Chapter 166: Seeding Festival (2/2)

The 囍 letter over Angora’s forehead flashed under the sun, and his face was full of wonder and pride as he spoke to the Players who paused their conversation and dancing for the moment. “We had seen much this winter, experiencing adventures that we would never have come across if we had stuck to our old lives! That said, everyone, be proud of your present achievements! Every last one of you had conquered all hardships in perfect response to the God of Games’ expectations! Everyone here is a hero, and that is why…”

At that, Vela handed Angora a glass of wine from behind, whereas down at the square below, each Player got themselves various beverages or alcohol from self-service stalls (which bore commercials for the owners’ shops) and raised their cups like Angora.

“To the God of Games!”

“””To the God of Games!”””

“Cheers!”

“””Cheers!!!”””

The simultaneous burst of cheers from the Players sent the scene to its climax.

“I hence declare the start of the Seeding Festival!” Angora smashed his glass on the floor before shouting. “O Master of Games, grant us new life!”

“””Ooooh—!”””

***

Seeding Festival at Lancaster was less peaceful compared to the cheer at the Unnamed Town.

“What? The swamp fishmen are multiplying unusually?” Count Corinth, mayor of Lancaster was frowning at the parchment his retainer delivered.

“Yes,” the retainer replied respectfully. “The scholars believed that with the passing of winter and the strange phenomenon at the Seira Marshes was causing the swamp fishmen to multiply.”

The miserable death of Baron Nigelania at Lancaster North had kept Mayor Corinth on the back foot since the emperor himself had placed the baron in Lancaster. Still, Nigelania’s death served as a warning too, dealing a blow on other nobles of the city who had ulterior motives—including those who were approaching the baron on their own accord—to rethink their plans, fearful that their mayor who still had some influence left would wipe them out.

“If I remember correctly, there are swamp fishmen living in the aqueducts beneath this city too, yes?” Corinth stroked his beard in thought.

“That’s right, but there haven’t been any encounters in the city since the manhole covers were strengthened.” The retainer said what he knew although he didn’t know what the mayor was thinking.

“What’s the reaction of the churches?” Corinth asked.

“Uh… they said that they would do their best to cooperate.” The retainer replied hesitantly, aware that the mayor wouldn’t be happy with such an answer.

And unsurprisingly, Corinth sneered. “Not mentioning any actual help, just ‘do their best to cooperate’? It’s really those buggers’ style. Forget it, have the city watch prepare—we can’t mount an expedition to the Seira Marshes, but it wouldn’t be a problem defending Lancaster… By the way, what about Marni Wilf? Have you found him yet? Did he agree to come?”

“Well… the truth is that we never found him.” The retainer stiffened himself as he answered awkwardly. “He doesn’t appear to be present at Lancaster, but we did find some of his friends… but they seemed… well, unhinged. Their words are simply incoherent, like ‘Marni’s dead… again’ or whatnot. It would probably be some time before we could reach the man himself.”

“Oh, I see. You may leave.”

Corinth frowned deeply, but only after his retainer left. “So, the astrologers divined that he wasn’t ‘of this world, and not even the spies could find him… That Wilf is much more mysterious than I would imagine to hide himself to such extent.”

[1] 囍, or ‘double happiness’ is commonly used as a decoration symbol for weddings.