Chapter 292

Episode 292

A Fleeting Festival 292 ? A Fleeting Festival #1

Before anyone noticed, darkness had descended upon the sky.

A black night.

Just as people gather around lanterns or hearths when night falls, the villagers of Dragon Scale Village also crowded toward the massive bonfire at the center of the village.

A noisy, bustling applause—

The unfamiliar sound of local folk songs and the seasoned melodies of wandering minstrels mingled chaotically.

Unidentifiable meats and vegetables sizzling over the smoke of fires rising here and there—

Young village maidens and lads paired up, dancing awkwardly yet spiritedly around the bonfire.

Children chattered noisily in their own little groups, while the deep wrinkles around the eyes of the elderly, seated near the pleasantly warm flames, seemed filled with a fatigue that spoke of relief.

The atmosphere was overwhelmingly disorganized and disorderly. Festivals and banquets on this Gaia Continent were always like this—so chaotic it could make one lose all sense of reason.

But then again, that was the essence of a festival.

Loud and lively was more than enough.

“Ahhh—! Lady Luna, where on earth did that meat come from?! Won’t you share the secret with me too…?!”

“Over there, at that bonfire! Only one piece is left! Hurry and go get it!”

“Such cruelty toward this village’s hero, Lady Paranoi, is unthinkable…!!!”

Like the elders, I sat in a comfortable spot near the fire, detached from it all, keeping my distance from the surroundings.

A festival was like a rushing torrent or a blazing flame—once swept up in it, one would be tossed about senselessly.

But I was the type who preferred to watch rather than plunge a finger into the swirling vortex of a teacup.

So, neither too far nor too close, I silently drained a strangely warm cup of liquor or two.

While everyone else gathered in small groups, making merry, my surroundings remained devoid of people, enveloped in a chill. Until just moments ago, Elpride had been by my side.

I thought she had briefly stepped away, but she hadn’t returned. That girl must be off enjoying the festival in her own way somewhere else.

After all, she’d been hailed as the “Prophetic Pointy-Eared Something-or-other” who rekindled the bonfire, basking in the villagers’ hospitality. Left alone, I was left buried in the quiet.

Not that I particularly minded the solitude amidst the clamor. So I was casually indulging in my fashionable loneliness when—

Suddenly, something cold was thrust toward my face.

“Ugh, that’s cold—!”

It turned out to be a wooden cup filled with ice. Who sneaks up and shoves an icy cup into someone’s face like that? If it had been a dagger tipped with poison instead, I’d be a dead man.

Even during a festival, you never knew what might happen, so I had kept my guard up. But very few people could slip past my wary vigilance like this.

“Lady Hippolyte?”

“That’s right. Everyone’s making noise and running around—so what are you doing here all by yourself?”

“Well… I just like sitting like this.”

“With you hogging a bonfire like this, people are probably too scared to approach you—”

d*mn.

I’d wondered why no one came near me—turns out they were intimidated. And honestly, looking at myself, I could see why.

A hulking barbarian with an unusual-looking club strapped to his back—you’d need nerves of steel to casually walk up to someone like that.

“Well, thanks to that, I get a quiet place to rest too.”

Of course, Hippolyte had nerves of steel. She was the kind of person who wouldn’t hesitate to approach a massive dragon to strike up a conversation. Among the people I knew, she was easily the bravest.

Though the young men lingering around her seemed a bit disappointed.

Ah, I wanted to at least talk to a Gold-tier adventurer…

She’s with someone. Dunno who the heck that is, but he looks dangerous.

Look at his size. I thought he was a troll at first.

Perhaps the massive shadow cast by the bonfire scared them off, as the young men slowly backed away, disappearing somewhere.

I spoke up.

“You’re quite popular.”

“Being loved by all, young and old alike, is the fate of a hero. Curiosity, excitement—they are the nourishment that empowers the golden necklace.”

“I see.”

I gave a vague response. Truthfully, Hippolyte’s presence was immense, and I could see various people stealing glances in our direction.

It felt oddly exhilarating—and even a little vainly superior—knowing I was keeping company with someone so well-regarded.

Wait, why was I even thinking like this? Had the alcohol gone to my head?

I looked down at the cup of ice Hippolyte had handed me and pondered briefly. Maybe it was time to stop drinking.

Then, Hippolyte spoke again.

“I didn’t think we’d be staying in this village for another day.”

“The village elder said they’ll light a beacon tomorrow to summon a dragon for us. It’ll cut our journey by more than half, right?”

“Yeah, that’s a real stroke of luck.”

We’d decided to stay an extra night at the villagers’ urging.

The village chief and the others, relieved of their worries over the hearth blessed by Goddess Vesta, had invited us to their feast.

Originally, we were hesitant since we still had a long way to go—but then the chief offered to light a massive beacon to summon one of Vesta’s dragons for us.

Put simply, it was like upgrading from a bus to a private jet—no reason to refuse.

Which was why Luna, Paranoi, and the others were all merrily enjoying themselves without a care.

“Hassan, you seem to have a lot on your mind. What’s troubling you?”

Turning my head, I met Hippolyte’s intense brown eyes gazing at me from beside the fire.

Though I’d met her many times and shared countless experiences with her, I still hadn’t grown fully accustomed to the piercing directness of her gaze. I averted mine slightly.

Honestly, I tried not to meet those eyes as much as possible—but Hippolyte was undeniably one of the most beautiful women I’d ever known, which made it all the more nerve-wracking.

Just as I was fumbling for a way to divert the conversation, she spoke.

“You must be wary about something. That’s why you stand alone like a sword unsheathed even amidst a festival meant for rest. That’s why people don’t approach you.”

“…You think so?”

She was spot-on. I was wary—of many things. For everyone else to enjoy themselves, people like me had to stay vigilant against unexpected threats.

Screech—clank.

At that moment, the sound of a blade being drawn reached my ears.

In Hippolyte’s hand was a greatsword so long and heavy it could be called a two-hander—roughly 1 to 1.5 meters in length.

Its plain, unadorned appearance belied the eerie darkness swirling along its blade, giving it a distinctly ominous aura.

This weapon had been forged from the spine of a dragon, but its original wielder was said to be a d*ath Knight bearing the name “Jealousy.”

Jealousy? What kind of name was that?

Then again—

Mezaire of Greed.

Molleg of Sloth.

And Jealousy.

Recalling the Lords of Hell, each who bore emotional epithets, it was clear the sword’s former master had also been a Gigas that crawled up from the underworld to threaten our lives. At least, that was my conjecture—but the evidence was overwhelming.

From what little I’d heard, these creatures were struggling to surface in various corners of the kingdom, unseen and unheard by most.

I was faintly relieved that their efforts seemed to be going poorly—when Hippolyte spoke again.

“Is it the sword’s previous owner you’re wary of?”

Her intuition was uncanny.

“Partly.”

“Well, it is frightening. I haven’t measured it properly, but this blade alone could qualify as an epic-tier relic. Earlier, I tested it on a tree—split it like paper.”

Her eyes gleamed dangerously in the firelight as she admired the darkly gleaming weapon. Something about it sent a chill down my spine.

“Truly worthy of being called a cursed blade. So this is what the d*ath Knight wielded? Must be no ordinary foe. One of Pluto’s cultists?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Is that so? You seem to know something you’re not keen on sharing.”

Screech—thud.

Hippolyte slid the sword back into its scabbard—a makeshift one fashioned by the village blacksmith, but fitting well enough.

With the ominous blade out of sight, I felt a bit relieved.

We couldn’t just discard something like that, so naturally, we’d entrusted it to the most reliable among us—Hippolyte. In hindsight, that had been the right call.

A d*ath Knight’s cursed blade? She was the only one in our party who could handle it.

Luna had sprinkled some salt over it, mumbling about purification rituals, but I still felt uneasy just being near it.

I spoke up.

“If you ever feel anything unusual while wielding that sword, you must tell me.”

“What, are you worried about me, Hassan?”

Her brow furrowed sharply at my words—like I’d pressed a switch I shouldn’t have.

“…Something like that.”

At my timid reply, Hippolyte chuckled.

“Who do you take me for? I’ve swung many swords, but never been swung by one. I am Hippolyte, daughter of Mars.”

“But didn’t you once tell me that everyone has moments of weakness?”

“Did I say that?”

“That time, when you came to my inn, you mentioned—”

“Ah. Now I remember. I did say that. Yes, everyone falters now and then. Funny that you recall it so well. It’s been a while since someone worried over me.”

“Really?”

“I’m stronger than anyone I know, so usually I’m the one doing the worrying. Plus, I’m taller than most men—always looking down on others.”

Indeed, Hippolyte was nearly as tall as me.

Slightly shorter, perhaps, but still towering over most women—and even most men—in this world.

Her long limbs and small head gave her the build of a hardened athlete—the kind of impossible physique that could only stem from divine heritage.

And yet I had once touched and sullied her body so brazenly. What an irreverent, unforgivable sin. Truly, I deserved divine punishment.

The memory made something stir uncomfortably within me, so I quickly diverted my thoughts. Nymph of honeyed waters, nymph of ditch waters— Ah, that helped a little.

As I steadied my mind, Hippolyte spoke in an uncharacteristically soft voice.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time a man has worried over me. It’s… odd. And not as unpleasant as I’d expected. So go ahead—worry about me, Hassan.”

“What kind of—”

Her words oddly eased all my lingering concerns, and a laugh escaped me. Hippolyte smiled slightly in return.

“Now you look like someone enjoying the festival.”

At her remark, I touched my lips unconsciously. So much for maintaining a composed front—my fashionable solitude had lasted less than half a day.

“Then shall we grill something over this bonfire? I’ll do the cooking.”

“You can cook too, Lady Hippolyte?”

“Not as well as Antiope—but I manage. I’ve lived alone since I was young. Cooking’s cheaper than eating out.”

And so, Hippolyte began grilling and stir-frying ingredients on pans and plates scattered around the fire.

“It might not suit your taste, but try it.”

Before I knew it, a plate of stir-fried vegetables was before me—and the taste was surprisingly exquisite, enough to leave me stunned.

Luna couldn’t cook. I knew that firsthand.

Elpride couldn’t either. Again, firsthand experience.

But Hippolyte—the last person I’d expect to be skilled in the kitchen—was surprisingly good at it.

What a twist. Come to think of it, her place had always been immaculately tidy. Turned out she was quite the homemaker.

“This is delicious. You could run an inn.”

“When I was much younger, I worked as a server in one.”

“Really?”

“I’ve done all sorts of jobs. Worked at a flower shop, assisted an alchemist, even served as a maid for a wealthy young lady in one city.”

For a moment, she seemed lost in reminiscence.

I hadn’t realized it, but Hippolyte’s life had been far more varied than I’d imagined. Was it even possible to experience so much by my age?

Come to think of it, she’d only truly made a name for herself as a warrior relatively late in life.

Meanwhile, the extent of my childhood was attending school. By the age I’d still been studying, she was already battling for survival in this harsh world.

Either way, it was a glimpse of Hippolyte’s resilience. As I’d said before—women who were capable in everyday life were incredibly attractive.

She’d undoubtedly make a fine wife and mother. I figured all men appreciated self-sufficient women.

In my mind, I bumped up Hippolyte’s homemaking score from four to five stars. If not for our… indiscretion, she’d probably have made someone a wonderful wife.

Suddenly, I found myself curious.

What about me had captivated such a flawless superhuman like Hippolyte?

Perhaps the alcohol had loosened my tongue—or maybe it was the introspective mood cast by the bonfire—but I quietly asked:

“Lady Hippolyte… what was it about me that you liked?”

[Afterword]

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