Chapter 42: What Is a Festival?

“I wondered where you were; I see you’re hitting on people again.”

He wasn’t wearing armor, but plain civilian clothes. Despite that, perhaps due to his build, he looked quite formidable.

Even in a simple linen shirt and modest brown trousers, there was an air of nobility about him.

“Captain! You’re here!”

“Ah, since when is sneaking in acceptable?!”

“Did you like the Saintess that much! It was definitely the breasts that drew you in!”

Luke’s face crumpled.

“Stop your drunken rambling! Shut up and empty your glasses, you bastards!”

Khahaha!

Though Luke vented his annoyance with all his might, the soldiers didn’t mind.

Alessia’s expression was also a sight to behold.

“What? Was that it? Were you smitten with me?”

“Don’t even dream of it.”

“Then you were smitten with my breasts?”

“Ugh, haa. Just drink your alcohol, will you? And why are you harassing a tired kid?”

“Harassing! There’s a limit to your conjectures! Ruel! Ruel! Did I harass you? Huh? Did big sister harass you?!”

“…Not particularly.”

“See!”

“Anyone would give that answer if threatened like that. Why don’t you consider your own physique before threatening people?”

“You?! Are you insulting me for being manly right now? Just because I dress well! I was a big deal in the Northern Part, you brat! Big and strong! I’m the best bridal material! I’ve received over a dozen marriage proposals!”

“Then why did you leave the North to come all the way to the South? Especially when the weather is getting warmer.”

“It’s cold! Both my body and my heart! And the people there are too ferocious!”

Hahahaha!

Her way with words is something else!

…It was absolute chaos.

Despite the inappropriate situation, they would laugh and chatter, then suddenly turn serious and swear, then burst into laughter again, dancing and singing.

A complete madhouse.

“Hmm? Let’s sleep together! Big sister will help you sleep well. While we’re at it, we can visit heaven. Huh? Huh? You can fall asleep nestled in big sister’s breasts. How does that sound? Wouldn’t it feel great?”

“Look at this! This guy has no intuition! She’s talking about this! This!”

The drunkard next to them, frustrated by the lack of awareness, curled his index finger and thumb, sliding the opposite finger in and out of the gap.

“……Ah.”

At that point, even Kariel couldn’t help but realize.

“No, mister! Are you crazy?! What are you trying to teach our innocent Ruel!”

“Bah! Aren’t you a Saintess?! Is it proper for a Saintess to seduce and devour a little kid?!”

“Even if I gathered a hundred drunks like you! You wouldn’t even be able to touch Ruel’s hand before collapsing!”

“What?! You saw that?! Did you see it?!”

“It’s obvious even without seeing! I can clearly picture you being powerless at night, only raising your voice after drinking!”

“Are you done talking?! You’re a Saintess! Looking at you again, you’re just a nymphomaniac! A nymphomaniac!”

“Are you done talking?!”

Uh, is a fight about to break out?

He watched with anxious eyes for a moment.

“Uhahaha!”

“I told you to stop drinking so much!”

Why…

Are they dancing with their arms around each other’s shoulders?

“The kid will love it! Because her tits are huge!”

“Would only the kid love it?! Every man would be completely intoxicated!”

“Oooooh!”

“Saintess! I love you!”

“Please hug me too!”

“Get lost! You ugly hawk-nose!”

“Puhahaha—!”

“How could you mock someone’s appearance and make my heart ache?!”

“My breasts are heavier, you shameless brat! How dare you treat a flower-like woman’s body so carelessly!”

“Kehehe! Kehk! Ack! I can’t breathe! Alcohol! Bring more alcohol!”

…From dirty jokes to insults about appearance and all sorts of verbal abuse.

Despite the escalating content, the soldiers and surrounding customers clapped and cheered, making it feel like a small festival.

“Why? Is this atmosphere new to you? Since you’re a noble dandy, have you never experienced this kind of rough affection?”

Luke asked as he pulled up a chair and sat next to Kariel.

Even in the midst of this, Kariel replied calmly.

“I was mostly taught to practice abstinence.”

“Do you think I wasn’t? When you’re young, the people above tell you this and that to follow or avoid. It would be even more so if you aspired to be a knight.”

“…Is it that obvious that I’m a knight aspirant?”

Not that he had aspired to it by choice.

“Just the clothes and equipment you’re wearing aren’t things a typical commoner’s family could obtain. Even for a wealthy person, there’s a specific aura. You have an air of nobility, and etiquette comes naturally to you. The very fact that you’re uncomfortable in a place like this proves it with your whole body.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s because you’re young. You’ll get used to it as you experience more. Still, since your skills are certain, you’ve kept your body intact. Otherwise, unless you ran away from home, who would recklessly send their precious child, who seems so naive to the ways of the world, on a lonely journey? So, you can take pride in that.”

“……Yes.”

Though they were both nobles, their circumstances were fundamentally different.

More than that, it seemed he had been misunderstood in another sense.

Luke spoke again.

“I’ve already gotten permission from home, so don’t waste your money or rely on others; just come to my place.”

“By ‘home,’ you mean the Lord’s Manor?”

“Yeah. There weren’t many people anyway, so it’ll be good since it won’t be lonely. No need to walk on eggshells.”

“…….”

Kariel pondered for a long while before asking.

“Would it not be a nuisance? I’m not lacking in funds, so I could just….”

“This isn’t the end of your journey, is it? There are people here who can give you information if you ask, and for nobles, securing a network is key, so it doesn’t hurt to know people. Ah, and there are people I want to introduce you to. I have to repay a favor, and if I neglect my guests, it would be a dishonor for us, which I can’t allow.”

“…….”

This might be a bit troublesome.

However, if he refused here, it would arouse suspicion in a different way.

It was clear that Luke wasn’t offering kindness with an ulterior motive.

But as a noble, politics are entwined like breathing.

Since he could unintentionally cause harm or incite dark desires, he thought he should refuse….

“Then give me a room! I’m going to sleep there with Ruel!”

“…You really are something.”

At the Saintess’s bold declaration, the soldiers cheered with a loud “Oooooh!”

“Alright, alright! We’ve drunk enough, let’s go! The sun is about to set, right? Let’s go sleep!”

“I just got here!”

“Go drink there!”

“I’ll feel self-conscious! Besides, wine doesn’t even suit my taste!”

“That’s because you don’t know the taste of wine. Or maybe it’s because you only drink the cheap stuff?”

“No, it’s just that my preference is to pour it down my throat until it bursts, but wine is….”

“Then drink it like that. You make plenty of money, why so many excuses?”

“Do you think wine is cheap?!”

“Then take a keg of beer! Use my name!”

Excuse me, could you please listen to me first….

But somehow, an atmosphere had formed where it was difficult to refuse.

And so.

“Huuuu!”

“…….”

Clutched by Alessia’s side, he was dragged out.

This… there is absolutely no gap to escape.

Despite being drunk, the moment he tried to pull away slightly, she clung to him like a ghost.

“Hehehehe!”

“…….”

The smell of alcohol and a woman’s distinct scent pierced his nostrils intensely.

He felt as if his mind were becoming half-blurred.

How should he put it, he felt as if he were becoming intoxicated along with her, swept away by the atmosphere?

It was awkward in every possible way.

And.

She kept rubbing that, what is it.

Rubbing her side-breast against his face was a bit… troublesome.

====

After being dragged out of the tavern and walking for a while in the cozy night breeze.

With simple directions provided along the way, it was a reasonably interesting stroll.

The plaza where the Central Fountain was located seemed to be in the middle of a competition for spots in preparation for the festival.

Luke seemed quite popular, as people he knew greeted him frequently.

In the process, introducing Kariel and Alessia was a bonus.

Kariel guessed that Luke was likely introducing them beforehand so they wouldn’t face hardship when walking around the city later.

As the twilight began to fade, shadows quickly descended upon the streets.

The night streets of the Imperial Capital were desolate, but here, except for the crowded areas, there were hardly any people, making that feeling even more pronounced.

He naturally passed by scenes of soldiers moving in groups, doubling as night patrols.

Since the Lord’s Manor was located somewhat far from the City Center, the number of people and the density of buildings decreased the further they went.

Passing through forest paths and densely packed trees.

After climbing a wide, open hill road, the Lord’s Manor finally came into view.

From the Front Gate to the small flag hanging at the front of the manor building.

A blue background with an inverted white line drawn as a sword in the upper left.

It was the crest of the Baronen family.

The scale and sophistication of the manor were smaller than his parents’ Family Home in the Imperial Capital, but in terms of the land alone, it was twice as wide.

Inside the shallow stone walls, a garden with a small fountain and minimal landscaping faced the manor.

With a space that looked like stables on the right, as well as a warehouse and an outdoor Training Ground, the scale was by no means small.

“My father and brother are currently away to welcome guests from the Edenlevan Regiment, so you can exchange greetings tomorrow morning.”

At Luke’s words, Alessia replied with a tone that suggested she was unexpectedly relieved.

“That’s a relief. Even for me, it would be a bit awkward to face them in this state.”

“I thought you wouldn’t care at all; this is surprising.”

“If they’re people from the Religious Order, it’s fine, but it would be hard for outsiders to understand.”

“Wouldn’t the church people scold you even more if they saw you like this?”

“If they want to say something, they can be more divine than me.”

“…….”

It was a valid point, but something felt off.

“If I look devout, well-behaved, and pious at a glance, I’ll prepare myself accordingly, so don’t worry about that.”

And so, entering the Lord’s Manor as if it were her own home, Alessia—still monopolizing Kariel’s arm—instructed Luke to show them to their room.

“Haa.”

Following the guidance of a young butler, Alessia and Kariel entered the room.

The horses were said to be cared for in the stables by staff, so that was not an issue.

Aside from the important luggage, the rest had been sent ahead by staff and had all arrived.

“Clean work, I like it.”

Most of the luggage belonged to Alessia, however.

The room was moderately spacious, and while there were about three chairs at the table, the presence of only one bed made the purpose clear.

None of it was a major problem, but still.

“Kariel. Don’t overthink it and let’s get some deep rest today.”

“…….”

As Kariel stared with suspicious eyes at Alessia, who had just extinguished the lamp.

“The stuff about touching and pouncing earlier was just them talking. Do you really think I’m that easy?”

“…….”

“I-I mean, I do have some desire. But I’m… a woman who has never even kissed a man. So, that kind of look is a bit….”

Those eyes, shimmering like gold.

To be so vivid even in this darkness.

They were profoundly beautiful.

However.

More than that, they seemed as if they would wither away fleetingly, making his heart tighten unconsciously.

‘Making me restless for no reason.’

Alessia swallowed hard, but tried to soothe the awkwardness with a forced cough.

“Ruel. When was the last time you slept properly?”

“…I don’t really know.”

Just closing his eyes whenever he could?

A life without sleep was like a daily routine.

Fatigue always pulling down his eyelids and making his mind hazy.

It was a very familiar feeling.

That’s why.

It was just a bit difficult.

“Alright, so come here.”

“…….”

Alessia thought he looked like a frightened rabbit.

Or a fox cub.

Or a wolf cub.

Whatever it was, like a fragile animal seized by fear.

Yet, the way he seemed afraid even to be wary.

“I told you. I’m not so clueless that I’d do that in this atmosphere.”

“…….”

Kariel had no choice….

“You should take that off. Are you going to sleep in that?”

“…….”

He was a bit conflicted about that.

“…Alright, alright, I get it. Just come here. Hurry.”

And so.

Though they were lying down, for some reason, Kariel ended up being embraced by her chest.

Of course, not from the front, but from behind, with his head resting against her.

Since the difference in build was clear, it looked as if a younger brother were being hugged from behind by an older sister.

“When it’s hard to fall asleep alone, just being together like this can be a great help. The kids at the convent loved it, saying my embrace was no less than a lullaby.”

“A convent?”

“…Well, there were times like that.”

The wide embrace was quite cozy, and the ample weight that explicitly enveloped his face from above and below was… how should he put it.

Even through the fabric of the clothes, the heavy weight was vividly felt.

…Strangely, the softness within it was so exquisite that it made his heart race on its own.

“I can’t make believers cry tears and snot just by holding their hand like other people can, but….”

Still.

“I can do it this way, so don’t be anxious and get some deep rest.”

After saying that, she remained truly silent.

A time followed where only her gentle breathing calmly ebbed and flowed.

Feeling her lungs expand and contract behind his head gave him a small sense of comfort.

…Was that a bit strange?

“…….”

Kariel suddenly thought.

Come to think of it, being held like this, from front to back, by someone…

How long had it been?