1208 Black Moon Soul Suppressing Festival (1) - Beginning

“I want to open a new festival in Genos!”

Tikatras said so on the 31st day of the Ash Month, the day after the Harvest Festival.

In order to relieve the exhaustion of the Harvest Festival, the stalls I manage are closed yesterday. So, when we were working for the first time in two days, Tikatras, who had come to see us around the time of the rush from Jomtien, said something like that with a smile on his face.

“Thank you for your time.... erm, what is this new celebration about?"

"A new festival is a new festival!" Well, technically, it's a festival that's been around since ancient times, so this phrase might be inappropriate! "

Tikatras seemed to be floating more than usual, and he repeated his words like that.

"I was so shocked to hear that only the Easter of the Solar Gods is celebrated in the first place!" With its riches second only to the capital of the kingdom, I can't believe it's the only festival we've ever celebrated! No matter how prosperous your life may be, you will be threatened with accusations of undeveloped people on the periphery! In addition, humans do not exist only to fill their bellies and give birth to children! It is only through living a cultural life that people have truly earned a prosperous life! ”

"Hah... that means there are other big festivals besides the Easter Festival in the capital?"

"Of course! The sun god Alir is one of the seven little gods!" Since ancient times, there have been festivals in the Kingdom that celebrate the Seven Little Gods! "

Tikatras has a lifelike face and raises his arms wrapped in clothes like long feathers. It seems that the circulation has turned into a stage for theatre.

"Of course! There won't be a territory with all seven festivities!" But again, the only territory that is so poor is the Easter Festival of the Sun God! Genos should behave in a manner commensurate with this abundance! ”

“Well, I see. So what kind of celebration does Tikatras want to hold?”

"Tomorrow comes the Black Moon!" Then it's a soul-suppressing festival to honor the underworld god Gili Gu! A festival of appeasement for the dead and for the rest of their souls! "

Having said that, Tikatras smiled gently.

"The date of the Soul Suppression Festival is set for the 9th and 10th of the Black Month!" Today, I'm going to meet with the Duke of Genos and get him to accept the celebration! If you agree, I'll ask Asta and the others to help! ”

Tikatras then bought the food from the stall and took the two servants to the Azure Cafeteria.

Rei = Matua called out to me from the next stall after I was totally poisoned.

“I wonder what kind of a story this is. In the first place, I can't even imagine the festival of wishing for the rest of the souls of the dead....."

Well, so am I.

"But Tikatras seems to float a lot." I didn't even realize that Eifa existed. "

And Ray-Matua giggled. Since Fa's house was also a period of rest, Ei-Fa, who accompanied me as an escort, stood boldly behind me.

"Somehow, there's been another sign of trouble." Well, it's up to Malstein and the chiefs. We will not wait for that decision. "

Ei = Fa had a dazed face and said it like that.

That day passed safely - the next day, in the name of Marquis Genos Malstein, it was agreed that the holding of the Soul Suppression Festival would be announced.

◇

The Soul Suppression Festival is like a masquerade party with a town!

The day after the soul suppression festival is decided to be held is the second day of the black month.

Me and Ai Fa finally decided to invite Tikatras as a guest of Fa's house that day.

Tikatras enjoyed visiting the forestside villages from the north, but if he entered the rest period, he would jump over the houses of Sung and Ravitz and visit the villages of the six clans. And the house of Pharaoh was chosen among the first families of honor.

"That said, it's hard for the people of the town to make such fine costumes!" Just put a black cloth on or charcoal around your eyes to mimic your skeleton! All that matters is how you feel about the dead! "

Tikatras speaks like that in the afternoon. Today, she said that she had no business going to the station town or castle town, so she pushed to the Fa's house at such an early time. In addition, they were watching the work that was done in the morning, and they were coming to the stalls at noon, so it was almost like they were doing a whole day together.

In the table, the nearby men who had gathered to exercise caution are interested in training against the power. Eifa and Lyerfam-Sudra are watching our interactions. While I and the ladies were at the study group, Tikatras had been talking a lot about the Soul Quenching Festival earlier.

"I don't really know. Why should I dress like that to save the dead?"

Tikatras looked back at Lyerfam-Sudra with a full smile as she raised her suspicions.

"First of all, we should talk about Underworld God Gili Gu!" How is the legend of the Seven Small Gods passed down around the forest? "

"Unfortunately, it's hardly communicated. But you could have known those names in Rico's play."

"Ah, the 'Blessing of Madual'!" Yeah! That was a great play! The black raven that appeared there is the incarnation of Underworld God Gili Gu! Deeply connected to the dead, the scorpion is considered a servant of Gili Gu! The raven will tie up the skeleton, so it's supposed to carry the souls of the dead to Gili Gu! ”

Tikatras repeated his words like that, flirting like a child.

"Anyway! Gili Gu is a god of the underworld who commands death!" It is said that the souls of the dead will first be carried to Gili Gu and then guided to the altar where the four gods await! In other words, Gili Gu is the lord of the underworld where the dead gather! The black things and the costumes of the dead imitate the inhabitants of the underworld! "

“Why would a living person have to do such an imitation?”

"That's why! To get closer to the souls of the dead!" The Soul Suppression Festival is a festival to celebrate the dead and also to feel the important people who will never see you again! "

"... I've never forgotten about my lost family and my compatriots without celebrating anything"

When Lyerfam-Sudra responded with a quiet voice, Tikatras lowered the tone of his voice slightly with a smile.

"Even I, it's the same." The pain of losing someone you care about will be engraved in the deepest part of your heart. "

From the outside of the doorboard, Vichezzo looked at us, squeezing his mouth shut. Vichezzo's mother, who was a people of the Black Dragon God, told me that she had returned her soul at a young age.

After sending such a soft smile to Vichezo, Tikatras raised his voice again.

"Isn't that why the Soul Suppression Festival was born!" We don't just grieve, we scream together as we feel close to our loved ones who have died! To tell you that we still love them. "

"If that is the custom of the kingdom, we will see it first." And determine if it's the right thing to do for us. That's how we've spent the last two years and months. "

"Yep! All the people of Genos will feel the same way!" I hope this festival will take root in Genos! ”

Then, Marfila = Naham, who was cutting off Giba meat next to me, shouted, "Ah, ah, um..."

"N-no, no, there was a festival for each of the Seven Small Gods, right?" Hm, what other festivals exist besides the Easter Festival and the Soul Suppression Festival? "

"Hua Xiao Festival, which honors the moon god Eira!" A festival of abundance dedicated to Madual the god of abundance! A star festival dedicated to the god of destiny, Miza! Mizugami Festival to honor Mizugami Nada! Wheel of Fire Festival to honor Fire God Vailas! In addition to the Easter Festival and the Soul Suppressing Festival, it is also called the Seven Sacred Festivals!... but no matter how rich the territory is, we don't deal with all of them so generously! ”

Y-Yeah, that's right.

"Hmm! That's right!" For example, in places that suffer from sunshine and water damage, the Water God Festival is held with such vigor that you can't beat the Easter Festival! In a land that is not afflicted by water, the gratitude of the god of water will be forgotten! In addition, since the Hanazono Festival and the like are unethical, the practices that have been handed down since ancient times have been completely abolished! "

Rin, Rin?

"Yes! Eila is a god of the moon and a god of love and marriage!" During the Hanabi Festival, they were allowed to exchange feelings with any opponent and have children! Even if it was an unjust relationship, they would never blame it, and they would love the children they were born with as crystals of love! "

Several women frowned at the head of Ai = Fa.

Tikatras smiles innocently at you.

"Also, it seems that similar customs existed at the Toyotomi Festival where Maduals were enshrined!" I'm sure this is the result of a demand for more than ethics to increase the number of people in the Kingdom! The four kingdoms were able to achieve great prosperity, so the unethical habits have disappeared! It was a blessing for everyone! ”

"... would you have been lucky, too?"

Asked in a voice that killed Ei = Fa's emotions, Tikatras greeted her with a gesture, “Of course!” he responded.

"Because no matter what kind of relationship my beloved wives and children have with each other, they can't complain?" There's no way I can forgive you for your deeds!...... I still don't seem to be understood by Ei = Fa. "

"... if it was a disrespectful statement, I will offer my heartfelt apologies"

"Fine, fine!" Vichezo, don't look at me like that from the outside of the door!... well, that's why the Hanazono Festival is so healthy nowadays! At best, it's something that couples and lovers exchange sweet words! After that, it would be a great opportunity to convey your feelings to your loved ones, and what kind of treatment would it be! "

Saying that, Tikatras smiled gently.

"By the way, the long-standing Star Festival was cancelled in Algrad, the capital of the kingdom!" This was a fascinating celebration of loving the glow of the stars and thinking about the end of the unknown! It is reminiscent of the art of star reading, and in fact, it was common for astrologers to wish for a star reading at that time! It was removed by His Majesty the King, who hates sorcery and seriousness! "

Could this be a return to Ei = Fa? Ei = Fa could not complain, she was just stirring her head in golden brown.

"By the way, even in Genos, it was customary in Dalaym to pray for abundant harvests by offering fruit and wine to the god of abundance in the green moon!" Even though the festival itself was abandoned, there were still some remnants of the Seven Sacred Festivals! "

"Oh, I see. So Tikatras thought of taking the soul-soothing festival to Genos?"

"Yeah! Well, it just so happens that the date is close!" But! I wonder if your desire to save the dead is just right, because it means so much to the people of any land! Genos doesn't seem to have much of a water god festival either! ”

The next person to say "I see" was Lyerpham-Sudra.

"If we leave it aside whether those customs will be familiar to us... we should probably learn more of those stories in the cathedral, etc."

"Yeah! At least if you're from the town, you know that the black moon is the moon of Underworld God Gili Gu!"... oh, by the way, you guys started putting babies in the shrine yesterday! "

"Hmm. There are no babies in Fa and Sudra, so there are four other clans." I really needed to attract a male crowd, so the rest period was convenient. ”

It is an attempt to place young children in the shrine and teach them to read and write, calculate, and learn the customs of the kingdom. Sudra's twin babies were supposed to join them in their deeds in a few years.

"In the same way, the soul-suppression festival should also be tasted with this body and carefully identified." I haven't received a formal response yet, but the chiefs should decide that way. ”

"Yeah, yeah! Food from the stalls is important at the Soul Suppressing Festival, which is frenzied all night!" I'm praying for Asta's participation! ”

"By the way," said Ai-Fa.

“How did you come up with this story in the first place? You just want to enjoy the festival, don't you?"

"No, if I tell you the truth, you'll be exhausted!" I was able to enjoy the feast of the castle town and the forest side, so I wanted to enjoy the feast of the station town next! But as expected, I couldn't stay until Easter, so I had no choice but to bring out other festivals! "

“I see,” Ai-Fa sighed.

In that way, the study session of that day was soberly passed while the topic had nothing to do with cooking.

◇

And it shall be the night of that day.

In Fa's house, in addition to the Tikatras, there were six guests. Three women helped with the dinner and a man accompanying them.

Yun-Sudra, Marfila-Naham, and Ray-Matua asked for help. The men accompanying him met the faces of Lyerfam-Sudra, Ravitz's eldest brother, and Gaz's eldest brother. Gaz's eldest brother was also paired with Rey-Matua at the castle feast, so Tikatras and the others were the only ones to meet Ravitz's eldest brother.

"Huh! You're quite different from the forest people I've seen before!" However! It doesn't change the sparkle of the people around the forest! "

"Hmph. Even if you look like me or Su-dora's patriarch, do you say that you are beautiful?"

Ravitz's eldest brother, with his stubborn hair like a fallen warrior, turns his gaze to suddenly smile. The bald head still clearly shows the old wounds he suffered in the battle against the Evil God Order, making him look even more eminent.

In contrast, Tikatras said, "Of course!” He responded cheerfully.

"You certainly look unique, but the radiance of your soul is unparalleled!" Especially your Lyerfam-Sudra, because it's so brilliant that you can't beat Gazran-Rutim! ”

“Hmm. This sounds like an astrologer to me.”

"No, no! I don't have the gift of seeing the end of the world!" All I know is that you are attractive people! ”

It was in that vein that the dinner of the day was bustling.

Degion and Vichezzo are still eating their dishes without fear. Ravitz's eldest brother looked at you like he was looking at you.

"It seems that both of you showed great power at the harvest festival the other day." Even though it's a surprise, I've heard that the hunters around the forest seem to have been tampered with a lot. "

"That's right! On the other hand, I was truly impressed that the hunters on the edge of the forest could use all their power in their first sword skill match!" After all, half the hunters who challenged Degion and the others were able to achieve a brilliant victory! ”

Degion and the others are indifferent, so those answers are also taken by Tikatras. Ravitz's eldest brother replied "Ho" while rinsing the cream stew.

“That's interesting. What kind of faces have beaten them?"

"Hmm. I know the names Rau-Ray, Jo-Ran, and maybe even Chim-Sudra or Rad-Rid!"

Conversely, only three of the hunters of the six clans were able to defeat Degion, excluding Lau-Ray. Eifa, Lyerfam, Sudra, and Bardou-Fou were fighting heroes and brave men, so they stopped fighting, and Zei-Din and Din's parents did not name themselves as fighters on their own initiative.

Havira and Dana's patriarchs won from the guest hunters. You are the result of bravely claiming yourself over the defeat of the young hunters of the bloodline who fought first.

"However, they were both unfavorable matches." Therefore, it is not possible to determine the true power of the results alone. "

In the words of Lyerfam-Sudra, Ravitz's eldest brother said, "Huh?" and tilted his neck.

"I wonder what kind of talk is unfavorable to both sides." I'd like to hear more about it. "

"That battle was only an arrangement to attack with a sword." If you're forbidden from using your limbs or grabbing your opponent, you won't be able to do everything in your power. ”

"I see. So what's the disadvantage to the guests?"

”Your Vichezzo handles poison weaponry, and your Degion---that's probably why he's so good at grabbing his opponent's body and attacking them.”

Vichezzo frowned and Degion thrust a gloomy look at Lyerfam-Sudra.

"Why did you do that...? I don't think Vichezo's armour has told you yet that I'm good at fistfights..."

"After all, was that so?" When you were approached by the opponent, you showed a gesture that seemed to grab the opponent's clothes. "

"Ho ho!" Tikatras exclaimed in admiration.

"That's exactly what the huntsman around the forest looks like!" I'm so terrified! "

"So why did you forbid me from grabbing the opponent's body?" If you were allowed to do that, would you have wielded even more power? "

Asked by Ravitz's eldest brother, Degion shook his elongated neck loosely.

"Rather, it depends on the people around the forest in view of the danger of being caught by this."...... Besides, you should avoid the fools who expose everything about you in the test. "

"Hmm. That's why neither they nor the hunters around the forest were able to do everything in their power." If the battle is unforgivable, the result will change naturally. "

"Yeah! But we can't be hostile to you!" You can't just imagine that kind of noise! "

Ravitz's eldest brother shrugged, “I see.”

"Then, let's keep it that way." So, I'd like to ask you one question... is it possible to get a bag of swords that were used in that battle even in Genos? "

Huh? Are you interested in interpersonal swordsmanship?

"Hmm. Me and Sudra's parents have decided to go to the Crusade of the Evil God Order." Well, you didn't deal with a lot of humans either... but even so, we've become more involved with the outside world than ever. In the future, we may have more opportunities to wield swords against humans. "

Speaking like that, Ravitz's eldest brother looked at the Viquetzos with a slimy gaze.

"If it's a battle against humans, they might be better at it." We'll need more training to deal with outlaws like them. "

"If the hunters around the forest have learned swordsmanship, that's where the most powerful swordsmen will come from!" No, no, it's a cheerful story! "

Just cheerfully, Tikatras said so.

Isn't there a bag of swords in Genos? Well, it shouldn't be that hard to craft! If you ask Lord Genos, I might be able to tailor exactly the same thing for you! "

"Well then, shall we make a recommendation to the chiefs?" Or if Ray's patriarch has already suggested it. "

After closing the conversation, Ravitz's eldest brother looked around at the silent women with a gaze that included a smile.

"You've always been fascinated by rough stories. Let's keep the guests entertained by telling them all the stories."

Yeah! It's probably the virtue of a woman around the forest, but I want you to listen to her strange voice!

If you say that, it will be more difficult to talk. It was Yun-Sudra who spoke with such awkwardness.

"Did Tikatras get hit by Dalai Lama or Turan?" How did it go? "

"Yes! Dalai Lama was relatively unchanging in the rural areas!" But! I'm glad to see that the reconstruction of the Southern Sector, which has been threatened by Hida, is proceeding well! "Toran has just welcomed a lot of new tribes, so it's been quite lively!" I want them to enjoy the Soul Quenching Festival! ”

Ah, after all, the Soul Quenching Festival is also held in Dalaim and Tulan.

"Of course! But after all, the most exciting thing is the crowded post town!" For the two days of the Soul Suppressing Festival, I'm going to let you stay in the station town for the rest of the day! The people of the forest, please join us! "

Yun-Sudra had a crumpled expression, but young Ray-Matua was shaking herself softly. Although the period is only two days, I can't help but expect that the Easter Festival will be treated as much as the Easter Festival in other places. As a matter of fact, when Tikatras' feelings of laxity came to a halt, that kind of expectation sprang up in me.

(Well, first of all, I wonder if the chiefs will allow me to participate.)

The night that brought Tikatras and the others to us was a noisy one, and we were going to cheer on the unknown celebration.