“Truly labor is glorious.”
We looked down the window, where the knights of the White Rose Cross were sweating profusely, busy gardening. Actually, looking at the scene of those people moving quickly under the harsh sunlight made all my frustrations disappear.
Furthermore, there is another funny thing.
In fact, the Order of the White Rose Cross, a noble knighthood consisting only of children of noble families, was not accustomed to this kind of manual labor. Just look and you'll know they're doing things for the first time. Work progress is truly chaotic.
They screamed, carried manure, fell over, dug the ground, planted flowers……
“That person knocked over the poop cart again.”
The “other person” Delfina spoke of was the former captain of the guard. It seemed like he was hated by his teammates, because every time he passed by, someone intentionally tripped him. As a result, he fell over and over again, his whole body covered in feces.
Just looking at that scene makes me feel interesting. They look really busy, with no free time.
“Can they get it all done in three days?”
Of course, it was a job that couldn't be completed in three days. But I don't know how to do it. Now they had no choice but to obey the orders given to them.
“As busy as this is, how will they know what we are doing, or are we sneaking away to watch the festival?”
“Indeed.”
Delfina and I looked at each other and giggled. We checked each other's outfits and considered the situation.
"Listen here. Today, we are low-ranking nobles from a territory in the countryside, coming to the capital for the first time. Delfina is the lady, I am the maid serving Delfina. And Cesar is the guardian protecting us."
Delfina looked down at her dress with emotion.
"But Your Highness. Why did you let me wear this outfit? And how could you play that role?"
She was wearing my going-out dress, which looked very elegant, matching her fragile appearance.
“It's okay, the festival was originally a day of inversion, commoners dressed up as nobles, beggars became the Pope.”
If Cesar remained as he was, he would be too handsome, moreover, his unique aura and red eyes were a rare appearance, easily attracting attention.
So I decided to take a special measure. In particular, because I had to hide his left hand, I let him wear an overcoat with wide sleeves.
It was a fairly classic style of shirt, thanks to the long and wide sleeves, it easily covered his scaly hands. I put a wide-brimmed hat on him to cover his face, then added a longsword to his belt. That outfit made him not look odd when playing the role of a guardian.
Cesar clumsily raised both hands. I quickly kissed his cheek and stroked his forehead.
“Yes, it's beautiful.”
"Really?"
When I complimented him, he smiled brightly. I pulled Cesar's hand.
“Baby!”
Ave also asked to go along.
“Is it too dangerous to take Ave out?”
Delfina gently caressed the chicken's wings and asked me.
“That is……”
Actually, I was planning on asking Richard to babysit Ave while we went to the festival. Because he's a half-elf, he's the only one I can trust.
If only Richard didn't act so strangely.
‘Are you planning on giving that summoned animal to me?’
It was my first time in his laboratory. The place had an extremely suspicious atmosphere, first of all there were a lot of glass jars. And in those jars, there were specimens of snakes, scorpions, or small birds that looked very scary.
Not only that. On the ropes hanging from the ceiling are animal specimens of unknown origin, body parts, feathers, bird beaks, legs, etc. The desk was filled with liquids of bizarre shapes, colors, and textures, tree roots shaped like human bodies, deer horns, and more. In another corner, there are cages containing mice and creepy insects that cannot be considered pets.
Richard carefully held Ave in one hand, observed it from all sides and smiled.
‘So good. I am also curious about the body structure of this summoned animal.'
At that moment, I saw a certain madness in his expression.
‘Ppi, Ppiyak……’
'What kind of structure does it have to suddenly grow black feathers, and why is it still this small at a time when a normal chick should have grown into a broiler chicken?'
I have seen. Ave's bean eyes fluttered slightly. I felt how scared the chicken was. No, even I was afraid of Richard's madness.
After that, every time it felt Richard's breath, the chicken trembled and crawled into my sleeve. Therefore, if I let Richard and Ave stay together, I'm afraid Ave will become a test subject for some strange, suspicious experiments.
"I see. Then it can't be helped."
I placed Ave carefully in my pocket and gave instructions.
“You have to hide carefully here, okay?”
“Ppiyak!”
Anyway, he answered very well. Anyway, all our preparations are complete.
“Shall we go now?”
Delfina and Cesar also nodded.
"YES."
"Yes."
The first time she went out to play in her life, she seemed nervous, clutching the front of her shirt tightly, looking like she was making up her mind.
“I found a secret way to sneak out.”
Thanks to the memory of looking at the Royal Palace structure by
The Wisdom Eye of Destiny
, I had no trouble finding my way.
We went down a road that palace people rarely used. When we saw people, we quickly hid behind pillars or covered each other, like spies. It's so funny, it's like we're spoiled kids getting into mischief.
We keep moving forward. Little-used passages, empty corridors, old gates, and most importantly, the servants' gate on the west side. Just leave there and there is a path outside.
The three of us and a chick quickly left the Royal Palace like the wind.
As soon as I stepped onto the street, the festive atmosphere was overwhelming. What a crowd! From people who paint all kinds of designs on their faces, to people who dress up in rare costumes. Everywhere was crowded with people, especially everyone's costumes were very colorful and splendid.
“Wow……”
We were stunned by that scene, like country people going to the city for the first time.
A warm spring wind blew. The weather is spring. Aristocrats held social parties and picnics during the spring social season, enjoying their private pleasures.
But
Spring Equinox Festival
It's a festival for commoners. For them, winter is a harsh season. The bitter cold, the famine, the season where the weak cannot endure and will collapse. The season when death is like darkness always present.
Even if they had to endure hunger pangs until death, even if the small child cried from hunger day and night until the crying gradually weakened, they still did not dare to touch the wheat seeds saved for planting in the coming spring.
Therefore, they always look forward to spring. They gritted their teeth and endured until they had to throw the crying newborn into the well, but they continued to endure. When warmth finally came, they joyfully sang of the lush spring, where green life bloomed, and began the busy work of the fields.
Labor songs rang out everywhere, people tried to laugh to forget the sins committed in the winter. This is an opportunity to celebrate spring happily, throw away old and worn out things, pray for a peaceful and enjoyable year. That's the festival
Spring Equinox Festival
.
I looked at Cesar's face first. I was worried if he was scared because there were so many people.
“Cesar, are you okay?”
However, he nodded with a bright expression. Maybe it's because I gave him a lot of blood last night to prepare for today.
“If you're too tired or scared, you must tell me, okay?”
"YES."
I warned him over and over again. But Cesar just smiled, his eyes engrossed in looking at the surrounding scenery. As expected, I was worrying too much.
“Let's hurry to the square!”
Delfina couldn't hide her excitement and begged me. Both of these people were clueless about the festival, so I had to lead them properly.
“Yes, let's go to the square.”
The square is where the main activities of today's festival take place. The three of us decided to hold each other's hands tightly and go. It would be very dangerous to get lost in this crowd. Especially Cesar, he used his whole body to shield me from being jostled by others, which made me feel extremely stable and secure.
I asked him casually.
“Cesar, I know
Spring Equinox Festival
What festival is it?"
“Spring……festival?”
Maybe because I explained it in advance, he answered correctly right away.
"Oh, you know it well. What else?"
I asked more, Cesar answered.
“There is a custom of burning old items throughout the winter.”
I smiled appreciatively. That proves my education was not wrong.
“Cesar is so smart!”
If we weren't holding hands tightly, I would have wanted to reach out and pat his head right away.