Chapter 85: Midsummer (Combined Chapter)

Midsummer Festival.

One of the several most important festivals on Ephara Continent.

The time was mid-month of each year's seventh month (Summer Tide Month), the day with the longest daylight, also marking the seasonal transition and summer's peak.

The festival's origin, in the continent's countless years of strife and the deities' complex contradictory epics, had long been lost.

But people still followed customs passed down through generations, celebrating this midpoint of the entire year in their own ways.

Banquets, weddings, divination...

Even those hardworking farmers in the fields who couldn't straighten their backs would give themselves a little holiday on this day, accompany family, add two more pieces of dried meat to dinner.

The people of River Valley Town were naturally no exception.

"Mission number: 1062, required number: 4, already full, next."

"Why 3 silver less? This goblin ear of yours only has half a piece left. Doesn't count toward the bounty. Next."

"I don't sell 【Adventurer's Handbooks】 here. Next."

"No time. Next."

"Next..."

Head lowered, tiredly shaking the bell.

Molly lay on the counter behind, weakly calling out.

Before her, no movement came for a long time.

The noisy chattering sounds from usual days also disappeared from her ears.

Raising her head, she saw the guild hall that should be filled with hurried adventurers was now empty and desolate.

Only a scattered few staff members wearing Adventurers' Guild uniforms chatted and laughed as they walked together toward the door.

Molly couldn't help pausing.

Then as if remembering something, the originally half-dead, drowsy expression as if she hadn't slept for many days instantly dissipated completely.

Replacing it was a smile that couldn't help rising on her face as if liberated, even her eyes had more spirit.

"Almost forgot, today is Midsummer Festival."

On this once-a-year festival, even if usually extremely busy, the Adventurers' Guild would give employees under its banner half a day off.

Supposedly some branches with sufficient funding and generous higher-ups would even distribute bonuses and gifts to employees.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Molly.

As an ordinary receptionist at River Valley Town's Adventurers' Guild branch, being able to get off work early already satisfied her completely.

Just thinking that this afternoon she didn't need to deal with those strangely-shaped adventurers, didn't need to argue with them about why what could be exchanged for bounty was the left ear not fingers, didn't need to touch those blood-dripping spoils pouches—she felt her mood relax.

Even unconsciously humming a tune while packing things.

Carrying her satchel, casually greeting passing colleagues, Molly's steps were light as she walked out the Adventurers' Guild's door.

The house she rented was located on River Valley Town's west side, about thirty to forty minutes away.

Not very close, but cheap.

Honestly speaking, Molly's income, placed among ordinary commoners, was already quite good.

Just like that proverb circulating on the continent:

"Be neighbors with adventurers, roosters crowing collect gold coins."

Any job even slightly related to adventurers and these things with supernatural power had extremely considerable income.

Even an ordinary attendant responsible for serving water and food, if the tavern she worked at often had adventurers gathering, her income compared to peers wasn't just one or two times the difference.

Sometimes, the tips received in just one night were more than many people's pay for over ten days of work.

Of course, along with high income came enormous risk.

After all, both were drunkards—the balding, beer-bellied, wife-fearing middle-aged Uncle Jack next door, versus a beastman adventurer

with arms thicker than your thighs who'd just finished chopping dozens of goblins during the day and still carried a bloody aura.

Their danger levels were naturally worlds apart.

The former at most would push and shove with you, cursing and denying his previous groping behavior;

While the latter, if you really stepped on some sore spot, and happened to be drunk...

That could truly cost a life.

However, this had nothing to do with Molly.

Backed by the guild, even if she had absolutely no combat power, no idiot dared make things difficult for her while working.

Right now, this short-haired girl who'd finally obtained half a day's holiday with great difficulty.

Was considering whether to cook at home tonight or go out to a restaurant for a big meal.

"It's Midsummer Day after all, let's go out and eat something good."

"Don't know if Nana has time today. Haven't seen her in over a month—need to find a chance to get together."

Lost in thought, she happened to reach a corner in the road and didn't pay attention for a moment, almost colliding head-on with a passerby coming from the other direction.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Molly's steps were flustered as she apologized hastily.

I looked at the flustered girl before me, my brow furrowing imperceptibly.

But the next second I recognized that she was precisely the front desk receptionist I'd seen several times at the guild before.

Not planning to make things difficult, and not saying anything more.

Just nodding lightly, I moved my body aside and brushed past her.

Right now, over half a month had passed since I'd returned from Karanfor.

Nothing much to say—

Eating, sleeping, training, listening to adventurers boast at the tavern, occasionally going to the general store to pick out a couple combat skill books...

This was all my activities during this time.

Stable, settled, and without any waves.

The money on my person plus what was deposited at the bank added up to 152 gold 7 silver 3 copper in total.

Compared to my net worth after the second mission ended, it had risen slightly, but not too much.

Aside from daily living expenses, the spending mainly went toward equipment and props necessary for adventuring:

I'd used a fire oil bomb in the battle with Ingram before—the effect was good, especially effective against enemies like insect swarms, so I'd gone to the general store and bought another jar;

The light plate armor stripped from the sheriff had also completed alterations at Barn's "Rockhammer," its appearance completely changed from before, thoroughly eliminating any hidden dangers.

Right now it was worn over the already-repaired chain mail shirt.

Double-layer protection, but not bulky.

Not the kind of heavy full-body plate armor from blacksmith shops—the size was similar to ordinary chest armor. Wearing it on the outermost layer was like putting on a metal vest.

The combined weight of the two pieces of equipment was just right for my current physical fitness, wouldn't affect daily activities and combat.

There was just one inconvenience...

Right now was the hottest time of the entire year. With these two pieces of iron armor on, plus the undergarments beneath.

Inside town was still fine, with no strenuous activity.

But if I went out to the wilderness later, I'd probably be covered in sweat from just moving around a bit, swinging my sword once or twice.

"Wonder if the enchanted equipment used by high-tier professionals has temperature control effects."

Otherwise when I changed to full heavy armor later, going out on missions for ten days to half a month at a time—wouldn't I get marinated inside the tin can?

I walked alone on the street, my thoughts gradually wandering.

Suddenly, cheering sounds came from the roadside.

Turning my head to look, I saw before a brand-new mansion whose entrance was decorated with flowers and mistletoe, a man and woman embracing each other, surrounded by applauding and jeering friends and relatives.

The man's face bloomed with a happy smile. Although he didn't carry weapons, from his compact leather armor and efficient, fierce temperament you could tell he was probably an adventurer.

The woman seemed not quite adapted to the current setting, just shyly burying her head in her lover's chest, long hair hanging down so her face couldn't be seen clearly.

Midsummer Festival was also a festival of romance and matrimony.

Friends becoming lovers, couples becoming spouses... expressing love to one's sweetheart on this day was said to earn the blessing of the 【God of Love and Beauty】 "Sune."

I silently withdrew my gaze, expression calm.

Speaking of which, in my previous life during student days I'd also had a few innocent romantic experiences, but for various reasons, most bloomed briefly like fireworks then quickly dissipated into the dark night sky, coming to nothing.

After starting work, I'd left with the stars and returned with the moon. By the time I got home even the neighborhood dogs were asleep. Opening my eyes meant endless work—completely no energy or time for socializing.

In the past, facing the newlyweds before me, I might have felt envious and yearning in my heart.

But now I was exceptionally calm.

—Improve combat power, eliminate the anxiety arising from insufficient strength.

The direction that had gradually clarified after crossing over was like when I'd just entered the company after graduation, giving me a clear goal to work toward.

My pursuit of other things accordingly faded.

"Should go practice swordsmanship."

......

......

Night gradually deepened, dim and heavy twilight rising from the horizon, shrouding this border town beside Mist Forest.

Covered in sweat, even my forehead hair matted from perspiration.

I walked breathing heavily on the road back to the inn.

Normally, for just ordinary training, and in the hot summer season, there was completely no need to be fully armed like I was now.

Wearing light clothes, bringing weapons, going light would be fine.

But considering I'd never had experience wearing two pieces of protective gear simultaneously before, thinking to take advantage of the opportunity to get used to the newly acquired plate armor earlier, I didn't mind the exhaustion and practiced hard all afternoon in the hot weather.

Sweating a bit now was better than bleeding in missions later because of unfamiliarity with equipment.

Just pondering what to eat tonight, an intense firelight suddenly came into view.

Midsummer Festival had ancient origins. Although people's understanding of the festival itself was roughly the same, specific customs had considerable differences due to people's race, region, and even faith.

For example, believers of the sun god "Amaunator" would often walk out of churches on this day, finding an open area without obstruction to bathe in sunlight;

While gray dwarves in the Underdark held grand-scale forging competitions, throwing the losers into lava to please their deity, the 【Exiled One】 "Laduguer."

River Valley Town, as a town located near Mist Forest, possessing an Adventurers' Guild, with large numbers of bottom-tier adventurers living and active year-round.

After years of development, naturally had also gradually formed its own customs on Midsummer Day.

"Clang... clang... clang..."

Long bell tolling from unknown places rippled across the streets like waves.

Wrapped in heat waves and burning wind, the massive pyre of piled timber crackled under raging flames, billowing smoke rising upward, extending all the way into the depths of the clouds.

Town center, in the middle of the open square.

An incomparably massive bonfire was burning.

Different from the lively clamor elsewhere in town, various people gathered around the bonfire in a rare atmosphere of solemnity and gravity.

Even those free-spirited bards who completely didn't consider others' thoughts in daily life, pulling out instruments to sing loudly whenever their mood struck—at this moment they also set down their instruments, standing quietly beside the fire pile.

I slowed my pace, both swords on my back, carefully examining this scene full of exotic customs before me.

A dwarf built solid as a tree stump swung his beard braid hanging almost to his thighs, pouring the strong liquor in his hand into the flames, expression dazed;

A green-skinned beastman with two protruding canine teeth threw metal fragments from his hand into the fire's depths, mouth muttering blurred words with a heavy accent, seemingly praying to the deity he believed in.

I even saw Barn from "Rockhammer," whom I'd only recently seen, standing by the bonfire at this moment, clutching a finely crafted lady's necklace in his hand, his rough face filled with grief and longing.

The timing and setting weren't quite appropriate, so I didn't tactlessly go forward to disturb him.

Around the fire pile, aside from adventurers, there were more ordinary townspeople.

An elderly farmer with dark, rough skin wearing simple hemp clothes tremblingly untied the grain bag in his hands—only the surface covered with a layer of plump wheat grains, the rest all small stones;

A ponytailed girl with a pretty face used both hands to throw the textile in her arms into the fire pile, crystalline eyes reflecting firelight. Seeing it gradually blacken and turn to ash, her eyes reddened.

Dispelling hatred, removing bad luck, mourning the deceased, hoping for good harvests...

The curling, rising firelight held people's most simple and sincere emotions.

I stood in the square's corner, looking at the house-sized giant fire pile before me.

After a moment's hesitation, I was still moved.

Although I respected this place's customs, I wasn't the type who liked joining in the fun, rarely having any sense of ritual in daily life.

Seldom celebrating because of some specific festival.

But after all, right now I was in a fantasy world with numerous deities.

Sometimes, appropriately participating did me no harm.

Thinking it over, I rummaged from my waist pouch and pulled out a shriveled coin purse—from Ingram, naturally the coins inside had long been emptied.

Forcefully throwing it into the fire pile.

Reciting earnestly in my heart:

"We're all bitter souls making a living in town. Don't blame me. Even after death don't go tattle to your deity. Next life try to be a good person."

I didn't know why, but although my movements and expression were normal, I felt like I was destroying evidence.

Touching the lucky coin placed close to my chest, the hard sensation from my fingertips made me feel at ease.

Just about to leave, in the corner of my eye, a robust figure suddenly flashed past.

A tall barbarian draped in wolf fur cloak.

Seemed to have just arrived at River Valley Town, his gaze looking around in all directions.

The jagged fang necklace at his neck collided and knocked, producing crisp sounds; the wolf jaws crossed at his chest, frost-white fur extending to both shoulders seemed to grow from inside his body.

In an instant, looking at the figure before me, I seemed to return to that small wooden house in Karanfor's outskirts, my eyes losing focus.

As if standing before me was a famished winter wolf searching for prey on the howling, cold, snowy plains.

Decisively turning around to move away, I walked toward the tavern's direction.