The cool breeze of wind brushed past my whole body.
Through my half open eyes, I could see a familiar ceiling. Golden rays of light passed through the open windows, gently lighting the whole room.
Rubbing my eyes lightly, I sat up.
"Fuhaaaaa…"
I let out a large yawn. My body felt a bit lethargic. Also, it hurts quite a bit. Trying to recall what happened, I furrowed my eyebrows. Even through my muddy consciousness, I remembered what happened clearly. The question was…
"… What happened after I passed out?"
I stood up from bed and stretched my aching limbs. Then, I noticed that I was wearing a different set of clothes than that I last remembered. Even the bloodstains from the demons were nowhere to be seen. Several possibilities quickly passed through my head but I quickly ignored it. Ignorance is bliss. Just thinking of whoever dressed me gives me chills.
While I was almost done with my stretching, I finally noticed the slightly noisy commotion coming from outside the room, or specifically, the plaza.
Since I was wearing nothing but a short pants and a thin white shirt, I changed into a more appropriate attire before heading out. After I set my coat over the usual set of my (now clean) otherworldly uniform, then donning my only pair of glasses, I slowly went outside.
The first thing that I noticed was the extremely long set of tables placed parallel to each other. There's three of it that spans almost as long as the plaza from end to end. Atop each table, foods of different kinds were arranged neatly. Not to mention meat, there were even fruits, vegetables, exquisite looking cuisines and barrels of wine and juice.
No matter how I looked at it, the people busily running back and forth seemed to be preparing for a festival of some sort. Curious, I went down to observe from a closer distance.
While climbing down, I noticed the surroundings. What puzzled me was that there's not a single corpse of monsters lying around. There's not a single sign of those thousands of demons' corpses anywhere. The amount of cleanup needed wasn't something that can be done overnight. At least a couple of days of nonstop work is needed.
As I reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs, I was quickly greeted by an ever energetic voice from up front.
"Hey, Nazo! You're finally awake?! Wait a minute, I'll call the others!"
Nina quickly exclaimed before taking off at a wondrous speed. I couldn't help but smile wryly towards her actions. Still, her remarks slightly tugged to a corner of my mind… What did she mean with 'Finally Awake'?
Not long after, the whole gang was brought back by Nina. Mary was out of breath while Blaire's breathing was unperturbed. Doctor Tessa was walking slowly behind them.
"Nazo!! What a relief… D-Don't make us worry that much mou~!"
Mary said with a slight pout. She looks cute like that, just like a squirrel. How long was I out to make them worry this much?
"You look like you don't know about anything after that huh…"
Blaire muttered after staring at my expression. Then, she slowly added to her words.
"After you passed out, your bodily functions entered an almost suspended state due to mana over exhaustion and fatigue. At the first night, your breathing was almost nonexistent that we even thought you had died. The following days were a bit better but you wouldn't wake up no matter what we did…"
The expression on her face while explaining was a bit bitter. Nina and Mary by her sides were strongly nodding to verify her words. However, the question I am bothered with the most was still unanswered.
"… What happened to the monster's corpses?"
To that, the answer came relatively quick as the one who did most of the cleanup was the one beside me, Mary.
"We piled the bodies up and I used the chant enhanced fireball to burn them to ashes. It took us 3 days to completely burn all the remains though… Ah! By the way, you were sleeping for exactly 6 days now."
I see now… But 6 days… What the hell? How did it became that long? Mana exhaustion was usually recovered after a good night's sleep. Physical fatigue recovers after 2 days of rest at most. Then how did it become that long?
"Spiritual Fatigue…"
Suddenly, Doctor Tessa who finally reached to where we were, spoke those words.
"… Spiritual Fatigue? What's that?"
At the unknown term that popped, I couldn't help but feel concerned. A type of fatigue different from mental and physical ones… What may be its cause?
"Spiritual Fatigue is a special condition common to Magic Swordsmen and Conjurers. It is acquired after using a summoned being for more than what the user can physically support causing his spirit to take the brunt of the strain. For your case, that would be that wind lance you wielded."
The lance. If I remember clearly, it is the magic circle I added to my gloves right after reading about some books from the self-proclaimed god. It was a book pertaining the lost magic of summoning that I heard days ago.
"What is that lance?"
With a serious face, Doctor Tessa asked. I too wanted to know what that lance was. I also want to know why I know how to wield it that proficiently.
"... Who knows?"
I couldn't say anything as it was just a test in my perspective. I didn't even exactly know what will come out of that circle. Actually, I was surprised upon suddenly seeing a long lance, or rather, halberd, in my hands. If I had a bit more time before that, I may be able to decipher what that halberd really is.
"But… Before that…" I suddenly said, interrupting the flow of conversation.
"What's with that letter you left with Nina? If not for that letter… Never mind."
I wanted to know the truth. That letter, and the meaning behind it. And also, about the truth that was hidden from me by this world, and even by the gods.
Upon hearing my question, Doctor Tessa's face crumpled into a slight frown. Mary and Nina were both looking worriedly towards her. Blaire was just silently listening on one side of the platform. After a few moments of silence, Doctor Tessa finally let out a loud sigh.
"Haaaa… Okay… Tonight, I'll properly explain everything to you all. But remember, once you heard of this, there's no turning back. Better prepare your hearts for this."
Her sharp eyes scanned all our faces and finally stopped on mine. I stared back, relaying my unwavering will to know the truth. As if finally being convinced about something, she nodded her head lightly.
"Tessa…"
Suddenly, an old voice interrupted our conversation. Turning to the culprit, we saw the village chief, wearing somewhat gaudy looking clothes, walking towards us slowly.
"The preparation for the festival is about to finish. We elders should head to the table just about now."
"Festival?" I can't help but parrot back those words.
"Ah, you were asleep so you didn't know right?" Nina asked before continuing.
"5 days ago, we decided to hold a festival to commemorate the successful defense of Mujyara. Of course, it was decided that as the highlight of the event we, the heroes of the battle, would give a speech towards everybody!"
Nina proudly announced. Did they time it exactly when I would wake up? I felt somewhat touched and pissed at the same time. I hate being the center of attention and judging from her words, us four would be giving the speech. I want to just skip out on the festival…
"… I still feel a bit lightheaded so maybe I'll pass on the festival for now…"
I said an excuse as I quickly headed back up. Luckily, nobody stopped me. All I heard before I started climbing the stairs is the synchronized sigh of the three girls.
"Woah!!"
Suddenly, the feeling of stepping on solid ground was lost and my vision turned towards the sky.
"No skipping~!"
That's the only thing that the culprit, Nina, said while carrying me above her head like I weighed nothing. The other girls were slightly snickering behind me. Looking closely, she was equipped with her pristine white gauntlets that boosts her strength. I couldn't recall hearing her chant though…
And like a picked up loot, I was carried that way towards what seemed to be the seat of honor that was right at the middle of the plaza. I was dropped down and made to sit on the one at the middle and the girls took seats beside me. Mary and Nina to both sides and Blaire to Mary's other side. In front of us, the whole elder council were sitting.
"This is tyranny…"
I muttered sulkily. With a slightly apologetic expression, Mary said that if they didn't do that, I surely wouldn't participate in the festival. As a compromise, I was allowed to just sit down and not to give a speech.
Soon, about exactly at noon, the festival started. The elders each gave their speech and thanks to the saviors (us) of the village. After that, the three girls gave their speech just as planned. I was just silently listening to them though.
After their slightly embarrassing speech (which turned to somewhat like an advertisement of my works) the feast started.
Even though it's just noon, most of the men started drinking with several of the women drinkers. The sound of their loud laughter while exchanging boastful stories set the light mood around.
Some villagers started playing instruments. A lively tune echoed clearly around the plaza. Several kids danced to the music with their family. The smiles on their faces were something priceless.
I, on the other hand, just picked some small parts of the food. A single piece of roasted meat, some sort of soup, salad and fruits. The drinks I took was the lemon like juice that was somewhat popular to the kids.
I ate to my heart's content while sitting down on my chair. The reluctance to participate was slowly dissipating in my heart.
The celebration continued for quite a while. Some drunkards were already lying face-down on their tables while holding large mugs of beer and wine. Kids were sleeping soundly after playing to their fullest and eating delicious food.
Seeing this scene, nobody would have thought that we had just lost about a couple of dozen of men and women from defending the village. I clenched my fists silently while I strengthened my resolve.
When the sun was almost about to set, a large bonfire was prepared. Looks like the festival would continue until deep into the night.
However, the four of us had other plans.
"Doctor Tessa…"
I muttered silently.
As promised, we paced slowly towards Doctor Tessa's location. Seeing us coming together, her face turned solemn.
Then, we moved slightly farther away from the bonfire, to where some seats were prepared. Me, Mary and Nina on one side of the table while Blaire and Doctor Tessa on the other.
After the loud cheer of the surrounding villagers when the bonfire was lit, the story began.