Ch.116116. Festival (3)

We entered the accessory shop.

The interior of the building, filled with Gothic-style furniture, was quite lavishly decorated. The displayed ornaments were the same. Each one was beautifully crafted with different designs and put on display.

‘Most commoners wouldn’t even be able to set foot in here.’

Tenant farmers and mercenaries who survive day by day taking on simple requests would need to think long and hard before stepping into this store. Thanks to that, unlike the crowded streets outside, the inside of the store was quite empty.

“Welcome!”

Receiving the energetic greeting from the male clerk, we began looking at various items.

Meanwhile, like a chick following its mother, Sione, who was timidly following me around the store, carefully said.

“For hairpins… what I have now is enough. The prices are higher than I expected.”

“Didn’t you say you brought plenty of money? You brought several gold coins, so it shouldn’t be too much of a burden.”

“Still… wouldn’t it be better to spend that money on more food?”

“Ah….”

She really does consistently love food.

Even after buying an expensive hairpin here, we could still eat our fill from the street vendors outside with the money she brought, yet she’s still saying such things.

As Sione made these pointless remarks, I was looking for something that would suit her while observing her demeanor. It seemed she was hesitant because she wasn’t used to places like this.

“You are the daughter of a Count, aren’t you? I think it wouldn’t be bad to get another pretty hairpin that suits you, Sione. Come on, don’t be like that.”

I handed her a hairpin that had caught my eye.

Sky blue, like her pure, clear eyes. The hairpin, which captured the clear blue autumn sky, seemed like it would go well with her silvery hair that held the moonlight.

“Why don’t you try this one first?”

“Hmm… alright.”

Sione slightly removed her hood and finally put on the hairpin as I suggested.

As expected. Such elegantly blooming silver hair can only be found in the Count’s family in the kingdom. When her hair was revealed, I could see everyone in the store turning their attention to her.

“How is it? Does it suit me well?”

“Yes, it suits you well. Would you like to look at some others?”

“Hmm… originally, places like this might be fine for Sion, but I feel a bit uncomfortable staying here too long. If possible, I’d like you to quickly choose something you like.”

Sione glanced around.

She seemed a bit bothered by the gazes that were gradually becoming more intense toward us.

Well, as she said, in this place, it’s the men rather than the women who are interested in such ornaments. Even in this store, the majority are men.

I also didn’t want to watch men chattering away while trying on necklaces and rings for too long, so as per her request, I quickly selected hairpins and handed them to Sione.

“Which one do you like the most?”

“I… no, Ray, which one do you think looks best?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Since… you’ll be seeing me wearing the pin more than I will. Wouldn’t it be better to choose the one you think looks better?”

“Hmm….”

I weighed the three hairpins in my hand and finally chose one.

It was the first hairpin I had picked. It suited Sione well, and being the most expensive, it had small jewels, or should I say, craftsmanship embedded in it. Since she’s still using the hairpin I bought her half a year ago, if she’s going to use it for a long time, it would be better to buy the most expensive and best one.

“I think this one would be good. What do you think, Sione?”

“If you say so, I like that one too.”

“Then I’ll go pay for it.”

Now that we’ve decided on a hairpin.

I approached the clerk and completed the payment.

Fortunately, the clerk recognized Sione as the daughter of the Count and gave us a discount on the hairpin. Something about gratitude for centuries of hard work.

After making the simple purchase, I returned to Sione.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll pin it for you.”

I neatly pinned it in Sione’s hair as she stared at me blankly.

Even for a small ornament, it seems to be worth the money. The more I look at it, the more I feel it suits Sione well, and I’m glad I bought it.

“Hmm….”

Sione let out a very quiet sigh.

Perhaps embarrassed that a male servant was pinning her hair in front of others while everyone’s eyes were on her, she said a quick thank you once her hair was arranged and immediately walked out of the store with quick steps.

“Really….”

She hasn’t even put her hood back on. If she goes out like that, she’ll attract even more attention.

I followed after Sione with a slight smile on my lips.

It seems she realized she hadn’t put her hood on only after leaving the store. Seeing her hurriedly pulling her hood on from behind, I finally let out the laugh I had been holding back.

What followed was simple.

Sione and I just strolled through the streets, carefree and immersed in the festival atmosphere.

If a jester was performing a small show, we would hold hands and approach to watch the acrobatics. And if we got hungry again, we would try different foods from nearby stalls. We were enjoying small but definite moments of happiness.

While I was playing the role of Sione’s lover, I was also tasked with being her guard. So I was occasionally scanning the surroundings and staying vigilant, which allowed me to spot a familiar face.

‘That person.’

Lavi Cournel, a magician belonging to the Marquisate of Allenar.

It seems she was also enjoying the festival with her colleagues in this area.

Normally, I would have just thought, “Oh, she’s having fun over there,” and lost interest, but Lavi Cournel didn’t look very well.

‘…How did she end up like that?’

When I was asking various questions next to Aria, she had the appearance of a vibrant magician.

But now, with dark circles under her eyes that could rival those of an estate accountant who works day and night, and her listless movements, not to mention the expression of someone who has given up on life as she mindlessly chews on the skewer in her hand.

…When I was trapped in the slave market long ago, a slave near my cage looked exactly like that.

What on earth happened in just a few days that made her look like a slave suffering from hard labor?

Because I was momentarily distracted by Lavi Cournel’s shabby appearance, Sione poked my side to get my attention.

“Ray, what are you looking at?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just saw a familiar face.”

“Hmm─”

Sione, who was quietly staring at me with her arms crossed, suddenly extended her hand to me.

“Hand.”

“Here it is.”

I quickly took her hand before she could complain.

And after walking around the streets more.

As we moved quite far from the central area, a street driven by primal desires appeared before us.

Red lanterns visible even during the day. A stretch of buildings with such lanterns lit, a bridge connecting the slums and the central area.

At the appearance of the red-light district, I stopped walking and pulled Sione in the opposite direction.

“…Let’s go back.”

The red-light district is a place I never want to visit in this world, even if I die.

I know what happens in the red-light districts of this world.

The lower you go in society, the stronger the gender reversal tendencies of this world become, and this is especially true in places like the red-light district.

This means there’s a stark contrast to the world I lived in, where I served as Sione’s attendant and mingled with nobles every day.

Men who shamelessly remove their tops and crowd around as if they want to seduce, and the disgusting voices of men in the background.

That place is truly a hell on earth.

I overcame being trapped among thousands of undead and suffering from curses. I overcame losing a comrade I cherished more than anyone while conquering a damn dungeon. Because of that, I think my mental strength is not bad, but I’m not confident I can overcome that place.

Surely, the moment I step in, my eyes will be blinded and my ears will burn. Before I sleep, that moment will remain like an afterimage, rapidly eroding my mind.

For my sake.

And to prevent our Sione from being defiled by those worthless men.

We must avoid that place at all costs.

“It’s the red-light district. Yes, beyond that is the slum area.”

“There’s nothing good for you to see there. It would be better to go back to where the festival is in full swing.”

“Yes, don’t worry. I have no intention of setting foot in such a place either. I may be a bit lazy, but I’m far from being dissolute, aren’t I?”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“…Besides, since you’re here, no one else could possibly catch my eye….”

With those words, her movement to turn her back on the red-light district suddenly stopped.

Ironically, despite saying no one else could catch her eye except me.

She cooled her expression and fixed her gaze on the red-light district.

“Sione?”

Why is she suddenly acting like this when the mood was good?

As time passed, I followed her gaze, which was becoming increasingly sharp, from a subtle suspicion to a certainty.

Her gaze was fixed on a blonde woman who was cautiously looking around near the entrance of the red-light district, as if waiting for someone, not far from us.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Someone who shouldn’t be here.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Though faint, I can sense Magia from that woman. With that level of intensity, she must have done something sinister related to demons.”

Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword.

“It seems she’s not afraid of the Count’s knights or the church’s holy knights. I don’t understand why someone who has made a pact with a demon is breathing freely in our territory.”

“…Please take your hand off the hilt. It’s dangerous.”

“Let’s follow her.”

What…?

Voluntarily seeking trouble and danger?

“We came to enjoy the festival, not to wage war against cultists. Why don’t we return to the Count’s mansion, inform the head of the family, and mobilize troops to root them out?”

“Those who believe in demons are all wicked and good at running away… Moreover, they’ve been perfectly avoiding the eyes of the Count’s family and the church until now. If we lose them now, who knows when we’ll be able to track them again? I’m not saying I’ll cross swords with them. I just want to follow them and roughly figure out their location.”

“You don’t have a bow or arrows with you now, so what will you do if a fight breaks out? Let’s leave. We can quickly call the church or nearby soldiers to track them.”

“…I’m a Sianella. It’s my duty to my name to prevent demonic schemes. If not now, we might lose them─”

Really… this is so frustrating.

Why does she become so reckless when it comes to matters related to demons?

Of course, with Ainel’s protection following me, and the ability to use elemental magic without hesitation when needed, I’m confident I can escape from any situation.

But there are better methods to consider, and there’s no need for us to directly get involved with them, choosing uncertain safety and taking on risks.

Moreover, the issue I deeply recognize is more fundamental in Sione’s attitude.

Sione was obsessed with her name. This foolish person believed without doubt that recreating the legacy of her ancestors was the absolute value of being Sione Sianella, and it was worth risking her life for. She didn’t care about the danger to herself that would arise from such pursuit.

It was foolish. To my eyes, it seemed less like a strong sense of justice and more like holding an inflexible belief.

And such a blockhead is my master and lover.

Suppressing a sigh that was about to burst out, I pulled her hand that I was holding.

“To me, Sione is more important than Sianella.”

Why does she not know how to take a step back when it comes to demons, and instead prepares to fight like a fighting dog?

“I think it would be better to go to a nearby church first and ask for support.”

“Yes, that’s not a bad idea either.”

Then Sione quietly caressed my cheek and raised the corner of her mouth.

Wait, she’s smiling in this situation?

“Then, as long as my safety is guaranteed, it’s okay to chase after them, right?”

“What…?”

“As it happens… there are magicians from the Marquisate of Allenar over there. They, like our Count’s family, haven’t forgotten the wickedness of demons, so I’ll personally ask for their help.”

Sione’s gaze shifted from me to someone else.

Following her gaze.

I saw Lavi Cournel, who had been led by her colleagues and had arrived here with empty eyes like an undead.

Sione, unlike her usual quick steps, approached the magicians with an uncharacteristically dignified gait.

And she even lifted her hood to show her face to them.

Watching Sione do this, I shook my head.

“Really….”

Sione is like a child. She throws tantrums and does whatever she wants. She’s absolutely unstoppable.

If she does this one more time, I’m going to forget about kisses and everything else.