Summer Vacation – 11

“What are you planning to do with all those things?”

“What does it matter? These all become memories.”

Cordelia grinned. For memories, it’s a bit… I subtly took a step away from her. It’s a bit awkward to say, but standing next to her was becoming uncomfortable.

“Did you do this every year?”

“Do what?”

“Buy all those use… I mean souvenirs hanging all over you like that?”

I was about to say “useless” but hastily changed my words. But to my eyes, they really seemed completely useless.

During festivals, people can be entranced by the atmosphere and buy things they wouldn’t normally purchase. I can understand that perfectly. But this was a bit excessive. Cordelia had adorned her entire body with souvenirs bought from the street.

On her head was an animal ear headband of indeterminate species—could be a dog or a cat. Her arms were full of small wooden souvenirs and dolls. A glimpse of her wrist revealed a “wish bracelet,” also known as a misanga. And in her hand, a rolled-up caricature of herself.

“She wasn’t quite this bad before…”

Hestia’s voice trailed off.

“What do you mean by ‘this bad’?”

Cordelia bristled. Seeing her so excited was actually quite cute. If she were 10 years younger, it would have seemed even cuter and more age-appropriate.

“Anyway, the burning ceremony will start soon, so follow me.”

“No matter how many times I hear it, I can’t get used to that name—’burning ceremony.'”

It’s an eerie name no matter when you hear it. I understand it has a plausible origin, but it still gives me the creeps.

“They say that in ancient times, they actually conducted real burning ceremonies too. Back when followers and remnants of the tyrant’s forces still remained. They would capture them and burn them along with the scarecrow during harvest season.”

“Ugh.”

Seol-ah’s face turned pale. I had heard somewhere before that in the past, when entertainment was scarce, executions served as a form of entertainment, but thinking about people celebrating by burning others to death as a festival highlight was rather chilling.

“Cordelia. Look how dark their expressions have become. We’re about to go see it, and you’re making such jokes?”

“Hahaha! Sorry. I didn’t think you’d both believe me so easily.”

At Hestia’s words, Cordelia laughed while holding her stomach. So it was a lie after all. Seeing our grim expressions, Cordelia added reassuringly:

“If they had done such things, the tradition wouldn’t have lasted even ten years. Don’t worry. The only thing they burn is an enormous scarecrow.”

“That’s a relief. If they really used to burn people, I was honestly considering not going.”

“It’s nothing like that, so just look forward to it.”

“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.”

A scarecrow is just a scarecrow. How big could it possibly be?

I regretted my thought from just ten minutes ago about how big a scarecrow could possibly be.

“Well, are you surprised?”

Cordelia said proudly. Her expression radiated pride. It was like that feeling you get watching TV shows where foreigners come to Korea, eat delicious food, and express amazement, making the locals proud. People are the same everywhere.

“Yes, I’m quite surprised.”

Setting that aside, I honestly expressed my amazement. This was definitely worth the anticipation. How could a scarecrow be so large? It seemed several times bigger than the moon houses burned during the first full moon festival. Considering that moon houses are simply cone-shaped piles of straw, this was even more impressive as it actually maintained a human form.

“How did they make it?”

“I don’t know!”

Cordelia answered with refreshing certainty.

“I heard they brought magicians from the capital to create it. But I don’t know the details. It seems to be somewhat of a secret.”

I felt a bit deflated. I thought there might be some amazing method behind it, but it was just magic again. It’s not like it’s some cheat key—whenever there’s something slightly mysterious, it’s always explained away with magic.

“So now they’re going to set it on fire?”

“Yes.”

I observed the soldiers diligently waiting in the corner. They had arrows with oil-soaked cotton tips ready. It seems they’ll use those to ignite it.

I looked up at the scarecrow. Seen up close, it was tall enough to make my neck stiff. The thought of such a huge object burning brightly was a bit frightening.

“Has there ever been an accident?”

“An accident?”

“You know, like the scarecrow falling over and injuring someone, or sparks flying and causing a forest fire…”

“No, no. Of course all safety measures have been put in place.”

I felt uneasy. Whenever I talk about these things, accidents invariably happen. It’s like foreshadowing. Similar to how soldiers in war movies who talk about their plans for after returning home always die.

Whenever Seol-ah or Cordelia reassure me that nothing will happen, accidents occur eight or nine times out of ten. Maybe it’s because we’re in a world of novels.

I decided to remain vigilant. It wasn’t a combination that matched the word “festival,” but I’d been burned too many times before. While I was glaring at the scarecrow, wondering if something might happen, a booming voice resonated among the people.

“Is everyone enjoying themselves!”

“Yes!”

I looked in the direction of the voice. A height several heads taller than others and an absurdly thick body.

“Good. I won’t make a long, boring speech.”

The owner of the voice was Duke Deneb. He stepped forward, parting the crowd.

“Set aside your usual worries and enjoy yourselves.”

He finished his short, powerful speech and swiftly turned around. This is something I wish school principals would learn from.

Simultaneously, the soldiers who had been waiting released their bowstrings. The flaming arrows adorned the dark night sky as they flew toward the scarecrow. The flames reached the scarecrow, which was instantly engulfed in fire.

I watched the scene with my mouth agape. It was like a scene from a movie. Honestly, up until Duke Deneb’s speech, it felt like watching a politician visiting a traditional market during election season, but the ignition just now was impressive. This level of production could be considered art.

Despite my admiration, Cordelia expressed her opinion in a voice devoid of any excitement:

“He kept it shorter this year.”

“Did he do this last year too?”

Cordelia nodded in response to my question.

“Every year. Last year it was a bit longer, but I guess the response wasn’t great. He fixed it right away.”

“He works hard.”

I felt strange, having seen a rather realistic aspect. Whether on Earth or in this world, politicians seem similarly fixated on approval ratings.

We quietly watched the burning scarecrow for a moment. The crackling sound of burning branches inside and the noise of other people chatting and playing around served as a sort of background music.

“How… is it?”

Cordelia carefully broke the silence.

“How is what?”

“Is it okay? This.”

She looked quite anxious. She had an expression like a child waiting for homework to be checked. It was a face that suggested the world would collapse if I said I didn’t like it.

I struggled to suppress the little devil in my mind that urged me to tease her. If I played such a prank now, she might really run away crying.

“Yes, it’s impressive. More than I expected.”

“Really?”

She was absolutely delighted with my answer. To be honest, it was a more spectacular sight than I had expected. They say watching fights and fires are the most entertaining spectacles. It’s not easy to watch a fire of this scale.

Music was heard from somewhere. At the spot where the soldiers had been standing, they had disappeared and a band had taken their place.

They began to play. An exciting dance tune. Looking around, I saw couples joining hands and going out to dance one by one.

“Do people dance here too?”

“Good atmosphere, good lighting, and there’s music—of course.”

It was an obvious answer. Cordelia took a deep breath and extended her hand to me.

“Here.”

I stared at her outstretched hand and tilted my head. I placed my hand on top of hers.

“What are you doing?”

“Weren’t you asking for my hand?”

She looked at me as if to say “what are you doing?”

“I’m not a dog—why would I ask for your hand?”

“Then what did you mean?”

“Are you seriously asking because you don’t know?”

In this atmosphere, I obviously knew what she wanted to say to me. I was just teasing her a little.

Cordelia sighed and then bowed to me with an exaggerated gesture.

“May I have this dance? Sir?”

“The opposite of ‘miss’ is not ‘sir’.”

Sir, really? Even after military service, I still sometimes get ID-checked.

“So what’s your answer?”

I glanced sideways toward Hestia. I wasn’t sure about the significance of a man and woman dancing together here. I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings. Hestia seemed to understand my signal and nodded, indicating it was fine.

“Very well, miss.”

I took her hand and stood up. After all, dancing with a friend isn’t that strange. At my acceptance, Cordelia’s face lit up. She grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the scarecrow.

“What’s the rush?”

She seemed not to hear my words as she pulled me all the way to the front of the blazing scarecrow. I hadn’t noticed from a distance, but up close, it was definitely hot. The heat hit like a wave. Due to the muggy early summer weather, sweat streamed down.

“Do we really have to dance here?”

I think moving further away would be better. No matter how I look at it, it’s too hot to dance here. But she shook her head at my words.

“No way.”

“What? Is there some reason we must dance right here?”

“Ugh… Anyway, no!”

Cordelia was resolute. I decided to just go along with it. After all, she worked hard today as our guide, so it seemed fine to indulge her this much.

“Are you confident in your dancing?”

“Somewhat?”

Cordelia smiled confidently. Whatever the case, she’d dance better than Hestia. Having my feet stepped on dozens of times in dress shoes was an experience I didn’t want to repeat.

The crackling sound of burning branches, ashes slightly floating in the sky, Cordelia’s face flushed red in the firelight. Plus, she had her mouth shut, concentrating on dancing. To be honest, she looked much prettier than usual. Throughout the dance, I stared intently at her face.

Cordelia smiled and asked:

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing, you just look prettier than usual.”

“Really?! So it does work?”

“Work? What do you mean?”

“Hmm, nothing!”

She evaded the question.