Chapter 100: Highlight(2)
Chapter 100: Highlight(2)
Usually, festivals begin during the day and end in the evening when the sun goes down, but on special occasions, they can stretch past midnight and into the early hours of the dawn.
This is typically the case for festivals with significant meaning, such as Foundation Day, and their scale is incomparably larger than others.
There is a major difference between a festival that continues into the night and one that doesn't: the deeper the night gets, the more the energy intensifies.
During the day, the brightness of the surroundings makes it difficult to focus on one spot, but the night is the exact opposite. Because the surroundings are pitch black, it is easy to focus on wherever the lanterns are shining.
The reason the energy feels stronger is also a bit of an illusion. Most people sleep at night to wrap up a long day.
To do that, they need not only a comfortable home but also the silence required to fall into rest. Thus, the perception that 'night is quiet' is fundamentally ingrained in people's minds.
But what if a festival continues through such a night? What if, instead of being quiet, it’s loud? What if the performances are even more intense and entertaining than those during the day?
People are too busy enjoying the festival to sleep, so it feels even more boisterous. Since darkness can simply be pushed back with light, there’s no problem focusing on the festivities.
As such, the true essence of a large-scale festival only reveals itself in the evening, and the performances that serve as the highlights begin at night.
"No matter how I look at it, it seems even more crowded than during the day. You could actually get lost if you're not careful."
"I know. I was surprised earlier, but I've never seen our territory this lively before."
"... ..."
At the entrance of the village where the festival was in full swing, Dave and Nicole exchanged words as they looked at the scenery, which was so packed with people it was hard to move.
"Father, how do you feel?"
"Hmm... It just feels like my workload has increased..."
"Oh, honestly. Just say you're happy if you're happy."
My parents, who had just finished working and stepped outside, had different reactions to the liveliness of the territory. My father looked a bit dazed, while my mother wore a truly happy smile.
I was equally surprised to see the village filled with tourists, but I was currently preoccupied with other thoughts. Naturally, it was because of Cecile, who had stepped into my bedroom just before dinner and made a shocking statement before leaving.
Cecile had asked if love between a human and an elf could truly be realized, and I had replied that depending on the choice, it could lead to either regret or longing.
But I hadn't realized it then. She wasn't asking about the relationship between an elf and a human, but about the love between a long-lived species and a short-lived species.
Since then, she had left me confused with several meaningful remarks. Her comment about the bed being "spacious" was something even the most oblivious person could easily interpret.
'Surely she didn't mean...?'
I tried to untangle the threads of thought knotted in my head. Although Cecile often played mischievous pranks, I had a strong feeling that this time, she wasn't joking.
As her cycle approached, she was becoming more honest with her desires, and the frequency with which she expressed them directly was increasing.
This meant that what she said to me was close to the truth, which was incredibly flustering for me.
She must have seen with her own eyes what kind of relationship Mary and I have, so I couldn't understand why she would say such things. I was even a little afraid that she might actually ignore Mary and cause an incident.
Even if that happened, I intended to refuse firmly. It was absurd to do something with Cecile when I hadn't even reached that stage with Mary yet.
Unless Cecile pounced on me, or I lost control of my own desires and sought her out, I could confidently say it would never happen.
"Isaac."
"... ..."
"Isaac?"
"...Yes?"
"What are you thinking about that's making your face so stiff?"
My mother called out to me while I was lost in thought. Hearing her voice, I snapped out of my reverie and turned my head.
My mother was looking at me with a worried expression. Her purple eyes were brimming with concern for her child.
I stared blankly into her eyes for a moment before letting out a bitter smile. To be lost in thought when my whole family was right here—I really was a poor son.
"Sorry. I was just a bit surprised because there seem to be even more people than there were this morning."
"Is that so? Well, even I was startled, so I can only imagine how you feel. So, how do you feel?"
"How do I feel?"
"Yes. All of this is thanks to you, after all."
At my mother's kind words, I turned my head to look around at the village scenery. I felt like I had heard a similar question during the day, but seeing it at night brought a fresh wave of emotion.
"It's just... a strange feeling. I'll have to work hard on my books in the future."
"Hoho. So, do you have any intention of reversing your hiatus?"
"Hmm..."
I pondered as I scanned the village, which was frantic with the festival. Since I had been registered as a recommended student by Professor Elena, I essentially only needed to focus on history starting from my second year.
This meant I would have plenty of free time after the second semester ended, so resuming serialization then wouldn't be a problem. The reason I had stopped was partly to focus on my studies, but also because I simply didn't have enough time.
More than anything, facing a festival dedicated to the Xenon Biography that I wrote made me feel a surge of ambition. Especially since a wonderful character from the elf side was scheduled to appear, my desire to write was growing rapidly.
'I wonder what the reaction would be if I resumed serialization, saying I was moved by the festival?'
Wouldn't everyone here cheer? Just imagining it gave me a thrilling shiver.
Experiencing the kind of popularity I had never enjoyed in my previous life made my heart waver slightly.
"...I'll think about it."
"Really?"
"For real?"
"Seriously?"
When I gave that answer, not only my mother but the rest of my family jumped in surprise and questioned me. Taken aback, I looked at each of their faces.
Every one of them had their eyes wide open, staring straight at me. Their eyes, though different in color, were all filled with expectation and longing.
Even my father, though he didn't show it openly, had an expression that suggested he was secretly hoping for it.
"I-I'm just saying I'll think about it. I haven't made a decision yet."
"Does that mean you might make up your mind after seeing the performance?"
Why is your mind jumping straight there, Mother?
My mother clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with genuine anticipation. She must really want to read more of the Xenon Biography.
I couldn't give a definitive answer and just let my eyes wander. I didn't know how great the performance would be yet, and I wasn't sure if it could meet the expectations of someone who had experienced the flashy culture of my previous life.
'Still, they said it's the best orchestra and theater troupe, so I can expect a little bit.'
I had even heard that both groups were a bit obsessive about their craft. In particular, rumors were rampant that the Matrix Theater Troupe was unparalleled when it came to stage production.
I looked at my expectant mother and the rest of my family one by one, then shrugged and spoke calmly.
"I'll watch it first and then think about it. How much time is left until the performance?"
"About an hour. I think we can look at the exhibited works until then."
While I had explored with Cecile and Mary in the morning, the plan for the evening was to enjoy the exhibition with my family.
Mary had also stepped away from me for a while for the sake of family harmony, and I assumed Cecile was probably viewing the exhibits with Gartz.
Lastly, Adele... Nicole had tried to bring her along, saying it was fine, but Adele had declined, saying she felt burdened. She was probably wandering around enjoying the exhibition somewhere, but I couldn't help but worry.
She might approach the Ters royalty because of that useless lingering attachment. Having witnessed her tears firsthand, it was impossible for me not to be concerned.
"Now, now. Let's stop talking and enjoy the festival. Father, you did make reservations for the performance, right?"
"Who do you take your father for? I may not look it, but I am the Lord who manages this territory directly. We have front-row seats, so don't worry about that."
"Nicole. Let's go over there. It looks like they're selling cosmetics."
"Mom... I'm not interested in makeup..."
"Oh, hush. A woman needs to dress up eventually. Do you know how beautiful you looked when you wore that dress last time?"
After that, our family began to wander around the village, enjoying the festival. Because there were so many people, we almost got separated a few times, but my father somehow managed to find everyone immediately.
Thanks to that, I was able to look at the works I hadn't seen in the morning without any worries. Furthermore, there were new pieces on display that hadn't been there earlier, which delighted our family's eyes.
'The knights from the palace should be guarding the mansion well...'
Currently, our mansion was being strictly guarded by a knight order dispatched from the Imperial Palace. Of course, it was unlikely anyone would specifically target and rob my room, but having them there for protection was reassuring.
My father had mentioned they were a quite skilled knight order even by the palace's standards. Since my father acknowledged them, there was no need for great concern.
"Isaac. There's a water balloon toss over there. Want to try? The loser of rock-paper-scissors gets hit."
"No way. I always lose. How am I supposed to keep up with your kinetic vision, Brother?"
"I'll do it with my eyes closed then. Nicole, you want in?"
"I'm good. And Oppa, stop being so shameless. You can probably predict what the other person will do even with your eyes closed now."
"Why would you say that? You're no fun."
"I'm not having any fun at all, you know?"
Dave, whose vacation was nearly over, was running around everywhere as if to satisfy all the desires he had suppressed until now. He had almost no interest in the artwork and focused entirely on the festival itself.
Fortunately, he wasn't acting like a ruffian and seemed to be exercising self-restraint. After suffering so much in the military, it would be natural for his eyes to wander toward women, but strangely, he didn't spare them a single glance.
'Did he take care of it in the capital?'
Since the roads aren't well-developed yet, one must pass through the capital to reach our territory. So, he might have satisfied his sexual desires with a prostitute in the capital.
I watched Dave, who had started spending his military salary recklessly, in silence before shifting my gaze elsewhere.
"Oh?"
Then, a few people caught my eye. Although they were far away, their golden hair and striking looks stood out even more in the dark night. Finally, they were dressed in clean, stylish outfits that suited their individual personalities.
It was the siblings, Leort and Lina. They hadn't been seen in the morning, but it seemed they had joined the festival now that it was evening.
Because of their looks and the noble aura they exuded, it felt as if the space around them was separate from the rest. Since they actually had guard knights with them, it wasn't just a metaphorical expression.
'But they look very tired.'
Lina had looked exhausted when I met her last time, but today she looked even worse. It was visible even from a distance.
They were trying to cover it up with makeup, but they couldn't seem to hide the melancholy expressions on their faces.
'I'll probably run into them during the performance.'
They seemed busy looking at the works themselves right now, so I decided not to intrude. Not that I would ever be crazy enough to approach them first anyway.
As we played like this, the performance—the start of the real festival and its highlight—drew near. Dave, who had been busy playing like a madman, was also caught and brought back by my father.
Soon, a massive crowd, including our family, arrived at the performance venue. It wasn't the small stage set up in the central plaza of the village. It was a truly eco-friendly stage, temporarily constructed using the entire vast plain as a single stage.
Time had been too short to erect a proper building, so this was the only option, but the performers seemed to like it. In fact, they might have preferred it because the stage was so wide.
I remembered Lirus, the conductor of the Lirus Orchestra, mentioning it to me in passing. He said they would present a fantastic stage in collaboration with the Matrix Theater Troupe.
I wondered if they could satisfy my eyes, which had been heightened by the culture of my previous life. I was secretly looking forward to it.
"Isaac!"
"Mary?"
While I was waiting in the center of the VIP seats, Mary suddenly appeared. Seeing as she was alone without her family, she must have spotted me from another section.
As Mary approached, the eyes of my family members sitting on either side of me turned toward her. Even under the collective gaze of my family, she didn't seem flustered at all; she smiled beautifully and greeted them politely.
"Hello. We meet again."
"Yes. Did you enjoy the festival enough?"
"It was a truly fun festival, as much as Foundation Day. There was so much to see."
"I'm glad. Where is your family?"
"They're sitting over there."
Mary answered, pointing just below us. When I turned my head in that direction, I saw her family sitting in a row.
The VIP seats—in other words, the seats for nobles—were designed at a height equivalent to a second floor so that the stage could be seen more clearly. The logic was that if they couldn't build a theater, they might as well build elevated seating.
It was a unique stage, surrounded by spectator stands on the vast plain. I didn't know how they would handle it after the festival was over, but it wasn't something I could involve myself in, so I didn't pay it any mind.
"I'm very sorry, but would it be alright if I took Isaac with me? I'd like for us to watch together..."
"Of course. Isaac?"
"Yes."
At Mary's request, which sounded almost desperate, my mother gave her permission instead of me. I also wanted to sit with Mary, so I stood up without a word.
As I stood up, I noticed Mary's expression brighten significantly. I blinked as I looked at Mary, whose blue eyes were sparkling.
Hmm... Mary is cute even in the dark of night. That's an undeniable fact. It's not just because she's my girlfriend; Mary is pretty whenever I look at her.
"I'm jealous. I want to sit with my girlfriend too."
"What are you talking about? You don't even have a girlfriend."
"You don't have a boyfriend either."
"I'm choosing not to have one, not that I can't get one."
"I didn't say anything, did I?"
I left the typical sibling bickering behind. Led by Mary's hand, I sat down in the seat she had scouted out beforehand.
It was higher than where I had been sitting earlier, so the stage was much more visible. She did well to find a spot like this.
"Hehe."
"... ..."
As soon as she sat down, Mary wrapped her arms around mine and started rubbing her face against me. At her cat-like behavior, I gave a soft smile and gently stroked her hair.
When I stroked her hair, she made a purring sound and clung even closer. Having such an affectionate and lovely girlfriend made me feel guilty for even thinking about another woman.
"You two look good together."
"?!"
While we were being affectionate, a familiar voice pierced our ears from behind. It was a sultry voice, but one that seemed to carry a hint of dissatisfaction.
Startled, we both turned around. We had intentionally sat in an empty section of the stands, so we never imagined anyone would be there.
And when we turned around, Cecile, who must have arrived without us noticing, was watching us with a beaming smile. I felt like I had experienced this situation somewhere before.
"Up we go."
While we were still dazed, Cecile moved to the seat next to mine. Her actions were so natural that neither Mary nor I could say anything.
Regardless, Cecile subtly wrapped her arm around mine and whispered to me in a suggestive voice.
"When the performance is over... you know, right?"
"... ..."
"You can look forward to it."
I wondered if I would even be able to focus on the performance.