14. what is a festival
A little time has passed since we left.
So, around the time the rising sun began to radiate heat in earnest.
As the surrounding landscape gradually changes, as we enter the paved road in earnest.
Luke and Kariel, who ended up putting their heads together.
“Ten years ago, no, even five years ago, I couldn’t have dreamed of a scene like this.”
The subject of the conversation was mainly on Luke’s side.
In Luke’s comfortable smile with his helmet on his side, even a glimpse of pride was visible.
Climb up the hill and under the wide open plains.
Like a painting, the purple waves stretched endlessly.
The fragrant scent of flowers drifts pleasantly in the wind.
To the left and right of the paved road, wide and long enough for several wagons to stand side by side.
The purple waves on either side had no particular spectacle.
If you expand your field of view a little more, you can see some buildings and structures, large and small across the street.
If there are people who draw pictures, even faintly, on one side.
Across the purple waves, to the scenery where dozens of sheep run freely outside the outskirts.
clear sky.
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Vast purple waves radiating vivid colors beneath it stand out against the warm, sulphurous sunlight.
Even though it was very far away, it was a field of lavender that gave off a strong scent that made you intoxicated.
When I was learning about the region at the academy, I heard a glimpse of the scenery.
I wanted to see what would be different if I put it in my own eyes.
It was different.
… It was difficult to say anything, but
To Jeze Berkhart, which had been under the direct control of the emperor from early on.
From there, at first glance, it was close, but on the other hand, it was also a place that was a neglected border without even a drawn line when the empire was not an empire.
And now, the Marquess of Widenberg, the fence of the Empire and the seat of one of the few collaterals of the Enzul family.
Baronence, which was part of it, was right here.
At one time, it was notorious for being a family that ignored St. Cariel, but the Baronense family ardently proved their unremitting devotion to the church and its people in the name of steadily making atonement.
As a result, 300 years later, the Baronense family was recognized as the owner of this area.
They are reluctant to advance into the central political world, and are completely loyal to the Marquis of Widenberg despite being near the islands, and do not turn their eyes to the outside world.
It was like a very faithful specimen of a noble knight.
This was proven without a doubt even when the demon king invaded.
“Of course, the damage was great in the aftermath of the invasion of the Demon King’s army, but the war was over anyway. After that, the most important thing was to restore the ruined and devastated territory and make it a place to live again, a kind of domestic affairs and housekeeping.”
However, if the knight was good at domestic affairs, he would be an all-round worker.
At least Baronence at the time had some regrets in that respect.
“Fortunately, my older brother had a talent for this.”
Even at the time of the war, I wasn’t competent in supplying and other logistics, and managing internal affairs… The reality is that at least he showed a better side than the Baron.
However, his aptitude as a knight was lacking, and he was often neglected from an early age.
In particular, as the eldest son of the Baronense family, who considered it an honor and duty to protect the name of St. Cariel, such incompetence could not be tolerated by the baron of the time, who had been active even in war.
“Even so, it was a peaceful time. There are other ways.”
Let’s go downhill and enter the road with endless lavender fields on both sides.
At this point, it’s not the scent… It made my head hurt from the overwhelmingly concentrated scent, as if I had poured in some thick perfume entirely.
Still, it’s not such a bad feeling.
but.
“There are so many bees.”
“They are all our comrades.”
Baronense became famous within the Empire as a honey distributor in less than a few years.
Didn’t some foreign merchants say they made a fortune by securing the right to distribute Baronense’s lavender honey?
“It rained a lot this year, so the harvest time was delayed. Thanks to that, it overlaps with St. Cariel’s Day and is also a very busy time.”
It was vaguely visible when viewed from above, but when viewed up close, more people than expected were in the midst of harvesting, going back and forth between the lavender fields.
If the sound of flying bees can be heard even on the paved road, I worry a little that the sound around the lavender fields will be deafening.
“Doesn’t the bee sting?”
“Just as we are intoxicated by the scent of flowers, those children will be intoxicated by the scent of flowers and become distracted. As long as we don’t touch or provoke each other, we’ll go our separate ways and do what we have to do.”
That attitude of accepting and welcoming in harmony without repeating and bumping into even an insect.
Does it mean benevolence?
Or does it mean leisure?
No, isn’t it a bit strange to be so obsessed with something like this?
Kariel was lost in thought.
Luke, who had been watching the situation calmly, asked after some time.
“What do you think? Doesn’t something like poetry or music come to mind? I have often heard that artists get inspiration from seeing this place.”
“Because I’m not a minstrel. Until then… .”
“Someone is a minstrel, so he sings, recites poetry, and plays musical instruments, but? Do it if you want to, or don’t.”
“… … .”
Indeed, it made me think of many things.
It’s nothing.
For Kariel, that’s because it sounded like something special.
I didn’t even know that there was a thorn in my heart, but after coming here to see and hear it, I realize it more clearly.
Being pierced with thorns, accepting pain for granted, and having to endure it.
Actually, wasn’t it obvious?
The smile of a girl who sweats while picking flowers.
sunlight beating down on it.
It was all colorful, bright and sunny.
Even if you see a flying bee, rather than biting your head in fear or flinching in fear.
Hoo! Blowing and even playing pranks on that calm and weak figure.
… I had never seen or imagined it even once in Kariel’s lifetime.
Such simple happiness, satisfaction, and leisure.
It was flowing like an overflow.
Passing lavender fields, passing a few villages with seemingly few households.
Let alone a fortress wall that seemed to defend against the outside, there was no outer wall that stood out proudly, not even an inner one.
A small town with a single church standing tall on a toxic dense mountain.
This is Baronense’s courtyard.
Carriela finally came into his field of vision.
Still, a little more time left before the sun goes down.
I didn’t arrive just because I could see it.
Even so.
“You’re all here.”
After all, it seems that all human hearts are the same.
Next to him, Luke let out a gasping sound, not sure if he was relieved.
“ruler! let’s hurry! Speed up! home! I’ll tell you to empty the entire tavern today! Let’s run until we die!”
It sounds obvious, but the cheers of the soldiers resonated like a battlefield roar.
“It was good!!”
… Among the cheering crowd, there was a saintess who was happy shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers.
Well, maybe I should have pretended not to see it.
It was Kariel who was worried for a moment.
—-
As soon as they arrived, Luke headed to the lord’s residence for a report, and pushed all the rest of the staff into the tavern.
Thanks to.
“Well, I mean! The ferocious wolf demon with red-eyed eyes is about to attack! There, the boy Ruel grabbed the trembling young man by the collar and pulled him! Isn’t that how you handle it calmly! Do you know that’s all? Stepping on the bear-like monster’s knees and climbing up on its shoulders, it jumped on its head and slapped its neck! Swoop!”
As the young man climbed on top of the round table and talked while shaking his glass, the soldiers shouted, “Oh! and responded.
Not just soldiers.
The villagers who were hanging out together began to stare intently at the black-haired boy who was sitting in the corner and drinking awkwardly from a wooden cup.
“You mean that great?”
At the words of a middle-aged man with a long beard, the young soldier insisted repeatedly.
“It was before Luke-sama arrived, so if he was a little late, he could have seen several victims?”
Arriving at the village to deliver the news ahead of Luke’s order, he was immediately caught up in the chaos and kept emphasizing that he was almost in trouble.
Literally, it’s because he knows very well that this is one of the few favors he can do for Kariel.
“Is that so?”
“… … .”
I didn’t do anything that great, but I was just embarrassed.
It’s already been a long time since I’ve been in the system… Is today just the 5th day?
The horse will have to take a breather, so except for that time, it is usually three days to move while sleeping less.
Every now and then, I had nightmares every time I slept, and it was a reality that I couldn’t sleep properly anyway because it was caused by headaches and seizure-like pain throughout my body.
However, the most serious… Still anxious.
The anxiety that I could be chased and caught at any time fueled my nervousness.
On the one hand, there was a vague belief that Elhermina would take care of it to some extent.
And even ignoring that, the anxiety that he might try to find himself in some way.
‘If you’re really a sinner and you’re determined to catch me.’
I wouldn’t have even come this far.
However, we don’t know yet.
Not yet.
“Why don’t you drink this good thing?”
In front of my eyes, a woman called a saint was pouring golden water into a large glass.
Gobble it up again.
Taking off her armor, she was the same as she had been when she woke up in the morning.
“Big!”
… would it be that good
“It’s so nice to have a drink and fall asleep.”
At that moment, the man at the next table casually interrupted with a red face.
“Have you ever had a hangover, young lady? Do you think you have a constitution that doesn’t go through that kind of thing? I have no fear! Is your physique like that? More manly than man! Does your face look pretty or not? Oh right! Is it right to say that you are cool?”
“I’m a human too, so I can’t be there. Rather than that, being a man to a woman is an insult, right? I hear a lot that I’m cool, but that’s just insulting! My arms are thin, but my legs are thick! Why are your abs so strong? Why does such a topical breast stimulate maternal love so much! uh?!”
“Ah, but why do you drink so carelessly? Is there anything good?”
“Aren’t you afraid of a hangover so you don’t drink this good thing? Or did your wife go to church and pray hard for you to drink? Good things? Yes! is not it? Ruel?”
“Oops! If you say that, this man has nothing to say! Ruel? What is it? Are you a slut over there?”
Laughter breaks out among the drunkards.
“… … .”
Kariel watched the scene while tasting the water.
She suggested as if pushing her own glass.
“Just one drink! How about just one drink?”
“Because it’s not appropriate to let go of tension.”
“Ah, that’s hard! Guess who isn’t a knight candidate! So, did you come all the way to Carriela just in time for the holiday?”
… not really.
I was going to drop by here, but it was the first time I knew that it was right before a holiday again.
Right now, the village was in full swing in preparation for the festival.
… Originally, it wasn’t a festival, but as time went on, did you say that it naturally became a festival unique to Carriela that also served as a holiday and festival?
“By the way, did I mention I was a knight candidate?”
“Didn’t you take the lead in handling the sword like a ghost and protecting the weak regardless of profit or loss? For you, who were confident in your skills, there wasn’t much danger, and I don’t know if it was just a helping hand… For those who live without it, even that trivial help has become a lifelong salvation. In the first place, refusing compensation and showing loyalty as if it were natural is not something anyone can do.”
“is that so?”
It is true that you asked for help.
I must say I was lucky.
On the one hand, I also had doubts.
Pretending to ask for help, I wonder if they’re dragging me into a trap.
… I was thinking of a lot of things.
Actually, it didn’t matter either way.
If he needed help, he helped, and if he tried to cheat, he just dealt with it.
“You’re still floating on the sun, are you tired already?”
“… … .”
“Can’t you sleep well?”
“Maybe it’s because I’m not used to it.”
Let’s gloss over it.
“Well then. Do you want to sleep with this sister? I can teach you how to sleep comfortably.”
with a reddened face.
But with a strangely feverish gaze.
She, Alessia, put her glass down and, subtly, pushed her upper body in and offered that proposal.
“How do you sleep well?”
Was there anything like that?
Kariel was a little worried.