Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Night of the Yokai
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"Wow, look at this. Wouldn't this suit you?"
"This one might suit you even better, don't you think?"
The mask festival I proposed for Artists' Day was actually borrowed from Halloween, something anyone from my previous world would know.
I did have a reason for choosing it, but I hadn't planned on participating myself.
When the time came, though, the Claren city hall sent over several outfits, saying they'd prepared clothes for me.
I wondered how they got my size right, but the clothes they sent for me were something else.
"A butler outfit feels a bit plain, doesn't it?"
"Why? I think it goes well with me."
In the hotel restaurant, Iluania tilted her head while holding up a somewhat revealing butler suit.
Pindenai was recommending it because it matched her maid outfit perfectly, but Iluania didn't seem too thrilled.
No, to begin with.
"I'm not participating."
I had things to do, but I had no intention of going full cosplay. There was no need for me to join an artists' festival.
"Aw, come on! You have to!"
"You're not ditching us alone!"
Iluania and Pindenai jumped in right away. They'd already bought outfits, excited about how fun it would be.
Some artists weren't just preparing their own clothes—they'd quickly made items to sell to others.
It wasn't intentional, but the market had naturally become bustling.
The artists weren't just painting or sculpting anymore; they were starting to think about commercial viability.
Things were flowing better than expected, to the point where Claren's market was sending me these gifts.
Iluania pouted playfully, grabbing the cape she was wearing and spinning around.
She was dressed as a vampire.
"I heard rumors about vampires once. Eternal youth, never aging. Kinda romantic, you know?"
It was just her hair swept back and a cape draped over her shoulders, but it definitely evoked a vampire.
Pindenai was in her usual maid outfit. She didn't need anything else; she pulled it off perfectly as is.
Though her wearing that normally was the weird part.
"It's kinda embarrassing."
"Oh my! So cute!"
Just then, Owen entered the restaurant. Under Iluania's lead, he'd ended up in drag, and it actually suited him surprisingly well.
Iluania's makeup skills were on full display as she rushed over and hugged the fidgeting Owen.
"You should try something like that too, Master."
"Don't get cheeky."
I shot her a glare, and Pindenai shrugged. She knew she'd crossed a line.
"So what are you gonna do? Ignore all these clothes they sent? I heard you're participating in the opening ceremony."
"......"
She had a point.
I'd be kicking off the Artists' Day event, something I'd half-forced them to let me do.
It was also the most important part of today's events—the real reason I'd started all this.
"Still, I'm not wearing anything ridiculous."
I had no plans to make a fuss with cosplay, so I turned to head out.
"......"
Then one of the neatly arranged outfits caught my eye. Why was that here? It was something I missed dearly.
Pindenai, watching from the side, asked if there was a problem.
"That? It's traditional clothing from the East. First time seeing it?"
"......Yeah, didn't know."
The cool fabric felt nice against my skin, spreading pleasantly through my body. The beauty of silk.
It wasn't exactly the same, but the shape reminded me of hanbok, drawing my gaze involuntarily.
A design I'd thought impossible in this world.
Just that alone stirred something deep in me. Losing something you'd taken for granted, then encountering it unexpectedly.
The emotion hit harder than expected.
"I'll go with this."
* * *
The sun set, and lanterns lit up the streets.
The artists' district, bathed in soft light, was filled with people in bizarre yet alluring disguises.
It was their first time with this unique event, but everyone was enjoying shedding their usual selves while embracing quirky characters.
"Wow, it suits you."
"Not bad at all."
At the venue signaling the festival's start.
Behind it, Iluania and Pindenai gasped as they looked at me. Maybe because it was something I never wore, their attention was high.
If I had to specify, it was a type of hanbok—a shaman's robe.
My grandmother, who was a shaman, always wore flashy ones that hurt the eyes and made you dizzy if you stared too long.
She'd said it was to ensure lost souls and spirits could find her without getting confused.
'I doubt it'll matter for me.'
What I wore now was similar, but dyed black.
Honestly, I hadn't liked it much back then.
Wearing it now brought back memories, and it felt perfect for what I had to do today.
"Alright! Before we kick off this year's Artists' Day, we have a stage prepared by the Necromancer who gave us this brilliant idea—Deus Verdi!"
"And it's not just any stage! He's prepared a special group performance that's basically the highlight of the night!"
The emcees' voices came from the stage. It was about time for me to go.
Iluania approached carefully, giving my outfit a final check.
"It probably won't help much, but try not to get too nervous. You already look great."
Iluania smiled gently. A normal person might have felt encouraged.
Unfortunately, I didn't need it.
I wasn't nervous at all.
It wasn't bravado; I truly felt nothing. Because I wasn't the one performing.
[Feels kinda bad for the cheering crowd.]
The Black Necromancer chimed in from the side. Not wrong, but I didn't reply.
Iluania patted my chest, nodded approvingly, and smiled.
Pindenai saw me off with a sly grin.
Finally.
Owen, who'd unintentionally ended up in drag, stared blankly at me.
He'd said he never imagined I'd perform, and he'd seemed a bit out of it the past few days.
Even as the attendant urged me to enter soon, I slowly turned and approached Owen.
"What are you thinking?"
"......After the performance, you're planning to exorcise all the yokai, right?"
Owen hesitated before asking. I met his silence with a steady gaze, and he bit his lip in frustration.
"I know this is the result because I couldn't do it."
"You were afraid of the yokai."
"Yeah. But I pitied them too. Now that I finally understand why they exist and what they want, it kills me that I can't grant it—that it's my own failing."
I couldn't help but chuckle at that.
I reached out slowly and gently ruffled the boy's hair.
"By the end of this night, all of Claren's yokai will be gone."
"......"
"But don't assume that end will be as cruel as you imagine."
"Huh?"
I lifted my hand from his head, patting his shoulder.
"It's a festival tonight. When the sun rises and it ends, you'll be smiling brightly."
Necromancer! Deus Verdi is entering!
"So learn, realize, experience. Enjoy this time."
I let the somewhat forced cheers and applause carry me toward the stage.
"Wow! The Necromancer is dressed up for the occasion too!"
"It's inspired by traditional clothing from one of the eastern nations! Looks amazing!"
The emcees, experienced at this, kept things flowing smoothly.
Per my request, the interview was brief. Now for the last part.
"So, as the one handling the opening, could you say a few words?"
I took the microphone and spoke calmly.
"The festival tonight will be an incredibly memorable time for all of you."
One they'd never forget. Shocking, bizarre, frightening.
But just as joyful.
"No matter what happens, please don't be too surprised."
The audience tensed slightly at my words. Without waiting for them to prepare, I headed to the piano at center stage.
I placed my hands on the keys. The cool sensation was intriguing; even a light touch felt like it would produce sound.
It was the first time I'd sat at a piano intending to play.
I pulled out a black gem wrapped in cloth from my pocket and placed it on the music stand where no one could see.
"Ready?"
I asked the ghost who'd been with me all this time.
Owen's grandfather, Oster Baltani, nodded firmly, steeling himself.
[To think after my death, I'd play through someone else's hands.]
"That was your wish. To give one last performance in front of your grandson."
[I just wanted to show the kid that playing music is fun.]
"Yeah. Do what you need to."
Sensation slowly dulled in my hands and the foot on the pedal.
A familiar feeling.
Not full possession—just partial, handing over my hands and one foot to Oster.
My hands softly pressed the keys. Instantly, as if turning on music, a brilliant performance flowed from my fingertips.
It was mystical.
This spectacle, born of technique and effort honed over countless years, unfolded before my eyes.
I wasn't one for music.
But the piano tones spilling from my hands weren't confined to the prison of sheet music—they stretched infinitely with creativity, reaching others.
'Amazing.'
An emotion I'd never share with anyone else in my lifetime spread from my fingertips.
The audience gaped in awe at my skill, while Owen, who'd gone to the seats with Iluania and Pindenai, stared in disbelief.
He probably realized it right away.
Whose soul I was borrowing for this performance.
The once-calm melody grew intense. Like a downpour, the building tension even made me enjoy it.
And not just that.
Had they sensed Oster's playing?
Yokai began pouring in from all over the city, filling the sky.
They seemed desperate not to miss this, listening to Oster as they faded.
"Don't satisfy them so easily."
I flashed a wicked smile at the yokai and poured out mana.
The blatant, visible mana startled the audience into gasps and screams.
Unable to control mana mid-performance, the Black Necromancer took over, channeling it into the Remegaton.
The Spirit Stone glowed brightly.
And materialized the yokai.
"Kyaaah!"
"W-what is that?!"
"Magic beast! It's a magic beast!"
The yokai became visible to people. They screamed and tried to flee, but the emcee I'd warned in advance grabbed the mic urgently.
Even he trembled at their appearance.
"Th-this is an event prepared by the Necromancer and his group for tonight! S-sorry for the confusion! It's a professional performance team, so please take your seats for the sake of other viewers!"
Some in the chaos stared in disbelief or sat back down reluctantly.
They'd think it was performers in costumes, not yokai.
I'd used mana for illusions too, so they'd attribute the eerie movements to magic.
[You're insane. Making these monsters visible to people.]
I smirked at Oster's remark mid-performance.
"Just for one day."
The yokai, realizing they were visible, looked stunned and confused, but I didn't stop.
"I thought lending the city to monsters for just one day wouldn't be so bad."
That's why I had people wear masks.
Why I held a festival of strange, unique disguises.
So they could enjoy this one day freely—not closing their eyes in the solace of piano melody.
But satisfied with the festival's joy.
A faint smile formed.
The lanterns still softly illuminated the surroundings.
Perfect brilliance for a festival of faceless yokai.
The Parade of Hundred Ghosts had only just begun.