of crowds, got irritated by this confluence and thereby resulting enthralled atmosphere.
“M- Maybe a festival?”
Muir inclined her head lovely and her eyes were sparkling. The endless line of stores might have fascinated her.
“Wait, isn’t today the first day of ‘Urui’?”
“Indeed, Uncle.”
By the way, ‘Urui’ referred to the month name.
January: Nalwine
February: Nunui
March: Guweron
April: Guviris
May: Losron
June: Norui
July: Kelves
August: Urui
September: Ivanness
October: Nalbress
November: Hisui
December Grisron
These were the months of this world with twenty-eight days each. Incidentally, the year was called “Anol“, currently it was “214 Anno Anol”.
“What‘s so special about today?”
“You don’t know, Hiiro? The ≪Raer Festival≫ is held annually today.”
“≪Raer Festival≫?”
This world knew of seasons as well.
Spring: Esuil
Summer: Raer
Autumn: Jarvas
Winter: Riu
“It’s ‘Raer’ right now. To blow off this heat, they’re holding stuff like this here and there.”
(I see. Just a simple summer festival)
His discomfort only grew from realizing that. It was already hot to begin with, there was this obnoxious guy next to him and this crowd on top of that only added oil to the fire. It was really irritating.
“Hey, were you thinking something rude just now?”
“Me? Nah. I only thought you were annoying, old man.”
“Listen here! Can’t you deny it, even if you have to lie? What are you answering honestly for, damn it!”
“That’s what’s so annoying about you.”
“S- Seriously, one of these days…”
He clenched his trembling fist. At that time, Arnold’s vision fell onto Muir. Her face was flushed and she watched at the bustling people.
“…Okay, I’ve decided! Say what you want, but I’m determined!”
“What’s that out of the blue? You finally lost it?”
“Shut up!”
Muir blinked her eyes in puzzlement too.
“We’re staying the night here, right? Then let’s enjoy the festival too!”
On these words, Muir’s expression lit up with energy. She seemed rather delighted. Actually, she wanted to go around the festival, but was fretting as she couldn’t say it out loud.
“I see. Then have a good time, you two. I’m at the inn.”
“Wait.”
Hiiro tried to leave, but was stopped at the shoulder.
“Let go.”
“No, no, how can you be like this now? Let’s enjoy the festival.”
“Not interested.”
“Mhm, you sure you want to act like that?”
“……What do you mean?”
Arnold put up one finger and smirked. Hiiro felt like knocking him down for that, but resisted.
“Listen, the ≪Raer Festival≫ here in ‘Surge’ is quite big.”
“…..”
“There are tons of shops~ Moreover, there’s a super popular stall here.”
Hiiro’s shoulders twitched as the words super popular piqued his interest.
“To add to that, they’re holding a competition to see which is the most popular stall in ‘Surge’. A food stall wins every year… but see what I’m getting at?”
“…..Certainly. It serves really good food?”
“I think you would be quite pleased.”
“Mhm.”
Arnold was well versed. Seemingly it wasn’t his first time at the festival in “Surge”. It didn’t seem like he was lying either, nor had he any reason to. Then came the bait in form of good food.
As a result, Hiiro went ahead of the two.
“H- Hey.”
Arnold was disappointed, thinking is persuasion had failed, but Hiiro said without turning around.
“Lead the way already. What if the good stuff sells out, pervert?”
“Don’t call me pervert!”
He shouted angry, but his mouth formed a small smile. Muir was thrilled from anticipation too. The three of them settled on enjoying the festival for a while.
“…≪Burning Peach Candy≫?”
Hiiro muttered while looking at the sign of a store.
“Oh, they’re selling quite the rare fruit!”
“Hello, please come closer!”
The stall owner, an energetic old man was radiating with courtesy. Muir looked at the ≪Burning Peach Candy≫ displayed at the stall with sparkling eyes.
“Old man, give us three!”
“Sure thing! Ohh, the little missy’s cute, so I’ll give you an extra big one!”
“Th- Thanks… Ehehe.”
Muir spilled a happy smile.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah, you bet~ The fruit is shaped like a burning fire and while it’s candy, it’s soft enough to masticate it. Well, you’ll understand how burning it is once you try it.”
Being told so. Hiiro ate a mouthful. He certainly could bite it off easily and its taste spread in his mouth while he chewed it. Then suddenly something popped inside his mouth.
“Mh?”
“Hehe, surprised? The prickling on the tongue is the secret of the ≪Burning Peach≫!”
This flavour was addicting for sure. It was damn sweet, yet a treat to your taste buds. This was surely popular with the kids. Muir too was holding her cheek with an entranced expression.
“Okay! Onto the next one!”
Arnold took the lead and the other two followed him.
(So this is a festival. If it got good food, it isn’t all that bad)
Hiiro never went to a festival back in Japan, so he was quite drawn to this new experience. Though it was typically for him to wish that this crowd wasn’t here.
A lot of stalls were similar to the ones in Japan, like a shooting range or drawn lots. Muir was enjoying it to the fullest, but after walking around for a while, Hiiro’s mentality finally started to reach its limit.
(Aw, this sucks. People bump into me and step on my feet… Can’t they all disappear?)
His thoughts started to wander into dangerous waters. Then he spotted a rather large stall. The sign of the stall read as following:
≪Happiness Shark Sandwich≫
Arnold, looking at the same sign, showed a surprised expression.
“N- No way… THAT Happiness Shark?”
“You know it?”
“Yeah, of course! It’s an ingredient each cook would like to prepare at least once!”
Hiiro presumed that it must be something really good from his excited attitude.
“Listen, the Happiness Shark only lives in the ≪Great Bull Sea≫. Moreover, only at its deepest part, so it rarely comes up to the surface. It’s like super rare, but it appears for a short while for laying eggs. It body has a beautiful pink colour and a jade-green horn on its head. It’s said that every single part of its body, be it the horn or fangs, can eaten!”
Arnold spoke with passion, but Hiiro basically had no interest in animals, so it went in one ear and out the other.
“So, is it good?”
“Of course! Listen, its taste is said… to top even the ‘Aqua Hound Meat’!”
“Buy it. Now.”
In an instant, Hiiro’s look changed to something close of a killing intent.
“S- Sure.. b- but.”
“What?”
“Look there.”
“Mh?”
Arnold pointed at a cylinder lottery like you often saw at shopping districts.
“They have a limited stock… so you have to win that to eat it.”
“Say… what!?”
A shiver run all over his body. Coming all the way here and not getting to eat this delicious food? Hiiro bit his lips on this torture.
“Each person has one try and it looks like several won already… Oh, the plate says they only have six portions left… The line’s pretty long too, so I guess it’s no good.”
Hiiro clenched his fist frustrated as he saw Arnold throwing in the towel.
(Wait, wait. That ‘Aqua Hound Meat’ was awesome. But I can’t eat the food in front of my eyes that’s even better? How’s that possible… No, the word giving up isn’t in my dictionary)
Hiiro raised his face with a jerk and glared at the stall.
“Let me give you my thanks, old man.”
“Huh?”
“My thanks for showing me this.”
“Gladly, but you can’t eat it…”
“No, there’s no reason to give up.”
He looked at the people spinning the cylinder lottery. Apparently you won when a golden ball dropped out.
(In that case…)
He concentrated magic power in his finger tip.
“Show me your hands, you two.”
“”…Eh?””
The other two looked blankly.
The line in front of the lottery slowly became shorter. With some winning, there were only three portions left at last.
But fortunately, no one else won since then. And then finally…
“My turn.”
Hiiro had its chance. He gulped and slowly spun the cylinder. It clattered and then…
….PLOP
Everyone swallowed their saliva. The ball that dropped out was…
“FUAHAHAHA! Nothing is impossible for me!”
Hiiro burst out in laughter in a exaggerated manner. Yes, he perfectly got a golden ball. And a pale glowing word was written in his fist that was raised high into the air. It said… “good luck”.
He had been worried over what to write. The word “luck” could’ve worked as well, but he wasn’t sure if his luck would increase or decrease through it. What about “come out” then? A ball would have dropped out for sure, but not necessarily a golden one.
Therefore he had written “good luck”, since he could easily imagine becoming lucky through it. Magic meant imagination. Any unnecessary thoughts would reduce its power. So he chose the easy to imagine word “good luck”. His magic was really like a cheat.
Moreover, it was a triple pack. He had written the same word for the other two, because that increased the chance of one of them winning even more.
Still, it meant exposing his magic to them.
(Well, I regret nothing. It’s for the food anyway)
His appetite won over the troubles of having it exposed. As a result, all three of them won in a row. Of course the other two had their mouths gaping wide-open on this scene, but Hiiro considered explaining it to them as he was in a really good mood.
“H- Hey, Hiiro…?”
“I know what you want to ask, but for now… eat!”
In his hands was a dish like a hamburger. The filling was the Happiness Shark of course. It had a light pink colour and was wrapped in some vegetables like lettuce with a salty-sweet sauce.
“MUNCH…. Ohh!?”
Where am I? For a moment, he felt like he was inside the sea with the pressure of the deep sea squeezing his body. Such a rich flavour. The compatibility with the bread was extraordinary and just a single bite let him feel the soul of the ocean.
His body melted away from the stimulation on his tongue, no, inside his whole mouth. Furthermore, he tasted something crunchy. It was the horn that Arnold mentioned before.
Delicious. The fried gristle with excellent seasoning was indescribable delicious, too. His body readily ingested everything, even the bones and fangs.
(Holy cow. Who knew something so delicious existed!)
It was more delicious than any fish he had eaten before. The inside of this stomach was frolicking as if the food was still alive. It was earth-shattering good. Moreover, his body felt like it was brimming with power.
Wow… Just wow…
(Definitely… a win…)
His cheeks naturally slackened. He might fall asleep on the spot from the rapture if he were to relax. It was a really pleasant sensation, like he was leisurely swimming in the sea under the warm sun.
When he looked at the other two, Muir was relishing the food too. She seemed to like eating as well, so she was in a good mood from getting to eat something so good. As for Arnold… He was crying for some reason.
To be honest, it was not a pleasant sight to see an old man crying over food. Well, the food was certainly worth crying over, but it somewhat spoiled the mood, so Hiiro decided to smack him afterwards.
“Oh~ I’m stuffed! Stuffed to no end~”
Arnold smiled happily.
“Yeah, it was delicious. Ehm… well…”
Muir looked at Hiiro.
“Uhm… Th- Thank you.”
Seemingly she had wanted to express her gratitude. Hiiro replied with a simple “No prob”, but this triggered Arnold to ask about the ≪Word Magic≫.
“So, will you tell me about what you wrote on my palm earlier?”
“…..Fine.”
“Eh? You’ll really tell me?”
Arnold had thought he would refuse again, so he asked back on reflex.
“What? I can just keep it to myself then.”
“Ah, no, no. Let me hear it! That word… is that your magic?”
“Yes, it’s called ≪Word Magic≫. An unique magic.”
“An unique magic!?”
“You’re too loud! I won’t tell you more!”
“S- Sorry. B- But is it really an unique magic?”
“Yeah. See the word on your palm?”
“Y- Yes.”
“That’s a word from where I lived and I can draw out the effect from the word.”
This world didn’t know of Kanji, so the other two couldn’t read it, so he frankly explained the magic. Both of them listened with a dumbfounded expression.
“Actually, isn’t your magic unfair?”
“*NOD*”
Muir nodded asserting to Arnold’s words.
“Who cares. It’s like an inborn talent.”
“Well, sure, but… Still, I’ve heard of unique magic, but none as powerful as this.”
“Oho, like what for example?”
Hiiro was interested in unique magic besides his own.
“Let’s see, magic that controls space, magic that brainwashes people and… magic that manipulates other magic.”
“They indeed sound powerful.”
Especially the brainwashing one sounded dangerous. He didn’t know how it worked, but a magic that bewitches other people’s hearts was too powerful.
“But with your ≪Word Magic≫, you can use any of these magic I just mentioned too, right?”
To be honest, he could. Maybe he couldn’t control it as perfect as the original, but it was possible to use a word with a similar effect.
“Indeed, I can.”
“I knew it, so unfair~ You’re a damn cheater~”
“*NOD*”
“It might be omnipotent, but it’s not invincible.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who knows? I’ve no reason to tell you.”
“Grr… Well, you aren’t a fool that would tell others your weakness.”
“Indeed.”
“But leaving that aside, your magic’s still too fascinating! Truly paradisiacal!”
“Whatever. I’m tired, so I’m going to the inn. Also, don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Listen to me!”
Hiiro acted at his own pace as always, whereas the other two sighed and followed him.
“Mh? Enough of the festival already?”
“Eh? Ah, yeah, I’m satisfied…”
“I had fun too!”
“There you have it.”
“Then go book a room, servant.”
“I’m repeating myself, but I ain’t your servant! Also, pay some respect to your elders!”
“Don’t be so arrogant just because you were born earlier.”
“It let me experience more of life! Apologize! Apologize to me right away!”
Hiiro looked at the suddenly shouting Arnold and said.
“…….Don’t become like him, shorty.”
“What do you mean, you damn brat!”
Hiiro shifted his gaze to Muir, but she was troubled how to react.
Ignoring Arnold’s annoying outburst, Hiiro headed to the inn. But a problem occurred there.
“….Eh? No free rooms?”
Arnold had his mouth gaping wide-open at the front desk. Behind him, Hiiro was emitted a displeased aura to the max.
“My deepest apologizes. Due to the festival, we have no vacant rooms at the moment.”
What to do now? Arnold sweated bullets, wondering how to reason with the devil behind him that glared at him with a killing intent.
Arnold slowly and quietly turned his head around and looked at the black-haired boy in question.
“What’s the deal, old man?”
“N- Nothing I can do here, can I? When they’re booked out, they’re booked out.”
“….Hah, sleeping outside even though we’re at a town…”
Hiiro muttering so with empty eyes was a rare sight. To be honest, he had hoped to sleep in a proper bed after camping outside for so long, but sadly enough, it was an unaccomplished dream.
“Damn… Stupid festival… Just explode.”
He said something dreadful, but he had enjoyed the festival himself, so he didn’t snap for real. They should’ve booked a room beforehand. No, even then, the rooms might have booked out already, but he regretted not checking it.
“Excuse me…”
The inn keeper at the front desk called out to them, so the three of them looked at him dispirited.
“If I may suggest, why don’t you try out the Guild?”
“The Guild?”
Arnold titled his head.
“Ah, yes. The Guild has resting rooms for their staff, but if you talk to them, they might give you a room?”
Upon that, Arnold’s expression brightened up and he nodded.
“I see. On a day like this, they really might give us a room.”
“Are we going there?”
Muir looked at him with an upturned gaze and Arnold placed his hand on her head.
“Yeah, it’s our last hope.”
“I hope it won’t be in vain.”
“Brat! Why’re you saying that! Don’t be so damn negative!”
“Let’s hurry.”
“Again, listen to me!”
Hiiro swiftly left the inn, whereas the other two followed in a rush.
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