Published: February 1, 2026
The festival in Astarnia was incredibly lively.
The founding festival held in the Capital City (Parteda) of Partedar was crowded and bustling, but in the center of the country, a solemn ceremony, one could even call it majestic, was taking place. People who were noisy with stalls and performances in the town would quiet down and quietly celebrate the founding when attending the ceremony.
However, here it was different. No matter where you went, the excitement was palpable. The royal family themselves led the festivities. Whether celebrating the founding or giving thanks for the blessings of the forest, the event was anything but solemn.
Since the citizens were all people who loved lively occasions, it was easy to imagine how lively the festival would be just by observing their usual behavior.
“A shipboard festival, huh?”
“Yeah.”
While waiting for confirmation of quest completion at the guild, Rizel and the others, who had taken over a table, were talking about the upcoming event.
Recently, the people around had been restless and uneasy, and though Rizel and Jill had heard it was because of the festival, they didn’t know the details. However, since it was a traditional festival, Eleven seemed to know about it. Even though he usually stayed in the forest, for a national festival like this, he sometimes showed up.
“If it’s still the same as when I experienced it, they put a huge ship owned by the country in the middle, and a crazy number of ships set out. Those ships are connected by simple bridges or just planks, so people can freely go back and forth.”
“Sounds like a lot of participants. Small boats might even sink.”
“Well, the ships near the center are big, but I think there were many small boats toward the edges.”
Apparently, there was also a side to the festival for praying for the safety of ships, so many participated for good luck. On the ships, there were various performances and events. On the huge ships, there were shipboard parties, and even on small boats, they sold things like food stalls.
Rizel nodded, imagining how spectacular the decorated ships must be, and looked around. Many adventurers were also talking about the shipboard festival.
“The harbor must be bustling.”
“It’s all stalls, though.”
“What’s the point of making it even noisier?”
Jill said this with a dislike, unable to understand the charm of festivals. Rizel found it funny and smiled, but was suddenly called by the guild staff.
It seemed they had confirmed the quest completion. It made sense that rewards would vary depending on the quality of the quest items and that confirmation was necessary if some adaptation was needed. But thinking about it, he wondered how Stud managed to handle adventurers without making them wait at all.
“Please wait a moment.”
“Okay.”
“Have a good one!”
Thinking that Stud was just really competent but still not quite solving his doubts, Rizel headed to the reception. There was no need for all three to go.
Eleven, who waved cheerfully and sent him off with a smile, then slouched at the table with Jill, putting his elbows down rather impolitely. He exaggeratedly tilted his head further and changed his smile into a smirk that seemed to provoke.
“It’s like during the founding festival too, huh? You say you hate the noise, but when the leader invites you, you still go along with it, Big Brother.”
“So what?”
“Nothing really? The leader looks like he's having fun, and I’m all for it.”
Jill admitted lightly, causing Eleven to laugh heartily.
Indeed, there was no need to hesitate since it was natural. Both Jill and Eleven clearly said they disliked certain things, but if they were with Rizel, the clamor was no big deal.
Eleven smiled and squinted happily while watching Rizel’s profile as he talked with the reception.
“He’s a bit too sweet since the fight, so I bet he won’t refuse if he’s invited again this time.”
Jill frowned slightly in disgust. Seeing that, Eleven grinned.
At times like this, Jill’s feelings linger quietly. Maybe he felt at fault for this incident.