90 - Harvest Festival
Recently, the cityscape I see on my way to and from Menhishumi Church has been a little noisy. Flower pots with blooming flowers are displayed under the street trees, and more stalls have appeared on the streets. It kind of feels like the atmosphere before a festival. Everyone looks happy, but they are also working busily. I can tell there is a festive mood, but since I do not know the reason, as someone who does not understand, I feel a bit left out and it is not very pleasant.
"...Is something going on, reshu?"
"Hmm?"
Right after I pass through the main gate of the residence, I run into Leonardo, who has just returned home. It seems our return times overlapped today. I let go of Bart's hand and run over to Leonardo, and he picks me up as usual. I have gotten so used to being carried around that it is a little scary how I have started feeling like "this is nice and easy."
"The town looks kind of lively, reshu"
"There is the autumn Harvest Festival soon. Everyone is excited with the preparations, I imagine."
The Harvest Festival is apparently, as the name suggests, a celebration of the autumn harvest. Leonardo told me that because of the Words Disease, several farming villages have disappeared and the domain's harvest has decreased a bit this year, but since everyone looks forward to the Harvest Festival, it will be held as usual. As for the victims of the Words Disease, a Memorial Service will apparently be held at night between Grenore Fortress and the Sedovara Church. The Black Knights who lost family or comrades will attend. Naturally, as the Fortress Lord, Leonardo is also scheduled to attend.
"...So that means Leonyaldo-san cannot go to the Harvest Festival, reshu?"
"Hmm? Well, there are the preparations for the Memorial Service..."
"Can I also attend the Memorial Service, remasu ka?"
"You can, but... can you stay awake, Tina? The Memorial Service is a festival where you stay up all night."
"That might be a little... impossible, I think, mashen ne"
I think an adult could stay up all night, but right now I am a child. If I get into bed, I sleep soundly until morning, and if I am exhausted, I sleep soundly from midday too. And while I am at it, as a little girl I even have nap time. If it is a festival where you stay up all night, I probably cannot participate.
"...But if Leonyaldo-san cannot go to the Harvest Festival, nyara, I cannot go either, mashen ne"
"You have made some friends by now, have not you? Go with your friends."
"Is that okay, reshu?"
I am a little surprised because I did not think he would allow us to go out with just the children. Leonardo is the kind of person who decides which roads I can and cannot walk on, saying dangerous roads have few people. I did not think he would allow children to go out alone.
"On the festival day, there are more knights and soldiers standing guard on the streets than usual, and Bart and the others are still busy and cannot accompany you. If I borrow Nils and Lusio from Menhishumi Church, it should be fine even with just the children."
...So there are still chaperones, it seems.
My worry about not having a guardian is temporarily resolved, but when it is just children, another problem comes up.
"If it is just kids, that black dog comes, so I do not like it, reshu"
"That dog, huh. But that dog does not come unless you go near places I have told you not to go near, right? From what I have heard, it does not seem to bite people recklessly either."
The recent view among Leonardo and the others is that the black dog, which still has not been caught, was probably trained somewhere or something. It left bite marks on my skirt, but it never bit me personally. Lusio tried to approach the black dog to cover its eyes, but it just dodged and did not bite him either. Even when Teo got bitten, looking back now, it was because Teo kept persistently going after it. At first, that black dog was just trying to avoid Teo. But because Teo was too persistent, the black dog probably judged that just avoiding him would not make Teo give up, and so it bared its fangs.
...I am curious about the festival, but what should I do?
While I was worrying, the day of the Harvest Festival arrived, and in the end I decided to go. The black dog is creepy, but Mirshe invited me to go together. There is no way I could refuse that.
...After all, it is my first time going to a festival with friends since being born into this world!
I am concerned that Teo comes as a set with Mirshe, but recently he has not been bullying me much, so I will let it slide. Maybe this could be called a cold war state, but since there is no harm, I suppose it is fine.
...Though when I talk to other boys, he has started hitting them, you know.
He does the same thing when Mirshe talks to boys, so apparently Teo may have put me and Mirshe into his "little sister" category. In Teo's mind, that is. He has really calmed down during class, and his seat has been moved back to the proper order by height. I guess Leonardo's words about "you cannot become a Black Knight without studying" really hit home for him.
Today, since the adults are not with us and it is just the children, I wear secondhand clothes so I can blend in with Mirshe and the others. It is not patched up or anything, but the fabric quality is different from what I usually wear. If I put the black cat coin purse I was bought before around my neck over it, I am ready to go out.
"Tina, let me borrow the black cat."
"Yes, reshu"
When I hand over the coin purse I just hung around my neck, Leonardo opens it and puts in some coins. When the purse comes back, I check inside and find five more copper coins.
"...I still have my allowance, you know, arimashira yo?"
At least it is not silver or gold coins, so it seems he has learned about giving children pocket money. I have spent some, but I still have plenty left from the allowance he gave me before. I do not think I needed the extra.
"You will need pocket money for the festival."
When Leonardo continues, saying he would put in a bit more just in case, I answer that I would rather he exchange the extra copper coins for small grain coppers. Even a copper coin is a lot of money for a child to carry around. If I am just buying food from stalls, small grain coppers or large grain coppers would be easier to use.
In the end, I had Tabitha do the exchange. It seems Leonardo carries large-denomination coins but does not carry small ones like grain coppers. When Leonardo walks me to the exit of the knights' residential area, I meet up with Mirshe and the others who have already come to pick me up. Today's group consists of Mirshe, Teo, Elke, and Petrona, along with Nils and Lusio whom Leonardo hired.
...It is just children, but moving around with this many people should be safe enough, right?
Even bad adults would find it hard to make a move on this many. There is a certain sense of security in that.
"Where should we go first?"
"There are mechanical shops lined up on Artisan Street!"
"I recommend the fruit juice at the market."
"If we want to see the floats, we should secure a spot on the main street or the square..."
"Traveling performers have come to Central Avenue."
The children, who are only interested in enjoying the Harvest Festival, are full of enthusiasm. They each list what they are interested in, and the discussion about where to go first is heated. No matter where we go, we will pass through Central Avenue and the main street, so the discussion about what comes after that is today's agenda. Since this is my first Harvest Festival and I do not know one place from another, I decide to just watch from a distance for now.
"...Tina-sama, where would you like to start?"
When I am watching the discussion from a slightly removed position, Nils steps out of the circle. Since he is also acting as my guard, he might be being considerate.
"Since it is my first festival in this city, I do not know what is where, wakarimashen no de, so wherever everyone wants to go is fine with me, reshu"
"I see. So this is your first Harvest Festival, Tina-sama."
While the children are discussing, Nils briefly explains the Harvest Festival in this city. It is a festival to thank the Goddess of Bounty, Wemishuvara, for good harvest years and offer prayers in bad harvest years. True to the theme of bounty, many couples hold their weddings on this day in hopes of being blessed with children. The Medicine Arts Sedovara Church and the Knowledge Menhishumi Church are not particularly busy with this festival, but the Sopdejania Church, which governs law and order, is apparently at its busiest day of the year handling documents and such for the couples getting married today. Incidentally, the Sopdejania Church, which governs law and order, seems to function like a town hall in terms of what it does in Japan. It is a place you rely on for various milestones, such as birth, baptism, coming of age, marriage, and funerals.
...When I hear "church," I only think of religion or places where you hold weddings, but this world seems a bit different.
The Sopdejania Church manages documents like family registries, but weddings are held at the couple's new home. Receptions are held at the same time. It is like having a god placed at the top of a public facility, I suppose. It does not feel very religious.
The square where the play was held during the summer Recollection Festival apparently holds something like a beauty contest during the Harvest Festival. The woman who wins this contest plays the role of the Goddess of Justice in the summer play, and it is apparently a popular event among men. I do not quite understand the connection between selecting a woman at the Harvest Festival, which offers thanks and prayers to the Goddess of Bounty, and having her play the Goddess of Justice, but both are beautiful goddesses in mythology, so maybe that is the connection.
Since we cannot decide where to go, we eventually decide to think about it as we walk and start moving. The main street has many shops for the wealthy, so there are not many places letting loose just because it is a festival. The storefronts are more open than usual and outdoor terraces have been set up, but most of the seats are already taken. Wealthy women are elegantly having tea, and well-bred children are politely eating sweets. Since men drink alcohol, they seem to be having parties at taverns or at home.
...On the main street, it seems I will not run into any drunks.
At least it seems safe during the daytime.
When we pass through the main street and reach Central Avenue, the crowd suddenly increases. People are heading toward the square where the popular beauty contest is being held, and people are overflowing on the roadside to see the floats that artisans have poured their souls into making. It feels a bit too crowded, so I hold hands with Mirshe so we do not get separated. If I hold Nils's hand with my other hand, I am safe for now.
When we turn off Central Avenue onto a different street, the crowd thins out a bit. The street starts to look familiar, and when I look around, I see the Three Crows Inn, so I check if they have a Harvest Festival limited menu. The sweet and spicy dumplings I ate in summer seem to have been a Recollection Festival limited menu item, as they were not sold when I went other days.
...Dorayaki-san, hello there!!
I quietly press my hands together in my heart toward the round baked sweets sold at the Three Crows Inn's storefront. In my eyes, they look just like dorayaki, but when I had Nils read the menu, apparently they are called "plate-baked" here. Apparently because it is bean-sized batter sandwiched with bean paste.
...If Leonyaldo-san were with me, I could have eaten some, though.
The Three Crows Inn uses expensive imported seasonings, so it is a bit pricey. It is not that I cannot afford it, but since we have not decided where else to go yet, I should avoid spending my freshly received allowance too freely. With great reluctance, I leave the Three Crows Inn behind, but I ask Nils if we can stop by on the way back.
"There are a lot of food stalls, reshu ne"
As usual, I walk around sharing food with Mirshe. For some reason, Mirshe's mother gave Teo an allowance but did not give anything to Mirshe. I thought Teo would go on a spending spree with his exclusive allowance, but it does not seem to be that much, and he often furrows his brow and stops himself from buying things. In the end, Mirshe, who is sharing with me, ends up eating more of various things, and Mirshe also gives her share to Teo.
...Well, I get to eat lots of different things, so it works out deliciously.
A child's small stomach has its limits, so the current situation of the three of us sharing one item is quite convenient.
"Wah!?"
"Whoa!?"
A thick wall suddenly appears before my eyes, and I step back in surprise. It seems I stepped on Nils's foot in the process, and I hear a small yelp.
"S-sorry"
"Hey, it is my fault too... Huh?"
I honestly bow my head to apologize to the unfamiliar adult I almost bumped into. The other person seems ready to let it go as well, since it was mutual, but then they seem to notice something and their voice rises at the end. When I look up curiously, it is a bearded man I do not recognize.
...Am I imagining things?
I thought his tone sounded like he took some interest in me, but his face is not one I remember. He does not seem to be an acquaintance or someone I know, so it must be a misunderstanding. I think that and try to leave, but the bearded man stops me.
"Wait up! You are that kid, right? The one that Kaya was with in summer."
"Kaya?"
...That name gives me a bad feeling. I wish I could have just forgotten about it.
My bad feeling intensifies and I instinctively tense up. My expression apparently gives away what I am thinking. A wry smile appears on the bearded man's face.
"That face says you got hurt by Kaya, does not it?"
"Well, it is the fault of your family for hiring someone like Kaya as a tutor," the bearded man laughs heartily. As for that matter, I have already had a huge fit about it, so as far as I am concerned, it is water under the bridge. Holding a grudge forever is bad for one's mental health.
"...Is there something you need, reshu?"
Honestly, I do not want to get involved with anything related to Kaya, but since he is talking to me, I would feel bad just ignoring him and walking away. When I reluctantly prompt him, the bearded man's wry smile fades.
"I have not seen Kaya around lately. You know anything about it, little miss?"
"I do not know, mashen yo. ...What happened again, reshi takke?"
She was taken away by the Black Knights for theft, but I cannot remember what happened after that. I am sure Leonardo told me, but since it was something I did not want to remember, I think I actively forgot it. Since I cannot remember even after thinking a bit, my memory is excellent. If I had some trigger, I might remember, but as it is, the lid is firmly sealed and nothing comes out.
...Ah, I remember now.
Things kept going missing at the residence, and when I consulted Alf, Kaya was apparently taken away by the Black Knights for stealing from nobles. After that, I think I heard she was taken to a noble's territory and became a farmer's wife.
...A farmer's wife, huh.
I wonder what relationship the bearded man in front of me had with Kaya. If he is just an acquaintance, saying "she became a farmer's wife" is just reporting a marriage, but if he was her lover, I feel like that would be troublesome. To suddenly find out your lover has disappeared and become someone else's wife somewhere.
...Better to play dumb.
I do not want to get involved in trouble, so I will pretend I do not know. Since I could not remember right away anyway, I will just say "I thought about it but I could not remember."
"I really cannot remember, mashen ne"
"No, that face says you do know something."
The bearded man grins, and his face sends a chill down my spine. If he is an acquaintance of Kaya, then this bearded man is the same kind of person as Kaya. Not a good person at all.
"I will take my time with you until you remember. I will buy you something sweet, so why do not we..."
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! Kidnapper!"
The moment his thick fingers grab my shoulder, I let out a loud scream. If I were alone, I would be too scared to make a sound, but today I have companions around me, even if they are children. If I raise the alarm, someone nearby can call for help from the Black Knights.
"Hey! Do not say things that sound so bad!"
A hand reaches out to cover my mouth, and though I think it is gross, I bite it reflexively. The next moment, a surprisingly loud scream rings out.
"GYAAAAAAAHHH!?"
Startled by the sheer volume, I let go and Nils pulls me by the shoulder. As I follow his lead and move away from the bearded man, I see what happened to him.
"Huh!?"
Something black is hanging from between the bearded man's legs. No, hanging is not the right word. A black object is latched onto his crotch.
...That dog!?
The black dog that does not show itself whenever the Black Knights try to catch it is right there. Well, latched onto the bearded man's crotch. And I mean firmly. So deeply that it is almost pitiful.
While I am stunned, the attention of the crowd gathers from my scream and the bearded man's screams. Adults who heard my first scream step between me and the bearded man, forming a wall. They ask if I am okay while pushing me behind them.
By the time Lusio calls for the Black Knights, a wall of humans is standing between me and the bearded man. The moment the black dog sees the knights, it releases the bearded man's crotch and runs off somewhere.
...That dog, is it really protecting me after all?
I do find its gaze on me creepy, though. But considering its actions so far, I cannot think otherwise.
[Author's Note]
In the plot outline, both parties were supposed to suffer a bit more. But since Leonardo gave Kaya's entire wallet to her, the plan has shifted little by little and become much softer. The bearded man might want to thank Kaya (just kidding).
Typos and missing words will be handled another day...
I fixed the typos and missing words I found.