There were a few unexpected troubles along the way, but the harvest festival, which Kusunoki-san, Yuzuki-san, and I planned to participate in, was finally approaching.
We gathered at the entrance of the inn before heading to the Spirits’ Forest, where the event would be held. As we assembled, Sieg-san handed each of us a package wrapped in cloth.
[Sieg-san? What’s this?]
[……………..]
[Eh? Our bento, huh? Thank you so much!]
[……………..]
Apparently, Sieg-san packed bentos for the three of us.
The harvest festival runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. While some people return to the city to eat lunch, most bring bentos to enjoy during the event.
Sieg-san seems to have a knack for baking, and I’ve had the pleasure of tasting some of her sweets before—they were all exquisitely made and delicious. Since she mentioned that she usually cooks, I’m genuinely looking forward to enjoying the bento she made for lunch.
After properly thanking Sieg-san, we received our bentos and made our way to the venue.
Incidentally, Lilia-san and the others won’t be participating in the harvest festival. Although the threat of Black Bears has been eliminated, the complete loss of the guards still raises concerns about the area’s security. As a result, the participants of the hunting tournament decided to organize a volunteer patrol around the perimeter of the Spirits’ Forest, and Lilia-san and her group have joined them.
When we arrived near the exit of the city of Rigforeshia, we saw a large crowd of people, presumably participants of the harvest festival.
Unlike yesterday’s hunting tournament, there seemed to be a noticeable number of women and children this time.
[There are a lot of kids here.]
[Yeah. The main purpose of the harvest festival is to connect with the spirits. For the elves, in particular, a good performance during the festival could lead to a future pact with the spirits. Naturally, parents want their children to participate in hopes of fostering that connection.]
I see. For the elves, being loved by a spirit is a great honor, and excelling at the harvest festival opens the path to becoming a Spirit Mage.
It seems that being a Spirit Mage is a highly privileged position among the elves, so it’s only natural for parents to aspire for their children to achieve such status.
While Rei-san was explaining this to us, it seems Lilia-san went ahead and applied for our participation. Before long, the male elf in charge of the harvest festival approached us with a soft smile.
[Well then, the three of you participating will need to listen to some explanations and important points to keep in mind. This will take a little bit of time……]
The male elf gave us a welcoming look as he approached, but just as he began speaking, his body suddenly floated. No, more accurately, it was being lifted.
[……You dare waste Master’s time, worth more than thousands of white gold, with such disrespect!? You must have a death wish, huhhh!? If so, I’ll gladly tear you to pieces right here and now!!!]
[……Anima…… Let him go. And where the heck did you even come from?]
[Hahh!]
Anima suddenly appeared, grabbing the man by the collar and making a disturbingly bold statement as she effortlessly lifted his body with one hand. Seeing this, I let out a deep sigh before ordering her to release him.
Anima obeyed immediately, letting go of him and then turning to salute me.
[Good morning, master! I was patrolling just now! During my patrol, I noticed his disrespect toward you, so I came to “remove” this disrespectful being!]
This child… seriously, geez. Not only does she point knives at others, but it’s like she’s a walking dynamite, ready to blow at any moment… Unnn, I’ll absolutely go warn her a lot later.
While racking my brain over Anima’s thoughts, which could even be called super-theoretical, I decide to give some instructions.
[Unnn. I’ll be fine here, so… you can go back to work.]
[Hahh! This Anima will now return to her duty!]
[Unnn… Do your best.]
[Your words are wasted on this unworthy me! Well then, I will take my leave!]
After straightening up sharply and responding as loudly as ever, Anima resumes her patrol with a methodical march.
Once she’s out of sight, I bow to the man, who looks thoroughly confused.
[I’m sorry for Anima’s impoliteness…]
[A-Ahh, no… I see, so you’re the rumored master, huh…]
[Rumored?]
[Yeah, I’ve been warned that if I say anything disrespectful to her master… you, in front of her, she’ll beat me up instantly.]
[…I’m really sorry for everything.]
It’s only been half a day, and somehow you’ve already made everyone around you so wary that they’re actually talking about how everyone needs to be careful around you!!! What the heck did you do, Anima!? Even Rei-san is just sitting there, sighing like he’s completely given up on the whole thing…
Thanks to Anima’s sudden attack, I already feel exhausted before I’ve even participated in the event, and now I’m listening to the man’s explanation once again.
The explanation of the harvest festival isn’t too complicated, and after hearing it, I quickly understood most of the details.
The participants are given a bag that works similarly to my magic box, and the process is simple, you just put the fruit you harvest into the bag.
This bag was made by a spirit, and it seems to have a function that checks whether the fruit inside is from this year’s harvest or last year’s, so there’s no way to cheat.
As for the rules we’re warned about, we’re told not to harm the spirits, not to throw garbage in the forest, and so on. Breaking these rules results in disqualification from the event.
They also mention that if there’s any trouble, you can grip the magic crystal attached to the bag, and the guards around the Spirits’ Forest will be able to locate you instantly.
I guess that’s to be expected, considering how many children are taking part in the event—lots of safety measures have been put in place.
[Well then, Aoi-chan and Hina-chan. A little advice from someone with experience~~ The spirits might show up after a while while you’re in the forest… But spirits are still very shy. Don’t rush toward them; just wait for them to come to you. As long as you keep that in mind, “you two” should have good results.]
[ [ Yes! ] ]
[Umm… What about me?]
[Kaito-kun… hmm, I think it’s fine if you just do whatever you feel like, right?]
Fia-san gave Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san some advice… but she didn’t say anything to me!? Why!
[Miyama-kun.]
[What is it, Rei-san?]
[The “winner’s prize” may just be an assortment of fruits, but the freshness of the fruits deteriorates quickly. I’d recommend putting it in the Magic Box as soon as possible.]
[…No, it’s not like I’ve already won, though…]
I don’t get the punchline of his joke, but Rei-san makes it sound like I actually have a chance of winning.
No, no matter how you put it, I don’t think I stand a chance against people from the place where Spirit Mages are born, right?
[Arehh? Luna, what’s that?]
[They’re placing “bets on the overall winner” over there, so I’ve bet “all-in” with my last month’s paycheck on Miyama-sama.]
[…Go buy some for me too.]
[I respectfully obey.]
[Wait… Lilia-san? Lunamaria-san?]
When Lilia-san asked, noticing the wooden tag Lunamaria-san had been holding, I was surprised to learn that Lunamaria-san had joined in what seemed like the harvest festival betting.
No, I don’t care if you want to bet or not, but why are you betting on me!?
[Ah, Luna-san. Me too, please.]
[Me too!]
[……………..]
[Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san too!? Wait, why are you also pulling out money, Sieg-san!?]
I have no idea how this happened, but now everyone’s betting on me.
No, no, no matter how you look at it, I don’t stand a chance of winning here though!?
Dear Mom, Dad—the harvest festival is about to start, and I’m going to be part of it… I don’t know how this happened, but somehow Lilia-san and the others—they’ve chosen me as a potential winner!?
<Author’s Notes>
If I were there, I would also bet on Kaito.
T/N: It should have been 8/10 already…… Anyway, +12. So, I will just reset the count and make it 1/15.
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