September's end.
Finally, the day of this year's Autumn Festival dawned.
Not just in Crossroad but across the entire Everblack Empire and many other nations, a festival to give thanks for this year's harvest and to encourage those who had worked hard throughout the year.
Whatever its original meaning might have been, it's one of the few seasons that everyone worldwide enjoys cheerfully.
"Wow."
As we, the main party members staying at the mansion, came out to the city in the morning,
the city was busier than ever. The streets were packed with people.
The lively music, the shouts of people drunk from morning, the cries of cooking, playing, and bargaining. It was a feast for the eyes and ears, filled with vibrant colors and sounds.
"This year's festival is on a whole different scale compared to two years ago."
Looking around at the cityscape, Evangeline nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"It must be the effect of the proclamation you spread, Senior!"
"That, that's unexpected... I didn't think it would be this much..."
The two proclamations I had spread throughout the world were simple.
A call for heroes. And the notice of the Autumn Festival.
The intention behind spreading these two proclamations together was clear.
We are preparing for a decisive battle, and if there are any brave fools willing to join, we promise to feed them well and entertain them.
'But why did so many come?!'
It's the Autumn Festival, yeah~ Oh yeah~ But did they all just swarm here without thinking?! Huh?! It's really dangerous here! It might be the Autumn Festival now, but usually, it's a Monster Festival, you know?
I'm not sure which aspect lured them, but anyway, Crossroad is now experiencing an unprecedented boom.
'Suddenly realizing the power of advertising... That's why everyone's into PPL...' (TL Note: PPL is Product Placement)
With the addition of the World Guardian Front, there were already more people than usual. But my proclamations have brought even more visitors pouring in.
Buildings that were empty are now converted into accommodations, and citizens have offered spare rooms in their homes as lodging facilities.
And only after setting up a plethora of makeshift accommodations with tents were we barely able to meet the demand.
'Thank goodness the Silver Winter Merchant Guild had prepared in advance.'
I had carelessly spread the proclamations without a plan, but Serenade had managed everything so we could just about manage.
Managing tourism is no easy task. Running a city is tough...
And it wasn't just accommodations that Serenade had prepared.
"Tour of Crossroad's famous attractions! Departing every hour from noon..."
Near the city gate, an employee of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild was shouting, guiding tourists to the tour courses.
"Famous attractions tour...?"
I frowned.
"...Did Crossroad have any famous attractions?"
Besides monsters, what else is there?
"No, why wouldn't there be famous attractions! There are loads!"
I asked Evangeline, who bristled at the suggestion, somewhat sullenly.
"Like what? Tell me."
"Uh..."
After hesitating for a moment, Evangeline suddenly raised her index finger upwards and then... pointed at herself.
"...Evangeline Cross?"
"Get out, you brat. Go buy some sweets."
"Heh, I was going to do that anyway! This way!"
Anyway, it seems there are tourist courses I hadn't even thought of. I'll have to check them out when I have time... Thinking this, we headed to the street vendors, and soon we were wide-eyed in amazement.
"Wow, what is this! Amazing!"
What lay before us was a procession of stalls, stretching from the central plaza of the city outward in all directions.
Even in my first year, there were various stalls, but this time, thanks to Serenade's meticulous planning, the stalls were organized by street and category.
Here was Southern food, there was Northern food, over there were meats, here were seafoods, and vegetables too...
In front of the street filled with unheard-of sweets, all the party members swallowed their saliva in unison. You guys are acting just like you did two years ago, aren't you.
'But it really is amazing.'
I looked around in awe.
Tables and chairs were densely packed in the central plaza, apparently for people to eat the food they bought from the stalls.
People from the Silver Winter Merchant Guild were moving around as coordinators, organizing tables and chairs, emptying trash bins, and guiding new arrivals with food to their seats.
In the center of the plaza, a small stage was prepared, where bards were getting ready to start their performance.
Looking at the sign in front, it seems the bands will change throughout the day to keep the performances going.
"Serenade really went all out..."
"Hehe. I did my best, though it might be lacking."
I murmured without thinking, and a response came from beside me. Whoa, you startled me!
Turning around, there was Serenade, who seemed to have been preparing something in the central plaza, now smiling at me.
"Welcome, Your Highness. It's still before the official start, but how is it... Do you like it?"
"You always go beyond my expectations. Amazing, Serenade."
"It's a festival that Your Highness himself announced to the whole world. I had to do my best in preparation."
Me, I didn't even know... I left the festival preparations to others and focused only on our party training, repairing the walls, and military matters...
A sense of guilt slowly crept up on me. I'm sorry.
"I have prepared for festivals before, but this time, without even realizing it... I put in especially more effort."
Serenade whispered, surveying the sprawling street vendors in all directions.
"Thinking as Your Highness said, that tomorrow the world might end, I prepared."
"..."
"If the end of the world really is approaching. Then... we all should play as hard as we can, without any regrets."
Serenade turned to me, her eyes smiling softly.
"We should make the most joyful memories, while we still can."
"..."
Suppressing the aching in my heart, I whispered sincerely.
"I hope you make joyful memories too, Serenade."
"Of course. I will do my best to leave behind the most joyful memories in the world."
Serenade approached me slyly and rolled her eyes playfully.
"You'll allow it, won't you, Your Highness?"
I smiled awkwardly at Serenade's meaningful question.
"If there's anything I can give, anything at all."
Pleased with the answer, Serenade grinned broadly, bowed gracefully to me, left a wish for a joyful festival, and... hurried off to finish preparing for the festival across the plaza.
Turning away from that sight and taking a deep breath, I turned around.
"..."
"..."
I discovered my party members looking at me with a warm gaze.
"What are you brats looking at!"
I yelled, my face reddening without realizing.
Why are you looking at me with expressions like grandparents proudly watching their grandchild at a kindergarten recital? Huh!
***
Around noon. The official start of the festival.
This time, there was an unprecedented sequence of congratulatory speeches before the festival, and for good reason.
The Emperor himself had graced this festival with his presence.
It seemed he had been drinking with his subordinates since morning, as he climbed onto the stage in the plaza, his face flushed with the warmth of alcohol, and even staggering slightly. Truly enjoying the countryside festival to the fullest!
Perhaps because the festival was held in Crossroad? The Emperor began speaking very casually, without any concern for formalities or protocols.
"Greetings. To my subjects living in Crossroad!"
Long live the Emperor!
Long live His Majesty the Emperor!
The empire's citizens shouted, all taking a knee to pay their respects to the Emperor.
But this place is the World Guardian Front.
Although it's a limited period, it's a separate route operated independently from the empire's territory.
There are many here who are not subjects of the empire. Even kings of foreign lands, who could be considered equals to the Emperor, are present in abundance.
Among them, there are not a few who still harbor resentment towards the empire.
They either showed the bare minimum of respect or kept their heads high, indifferent to the Emperor's entrance, and some even unabashedly showed their hostility.
Nonetheless, fragile as it may be, now everyone was an ally. The Emperor smiled at them as well.
"Also, greetings to all the warriors of the World Guardian Front. And to all the kings who have gathered to protect the world."
The Emperor raised his arm and swept his gaze over the city.
"The harsh battles fought on this land, the efforts you all have made, now all of us- the whole world knows."
The World Guardian Front has become an organization affiliated with almost all the nations of the world.
The battles fought here have been reported all over the world, including the most recent battle against the King of Flies. Everyone now knows that this Monster Front truly prevents the world's destruction.
"Also, that these battles will continue. That everyone here will continue the fierce fight. We all know this."
The fact that the upcoming battles will only become more severe, not less, is also known.
That the fate of humanity hangs in the balance here- now no one is unaware.
"That's why!"
Following that, the Emperor raised his voice and lifted his wine glass high.
"You all have the right to rest. You deserve to eat and drink to your heart's content. No matter how great a merchant, without sufficient rest, one cannot perform at their best."
The Emperor showed his characteristic smile, baring his teeth.
"Let us all put our efforts into enjoying this moment of leisure amidst busyness. Now, then! To mark the start of the festival... cheers!"
Cheers!
The Emperor boldly drained his glass, and everyone gathered in the plaza- and those who couldn't find a spot in the plaza and watched from the streets- also drank from their glasses.
The Emperor, having emptied his glass, laughed heartily, waved his hand, and stepped down from the stage.
The empire's citizens applauded fervently, and even those who were not applauded joyfully for the start of the festival.
Although it's the outskirts, it's still the empire's territory.
For Crossroad, it was an unprecedented scene for the Emperor himself to give a speech encouraging fun at the festival. The air instantly heated up.
The bards stationed on the stage began their lively performance, and those already drunk started singing along.
As expected of an outskirts festival, there was no formality. With so many people, the concept of honored or VIP seats lost its meaning.
People mingled and mixed, sharing food and drink, and even strangers struck up conversations.
Watching this scene, I took a sip of the drink in my hand.
"..."
In the plaza, in the streets, here and there, I saw my subordinates.
Perhaps it's because a month has nearly passed since the last battle, but their expressions seemed much brighter.
Scars definitely remain...
The darkness etched into everyone's hearts and faces hasn't completely faded away yet.
But still, everyone was smiling a bit. That's why I felt a bit relieved.
"The schedule for this festival... the first day is, well, as always about eating and drinking. The second and third days are for the martial arts tournament. And on the evening of the third day."
Damien, who had quickly read through the festival schedule posted on one corner of the central plaza with his Far-Sight, said with a wide smile.
"It's a dance festival!"
"Pfft!"
I spit out the drink I had been holding in my mouth.
Not that again, ugh!
***
At the same time.
North of Crossroad. Bringar Duchy's military camp.
Most of the refugees had already returned to the Bringar Duchy, and this place, where only the direct military forces of Dusk Bringar remained, was quiet.
Dusk Bringar had sent everyone to the festival.
In this military camp, only a minimal guard force and Dusk Bringar with her four Dragonblood Knights remained.
"..."
Dusk Bringar was floating in the air in her tent, her body curled up in the void.
Naked, with her long black hair disheveled, she was submerged in meditation within a swirl of transparent magical power, her eyes closed.
Then, from outside the tent, the careful voice of a veteran knight reached Dusk Bringar, who was deep in introspection.
"Your Excellency. A visitor has arrived."
Dusk Bringar replied irritably.
"Did I not say to turn everyone away?"
"However..."
At the continuation of the sentence, Dusk Bringar's amber eyes snapped open.
"...His Majesty the Emperor of the Everblack Empire has come in person."
Tch-
Clicking her tongue, Dusk Bringar interrupted her meditation and dissolved the swirl of magical power. The gathered magical power was absorbed back into her heart.
Throb.
"..."
She pressed a finger against her chest where a dull pain throbbed to calm it down and hastily threw on a negligee that had been lying around on the floor.
"Bring in the guest."
Flutter-
As soon as permission was given, the Emperor - Traha - entered the tent.
"The festival is in full swing, what are you doing here?"
"...Traha."
The Emperor, who had entered this place without any attendants, held a dark red wine bottle in his hand.
"Would you care for a drink?"
Towards the elder who had once raised him,
Who had been a guardian, an enemy to be killed, and now an ally to his son-
The Emperor gave a bitter smile.
"It seems there won't be another chance like this."