Chapter 31 [Harvest Festival](1)
The next morning.
“───A festival, you mean?”
“[Yes. It seems to start today.]”
“Hey…”
As he adjusted his clothes, Dante spat out a small exclamation at Aquila’s words.
In this place, at the easternmost end of the Elos Mountains, there was an empire named ‘Lesta’, famous for its agricultural country.
Among many industries, especially agriculture-related industries, the Lesta Empire was famous for holding a long festival once a year, lasting from three weeks to about a month.
In order to commemorate the harvest of various agricultural and marine products that farmers have worked hard to raise, and to express gratitude to the god of abundance who bestowed abundance on the land, a large-scale ‘harvest festival’ was held every year under the leadership of the state.
But just in time, Aquila remembered that today was the first day of the harvest festival, and came to visit Dante as soon as the day dawned.
I came all the way to the Elos Mountains for a trivial (?) Trial, and since it’s a bit regrettable to return empty-handed, he suggested how about enjoying the festival of the empire beyond the mountains to the fullest.
Of course, Aquila agreed to provide things like money and clothes.
“Okay, Cole.”
Dante answered happily, making a circle with his index finger.
Actually, Dante had long wanted to participate in the Lesta Empire’s Harvest Festival even if he didn’t know about other festivals, so he had no reason to hesitate.
That’s true, the Lafrican Empire and the Lesta Empire were very far apart due to their location on the continent, so it wasn’t easy to visit, and it was a fact that even a child knew that the Lesta Empire was famous for its harvest festival.
It’s such a famous festival that even the citizens of the empire on the other side of the continent know about it, so it’s only natural that you want to go there yourself.
“[hahahaha! It’s cool! Then I’ll be waiting for you at my lair, let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll take you straight to Lesta Empire.]”
“Yes. Thank you, Aquila.”
With a smile on his lips, Dante waved to Aquila, who flew into the sky.
Now then, the first thing we need to do is——
◇
“Never.Never.No!!!!”
“Look, I knew this would happen.”
As if anticipating Olivia’s reaction, Dante rubbed one of her ears with her little finger.
With unyielding stubbornness, Olivia growled as she folded her arms around her body.
“Listen to me, Dante. This world is too dangerous for you, who is so weak and sensitive! The beasts who have fallen in love with your cute, adorable, and lovable appearance are looking for a chance to eat you!”
“This (*angry demon profanity) you’re the bastard!”
Is this kind of thing called a boomerang, commonly referred to as Zagadis?
Dante retorted with a puzzled expression and slapped his forehead.
“Oh no way!! Please don’t change me! I have no intention of changing!! Even if the world collapses, I won’t allow it!!”
“Hey, it’s a broken lizard!”
Bang with the tail! Hitting her floor hard enough to crack it, Olivia threatened her.
After a while, Dante ran out of the lair without looking back, completely ignoring the screams resounding throughout the mountain range.
◇
And now.
-That’s how it happened.
[What’s crazy——]
Despite Yeonhwa’s alarmed tone after hearing everything, Dante quietly raised his head proudly.
[Ah, no, dear. Even so, that’s a bit harsh–]
-But, you make me look bad from the morning. Damn lizard baby.
Now I should call it the Black Dragon with Bloodshot Eyes, not the Black Dragon with Red Eyes.
Dante pursed his lips and frowned.
From noble mtl dot com
Whether he knew his complex mind or not, above Dante’s head, as if in contrast, a clear and clean blue sky was spreading.
The white clouds clumped together like cotton candy and floated in a line, but compared to summer, they were located higher and, above all, smaller in size.
Unlike the Elos Mountains, where cool air swirls around and the climate is adjusted like a cold autumn weather, this place has clear weather where a refreshing breeze blows gently and warm sunlight permeates the ground.
No matter what anyone says, this is the marina of the Lesta Empire, where merchants trade briskly in real time.
As he moved his steps toward the town along the long beach road under the marina, he brushed the dust off his shoulder.
For some reason, I felt that my toes were tickling when I stepped on the soft sand.
If you ask how this happened,
‘If you chase me or follow me, I’ll bite you and die on the spot, so take good care of yourself.’
I’ll be Dante who arrives at the Lesta Empire by running straight to Aquila’s lair and showing off my dragon riding skills (hanging).
hahahahaha, are there any crazy bastards like this? I just gave up on asking who I looked like.
-So, for today, I can enjoy my free time alone. How about Yeon-hwa going outside? The sea breeze is very cool.
[Oh, in other words, can I accept this as your ‘date’ request?]
– hahahaha, no comment.
Since it must have been for the purpose of making fun of himself anyway, Dante blurted out her name, passing her words naturally.
“Yeonhwa.”
Paaah!
Then, with a bright light, a white fox jumped out of my chest. Soon after, the fox did one trick and changed her body into a human form.
A woman with long white hair like frost and purple eyes.
“Uh…?”
“Whoops…”
But today, the shape of the clothes she is wearing is different from usual.
From a loose-fitting cloth outfit that exudes a somewhat traditional feel, to a style Olivia normally wears except for formal wear.
A black sleeveless shirt with a strap, a gray hooded zip-up that fell naturally down her shoulder, and denim shorts that were rolled up once. And even brightly colored sneakers.
There was no feeling of awkwardness, let alone a sense of incongruity, and it suited her so well that it would not be an exaggeration to say that these clothes were made for Yeon-hwa from the beginning.
Yeonhwa is also tall enough to be on par with Olivia, and her limbs are long and slender, so wearing a little tight clothes was her charm point.
On top of that, her white hair, bathed in the bright sunlight, even shimmered in a light caramel color, so I wondered if this was the manifestation of the goddess of beauty.
It was truly fantastic.
Perhaps surprised at Yeonhwa’s drastic change in fashion, Dante continued with his eyes wide open as he stammered.
“Did you change your clothes…?”
“Well, there is a saying that if you go to an empire, follow the laws of the empire. That goes for clothes as well. I tried to dress up similar to the outfit of your master, the black dragon…Or is it weird…?”
Seeing her ask in a worried tone as she lowered the corners of her eyes, Dante responded immediately.
“Not at all.”
He gave a double thumbs up.
“Suna, I’m dying.”
“?”
“Oh, no I mean, you look so good together.”
Kerhem..Hum…
The beautiful figure standing tall on the sandy beach with the indigo sea in the background is like a painting.
If Olivia is an unapproachable flower with sharp thorns, the lotus flower is like a flower that blooms on a high cliff that is beautiful but out of reach.
An image that is polar opposite.
With a bright smile at his praise, Yeon-hwa naturally grabbed Dante’s hand and led him.
Soon, Dante gave himself to her lead, laughing as well.
Ah, this is…The legendary ‘animal therapy’ that we’ve only heard about.
No matter how hard Dante is trained in everyday life, sometimes he needs healing.
◇
The city center of the Lesta Empire.
“Yeah…”
As soon as he entered the central square of the city, Dante let out a small exclamation.
Boom, the atmosphere in the city was booming.
Colorful sidewalk blocks on the floor and potted flowers of all kinds stretched along the sidewalk.
Pleasant melodies of bards’ string and wind instruments resonate throughout the streets, and countless people of the empire make pleasant footsteps as they step forward.
The sound of laughter from people filling the city and the crowds of adults and children of all ages.
Where is that? As it was a harvest festival, all kinds of shop owners and merchants came out to the streets to set up their seats and were selling various types of food.
However, it wasn’t the colorful flower pots, the long line of people, or even the deliciously smelling food that drew people’s attention.
Their eyes were fixed on only one, a beautiful, unknown woman walking freely through the city streets with fluttering white hair.
Should I describe it as bewitched or bewitched?
The men’s expressions were already all loose and their mouths were hanging on their ears, and the women’s cheeks were blushing and exclamations were being made.
I wonder if she noticed that gaze, or even if she noticed, she pretended not to know, Yeon-hwa maintained aloof attitude and just held Dante’s hand tightly and looked around leisurely.
However, Dante, who was quite sensitive to prying eyes (trained by Olivia), fidgeted and hid behind her back.
As usual, it would have been nice if it had 9 tails, but unfortunately, it only has 1 tail to look like an ordinary fox beast, so I couldn’t cover the back of the head.
Uh, somehow I feel like I can feel the stinging stares from the men around me… No, why the hell?! What did I do wrong?!
Swallowing her sorrow down the back of her throat, Dante squeezed in the resentment.
Yes, my mentality shouldn’t have been shaken to this extent.
The full-fledged festival has just begun.
◇
+Bonus
At the same time, the Elos Mountains.
“f*ck mother…”
This bastard is a crazy bastard with a broken head who really wants to do it, so Olivia couldn’t even dare to pursue it.
“f*ck love is real..”