144th Episode
“Master, just checking, but does this sparring take place in front of others?”
That would be quite troublesome.
Harshia’s Spatial Blade may have been out of use for 600 years, but with the continued tales of heroes and the distinct nature of the ‘Leaping Sword Energy,’ anyone would recognize it once used.
The Empire’s divine sword, Moros, had also been unseen for a long time, yet its form and characteristics were widely known.
Using them carelessly in public would undoubtedly lead to rumors.
At Ray’s question, Jenkins smirked.
“What do you think of me?”
Of course, it wasn’t going to be a public sparring session.
The Phillips family wouldn’t easily reveal their knight forces to outsiders.
After Jenkins’ explanation, Ray clicked his tongue.
So, it was an internal event within the count’s household where they intended to use cheat items seriously.
“Well, we’ll see later. I’ll lend it to you.”
“Why the sour face?”
“Our master seems awfully petty.”
“It’s all because of you.”
Jenkins chuckled then turned around.
After taking a short break, he needed to resume his patrol.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
Ray wiped his bottom and stood up as well.
*
Knights usually don’t personally guard civilian festivals.
Knights aren’t cheap or easy labor.
However, this festival celebrated Mohamed reaching a new level.
Causing trouble at such a festival would insult Mohamed’s honor.
Thus, knights patrolled to prevent crimes or disturbances.
In the process, some bold pickpockets were caught.
“AAAAAAHHHH!!!”
A man caught pickpocketing had his wrist shattered by Jenkins.
He wasn’t a citizen of the baron’s territory but an outsider. Jenkins ordered someone to escort the thief away before continuing his watch.
These petty criminals often worked in groups of two or three, so there was a high chance of accomplices nearby.
With minor incidents here and there, the festival carried on.
Ray waited at a pre-arranged location when Karen and Johanna appeared.
Karen wore a silk dress, rare for commoners, and waved her hand.
Though the design was simple, it suited Ray’s taste.
Noticing Ray’s gaze sweeping over her dress, Karen adjusted the hem and said,
“Alesya lent it to me.”
“Suits you well.”
With Ray’s calm compliment, Karen tilted her body slightly and smiled brightly.
“Alesya asked me to remind you, ‘My knight, remember the order.'”
“Hmm…”
As Ray chuckled wryly, Karen moved closer to him.
Subtly pressing her chest against his arm while smiling slyly, she seemed far more alluring than her innocent attempts at age thirteen.
While Ray stood frozen, blinking, Johanna glared at the scene with displeasure.
Johanna had dressed up today too.
She even sprayed perfume, though Ray’s previous comment about “musty sweat smell” irritated her.
She resolved to punch his head if he made such comments again as she approached.
The momentarily stunned Ray regained his senses upon seeing Johanna.
“Ah, Johanna. Where did Luna go?”
Upon hearing her name first, Johanna’s brows furrowed briefly.
But unable to fully express her hurt feelings, she replied curtly,
“She went somewhere with Ropheiren to prepare something.”
“Ah, with Ropheiren.”
Remembering the event Luna and Ropheiren prepared, Ray nodded.
Ray subtly pushed Karen aside and started walking with them through the festival streets.
Both Karen and Johanna, who rarely experienced such festivals, were very excited.
They enthusiastically participated in various events organized by the Jimy Family. Most of these events involved physical activities.
Johanna displayed nearly unparalleled talent in these physical tasks.
Thud!
Having successfully hit ten consecutive beads with arrows, Johanna extended her hand for the prize.
The man managing the prizes looked at Ray pleadingly after shaking his head.
Ray gave a slight nod and led Johanna away.
“Don’t overdo it. You’re trying to take all the prepared prizes.”
“I was planning to stop after one more try anyway!”
Despite muttering under her breath, Johanna followed Ray as he walked further along the street.
During their somewhat harmonious conversation, Karen asked,
“Ray, are we really going to visit the Imperial Capital?”
“It’s not confirmed yet.”
Travel expenses for each child to make a round trip to the capital weren’t trivial.
Ultimately, Count Phillips would bear the cost, which was painful expenditure from his perspective.
Though he’d likely agree to Ray’s request, it was admittedly shameless.
“How will we acquire the equipment…?”
It was becoming clear that proper gear was necessary.
Low-grade armor was practically useless, and finding a high-quality artifact in plate form was difficult and expensive.
Requesting such items from Count Phillips was impractical.
“…Maybe I should ask Aunt.”
As Ray pondered, Karen held his hand and said,
“I want to join this time. I want to travel with Ray.”
If they were to make a round trip to the capital, it would be another long period without seeing each other.
When traveling to Osiris County, only Johanna accompanied Ray.
Karen wanted to experience new things with Ray this time.
Seeing Karen lost in romantic thoughts, Ray frowned.
“Karen, traveling isn’t always fun. Johanna was cheerful at first but caused a lot of trouble halfway.”
Due to Phillips County being located in a remote area, camping might be necessary during the journey to the capital.
To manage bodily functions outdoors, safety required maintaining visible and audible distances.
However, Johanna had thrown tantrums every time she needed to relieve herself during the trip to Osiris County.
“How many times she got angry telling me to stay far away…”
Crack!!!
Johanna’s fist swung like lightning.
Caught off-guard, Ray staggered after being struck directly in the jaw.
Johanna, her face flushed red, gasped for air and shouted,
“You’re insane!!!”
Fuming, Johanna spun around and left Ray lying on the ground.
Watching Johanna walk away and Ray lying down, Karen hesitantly said,
“Looks like Ray was wrong this time…”
“Guh….”
In pain, Ray clutched his cheek and struggled to stand.
“Regardless… traveling will be more inconvenient than Karen thinks…”
“But… since Luna is coming, won’t it be fine?”
“Ah, that’s true.”
Using barriers properly could maintain privacy during travel.
Magic sure makes things easier, Ray mumbled as he and Karen set off to find Johanna.
However, after searching for a while and almost giving up, they heard musical instruments nearby.
“Ray, let’s check it out!”
Led by Karen’s hand, they arrived just as a singing contest began.
Several amateur musicians played instruments to liven up the atmosphere.
People known for having decent voices climbed onto a wooden platform and sang while Karen watched.
“Would you like to participate, Ray?”
“Not really.”
Ray had no particular interest in singing.
He didn’t possess a melodious voice capable of stunning heroines like protagonists in novels.
Though he recalled a few songs that might passably entertain in this world, he saw no need to participate.
Shaking his head, Ray listened as Karen muttered regretfully,
“I thought Ray would be good at singing too.”
“Karen, I’m not that versatile.”
“Still, can you sing for me sometime? I’d like to hear it.”
As Ray watched Karen giggle, something small crawled onto the stage.
It was Lea.
Lea bowed deeply and cleared her throat.
Relaxing her body with a shiver, Lea began singing with cute movements.
“Baby troll trururu~ adorable trururu~ mountain trururu~ baby troll!”
Everyone smiled warmly at Lea enthusiastically singing a children’s song from this world.
Karen covered her mouth and bounced around, unsure what to do.
“Oh no! She’s so cute!”
“Hmm…”
Her bright eyes, cute movements, and relatively accurate pitch despite some mispronunciations made her undeniably adorable.
Anyone would want to pinch her cheeks—she was cute and smart.
But Ray didn’t feel particularly attached to Lea.
Ray was certain.
Even though she was already destined for a short life, Lea would likely shorten his own lifespan significantly.
“…”
Ray struggled to accept that his current emotions leaned toward frustration.
Absentmindedly touching the bridge of his nose, Ray’s arm was gently tugged by Karen.
By now, Lea’s performance had ended.
Amidst the crowd’s cheers, Lea giggled and stumbled while descending the tall steps.
Jimy casually caught her and helped her regain her footing.
The event continued, and Karen shyly took the stage to sing briefly.
Though she hadn’t had formal training in this remote area, her voice was quite appealing.
Men cheered especially loudly as Karen, in her dress, smiled coyly and waved gracefully.
However, none of the locals dared to cross boundaries with Karen.
Doing so risked having their bones crushed by Ray—a fact even the village idiot knew.
The singing contest wrapped up nicely, and the winner was announced.
It was Lea.
“Corruption runs rampant in Phillip’s County…”
The fact that the event planned by the Jimy Family crowned Jimy’s daughter (not really) as the winner was embarrassingly predictable.
Nevertheless, Lea, unaware of adult politics, happily ran around with her prize.
Judging by how easily she carried the packaged gift, it was likely a stuffed toy.
Approaching Lea, Ray blandly snatched the prize.
“Confiscated.”
“Whaaaaaaaat!!!”
Having habitually upset Lea, Ray returned the prize.
Lea, holding her prize, ran and hid behind Jimy.
Jimy, picking up Lea, chuckled.
“Why does your sister keep bothering you?”
“Just joking, Dad.”
“…”
Only in front of Lea could Ray endure calling Jimy “Dad.”
As Jimy lightly shook his shoulders, members of the Jimy Family circulated, shouting,
“The fireworks will start soon!!”
Fireworks in this world weren’t very elaborate.
They were merely modest shows using a small amount of gunpowder.
But today would be different.
Based on Ray’s description, Luna and Ropheiren prepared to recreate the fireworks Ray had seen in his past life using magic.
This would be an impressive event rarely seen in the frontier.
After thoroughly searching the streets and getting beaten up a few more times, Ray found a good spot to watch the sky with Johanna.
As the sun slowly set near the horizon, a small spark shot into the sky.
Capturing everyone’s attention, with a loud bang, colorful fireworks burst brilliantly across the sky.
Men, women, and children alike stared open-mouthed, overwhelmed by the dazzling display filling the heavens.
Only Ray remained calm, quietly muttering,
“Reminds me of old times.”
Festival (4)
