Side Story 07. [After Story] Autumn Festival

    Imperial Year 657.

    Five years after the final battle with the monsters.

    Southern Empire. Crossroad.

    The first day of the Autumn Festival. Central Plaza.

    “It’s been a while, everyone!”

    Ash stood on the prepared stage in the plaza, flashing a broad grin.

    “How has everyone been?”

    Waaaaahhh!

    The crowd erupted with cheers at the appearance of the former lord and Crown Prince, whom they hadn’t seen in years.

    Ash had governed this city for only three years, but in those three years, the world had changed forever. Once a remote frontier, Crossroad had stood at the center of history during that time.

    Remembering the challenges and glory of those days, the citizens still adored Ash. Applause and cheers filled the air as everyone welcomed the return of their former lord.

    “As you may have heard already!”

    Ash, with a satisfied smile, scanned the faces of the people who used to be his citizens.

    “Our Crossroad Margrave has had heirs. And not just one – twins!”

    Waaaaahhh!

    The crowd roared with joy at Ash’s announcement of this happy news.

    “So, normally, the lord would be the one to announce the start of the festival. However, as the Crossroad Margrave has not fully recovered yet, it falls to me to declare the start of the festival after such a long time!”

    Ash playfully winked at the crowd.

    “No need to drag it out, right? Let’s get started! Alright then! The Autumn Festival everyone’s been waiting for...”

    Ash deliberately stretched his words as he raised his arms high into the air.

    “Begiiiins-! Right now!”

    Bang! Boom! Pop!

    Even though it wasn’t yet noon, colorful fireworks painted the sky.

    Those who had secured spots in the plaza early and were already drinking and reveling cheered loudly as they raised their glasses.

    “Alright, let’s all have some fun!”

    As Ash pumped his fist into the air,

    Pop! Pop-pop-pop!

    Another round of fireworks burst into the sky.

    Amid the thunderous applause and cheers, this year’s Autumn Festival officially began.

    “Wow, how long has it been since we’ve last been at the Crossroad Autumn Festival?”

    Standing at one side of the bustling plaza, Junior murmured to herself.

    Hecate, sipping her drink through a straw beside her, smirked.

    “Isn’t it more like it’s been ages since we’ve been to Crossroad itself? Let’s see, when was the last time we came here?”

    “Was it four years ago? Oh, right, for the joint wedding of the Crown Prince and his wife, and the lord and his wife...”

    At the mention of that legendary wedding four years ago, both women’s expressions stiffened.

    Recalling the events of that day sent chills down their spines.

    “A-ahem...”

    “Y-yeah, anyway. It’s nice to be back in Crossroad after so long.”

    Naturally steering the conversation away from that day, the two women walked through the crowded streets of Crossroad.

    Since then, Junior and Hecate had been living together in New Terra, the Imperial Capital.

    They shared a room in an old boarding house owned by a kind elderly lady who rented it out at an affordable price.

    Junior worked for the newly founded historical foundation, the Jupiter Foundation, established by Ash. Hecate, on the other hand, worked at the orphanage where she had grown up, Whiteblossom. R??Νo????S

    No longer a mage or a knight, they had become a junior historian and a rookie orphanage teacher.

    To adapt to the changed world and make a living as beginners in their new fields, the two women had endured hardships together. And so, five years had quietly passed.

    “...”

    “...”

    As they walked through the familiar streets of Crossroad, now somewhat changed, both were lost in thought.

    While the city had transformed in many ways over the years, it still retained the essence of the place they remembered. Memories of the days when they wielded swords and magic in this very place came flooding back.

    Junior muttered unconsciously.

    “It was tough... but those days were good too.”

    Her voice carried a faint sense of nostalgia.

    Now, in a world without magic.

    A world where neither magic, miracles, nor mystery remained.

    To say that she didn’t miss the past as a mage would have been a lie. As an exceptional mage, she missed it even more.

    Even now, Junior occasionally felt a sense of loss. In the mana reservoir within her, which no longer held any magic, she sometimes felt phantom sensations, as if remnants of the past lingered like a phantom pain.

    “But.”

    This year, the Crossroad stall’s featured item was Bean Rice Cakes—a basic rice cake dusted with soybean powder.

    Although Evangeline had experimented with various flavor combinations, she ultimately decided to present the original, unaltered version for its debut as Crossroad’s representative dish.

    And to make it more accessible, she opted to offer free samples.

    The simple combination of flour-based rice cakes coated in soybean powder might not have seemed particularly appealing under normal circumstances. But during a festival, where it was being given away for free, hardly anyone could resist trying it.

    Chewing on the chewy Bean Rice Cakes at the same time, Junior and Hecate blinked in surprise.

    “Oh, this...”

    “It’s better than I thought! Maybe it’s because of the soybean powder?”

    “If they’re giving it out again tomorrow, I’ll definitely come back for more.”

    Laughing as they teased each other about the soybean powder sticking to their mouths, the two enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

    The festival had just begun, and there was still plenty to eat and see.

    With lighthearted laughter, the two strolled together into the lively festival streets.

    ‘End your summer vacation in Crossroad, with the Autumn Festival!’

    Thanks to this slogan—and the hard work of Evangeline and the people of Crossroad—the Autumn Festival turned out to be even richer in attractions and activities than those in other southern cities, drawing large crowds of visitors.

    “...Phew.”

    After eating and drinking to their hearts’ content, Junior stood on the eastern hill overlooking the bustling festival.

    “I’m thinking about buying some land in Crossroad.”

    Hecate, standing beside her and basking in the autumn sunlight, looked puzzled.

    “What? Land? In Crossroad?”

    “Yeah.”

    Nodding, Junior explained.

    “Two ladies told me I should build a retirement villa in the south—with a swimming pool and everything—and spend the rest of my life relaxing.”

    “Oh, the resort idea?”

    Recalling an old conversation, Hecate asked, and Junior chuckled awkwardly.

    “Yeah. But if I’m going to build it in the south anyway... wouldn’t it make sense to do it near Crossroad? I’ve grown attached to this city. And besides, land here is way cheaper compared to New Terra.”

    “That’s just because New Terra is ridiculously expensive. Anywhere seems cheap compared to that place.”

    Hecate covered her mouth as she laughed softly. Clearing her throat, Junior continued.

    “Anyway, I don’t have the money to build a villa just yet... but if I find a good spot, I’m thinking of buying some land little by little.”

    “Already planning for retirement? You’re so diligent, my dear roommate.”

    “It’s because it was a dream.”

    For a moment, Junior looked westward—toward the graveyard where Jupiter was buried.

    And she remembered the figure of another mage who had once called herself Jupiter’s daughter and had come to pay her respects at his grave.

    “It wasn’t just my dream... it was the dream of many.”

    Even in a world where the two mages, and magic itself, no longer existed...

    The ideals they had carried still lingered, alive and unwavering.

    “...”

    Whoooosh—

    The autumn breeze swept across the fields, sending ripples through the grass and stirring the hair of the two women.

    As Hecate quietly gazed at Junior’s profile, she spoke.

    “You’re going to let me be part of that dream, right?”

    When Junior looked at her, Hecate gave a faint smile.

    “I’ve heard you talk about it so much, it feels like I’m dreaming it with you now... You’re going to keep the promise you made back then, right?”

    Junior laughed at that.

    And then she answered.

    “If you pitch in some money.”

    “Ugh, you bloodsucker!”

    “I know you’ve saved up plenty. Don’t think I don’t know, former captain of the Glory Knights.”

    “And do you really think a knight’s salary could ever compare to even the dirt under the fingernail of a mage? Former chief mage of the World Guardian Front?”

    “I don’t care. Pay the entry fee if you want in!”

    “Five years ago, you promised I could get in for free!”

    Playfully bickering, yet now dreaming the same dream, the two women laughed together.

    The wind continued to blow, and the sunlight poured down over them.

    Thus, the first day of the Autumn Festival passed by.

    –TL Notes–

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