604 Thirty-first day of the blue moon ① - held in my mother's arms

Three days have passed since the tea party in Castle Town, the 31st of the Blue Moon.

The Blue Moon, where various events, such as the feast of rapprochement, the Accommodation Town Exchange, as well as the Parents' Conference and the "Turning Around Ameshorn", were indeed winding up, was finally set for its final day.

Last year, it would have been a turbulent month, but also an unbeatable day of turmoil, with Ai-Fa injuring his left arm from the head of the moon, exposing the sins of the Sung family, Zazz-Sun and Tae-Sung returning his soul, welcoming Girl to the house of Fa as his family, and being invited for the first time to the Harvest Festival of the Lew family.

This year's Blue Moon wasn't just a fun day, either, considering that a lot of houses had been crushed by a major earthquake or that Cycleus had returned his soul.

But still, we got through another month. Because it was last year's blue moon that I found out about the calendar of the land, I was set to celebrate this day with more emotion than ever before.

Today last year, I was supposed to say goodbye to Schmiral's Silver Pot and to Baran's old man's architect.

There is no safe reunion with its faces, Schmiral and others have become part of the people by the woods. And the men were to be asked to rebuild Fa's house. Thinking like that made me feel extra emotional.

(At this time last year, there were still only two stalls. The only people who were helping me with that were Vina-Lu and Sheila-Lu and Lara-Luu and the replacement personnel Li-Sudra...... and then, because Vina-Lu injured her leg, Raina-Lu started joining them too)

Now we have seven stalls, and a total of sixteen people. Besides, it opens up to the Blue Sky Cafeteria to show off the best of the outdoor area.

(Gibba's meat could also be sold on a regular basis, and now it can be tackled as a general idea of the people by the woods. I wouldn't have imagined last year that the story would progress so far in just one year)

When I thought about it like that, I heard worrying voices from above.

"Oh, oh, uh, are you okay, Asta? Well, is it bad for you to add up or subtract somewhere?

It was the voice of Malfira-Naham, who is currently in training. Malfira-Naham, taller than me, was staring down at my face, making my eyes look as big as a stray goldfish.

"No, it's nothing. It's the end of the blue moon today, so I was just biting my emotions."

"Oh, well, do you? Oh, I'm sorry to bother you."

"He said nothing was disturbing. More than that, it looks like you're getting used to cooking Kelp Grill."

That said, I made Malfira-Naham laugh.

"When Malfira-Naham starts working, except for the holidays, is today the eighth day? It's the next holiday in two days, so I guess that means the training period is over."

"Huh? Well, when you do, what happens?

"What happens is you get them to work like everyone else. That'll double the cost of the job."

"Yes!? Oh, well, that's... oh, isn't that too premature?

Malfira-Naham looked wholeheartedly surprised.

"That's not true," I make you laugh again.

"Malfira-Naham remembers things well. I can already entrust the stalls of" Kel Grill "and" Giba-Man, "and I've been reminded of the work of the Blue Sky Cafeteria, so it's enough for one person."

"Oh, yeah, is that right? I still intend to serve half a serving..."

"It's okay, because I don't leave my job to people who aren't strong enough. Work with confidence."

In these cases, most women have a face mixed with anxiety and joy and say "Yes! It is the one that answers," but Malfira-Naham just lowered his eyebrows, "Ha..." even to his lack of confidence.

But I am convinced in the last eight days that she has gained a definite strength. On my side, there was no anxiety element at all.

"Of course, after that, you'll remember your new job with pasta and daily dedication or something. Thank you for continuing your work and study group."

"Ha, yes. Thank you."

When Malfira-Naham answered that way, a long figure appeared fluttering in front of the stall.

"Hey, Asta. Looks like the stall is still busy today."

"Ah, Camua. Plus, Late. … thank you for hitting on me."

It was Camuer-Josh of The Guardian and his disciple, the Late Boy.

They left Genos at work after a feast of rapprochement at the beginning of the Blue Moon. It should have been almost the first time in a month to face each other.

"This is how you encourage the stall business, which means that this business was allowed at the Parents' Conference. I sincerely bless you, Asta."

"Yes. Thanks to you, it turned out roughly the way you hoped. And in the first place, thanks to Camus for recommending me to do the stall business."

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It was all Asta's decision and merit that drove him down the road."

That being said, Camua-Josh smiled a lot.

Instead, Late is grinning.

Though both are still hard to read inside, I still didn't feel more familiar with that smile than I did last year.

Camua-Josh left Genos without waiting for the outcome of the Conference of Parents, because he trusts me that if he is a forest people, he must go the right way. I couldn't wait to be frightened from my first impression, Camuer-Josh, but the only word I could believe from an early age was that I was fraternal with the people of the woods as the same detached person.

Now, of course, I hold more than that firm trust in Camua-Josh. Being a person-eating personality, for the most part, such a comforting companion should not have existed.

"Just Zashma, too, is leaving Genos now, isn't she? When did the Camuans get back?

"We were, like, yesterday evening. I was supposed to reveal my evening in Castle Town yesterday, so I thought I'd interrupt Kimmus's Tail Pavilion after I got some Giva food here."

Since I mentioned it that way, Camua-Josh has kept his elongated face closer to mine.

"So I asked Polearth. Astas' house was crushed by the ground tremor the other day? I was talking about some other cool damage, but was it okay?

"Ah, yes. Fortunately, there were no major injuries. I think the job of rebuilding a house is now approaching the end of the line for all families."

"Right. Well, that was more than anything. The castle seemed generally safe, but the prison hall collapsed."

Camua-Josh whispered as he stuck his neck inside the stall.

"So... there was no strange reputation for Cycleus returning his soul?

"Yes? It's called reputation?

"Look, that earth tremor would have happened just the day Zazz-Sung returned his soul, right? Zazz-Sung's curse destroyed Cycleus... and I thought it would be a bit of a hassle if the reputation had flown around the woods."

I don't think so, I'm done.

Seeing that face, Camua-Josh smiles satisfactorily.

"Looks like you were worried about me. No, I'm glad the forest folks aren't a superstitious clan."

"Ha. I never thought of that story. Some people think that Zazz-Sung can't do that."

"Hmm? But Zazz-Sung stepped off the road largely because of Cycleus, right? I don't know if it's strange that Zazz-Sung turned Cycleus into a grudging spirit, I don't know what I've been thinking."

Then, from the next stall, I said, "Okay?" I heard voices.

"No matter how many great sinners you are, you've never heard of a forest people who gave their souls back cursing a living human being. The soul that leaves the flesh returns to the Mother Forest and waits for the day when it will be given its next life - for that is what we believe."

Looking back, Yamil-Ray, who worked in the next stall, looked at Camua-Josh with a chilling glance.

Camua-Josh laughs like a toddler in a prank.

"Above all, then. Uh, but you..."

"Yamil-Ray, about a year ago, you were in a castle town, right? Of course, it's a little facetious in this stall."

"Yeah, yeah, of course I remember. If I offended you, let me apologize."

"You don't have to. I've already been cut off from the Sung family."

With that said, Yamil-Ray let his eyes glow so cold.

"It's just that my daughter named Zwei-Rutim over there has an easy-to-feel mind, so I'd appreciate it if you could keep her from telling me strange stories as much as possible"

"I got it. No, because even I don't believe in things like curses and grudges. I was just worried about human beings because they were trying to figure out what they meant by chance."

Camua-Josh is smiling with his eyes narrowed. In his purple eyes dwelt a much clearer light.

"Besides, I'm not an astrologer or anything, so I'm not thinking about reading fate. Fortunately, the people of the woods had the same temperament."

"... what are you trying to say?

"No matter what happens next, it's all a coincidence. Zazz-Sung's resentment brought disaster, I don't need to think about it. That's what I think."

I kind of got into this unexpected anxiety.

"What the hell is Camus saying from earlier? What the hell is going on ahead... what the hell is going on?

"Nothing's going to happen. It's just that the day will come when what's already happened will eventually be known to Genos."

With a strange crystal-clear look, Camua-Josh said so.

"As a matter of fact, I've been putting my legs up so far away since I left Genos after the feast. From Genos, you were exploring different parts of the west - between Genos and the king's capital."

"Huh. That's what it is?

"... I was staying in a town just outside the mine when I was hit by The Turnover of Ameshorn. Then we got reports that the pit had collapsed and a lot of people had been buried alive. … Genos seems to have suffered a lot, but the source of the earthquake was a more western area."

Still, I didn't understand what Camua-Josh was trying to say.

but - Yamil-Ray is limping in a hazy way.

"In the mine, a large number of humans are buried alive...? Then maybe..."

"Yeah. In that mine, a lot of the big sinners who were sentenced to hard labour were put to work. Most of them are going to be buried alive and give their souls back."

So finally, I was stunned.

Malfira-Naham, who has no idea what's going on, is swimming his eyes a little.

"Of course, that's not the only mine in Selva, and the only people in the King's Capital who know where Zulo-Sung and Siluer were sent. However, mines like the one where the great sinners are sent should be concentrated in that vicinity... I'm pretty sure that whatever mines they were put to work in, they were in great danger"

"So... you haven't decided that Zuro-Sung has returned his soul yet, have you?

"Yeah. Suppose there was a great sinner who gave his soul back in that earthquake, first the news would be delivered to the king's capital, then it would be passed on to each territory"

"Yes..." Yamil-Ray bit his lip.

"Then keep that story to yourself. If the truth were to be known sooner or later, there would be no point in freshly making a scene, would there?

"Right. I promise I won't talk about this anymore. I'll leave the rest to Asta and Yamil-Ray."

After stating so, Camua-Josh withdrew.

That's how I look back at Malfira-Naham, with the usual pungent look on his face.

"Well, I guess I'll have the Giva dish you're waiting for. Let's split it between them first, please."

"Or, yes, I did"

Malfira-Naham began making 'Kerr Grill' in a big hurry. The ingredients, which were insulated at the edge of the iron plate, are wrapped in baked Poitan fabric and offered to Camua-Josh.

"Three red copper coins for two."

"Thanks. I wonder what I'll get you after that... yeah, I guess I'll have to buy some juice dishes. See you soon."

And, Camua-Josh sent us a cheap wink, and then took Leyt away to the Lew family stall.

After I drop him off, Yamil-Ray follows me.

"... I guess you're thinking of telling the story now, Ai-Fa and the Chiefs, Asta"

"Yes. Is that bad too?

"No, I don't mind.... I just don't want you in Zwei-Lutim's or Mida-Lou's ears. Because it would only disturb your mind in vain if you were told such a story before the truth came to light."

Yamil-Ray took it. It was faceless, but in the eyes of its slice length there was imminent light.

Even for me, Yamil-Ray's mood is painfully understandable. And Ai-Fa, of course, the Donda-Lu and Graf-Zazas. That was supposed to make sense to me.

"Okay. Either way, it wouldn't make sense to spread the uncertain story to everyone. I'm going to leave the rest of the decision to Donda-Lou."

"Thank you," then Yamir-Ray sent the same glance over Malfira-Naham.

Faye-Beim, the other side of Yamil Ray, was in business, and the women of Matua, my other side, were asking for help with the Blue Sky Dining Room, so only Malfira-Naham was listening to the current story.

"Ha, yes. Do you want me to keep this a secret? And of course I won't talk to anyone."

Yamil-Ray said "thank you" again before turning back to Fay-Baim.

"I totally left it to you, and I'm sorry. I'll take the cooking next time."

"Yes, then, please"

Then, from the blue sky cafeteria, the women of Matua also came back.

"I got a paragraph on that job, too, so I'm back. After this, what do we do?

"Yeah. Then I'll ask for a copper receiver. Leave the cooking to Malfira-Naham, and I'll watch over it."

"Yes, I understand"

I gave up my place to the innocently smiling Matua women, and I retreated behind without Malfira-Naham.

As the number of customers has grown, Malfira-Naham begins to bake new ingredients. Looking down at the handiwork, my head was whirling with stories I'd just heard.

(Can't believe that earthquake was a curse for Zazz-Sung, is that so? Why should such a curse be activated after a year)

Assuming this was what happened as soon as Zazz-Sung returned his soul, I might have been caught in a strange thought, too. Zazz-Sung was crying out for blood to spit on the people of Genos and the people of the woods, and when the living corpse was born, it seemed to me very strange.

But a year has already passed since then.

Suppose that the soul of Zazz-Sung is still drifting through this world without being held in the hands of the Mother Forest, without being brought to justice by the Four Great Gods - we would have seen what path the people of the woodside and the people of Genos had paved.

Zazz-Sung resented the people of Genos for imposing a barren raw on the people by the woods. I hoped that the people of the woods would be able to live with pride as hunters. However, he could not believe his compatriots, such as the Lou family and the northern clan, and chose the wrong path in an attempt to confront the evil and treacherous nobles by means of treachery.

Such evil and treacherous nobles have fallen, and the people of the woods and the people of Genos have been able to join hands.

It didn't seem to me at all that Zazz-Sung would turn into a grudge.

(The souls of Zazz-Sung and Tay-Sung are watching over the fate of their compatriots as they are held in the arms of their mother forest. I'll believe that)

That's how I set my mind.

That great earthquake was nothing but the great god Ameshorn hitting the back of his head, the thoughts of man and the dead on earth. For me, that was the only truth.