I nodded in response to Lucci’s question as I devoured the stew.
I heard that madam is here too so I should at least show her my face.
We waded through the people again and went out behind the statue of the evil mole god.
I heard that master and mistress had come there today to pray at the small temple they had built on their own.
There is no one in this world who worships the mole god, who’s divine protection is treated as a pest divine protection, so there’s no one who would be offended if they built a temple for it without permission.
On the contrary, this may be the world’s first mole god temple.
Since they believed the rumor that moles are weak against sunlight, they held the festival at night. Even if we’re not given good luck, I hope it doesn’t bring us bad luck.
「It looks like they’re already done praying.」
「…..lo…ok…」
In front of the small temple, adventurers are lined up in a row, perhaps hoping to get in Pickles’ good side.
They are throwing coins into a box placed in front of the temple and seem to be praying with devotion.
A short distance away from there were master and madam, who were relaxing with their heating magic tools.
「…..go……od….」
「Good evening, master and madam.」
「Ah, you have come, take your time.」
「Right」
Master is friendly while madam is very stunning.
Master will be much safer next to his ex-military wife.
Knowing him when he was still smaller and fluffier, I finally felt at ease.
「Did you see that mole? It’s very well done.」
「…..it….is….」
「No, it’s creepy, right? The children are even having a test of courage with touching it.」
Master said happily but madam blocked him.
Master is probably the only person here who is happily looking at the statue of the evil mole god this festival while saying “Kaiju”.
He’s still doing and saying weird things….
But I must admit, the weird things such as the café uniform and the swimming pool turned out to be good so I guess it’s okay.
-0-
We parted ways with master, bought all sorts of food, and headed to where Pickles is.
She must be starving after being left alone in a place like that.
Pickles is the star of the show today so I should take care of her.
Thinking of this, I hurried on but it seems like my fears were unfounded.
A crowd had completely gathered around her…..
There is already a crowd of friends with food, just like me, there. They are our adventurer friends who have been taking care of us since we started.
「Aguri-san, I can’t eat this much.」
「You used to say you can eat a barrel full of corn.」
「That was when I was ten years old」
「Pickles! Want to drink!」
「Kenyon, you’re being called “Drunk” Kenyon these days.」
「Ah, it’s better than “River Flow”.」
「It’s “River Dance”!」
「Yeah yeah! Torquiva’s number one idiot!」
I sighed and laughed at the fool who took off his jacket in this cold weather and started dancing, shaking his flabby belly.
Everyone hasn’t changed at all.
They’re the same since I came here five years ago.
It’s exactly the same when I was hunting herbivorous wolves with Pickles, who was still very skinny.
「…..idi….ot……」
「Oh! Vongo!」
「If Pickles is here, so is Vongo!」
「”Silence” Vongo sounds cool! I wish I had an alias like that!」
「You already have one, “STD” Rawan!」
「That’s not true! It was a misdiagnosis! The doctor was a jerk!」
I like festivals, singing, and dancing but I still prefer the lively and simple people of Torquiva.
Theirs is no guarantee in the adventurer’s business. Even so, when Pickles and I return from the north, we will go to the tavern where these adventurers are.
We’ll go around the tables, pour drinks, buy them cheap meat skewers, and listen to their little adventurer saga from noon onwards.
I’ll sit in my exclusive seat, Pickles’ back, chomping down the slightly salty skewers.
Until the moon’s eyelids tilted, I enjoyed everyone’s merry making.