Ch.107107. Night of the Yokai

“Wow, look at this. This would suit me, don’t you think?”

“Wouldn’t this one suit me better?”

The mask festival I proposed for Artists’ Day was actually an event borrowed from Halloween, which anyone from my previous world would have known.

I had my reasons for choosing this, but I hadn’t planned on participating myself.

However, when the time came, the Claren City Hall brought several outfits they had prepared for me. I wondered how they knew my size, but the clothes they brought were quite something.

“The butler outfit is a bit plain, don’t you think?”

“Why? I think it matches well with me.”

In the hotel restaurant, Illuania tilted her head while holding a somewhat revealing butler outfit.

Findenai was recommending it, saying it would go well with her maid outfit, but Illuania didn’t seem particularly impressed.

No, from the beginning…

“I don’t plan on participating.”

I had things to do, but I didn’t intend to cosplay. There was no need for me to join a festival meant for artists.

“Come on! You should!”

“Don’t try to back out alone!”

But Illuania and Findenai immediately jumped in. They had already bought outfits because they thought it would be fun.

Among the artists, some had not only prepared their own clothes but also quickly made items to sell to others.

Though unintended, the market naturally became active and began to flourish.

Artists were no longer just painting or sculpting; they had started to consider commercial aspects as well.

Things were going better than expected, which led to the Claren mayor sending me this gift.

Illuania excitedly twirled around, holding the cape she was wearing.

She was cosplaying as a vampire.

“I’ve heard rumors about vampires before. A body that never ages. I find that somewhat appealing.”

She had simply swept back her hair and put on a cape, but it definitely evoked the image of a vampire.

Findenai was wearing her usual maid outfit. She didn’t need to wear anything different; what she normally wore was sufficient.

If anything, it was strange that she wore such clothes on a daily basis.

“I feel a bit embarrassed.”

“Oh my! How cute!”

Just then, Owen entered the restaurant. Under Illuania’s direction, he had dressed as a woman, and it suited him surprisingly well.

Illuania’s makeup skills were on full display, and she approached the fidgeting Owen and gave him a big hug.

“The master should try something like that too.”

“Watch your mouth.”

I glared at her with a scowl, and Findenai shrugged her shoulders. She knew she had just crossed a line.

“So what are you going to do? They sent so many clothes, and you’re just going to ignore them? I heard you’re participating in the opening ceremony.”

“…”

She was right.

I had been assigned to start the opening ceremony for Artists’ Day, which I had half-forcefully secured for myself.

It was also the most important part of today’s event and the reason why I had arranged all this.

“Still, I don’t plan on wearing ridiculous clothes.”

I was about to leave, having no intention of making a fuss by cosplaying, when…

“…”

One of the well-arranged outfits caught my eye. I wondered why it was here, but it was something quite nostalgic to me.

Findenai, who was watching from the side, asked if there was a problem.

“That? It’s a traditional outfit from the East. Haven’t you seen it before?”

“…Right, I didn’t know.”

The cool, smooth fabric felt pleasant against my skin. The beauty of silk.

It wasn’t exactly the same, but the appearance reminded me of hanbok, and I found myself drawn to it involuntarily.

A design I thought I would never see in this world.

Just that alone stirred something within me. When you lose something you took for granted and then encounter it unexpectedly…

It was more moving than I had anticipated.

“I’ll go with this one.”

* * *

As the sun set, lanterns began to illuminate the streets.

The artists’ district was filled with people in strange yet charming disguises, their lights casting a soft glow.

Though it was their first time experiencing such a unique event, everyone was enjoying the opportunity to shed their usual selves and become distinctive characters.

“Wow, it suits you.”

“Not bad at all.”

Behind the venue where the festival’s opening ceremony would take place.

Illuania and Findenai gasped in admiration as they looked at me. Perhaps because it was clothing I didn’t usually wear, their interest was high.

Among hanbok styles, it was specifically a mu-bok, a shaman’s robe.

The mu-bok my grandmother, who was a shaman, used to wear was always so vibrant that it hurt the eyes and could even make one dizzy if looked at for too long.

Grandmother used to say she had to dress brightly so that spirits and the deceased wouldn’t lose their way and could find her.

‘I suppose it doesn’t matter for me.’

What I was wearing now was similar but dyed black.

To be honest, it wasn’t an outfit I particularly liked back then.

But now that I was wearing it, it felt nostalgic, and it seemed perfectly suited for what I was about to do today.

“Now! Before we begin this year’s Artists’ Day! We have a performance by the Spiritmaster, Deus Verdi, who provided us with this groundbreaking idea!”

“It’s not just a simple performance! He has prepared a very special group performance that will be the highlight of today!”

The host’s voice came from the stage. It was time for me to go.

Illuania approached carefully and gave my outfit one final check.

“I may not be much help, but I hope you won’t be too nervous. You already look amazing.”

Illuania smiled gently. If I were an ordinary person, her words would have been quite encouraging.

Unfortunately, I didn’t need it.

I wasn’t nervous at all.

It wasn’t that I was being arrogant; I genuinely felt nothing because I wouldn’t be the one performing.

[I feel a bit sorry for the people cheering you on.]

The Dark Spiritmaster added a comment from the side. Well, he wasn’t wrong, but I didn’t bother to respond.

Illuania patted my chest and smiled with satisfaction, saying I looked neat.

Findenai saw me off with a sly smile.

Finally.

Owen, who had unintentionally ended up in women’s clothing, was staring blankly at me.

I had mentioned that I never thought I would be performing, and he had seemed a bit dazed for the past few days.

Despite the staff member’s notification that I needed to appear soon, I slowly turned and approached Owen.

“What are you thinking?”

“…Are you planning to eliminate all the monsters after you finish your performance, Spiritmaster?”

Owen asked hesitantly. When I didn’t answer and just looked at him in silence, he bit his lip in frustration.

“I know this happened because I couldn’t handle it.”

“You were afraid of the monsters.”

“Yes. But I also felt sorry for them. I finally understood why they exist and what they want, but it feels terrible that I can’t grant their wishes and have to send them away because of my lack of ability.”

His words made me chuckle.

I slowly reached out and gently stroked the boy’s head.

“Tonight, when this night ends, all the monsters in Claren will disappear.”

“…”

“But don’t assume the end will be as cruel as you think.”

“Pardon?”

As he looked up at me, wondering what I meant, I removed my hand from his head and patted his shoulder.

“Today is a festival. When the sun rises and the festival ends, you will be smiling brightly.”

The Spiritmaster! Deus Verdi is entering!

“So learn, realize, and experience. Enjoy this time.”

I headed toward the stage, surrendering myself to the somewhat artificial cheers and applause.

“Wow! The Spiritmaster has dressed up for today’s celebration!”

“We’re told it’s borrowed from the traditional clothing of one of the eastern countries! It looks amazing!”

The hosts continued the flow quite smoothly, as if they had done this many times before.

At my request, the interview was kept as short as possible, and now for the finale.

“Then, as you’re in charge of the opening ceremony for today’s festival, could we ask for a few words?”

Taking the microphone handed to me, I spoke calmly.

“The festival today will be a very impressive time for all of you.”

It will probably be a time you’ll never forget. As shocking, bizarre, and frightening as it might be.

But equally exhilarating.

“Whatever happens, please don’t be too surprised.”

The audience seemed slightly tense at my words. But I didn’t wait for them to prepare and headed toward the piano placed in the center of the stage.

I placed my hands on the keys. Along with the cool sensation, it was fascinating how even a gentle touch seemed like it might produce a sound.

It was the first time I had sat before a piano with the concept of playing it.

I took out a black jewel wrapped in cloth from my chest and placed it where the sheet music would go, making sure no one could see it.

“Are you ready?”

When I asked, another ghost who had been with me all along.

Owen’s grandfather, Oster Baltani, nodded with determination.

[To think I’d be performing through someone else’s hands after my death.]

“That was your wish and desire. To perform one last time in front of your grandson.”

[I just wanted to show the boy that playing can be enjoyable.]

“Yes, you do what you need to do.”

The sensation in my hands on the keys and my foot on the pedal gradually dulls.

A sensation I’ve felt before.

It was a partial possession; I didn’t surrender my entire body, just my hands and one foot to Oster.

My hands gently pressed down on the keys. Simultaneously, as if music had been turned on, a brilliant performance began to spread from my fingertips.

It was a mystical experience.

This spectacle, which could only be seen through skill and effort accumulated over many years, was unfolding before my eyes.

Though I wasn’t particularly fond of music.

The piano’s tone emanating from my hands wasn’t trapped in the prison of sheet music but spread in all directions within infinite creativity, transmitting it to others.

‘Impressive.’

An emotion I could never give to anyone else in my lifetime was spreading from my fingertips.

The audience was amazed at my playing skills, their mouths agape, and Owen, who had headed to the audience seats with Illuania and Findenai, was looking at me with an expression of disbelief.

He probably realized immediately.

Whose soul I was borrowing to continue this performance.

The once calm notes gradually became more intense. Like a pouring shower, the tone that heightened tension momentarily made even me enjoy the performance.

But that wasn’t all.

Had they recognized Oster’s performance?

Monsters began pouring in from all over the city, filling the sky.

They seemed determined not to miss this opportunity and tried to disappear while listening to Oster’s performance, but.

“Don’t be so easily satisfied.”

I directed a sinister smile at these monsters and poured out my mana.

As mana visibly poured out, gasps and screams erupted from the audience.

Since I couldn’t handle mana while continuing the performance, the Dark Spiritmaster took my mana and began connecting it to the Lemegeton.

The spirit stone emitted a bright light.

Materializing the monsters.

“Kyaaaah!”

“W-what is that?!”

“It’s a beast! A monster!”

As the monsters began to become visible to people, they screamed and tried to flee, but the host, whom I had briefed beforehand, hurriedly grabbed the microphone.

Even the host seemed a bit startled by the monsters’ appearance, as his words trembled.

“Th-this is an event prepared by the Spiritmaster and his team for this occasion! S-sorry for the confusion! It’s a performance by a professional team, so please remain seated for the sake of other viewers!”

Some people who had been thrown into confusion looked on in disbelief, or reluctantly sat back down with sour expressions.

People will understand that these aren’t monsters, but performers wearing masks.

I’ve also used mana to create illusions, so they’ll attribute the mysterious movements to mana as well.

[You’re truly insane. Making these monsters visible to people.]

At Oster’s comment as he continued playing, I gave a slight smile.

“Just for one day.”

The monsters, too, seemed bewildered, realizing they were visible to humans, but I didn’t stop.

“I thought it wouldn’t be bad to give the city to monsters for just one day.”

That’s why I had people wear masks.

I created a festival with strange and unique disguises.

Instead of them closing their eyes in the comfort of a piano performance,

I hoped they would close their eyes satisfied with the joy of the festival.

A smile slowly formed on my face.

The surroundings were still softly illuminated by lanterns.

A brilliance perfectly suited for a festival of monsters who don’t show their faces.

The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons had just begun.