412 - - Episode 21 Festival Day 1, Target 1

Oh, oh, oh!"　There are so many people!

The entire city of the capital of the Kingdom of Races was currently in a state of festival due to the "Inauguration Ceremony of the Queen of the Kingdom of Races" being held.

Not only the original residents, but also merchants who saw the festival as a commercial opportunity, people like us who came to enjoy the festival, and security soldiers filled the main street.

Nazuna, who was holding hands with Yume, exclaimed in surprise at the sheer volume of people.

There are more people here than at a New Year's Eve festival!"

There seemed to be so many people that even Yume, who had lived in the capital of a racial kingdom for several years, was impressed.

That's probably why this festival, the "Inauguration Ceremony of the Queen of the Racial Kingdom," is attracting so much attention.

We gathered on the side of the road and gave Yume and Nazuna our attention.

As you can see, there are a lot of people on the streets, so make sure you hold hands and don't get lost. Also, you must follow our instructions. If you have any problems or questions, don't hesitate to call us.

All right, Goshu--Master Dirk!

I'll follow everyone's instructions to the letter.

Nazna almost calls me 'master.

In case you are wondering, I am currently only a member of the "Black Clown" party that escorts the daughter of a wealthy merchant and her two milk sisters.

Therefore, since it is not nice to be called 'master' or 'ni-chan,' I had asked them to call me 'Dirk,' which was my pseudonym when I was an adventurer.

Yume's "Ni-chan" was not so bad, but Nazuna's "Master" was not so good.

Nazuna was about to say it right away, but I just barely endured it.

While feeling a little uneasy, we immediately paraded around the town, which was now in a festive state.

First of all, I went to the food stalls.

Sister, look, look, there are sweets for sale!

Nazuna pointed to a food stall selling sweets.

Yume proudly told Nazuna and us.

They are baked cookies with nuts and dried fruits and stuff. They are a staple at festivals and other occasions.

Wow, my sister knows a lot!"

(Do they sell sweets at festivals in town? ......)

Personally, I only had the impression of 'a full meal of meat and bread' during the festival in the village.

It was the most exciting day of the year, when the New Year was celebrated, the adults drank and the children ate their fill of rice.

However, there was not enough time to get even sweet foods, and the custom of "eating sweets" at festivals is not common in villages.

It is something that can be said to be unique to the town.

Yume has lived here for several years and does not seem to mind the difference from the village festivals.

Since it was a good opportunity, I bought some baked sweets with nuts and dried fruits kneaded into them.

Mei pays and receives the baked goods.

It tastes nostalgic," she says. It's not a fancy taste, but it's a simple taste that makes me feel at home.

I don't know how hard it is, but my sister is right, this is delicious!

Yume eats the baked sweets with nostalgia, while Nazuna puts them in her mouth with relish.

We were also guards, but since it was a good opportunity, we ate one piece at a time.

(Yume is right, it's not fancy, but it's a simple taste.)

Compared to the sweets and other treats eaten in the lowest levels of the "abyss," the taste is not just one level, but several levels lower. But that does not mean that these baked goods are bad.

The quality of the ingredients is low, but you can tell that they have put a lot of thought and effort into making them as tasty as possible. And perhaps because of this, the taste is even nostalgic.

I can't help but feel nostalgic.　Tin, I want some of those baked goods, too!"

............"

Turning to look back at the voice, I see Lorimera, who has shrunk in stature, standing a short distance away, flirting with Suzu, a girl with a hood over her head standing by her side, and making sweet noises like a girl of her age.

Both of them are guards who are there to keep a distance and protect the yume from the outside. Therefore, they are moving independently so that they appear to have nothing to do with us.

Mela adjusts her body according to my instructions and changes her appearance into a girl about the same age as the current Yume. Since it would be conspicuous if the girl moved alone, she is accompanied by Suzu as a sister.

Tin was leaking a subtle vibe when Mera called her 'onee-chan.

'Kekekekekekekekekeke!　That's good, Suzu-chan. Buy me some baked goods too!

Lorimera seems genuinely amused by Suzu's leaking of a subtle atmosphere and takes on the attitude of a young girl in a teasing manner.

The people passing by the sisters were smiling at Lorimera's cute appearance.

These gazes further accelerated Suzu's subtle atmosphere.

(In a sense, this is a natural interaction.)

With a jerky movement, Tin pulls out her purse and purchases a baked good from Lorimera.

I too let out a slight giggle at Lorimera's performance and turn my attention back to Yume and the others.

Yume's next stop is the plaza where the street performance is taking place.

Look, Nazna-chan, they are throwing knives!

Knife throwing?"

Nazuna twists her head at Yume's words.

You see, knife-throwing is..."

According to Yume, there are many street performers in the plaza who show their tricks and receive money from the audience, but there are also those who let their customers play with them.

A typical example is the knife-thrower.

The player pays money and throws three knives at a target.

If the three knives hit the center of the target, you get back more money than you paid.

It can be played anywhere as long as you have a knife and a target, so it is said to be a staple at festivals in the city.

Yume will show you how it's done!

Yume excitedly grabs Nazuna's and my hands and pulls us into line.

Apparently, she wants to show us how good she is.

Nemmu also gets in line behind me.

May and Gold were not in line, but they were there to escort us.

When it was Yume's turn, she paid the money May handed her and took the knife.

She turns around and tells me, smiling.

Watch me!"

Yume turns to the target and throws!

The first one misses, the second one fails to reach the target, and the third one sticks with the edge of the target.

I did it!　The last time I did it I didn't get one stuck, but I got one!"

Yume is delighted to let go of her hands.

Perhaps because she looked so cute, she received warm applause from the onlookers.

That's great, little sister!　Then I'll take the next one!

While praising Yume's achievement, Nazuna pays the fee and receives the knife with a gesture of rolling up her arms.

Yume's knife, which had been stabbed at the target, is pulled out and she stands at the designated position.

Nazna plays with the three knives handed to her by her father and throws them one by one with her right hand.

Hoi, hoi, hoi!"

With a quick tempo, he throws the knives with a clank and stabs all three into the middle.

The crowd cheers louder each time a knife is stuck in the middle.

When all three knives were finally stuck in the middle of the target, they applauded in admiration.

Nazna's chest heaves loudly at the impressed applause from everyone.

With a level 9999 Nazna, this should be a piece of cake.

You're doing great, Nazuna!　I can't believe they all went right through the middle of the target!

Well, I've got this much time on my hands!

No, that's really great, sweetie. Yes, here's your refund and your prize money.

Thanks, Uncle!

The store owner hands over the entry fee and double the amount to Nazna.

Nazna thanked him with a smile.

Next, it was my turn.

Good luck!"

Gosh--Master Dirk!　Come on, man!"

I pay my father and receive three knives.

Yume and Nazuna cheer me on from behind.

(......) As an elder brother and the lord of the lowest level of the "Abyss," I absolutely must hit the target.

I myself was ready to show my sisters my dignity as an elder brother and master by raising my knife with renewed vigor.

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