Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Festival (3)
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After Yujin's ascension to duke and the midnight banquet, a week-long festival began.
Two major incidents in a row... no.
Counting the monster horde and Fenrir's appearance at the hunt, it was three in a row.
With the war freshly ended, the stifled atmosphere from these successive crises began to lift thanks to the festival.
Regardless of commoner or noble, most people spent precious time with their loved ones.
Some with lovers, some with friends, some with family—eating delicious meals or watching street performances.
And Yujin was part of that. He now had two women to share his future with.
He ate with them, watched opera performances, munched on street food, and enjoyed the time. But did he spend the entire festival with them? No.
"I'm sorry, Yujin..."
Irene had to head to the duchy for engagement preparations. She would have taken it slower otherwise, but Yujin's promotion to duke was too swift.
Now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Arkabella Duke Family, he couldn't remain unmarried forever. Higher positions demanded greater responsibilities, including securing heirs to prosper the house.
And a house's prosperity bolstered the empire's strength. Children inheriting his superior genes would serve the empire for generations.
Especially now, with Northern Grand Duke Calderon gone.
This was an unspoken tradition among transcendents like Sword Masters and Archmages, beyond the empire's direct employ.
In any case, the Arkabella Duke Family—aware of his circumstances—sought to accelerate the engagement.
They too were honorable nobles devoted to the empire.
So...
"Hehe, I also have to meet some important imperial figures, so regrettably, I can't stay until the final day."
Lucia couldn't stay until the end for the same reasons. It might even be a matter of pride between the imperial family and the Arkabella Duke Family.
"...It's fine. Take care, both of you."
He saw them off.
'...This leaves the last day conveniently empty.'
Wasn't this just like fate?
...
What was fated?
'...She said the central square fountain, right?'
That night, Jane had told him to come to the central square's grand fountain.
Strictly speaking, he had no reason to go. No matter his personal feelings or their past, she was undeniably one of Pandemonium's Seven Deadly Sins Seats.
A enemy of humanity, in other words.
So there was no obligation to obey her summons.
...But with the last day perfectly free, skipping it would seem odd.
And more than that...
'What if I don't go?'
What if she terrorized the capital? Like Greed's assault, or Lust descending on the Northern Grand Duke?
And... if he missed this chance and never saw her again? Or saw her cold corpse once more?
'......'
...
In the end, on the festival's final day, he went to the place Jane had specified.
The central square buzzed with crowds.
Couples holding hands, children smiling with parents, elderly folks on benches with warm smiles.
'Where's Jane?'
Waiting by the grand fountain, he sensed no trace of her.
'...Was it a lie?'
As he debated closing his eyes to wait longer, a presence stirred behind him.
He spun around in an instant.
There stood a woman holding ice cream in both hands.
Red hair, golden eyes—Jane.
She waved casually, ice cream in hand, as she approached.
"Ah, you arrived first. Was I late?"
She smiled nonchalantly as she reached his side.
"...I just got here."
"Hmm, is that so? Good, then. I just arrived too."
His gaze shifted to the ice cream she held. She must have gone to buy it.
Noticing his look, Jane grinned mischievously and offered one.
Like soothing a child eyeing the treat.
"Eat it."
"......?"
She hadn't bought both for herself?
He'd assumed she planned to devour them alone.
While he hesitated, lost in thought, Jane puffed her cheeks. She mistook it for suspicion.
Though it was something else entirely.
"Pfft... I didn't tamper with the ice cream. It's safe—take it."
She took a bite from hers first.
"See? Safe."
...
"Not taking it? My arm's about to fall off—hurry."
...Such exaggeration.
He finally accepted it with feigned reluctance. It was very sweet.
'Strawberry flavor.'
...Strawberries were her favorite fruit.
Back on the battlefield, amid poor rations, she'd often share her favorite foods—and strawberries always featured.
Strawberry drinks, snacks, ice cream.
Especially the ice cream from the capital in her childhood—she said it lingered in her memory.
'......'
His mouth soured inexplicably. Their positions had changed, but everything else remained the same.
Misaligned gears.
Wasn't that their relationship now?
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
She peered at him expectantly.
"...It is."
"Yum! I knew you'd like it."
Her face lit up. They ate ice cream by the fountain for a while, then tossed the sticks into a nearby bin.
"...What's the reason for summoning me to the central square?"
"I told you before. To talk with you."
She flung her stick too.
It landed perfectly.
"I see. Shall we move to a quiet café, then?"
"Hmm..."
She tapped her chin, then beamed brightly.
"No."
"...?"
"We have plenty of time—why rush the talk? You lack charm."
'Yujin has no charm.'
"I think we can enjoy the festival a bit more before chatting."
...
"...You mean, like a date?"
...
She froze.
Her face flushed as she realized how it sounded. But she squared her shoulders defiantly.
"Yes! Won't you go on a date with me? If not, no talking—so remember that."
Surrounding gazes turned their way.
A pretty woman and handsome man loudly discussing dates—it drew every eye.
"Look, the girl just asked him out."
"Oh my. Both so attractive, but she's bolder."
"Eek! I read that in a book!"
"I had a moment like that once..."
"Memories..."
Onlookers chattered about youth, perfect couples, and such.
"Ahem."
"Wh-why no answer...?"
"......"
Jane fidgeted as he stayed silent, her heart aching.
Yet the more it hurt, the firmer her conviction grew. She and Yujin had been close in the past, no doubt.
'They say the body remembers what the mind forgets.'
Exactly that. Seeing his thoughtful face made her want to ruffle his hair, link arms, stroll the streets.
Imagining him rejecting her bold proposal...
'...Ugh.'
A sharp sting.
'...This feeling's new.'
Her heart plummeted beyond ache.
Seeing her face harden, Yujin chuckled softly.
So what?
Why not set aside complications and enjoy the moment? No one knew what came after anyway.
Their talk, their future relations.
"...Sure."
He extended his hand. Realizing acceptance, her expression brightened.
...From this angle, Jane was still Jane. No hint she was Wrath, one of the Seven Deadly Sins Seats—purely innocent.
"Hehe. I knew you'd accept."
She took his hand and led him off.
Watching her dash ahead, pulling him along, he thought.
For now, this was fine.
...Even if it was a midsummer night's dream.