Chapter 21: At the Founding Festival

Before noon the next day, Tanya Celesta returned safely in the kitchen car. Apparently, when Tanya Celesta and the others arrived at Estelle’s house in Euphonium, Estelle’s mother was in a critical condition. She had suddenly lost consciousness the previous evening, her high fever hadn’t subsided, and she was muttering incoherently. The doctor’s assessment was that nothing more could be done for her. Then, thanks to Estelle’s [Gift], [Holy Miracle], which was activated when she rushed in, her mother, who was in critical condition, survived. Her fever broke, and she eventually regained consciousness. Naturally, both Estelle and Robert cried their hearts out. Even the uninvolved Tanya Celesta was moved to tears.

“That’s wonderful… So she’s safe now?”

“The town doctor said she’s in perfect health. He even called it a miracle.”

Well, yes, the [Gift]’s name is [Holy Miracle]. Even so, they decided to wait and see, so Estelle and her father chose to remain in Euphonium. The letter Estelle sent back with Tanya Celesta was filled with countless words of gratitude. She must have been incredibly happy. That’s good… I’m a little worried that I broke the Elliott flag that was supposed to appear ten years later, but a human life is more important. No, in my case, shouldn’t I keep breaking flags? But, I think it would be better if Estelle and Elliott were happy together, as long as the doom flag doesn’t come for me. For now, I guess I can call this a lull. I looked at the [Gift] crest on my right hand. Level 4. The level had increased when I woke up this morning. Did it level up because Estelle’s approval rating increased? No, I feel like it leveled up because I completed the Estelle awakening event. Estelle herself leveled up too, after all. And I have a strong feeling that I just piggybacked on her success. Does completing main character events lead to level ups? I wanted to test what I could summon right away, but both Father and Mother are busy today with their Founding Festival duties. I decided to give up for today, as they would be free tomorrow. This can’t be helped. It would be bad if an accident occurred because I went ahead and did it myself.

“By the way, I’ve been wondering about this for a while now… What is this red stain clinging to the car…?”

A dark reddish-black substance spread across the bumper and the front of the body. It certainly looks like blood… D-did she run someone over…?

“When I was driving back at full speed, something suddenly leaped out in front of me. I hit it and sent it flying.” “Just as I thought—!? Wh-who was it!? S-surely no one died!?” “Yes, it died instantly.”

Uwaah…! W-what should I do…! What is the right course of action in this situation!? Tanya-san was the one who hit it, but the car is mine, and um, in cases like this…!

“This kitchen car is very sturdy, isn’t it? It doesn’t have a single scratch, even after running over a goblin.” “…A goblin? You ran over a goblin?” “Yes?”

W-well, it was just a goblin… Thank goodness… I guess? I checked the kitchen car, and indeed, there wasn’t a single dent. No, even for a foreign car, isn’t it too sturdy? …Could it be that the summoned store and its accompanying equipment cannot be broken…? No way, right?

“Ah, please keep Estelle’s [Gift] a secret, okay? It would be terrible if the wrong people took notice.” “I understand. Baron Euphonium also requested the same. I will never speak of it.”

Ooh, so Estelle’s father also understands the power and danger of Estelle’s [Gift]. A [Gift] that can cure any disease is bound to attract unscrupulous people. Fortunately, the details of the [Gift] are only known to the user, so if we keep it as a ‘Gift’ that heals injuries, it won’t stand out too much. There are quite a few healing-type [Gifts] after all.

“Even so… how did Sakuraile-sama learn about the danger to Baron Euphonium’s wife?” “Eh!? That was, um, well, a divine message in a dream, or a premonition, I suppose…” “You received a ‘Divine Oracle’!?”

Tanya Celesta received the lie that came out of my mouth with a look of astonishment. Rarely, very rarely, a person who has received a [Gift] receives a ‘Divine Oracle’ from the god who granted it. An ‘Oracle’ won’t descend unless the person is greatly favored by the god, and if one lies about receiving an ‘Oracle,’ the [Gift] can be taken away. W-well, I didn’t lie! Tanya-san just misunderstood… I said it was a message in a dream or a premonition…

Now, the Founding Festival starts today and lasts for two weeks. I must enjoy it enough for Estelle, who returned home (though I sent her back)! I was planning to tour the festival with Father and Mother, but both are busy today with official Founding Festival duties, so the first day is impossible. Father is the Emperor’s brother, so he has to show his face at events like this. Since children are exempt, there was a suggestion that I should go with Elliott, but I gratefully declined. I can’t invite the Princesses, Luca and Tifa, either. Wait, besides Estelle, do I not have any friends I can casually hang out with…? Mmm, maybe I should have tried harder to widen my social circle at Elliott’s birthday party. Ugh, this is troublesome, being alone. Well, I have my guards, so I’m not strictly alone.

“Alright! Sakuraile, I’ll show you around the Imperial Capital!”

Just as I was thinking that, Grandfather, the Margrave, showed up. Mother must have contacted him. Well, it’s far better than wandering around alone. Is Grandfather perhaps bored…?

“I heard from the Duke and Ashley. You apparently did something reckless?”

“Ah… well, yes…”

He must be referring to yesterday. If a daughter returns home covered in blood, of course, they would be worried. The Euphonium Baronet House is closely connected to Grandfather. So, it would be best to properly tell Grandfather about yesterday’s event and its conclusion. After listening, Grandfather sighed deeply.

“You are still a child. You should rely more on the adults around you. It’s understandable that you don’t trust everyone since you haven’t been here long, but…” “No! That’s not true! I trust everyone here!”

This is true. I can tell from the adults’ attitudes whether they are sincere or just putting on a superficial facade. Thankfully, everyone working for the le Philharmonie Ducal House genuinely cares about me. I deeply regret having worried them.

“What you did might have been wrong for a Ducal Daughter. But the Euphonium Baronet family was saved because of it. I am proud of you.”

Saying that, Grandfather stroked my head with his big hand. I felt a bit shy.

“Putting that aside, are you planning to go to the festival dressed like that?” “Eh? Is there something wrong with it?”

I looked down at the clothes I was wearing to check if anything was strange. I don’t think there’s anything wrong, but is something off?

“In those clothes, it’s obvious you’re a noble’s daughter. You might attract trouble. It’s customary to go to the Founding Festival or the Divine Festival in commoner clothes. It’s to prevent intimidating the people around you.”

Ehh… I didn’t know about that custom. Ah, but I remember that when Elliott and Estelle were touring the festival together in the game, they were wearing common town clothes. But I thought that was because Elliott didn’t want to be recognized as the Crown Prince. Wait, since I’m also part of the Imperial Family, is it bad if I’m recognized?

“Arisa, do we have those kinds of clothes?” “Of course. We are prepared.”

Arisa the maid answered as if it were the most natural thing. Eh, is this common knowledge? I was led by Arisa and quickly changed my clothes. Reflected in the mirror was an inconspicuous, plain town girl. Or rather, it felt like I was back in the slum days. Though the clothes were much better quality than back then.

“Do I need glasses too?” “It’s an item that adds plainness while maintaining a touch of cuteness. I believe it is necessary.”

Ah, I see… I looked at myself in the mirror, wearing unfamiliar pigtails and glasses. Well, it doesn’t look bad. When I returned to Grandfather, he had also changed into plain, inconspicuous clothes. He looked like some kind of foreman. Not only Grandfather but also Tanya Celesta and Arisa had changed into plain clothes. Of course, bringing guards and maids would immediately give away that we were nobles. But still.

“Wouldn’t going in the Ducal House’s carriage defeat the purpose…” “We’ll get off before we enter the Third District, so there’s no problem. Don’t worry.”

The main area of the Founding Festival is the Third District and the Fourth District. Our house is in the First District. Estelle’s Euphonium Baronet House is in the Second District. We passed through the First District, where the Imperial Family and high-ranking nobles live, and the Second District, where lower-ranking nobles and wealthy merchants live, and got off the carriage in front of the gate to the Third District.

“Wow, it’s bustling!”

The Third District was already fully immersed in the festival mood. Many flags fluttered from rooftop to rooftop, and the area was full of people and vibrancy. Stalls and open-air shops lined the streets, with customers peering at unusual goods. Bands played lively music, and people were dancing to the rhythm. Inspired by the cheerful crowd, I started feeling excited too. I don’t dislike festivals.

“Since this is Sakuraile’s first festival. Alright! Let’s start by eating Rabbit Skewers!”

What kind of direct name for food is that? Following Grandfather, we approached a stall, and what came out were perfectly ordinary skewers. Ah, so it was skewers using rabbit meat? Like yakitori. I thought it was going to be a whole roasted rabbit… The Rabbit Skewers were salty and had a wild, rustic taste. Quite delicious. Honestly, I would like to try a version with sauce, though.

“Ah, they are selling Takoyaki too!”

Tanya Celesta exclaimed, her eyes sparkling, peering into the stall next door. Takoyaki is normally sold here… Come to think of it, there was a scene of Elliott and Estelle eating Takoyaki on their festival date. Hmm, is this world a game world after all…? Things that appeared in CGs or text in the game also exist in this world. That’s why I see little glimpses of Japanese culture here and there. It feels somewhat disjointed. Grandfather, Tanya Celesta, Arisa, and I walked around the crowded city. Caught up in the festival atmosphere, I bought things I didn’t really need. I bought a cheap but somewhat cute brooch, for no particular reason. Well, that’s fine. Observing the people carefully, I noticed quite a few people who were clearly nobles in disguise. As Grandfather said, walking around in commoner attire seems to be the custom for nobles at this festival. I spotted a few of the children I had seen briefly at Elliott’s party. Of course, I didn’t call out to them. I don’t think they would talk to me either, even if they noticed me. Perhaps maintaining mutual non-interference is also customary. The main characters of this festival are the common people living in the Imperial Capital, not the nobles. Grandfather told me that there are some foolish nobles who don’t understand that, though. But it’s lively. It seems people from other countries, not just our own, have come to see the festival. That sun-tanned girl over there… Wait? Tifa? I spotted a girl who resembled Tifa and stared at her involuntarily. She must have noticed me, as she stared back. Her clothes are different, but she still looks similar… No, that has to be her.

“Tifa?” “Oh! It really is Sakuraile!”

Tifania Le Minuet, the Third Princess of the Minuet Queendom, rushed over with a wide smile.

“Eh, Sakuraile?”

The girl next to her also rushed over. Wait, this one is Luca? Both of them were dressed plainly, completely different from when I met them at the party, so I didn’t recognize them immediately. They were also in disguise. The guards following them were also in plain clothes but were visibly wearing swords. I never expected to reunite with the Princesses of the Minuet and Prélude Kingdoms here. I had heard they would return after seeing the festival.

“Were you two walking around together?” “No, His Highness Crown Prince Elliott was with us, but we got separated. Well, it’s fine, as Luca and I can sightsee more freely now.” “Yeah. No problem.”

I don’t know, I feel so bad for Elliott… I understand why they would feel constrained with the Crown Prince of another country, but still. But Elliott invited the two of them to the festival. He’s quite determined. Or was it an order from His Majesty the Emperor? The fact that he got separated is a negative point, though. He’s probably desperately searching for the two of them right now.