Chapter 199.5: Interlude: The Empire's Carnival

“So this is Geiselk. It really is a large city.”

“There are many tall buildings, and the roads are wide too.”

“Yes, as expected of the Empire’s capital.”

I came to Geiselk, the capital of the Vandal Empire, with Letty and Flora.

We received an invitation from Imperial Prince Ernst of the Vandal Empire.

“But the sky is cloudy, and it somehow feels like a gray town.”

As Letty says, there are many stone buildings and the sunlight is weak, so it gives an overall gray impression.

It’s winter, and the latitude is higher than the Albion Kingdom, so it can’t be helped, I suppose.

“When the festival starts, the town will surely become colorful.”

The invitation from the Prince was to participate as guests in the Empire’s Carnival.

The Carnival seems to be the Empire’s biggest winter event.

We are participating there as representatives of a friendly nation.

Since we formed an anti-monster alliance, we’ll likely have various exchanges with the Empire from now on.

Speaking of Carnival, in my original world, it was a festival before the Christian fasting period.

In this world, it seems to be a seasonal festival at the end of winter to wish for the arrival of spring.

Even so, the contents of the festival are similar.

I heard that tomorrow is Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), and a parade in costumes will take place.

The next day, when we left the Empire’s guesthouse and headed to the large square of Geiselk, many large floats were already rolling out onto the town’s main street.

The floats were decorated with large dolls and the like, and people dressed up as witches in black pointed hats were riding them.

The townspeople were also dressed up as they pleased.

And when they loudly begged the floats, saying “Kamelle (sweets)!”, the costumed people threw paper-wrapped sweets.

According to what I heard at the guesthouse yesterday, it seems that the more effort you put into your costume, and if children ask rather than adults, the more sweets you can get thrown to you.

The town, which had been gray, was completely filled with colorfully decorated floats and vibrant costumes.

It’s overflowing with color, as if it’s a completely different town.

Cheers rose from here and there from people who caught sweets.

“It somehow puts you in a fun mood.”

“Fufu, seeing the smiles of the children who received sweets is heartwarming.”

“It seems adults are getting quite a lot of sweets too. No matter how old you get, sweets are nourishment for the soul.”

Letty, who said that, loves sweets as well.

She looks happy catching the sweets flying our way.

After giving a greeting as representatives of a friendly nation in the large square, we returned to the guesthouse, and Imperial Prince Ernst, who invited us, arrived.

“Did you enjoy the Carnival?”

“Yes, it is a lively and wonderful festival.”

“With the decorated floats and the townspeople’s costumes, it felt like the whole town took on color.”

“The costumed children were especially cute. They warmed my heart.”

“Hearing you say that makes inviting you worthwhile.”

Imperial Prince Ernst showed a smile.

“By the way, I heard you played an active role fighting the massive monster horde. I was told it was an unprecedented horde.”

“Yes. Having fought monsters many times before, I thought I understood them, but I was once again made to realize the threat of a massive monster horde.”

“Yeah, we pride ourselves on the Imperial Army being elite, but a large herd of monsters surged toward the Empire as well, and it was tough. If we hadn’t received food and medicine from your country, we would have struggled even more.”

Being able to have this kind of conversation with the Imperial Prince is also thanks to the alliance.

I realize once again that what Flora accomplished is significant.

“Thank you for gifting us the precious Adamantite the other day. It was very helpful.”

“I thought Lord William would make effective use of it. I’m glad it was useful.”

“Yes, I used it as material for Golems.”

“I see. Surely powerful Golems were born.”

“Yes, I believe they will be very active in developing the undeveloped lands and defending against monsters.”

“It’s not exactly a return gift for the Adamantite, but I brought a gift for Imperial Prince Ernst as well.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

When I explained the communication devices, took out two units, and handed them over, the Prince was at a loss for words.

“No, I thought it wouldn’t be anything ordinary since it’s a gift from Lord William, but to think it was something this amazing.”

“Surely His Majesty the Emperor will also be deeply grateful. I truly feel glad that we allied with your country. I will definitely repay this favor someday.”

We promised to reunite with Imperial Prince Ernst and returned to our country.

I wonder if I should invite him to the Albion Kingdom next time.

(Author’s Note: When people think of Carnival, Venice or Rio are famous, but I wrote this while recalling the Carnival in the Rhineland region of Germany that I experienced before. It’s a shame my lack of skill couldn’t express it well, but it was a mysterious and fun festival.)