The Silver Winter rchant Guild had set up tents and shops all around the city center.
With people buzzing around, curiosity got the best of , and I went to check it out.
"Welco! Care for a simple ga?"
"...Ga?"
"Yes! If you participate, well stamp your card. Get more stamps by visiting other Silver Winter stalls, and if you collect all the types of stamps..."
Upon hearing the details, it seed that each of the Silver Winter Guilds stalls had different gaming or experience zones. Complete a lap around the stalls, collect stamps, and trade them in for a small prize. Whats more, it was all free!
"We definitely have to do this!"
The first stop was a dart-throwing stall.
The four of us took turns throwing darts. I completely missed the mark due to lack of skill, and Evangeline threw too hard, causing her score to be low.
Junior expertly hit all the targets...and then there was Damien. He threw his darts so that each one landed dead center.
"Heh, heh!"
With a weird laugh, Damien shrugged his shoulders. This smug, arrogant son of a...!
"Its just a dartboard, but this is actually pretty fun!"
The staff put a commorative hat on Damien for breaking the all-ti record.
Wearing a silly oversized hat, Damien grinned like a little kid.
Evangeline clenched her teeth, seemingly envious of that hat.
"Were going to visit the other stalls! No, well make a round at all of them! I may be weak at darts, but Ill take first place in everything else!"
"Can we use magic for the next gas...? No, I will use it. I want so souvenirs too."
"Easy there, guys. Please. Just take it easy!"
And so, our plans for the afternoon were set. We would go around all the Silver Winter rchant Guilds stalls and collect stamps.
We visited other stalls, playing bowling, disc throwing, a card-matching ga, and even solved quizzes.
Really, it feels good to collect each stamp...!
Every ti a new stamp was added to my collection, a peculiar sense of accomplishnt filled .
Im not one to be hooked on achievent scores or completion rates, but now I get it...a little!
At each experience zone, lines had ford. People in line bought snacks from nearby stalls and chatted.
No wonder theyd set up shops all over the place.
There were other parties enjoying themselves too.
Shadow Squad was laughing while bowling.
Kuilan was collapsing while arm-wrestling, and the Penal Squad was roaring with laughter.
The Holy Grail Seekers were smiling faintly while playing a card-matching ga...
"..."
I quietly watched them all, each enjoying the festivities in their own way.
If this city had been a place free from monster invasions,
Could I have seen such a scene every day...?
"Stamp collection complete!"
As dusk approached, we finally visited all the ga and experience zones and successfully collected all the stamps.
We finished all the quests on the first day of the update, just like how Korean gars usually do... Seeing this made feel like my party mbers were sohow more familiar.
Not in a good way, though.
We should be enjoying this leisurely, you idiots!
Anyway, now that weve collected all the stamps, lets head to the prize exchange booth. We each flipped a bread hat onto our heads and headed toward the exchange point.
The prize exchange was taking place at the central store of the Silver Winter rchant Guild, located downtown.
"Your Highness!"
Serenade was there.
"Are you enjoying the festival?"
I silently showed her the paper filled with stamped marks in response to her sorrowful smile.
Serenade clapped and laughed brightly.
"Youve collected them all! Congratulations! Let exchange them for a prize!"
"Uh, umm..."
I felt like I was being treated like a child and it was a bit embarrassing... but honestly, I had fun, so whatever.
The prizes were an assortnt of things like stuffed dolls, toy swords, and other knick-knacks. But what mattered was the mood.
Wondering what the others chose, I saw that Junior picked a toy magic wand, Evangeline picked a toy shield, and Damien chose a stuffed doll. You guys really stick to your characters, dont you?
While I was hesitating over what to pick, Evangeline suddenly jumped in and chose a toy crown for .
Then, she firmly placed the crown over my bread hat. Seriously?
"Oh, it suits you! Truly royal!"
"I would have preferred that knight figure over there... Ah, forget it."
I had beco an odd-looking creature with both a bread hat and a crown. Seeing like this, my party mbers burst into laughter. Well, as long as theyre happy...
"Thanks for setting up this event booth, Serenade. It really adds to the festive atmosphere."
While my party mbers sward over to a nearby snack booth, I spoke to Serenade.
"But if you give all this away for free, will you make any profit?"
"We definitely cant make a monetary profit," Serenade said, smiling gently.
"However, we can build a good image."
"Image?"
"This festival is an opportunity for the citizens of the city to enjoy running their own stalls. People bring out homade liquor to sell, and share the snacks they baked at ho," Serenade explained in a soft voice.
"What would happen if the rchant Guild from the Imperial Capital suddenly intervened and started doing business on a large scale?"
"Ah..."
"We might gain a short-term profit from trading, but wed also earn ill-will, not to ntion ruining the spirit of the festival."
Serenade slowly scanned the crowd of citizens filling the streets.
"Even though Silver Winter is the largest rchant Guild nationwide, we havent achieved anything in the southern region. We have to start from scratch here."
"So, you start by planting a good image."
"Exactly. If we contribute a bit to the success of the festival, it will not only benefit the city of Crossroad in the long run but also aid your plans for a tourist city."
Serenade softly smiled as she handed a doll to a child who had collected all the stamps.
"So ultimately, this ans our rchant Guild will have more opportunities in this city."
"..."
"Making a quick profit is easy, but coexisting with the community over the long term is difficult. However, thats what makes it valuable."
I was blankly listening and then mumbled to myself.
"Youre a good rchant, Serenade."
"Hehe. You flatter . I just did what would eventually benefit us more."
I spotted my party mbers returning with snacks. Serenade waved them over.
"Go on, Your Highness, enjoy the festival. Youve worked hard on the frontlines. You deserve a day like this."
"What about you? Arent you coming?"
"Oh, I really appreciate the offer, but I still have a lot to do. Due to the rush in preparing, there are many things lacking..."
Serenade seed montarily tempted to join but ultimately declined.
It seed that even the Silver Winter rchant Guild was short-staffed due to hastily organizing this event.
"However, Your Highness, if you could, on the last day..."
Hesitating mid-sentence and entangling her fingers, Serenade cleared her throat and waved her hand.
"No, never mind! See you later, Your Highness!"
"Alright. See you later, Serenade."
As we shook hands, I added,
"Thanks for helping with the festival."
Serenade smiled brightly.
"Just hearing that makes happy."
***
The sun had completely set.
Though the night was dark, the city was brightly lit. Stalls and taverns were packed with people eating and drinking.
Ashs main party of four disbanded after dinner.
Ash and Damien, tired from a day of fun, returned to their lodgings. However, Evangeline and Junior had prior engagents and re-entered the city.
They arrived at a cafeteria next to the central square. Already there, sipping wine, were familiar facesLilly and Saintess Margarita.
"Sorry, sorry~ were a little late!"
"We were having dinner with our party, so it took longer than expected."
Evangeline and Junior greeted them warmly as they joined the table. However, the atmosphere was not exactly cheery.
Lilly was continually emptying her wine glass with a sullen face, and Saintess Margarita was smoking...
"..."
"..."
Whats with this vibe?
Evangeline and Junior quickly exchanged glances. Why were the senior mage and the saintess in such a grim mood on a festival day?
Evangeline clapped her hands and forced a smile.
"Alright! Crossroad Won Heroes and rcenaries Welfare Committee! Or, for short, CWHMW! Our second eting! Lets start on a high note!"
The na never got any less awkward, but the atmosphere needed reviving. Junior chid in.
"Exactly! Co on, CWHMW mbers! Lets have so sweets and chat! Drowning ourselves in hard liquor and chain-smoking will only hurt us, you know? Especially on such a good day!"
Evangeline and Junior summoned the cafeteria owner to order food, desserts, and drinks.
However, even as the table filled with new dishes, the somber expressions on Lilly and Saintess Margarita didnt lighten up.
Sweat trickled down the faces of Evangeline and Junior. Whats wrong with these people?
"Saintess, is sothing bothering you?" Unable to hold back any longer, Evangeline finally asked.
"You both look particularly down today. If soone picked a fight with you, as the President of the CWHMW, I will set them straight!" Evangeline subtly emphasized the word President.
Junior quietly thought to herself, Evangeline, you sure are ambitious, arent you?
"...No, its nothing. Today was supposed to be my day off, but its been hectic."
Snuffing out her cigarette, Saintess Margarita poured herself another glass of alcohol.
"The scale of the festival this year is bigger, and its livelier, which has resulted in more injuries than in previous years..."
"I see."
"The ergency dical stations keep calling because theyre understaffed. I considered ignoring it and resting, but I felt uneasy. I went, and before I knew it, I had spent the entire day at the ergency dical station. The sun is setting, and I didnt even get to enjoy the festival."
Taking a big gulp of her drink, Saintess Margarita sniffled.
"So, the atmosphere is just gloomy because I couldnt rest even on the day of the festival. I shouldnt be complaining about this as a cleric... Im sorry."
"Ah, dont worry about it."
"We totally understand! No need to apologize!"
Evangeline and Junior emphatically comforted Saintess Margarita.
As the sweet snacks and alcohol continued to flow, Margaritas face thankfully began to soften.
The remaining problem now was...
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
"..."
"..."
Lilly, who had been chugging wine as if it were water.
"Um, Lilly... Whats wrong?"
"... "
Slamming down the bottle she had been drinking from, Lilly growled, her face flushed from intoxication.
"Its a festival, right?"
"Yes."
"Its common sense to spend the festival with your lover, right?"
"Uh... Yeah?"
"Do you know what that elf said?"
That elf was obviously Godhand. Lilly heaved a sigh.
"My companions are experiencing their first festival today. Can I spend today with them and start spending ti with you, Lilly, from tomorrow? Thats what he said."
"Ah..."
"What could I say? His situation seed tough too, and understandable. So, I said go ahead."
Well, she had said go ahead. Everyone started sweating nervously.
"anwhile, everyone else is having fun, and I had also planned to enjoy the day with my boyfriend. Instead, Ive been moping around all day... Im getting frustrated. It feels like hes taking care of his elf companions more than hes looking out for ..."
Lilly wiped her heated forehead with her hand.
"It might be an odd comparison, but it feels like Im dating a man who already has kids..."
"Pfft!"
The remaining three spat out their drinks simultaneously. Ignoring them, Lilly continued.
"Hes also totally clueless... doesnt know how to set the mood... I must be a fool for flirting with an elf. Ugh."
Thud!
Lilly slamd the liquor bottle down on the table, grinding her teeth.
"Do you realize how clueless he is? I havent even gotten a proper confession yet."
"Huh?"
"Really?"
"Werent you guys dating?!"
"Well, it just sort of naturally turned into a relationship... Ah, I dont know. Maybe this is the elven way of dating."
Lilly guzzled down the liquor. The darkness looming over the table deepened.
"Hey! Even though were all a bit lost right now!"
Just then, Evangeline shot up from her seat, raising her glass high.
"I assure you, as the president here, that well all get what we want in the end!"
"Oh, thats right! Greater happiness is definitely coming!"
Junior hastily agreed, rising from her seat as well. Following suit, Saintess Margarita and Lilly also blinked their eyes brightly, raising their glasses and shouting in turn.
"To finding love!"
"To finding true love!"
Junior and Evangeline joined in the shouts.
"To, to finding health?! Wait, what am I looking for..."
"Crossroad is mine!"
Cheers!
It was a toast lacking context, typical of a tipsy gathering, but who cared about context at a place like this anyway?
The four of them emptied their bottles and glasses cleanly, and then
Thud!
Lilly toppled forward.
She had long since exceeded her normal alcohol limit. Her face flushed red, she hit the table face-first and passed out, letting out soft, wheezy breaths.
It was just then that the remaining three were about to discuss how to get Lilly back to her quarters.
"Ugh, ugh! Excuse ...!"
Soone rushed into the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Is Miss Lilly here by any chance? Ive been looking for her for a while now..."
A tall elf with greenish-brown hair. It was Godhand.
Upon locating the culprit, the other three mbers shouted simultaneously, pointing their fingers accusingly.
"Hey! Cant you do things properly?!"
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