Regarding the Founding Festival of Hydra Kingdom, I'm not going to be a vendor, so I don't need to do much preparation.
There's no fixed time for us to go there, and we could just take it easy. The gates would normally be crowded, so I would have to be mindful of the time of arrival, but since I plan to go there with Alice's Teleportation Magic, the traffic won't be a problem at all.
And so, with the Founding Festival coming up in a few days, I was just hanging out and enjoying window shopping without doing anything in particular.
It is fun to go on a date with my lovers, but it's also quite enjoyable to walk around the city alone without a particular purpose in mind.
Well, that's what I was thinking... when I suddenly saw a familiar figure at the end of the street.
The person was elegantly leaning against a lamppost with her arms crossed, watching the people waiting with a relaxed expression on her face.
At first glance, she had the aura of someone people watching, and due to her unique appearance, it was difficult for one to approach and start a conversation with her... but from my knowledge of her, I understood that she was probably in trouble, so I decided to call out to her.
[...I'll ask just in case, but are you lost, Fors-san?]
[O- Ohhh... You always show up in times of my predicament. Your timing is great... I mean, when you show up at a troubling time like this, my maidenly heart, which I should have forgotten long ago, beats loudly. Good gracious, I certainly couldn't say that your timing is too good though, as I'd be too ashamed of how often I get lost and get troubled by it. It's just, even though I'm well aware that getting lost isn't a good thing, when I think about the encounters with you that happen as a result, I can't help but feel that getting lost might not be all that bad. No, I do know that this is something that should be improved though...]
When I called out to Fors-san, who was loitering on the road with a seemingly relaxed atmosphere... but in reality was lost and was standing there not knowing what to do, Fors-san's eyes sparkled and she talked nimbly as usual.
I thought it would be better if she used that lively conversational skills to ask directions, but well, I guess there was a high possibility that they would think she was strange and avoid her.
[...Errr, so, why are you here?]
[Ahhh, I'd like to get to that, but it would take a while to explain. How about this——– since we met by chance, having a casual chat in the midst of the public's hustle and bustle doesn't seem appealing. If it's convenient for you, how about we find a place to have a chat over tea? Ohh, don't worry, I won't make someone who I'll undoubtedly be relying on from now on pay money. As remuneration for your assistance, I'd like you to enjoy as much food and drink as you'd like.]
[Well, I don't have any plans, so I'm fine with it. I think there's a cafe nearby, so how about we go there?]
[Ahh, Symphonia's Royal Capital is your home after all. You'd undoubtedly be more familiar with the establishments here than I am, so I'll leave the selection to you. If this were in the forest, or perhaps around the outskirts of Rigforeshia, I could have guided you myself. Well, with me being the guide, I myself am doubting if I could actually lead you to the right place.]
For the time being, although she might be lost, she seems to have an air of composure about me. However, I must not be deceived. Even during the Six Kings Festival, she was also as composed as this, but she actually ended up keeping Laguna-san waiting for several days.
[...I'll ask just to make sure, but don't you have any plans on meeting up with someone or some other plans in mind?]
[I do have such plans in mind, but it won't be today. Ohh, please don't misunderstand, I don't mean that I have a scheduled meeting time that had already passed just like that time in the Six Kings Festival. My plans really will happen a few days from today. So, please rest assured that I am not keeping anyone waiting at this point or anything like that.]
[I see, well, we can talk about the rest of the details as we move along...]
At any rate, it doesn't seem like it would be that pattern where her meeting time has already passed, so I can rest assured and continue talking with Fors-san as we move along.
[The fact that you're lost today, is it related to how you'll be meeting up with someone?
[Ohh, what discerning eyes. That's right... If anything, the person I will be meeting up with is just like last time, Laguna. Well, rather than us meeting up, it's more like she demanded that I attend their Founding Festival that will take place in a few days. I couldn't really refuse the request of my long-time friend, so I decided to attend.]
[Ahh, I see...]
[Laguna told me to stay at home as she would send someone to pick me up. Since I had a few errands to run though, I thought I might as well head to Hydra Kingdom a bit earlier. Well, no matter how directionally challenged I am, I figured I'd have enough time to get there with about 10 days to spare.... Ahaha, well, here we are.]
[...No, ummm... This is Symphonia's Royal Capital though?]
[...How mysterious, isn't it?]
The words Laguna told her about her staying at home are indeed correct. This person is probably someone who shouldn't be allowed to go out somewhere alone.