Chapter 172: After the Stampede

After the Giant Salamander's subjugated by me, the guild was informed about our victory and the end of the stampede. Everyone celebrated our victory.

Back at the hotel, every citizen who seeks refugee there has left the building to see the houses they lived in. Are they still livable or not?

I don't think there will be low supply of foods since some of the monsters we fought are boars and other edible monsters, but the most difficult thing now has just began. The government.

The governor and several people with power are either joined the cult or have left during the migration yesterday, so it's up to Shirley to do it.

She's only taking care of the small stuffs, while other important stuffs are being taken care of by the king's agents who are still alive.

I told them that they also need some rest, but they refused. They said that this is how they should repay those who died during the stampede.

Many agents died on the hand of the governor, Luiz. They said that if they don't have anything to do, their mind will be filled with killing intent toward him.  Even Candy feels the same way.

That's why I had Hill and his people to keep guards on the prisoners. We thought it will be dangerous if we had the agents take care of being the guards.

As for the prisoners, the numbers are increased. It was because some hunters who feel they had contributed with the battle, feel that they need to get rewards. They would approach woman on the street, taking valuables, or entering some restaurants and asking meals for free. Candy took some agents to take care of those idiots.

As for me and the others, we take a break at the hotel. It was too tiring.

But I couldn't sleep at all. After all, I'm so excited that the stampede has ended. I didn't try to contact Sonia to ask about other cities.

After the Giant Salamander killed and I collected the scales from its tail, I told Sonia to relay a message to Albert that the stampede here is over. She hadn't returned since then. Must be quite busy in another city.

While laying down on the bed, Victoria entered my room along with the others who have nothing to do. I told her to not hunt some monsters for a while since most monsters near the city are all gone.

Monsters are necessary for the city. Hunters would subjugate monsters, and get their meats. Then the meat will be sold by the guild to the people.

Because of the stampede, we have a lot of supply now once we dismantle everything. This city will be fine for a while, but not forever. We need monsters to come back so people can make a living. That's why I left the Giant Salamander's tail behind so monsters would come and eat it. That way, the numbers of monsters will return to normal again.

I rejected Victoria's idea to go hunting because of that. She and other girls also unable to sleep because of the excitement.

And that's how they ended up barging into my room.

"What do you want?" I asked the girls.

Victoria brought Angela, Kayla, Sophie, and Lina here. The others are busy.

"We're bored! Let's do something!" Angela said.

"Have you tried visiting your home village? After our graduation is guaranteed, you might never return here again, you know?"

"Nah. We just asked Ms. Wendy to fly over our villages to see if they are fine. By the way, she also looked at your village as well. And everything is fine. Only this city is attacked."

I think that's different from my previous life, but it's better this way. And it's not like I have intimate relationship with anyone in the village, so I don't need to go home.

"That's good. Now what?"

"No shops open because of the stampede. What should we do?" Victoria asked.

"Rest."

"We can't sleep! That's why we're here!" Angela shouted.

Hmm… what should we do. I also can't sleep so it's better if we do something together.

"How about we console the people here? Entertain everyone?"

"How?"

"Lina. You, Sophie, and Victoria go find Shirley and ask her some food supply to cook for everyone. We're having a spontaneous festival today. And also, find a lot of chefs or food stands seller as well. I'll ask someone if we can use the square. Kayla and Angela, come with me."

Lina and Victoria are looking for Shirley. With her status, once she asked the guild, they will give some ingredients for her. And since I'm the one who proposed the idea, Shirley should agree.

Having a festival just as soon as the stampede is over might cause people to dislike us. Why should we celebrate when many people are dead?

That's why Shirley need to be there as well to make a speech. Another speech before the real thing tomorrow when we uncover the cult's existence.

She should lead everyone to pay respect to the lost lives and then had everyone joined the festivities. To celebrate our survival. And we'll make all the meals free tonight.

Shirley also hasn't told anyone other than some surviving nobles about her identities, but we won't have her identity leaked yet. She will come out as a noble. Not as princess.

And my main goal is to gather every survivors in one spot to see if there are still some members of the cult hiding among the people. I don't think everyone will gather since some people are too tired and resting properly, but it's fine. I don't think those who are resting is cult members.

"Where are we going? Why not just go ask for Shirley with Victoria?" Angela asked.

"Well, the man I'm going to is someone with some fame in this city. Especially after the stampede. If we ask for this guy's cooperation, people will accept it better."

I'm talking about Oleg. He's the captain of the guards after all. Asking Shirley to use the square is fine, but with Oleg's cooperation, more people will gather. He's such an important figure in this city after all. And closer to the commoners than the nobles in this city.

Shirley will take care of the nobles, and Oleg will help me with the commoners.

"We're here. Let's go in."

We arrived at the guards' barrack where all the guards are resting. And I found the guy I'm looking for. And seems like he's looking for me too.

"Eight! I'm just about to look for you." Oleg called me as soon as he sees me.

"I also have some business with you. But you can go first."

"The governor is…"

"Yes, he is."

I know what he wants to ask, so I answered it right away.

"I see. Who's in charge now?"

"The princess."

"The princess is here?!"

The one who shouted was the female healer Kayla and I met. I don't know her name though.

"You are…"

"Oh! My name is Garnet. The princess is here? Does that mean reinforcement is coming?" Garnet asked.

"Reinforcement has arrived long before the stampede happened. And you have met the princess before." It was Kayla who answered.

I guess it was the time when I asked Shirley to rest near Kayla. Well, let's ignore her for now.

"I'm here to ask you to use the square. It's easy to ask for it to the princess, but you are closer to the commoners than her. I need your help."

"The square? For what?"

"Festival."

Hearing my answer, Oleg understood instantly what I'm planning to do. We're planning to let the people enjoy our victory.

"Alright, I'm in!" Then Oleg returned to the barrack and told everyone about it.

"Hey! We're preparing for a festival right now! If you can still move, come with me for the preparation! If you can't, rest well for now so you can come later!"

"OOOOOOOHH!!"

Hearing Oleg's shouts, everyone in the barrack cheer loudly.

Now we not only have the permission. We also have the manpower as well.

"Alright. Now let's go check the spot."

I lead everyone to go to the square.

While walking, Garnet asked Kayla about me.

"Kayla. Is he your boyfriend? The one with mask before who shot down the monsters?"

"Yes, he is."

"But he only scores eight in the practical exam!"

"No. it wasn't eight." Kayla replied calmly.

"You mean it was him?! The mysterious person who attacked the target!"

Kayla didn't answer and just smile. I don't mind Kayla showing off her boyfriend, but I told Garnet not to spread my identity.

At the square, we encounter Shirley who is talking to the guild master. Victoria and Lina are also there.

"Roy! A festival? That's a good idea!" Shirley shouted.

"Yeah. And I brought the manpower. Oleg, this is the princess. Shirley, this is Oleg." I introduced Oleg and Shirley to each other. And Garnet who ended up following us as well, shocked to see that the princess is Shirley.

"Does it mean that the reinforcement is…"

"Yes. It was us."

I'll leave her to Kayla. They seem to be getting along well.

"Since the guild master is here as well, did you agree with giving the people the food supply for free?" I asked the guild master

"Yeah. Only for this occasion."

That's fine as well.

I look around the place and easily imagine what to build.

"Alright! Angela, Kayla, and other earth mages will build the stage and the stands! While the other will inform the citizen about the festival! Let's make this quickly before the sun sets!"

I had everyone worked hard even after they all tired of fighting. But everyone here is working with a smile on their faces. I guess everyone is looking forward to the festival.

And I hope that there's no cult members in sight.