036: Final Day of Harvest Festival

On the middle day of the harvest festival, I didn’t venture down to the village. You can imagine the reason, truthfully, I lost the battle against the Demon King. My body and soul were tattered from the damage.

I had a good session with Count Melna. He watched my matches that morning, pointed out what I was doing wrong, taught me the right way, then practiced with me to make sure I internalized the lesson.

It was a good practice, but then I was assigned to practice against Rumba. I felt worried for my life even though we were just practicing with wooden swords.

Along the way, Count Melna asked Nord what he thought I would grow into with my skills.

“Well, he’s mediocre with a sword, but he doesn’t want to become a knight. His skills and temperament align more with an adventurer. He’s able to fight in a survivalist manner, like he’s doing right now.” Melna

“He seems interested in traveling, but said he didn’t want to be an adventurer because it’s dangerous.” Nord

“He’s a weird little guy.” Melna

Looks like I may have been saved by Nord, I really don’t want to be a knight. Thankfully, it looks like he won’t force me to be a knight. I spent the rest of the day in my room because I was so tired from the morning training.

Today is the last day of the harvest festival. Count Melna, Viscount Yulina, and Mrs. Lynaria will be leaving this morning. The noisy festival will wrap up today, tomorrow will mark a return to peaceful days. The Slowlette family and maids exit the mansion to see off our guests.

“Nord, come to my territory next time! You’ll be welcomed” Melna

“Yes, I will definitely stop by the next time I have to visit the royal capital.” Nord

When Nord replied with that, Count Melna patted my back.

“I’ll definitely see you. Realistically, next year is when someone will need to show up at the aristocratic debut party. I’ll hopefully see you that time.” Melna

“Yes! That’s right!” Nord

When I looked to Nord, he was wearing a bitter smile. Seems neither of us will enjoy the trip.

“Well, sounds like that will be a troublesome party.” Al

Melna laughed at my response, he walked to his carriage, saying “See you again”. Two armored knight-looking escorts follow him, but I don’t remember seeing them before? Were they staying in the servant’s quarters?

“I also owe you a favor, stop by my territory as well if you can.” Yulina

“Of course, everyone is welcome, we’d love to see you.” Lynaria

“Oh, of course, Al is included in that.” Yulina

“Yes… of course” Al

That’s just flattery, right? You don’t actually mean that?

“By the way, Eustelle. What happened to your escort? Where’d they go?” Nord

In this world with monsters and bandits, nobles will travel with escorts. Well, Count Melna may not need much of an escort. If bandits attack him, the bandits would be the ones in trouble.

“Oh, my escorts are right over there.” Yulina

Viscount Yulina points to where a party of four people are preparing for departure. It seems he went for incognito escorts.

“Aren’t those coachmen and servants” Al

“If you were a careful observer, you might have seen them at Celia’s restaurant, since they don’t move like normal servants.” Yulina

“There are many ways to escort” Nord

“I see” Al

“Then, til we meet again” Yulina

“See you again” Nord

Viscount Yulina heads for his carriage, Mrs. Lynaria pats my head one last time, then heads after her husband. I folded my arms, I don’t want to visit their territories anytime soon.

Yulina and Lynaria are still in newlywed mode. While they were in the mansion the last two days, I often saw them flirting with each other while giving off a pink aura.

After Count Melna’s carriage leaves, Viscount Yulina’s was close behind. If everyone was that kind of aristocrat, I’d probably enjoy the party next year. After our guests had set off, the family returns to the mansion.

Now, it’s time to enjoy the last day of the harvest festival. I ran back to my room to get my pocket money.

It’s a big day, so I brought Silvio along. My brother, a habitual bookworm, was trying to read a book in his room even though there was a harvest festival happening in the village. With a little encouragement from our mother, Silvio agreed to come along. Now that I think about it, this is the first time the two brothers are going to the village together. I’ve already visited along with Eleanora a few times.

“Silvio likes to spend a lot of time reading books” Al

While we’re walking to the village, I strike up a conversation.

“It’s enjoyable since there are so many different worlds written down in books. It widens my perspective and thoughts by experiencing those values and ideas.” Silvio

I was not expecting such a thoughtful reply.

“I wanted to recuperate in my room today…” Silvio

“Sorry about that, was it a good story? What book were you reading?” Al

“Princess Marie and the Three Dragons” Silvio

“Oh, I’ve read that one, it’s good.” Al

That book was the one that Eleanora tried to read to me at one point. A while later, I got interested and picked it up to read.

The story starts with a boy who longs to become a hero to rescue Princess Marie, who was kidnapped by a dragon. It’s a common trope of a fantasy story.

“Oh, you’ve already read it? Don’t spoil anything for me. I’d like to enjoy it at my own pace.” Silvio

Silvio seems happy that I enjoyed the book. When it comes to books, he’s more expressive. Whoever he marries needs to be a woman who enjoys books as well.

“Ok, I wouldn’t have expected you to read it. Silvio likes to read fiction?” Al

“Unexpected? Maybe I wanted to read something from a perspective I couldn’t see myself having?” Silvio

“Yeah, let’s leave those kind of adventures to Nord and Eleanora” Al

“Seems like Eleanora got all of that trait and left none for us” Silvio

“Silvio looks like a Nord shrunk down to kid-size” Al

“Al is similar to Elna in appearance and temperament” Silvio

“Really?” Al

I’m not sure I really look like my mother

“Yeah, you two are more similar than you realize” Silvio

Silvio laughed at that and wouldn’t tell me why he thought that

When we got to the village, the harvest festival was in full swing, due to it being the last day. The villagers are walking around with their families and chatting. Kids are holding their parent in one hand and a snack or drink in the other hand. I’m smelling all sorts of tasty things from the stalls around, it’s making me hungry.

The food stalls lead to the child begging the mother to get something to eat, then the dad wants to get an ale along with the food. Since everyone wants something to eat, the wife will open the money pouch to get everyone food and drink. This is the day that the thrifty wives will relax and throw money around, relatively.

“You were here on the first day, was it this busy?” Silvio

“No, there wasn’t as much happening. It’s probably that nobody needs to prepare for tomorrow’s events, and the Slowlette family is sponsoring a feast this evening.” Al

We’ve prepared a feast this evening with dancing around a bonfire afterwards. Nord is the one organizing the refreshments.

“Dad said this year will be extravagant thanks to the revenue from Triela.” Silvio

This year we have Triela bringing in royalties, it going to be irresistible. The villagers are all looking forward to it.

Thinking of Triela reminded me of the problems he had caused me and a flash of anger went across my face.

“Ah, I don’t know what went on between you two, but forget about it for today and enjoy the harvest festival.” Silvio

Silvio tries to calm me down, he’s right about it. I should enjoy today and not worry about that guy.

“You look thirsty, so let’s get some fruit juice!” Al

I cheerfully pull Silvio’s arm while heading towards a drink stall.

Translation

Good Job!

Do Better!

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