Chapter 212: Autumn Harvest Festival (9)

༺ Autumn Harvest Festival (9) ༻

The Lady of Autumn Contest was practically a parade around the city for a whole week. A large number of girls took part in it - they wore beautiful dresses and appealed to the public, receiving claps and ribbons.

The citizens were able to give ribbons to the one they liked - throughout the festival, the stalls gave out several ribbons of all sorts of colors, and at the end, these ribbons were translated into different points.

But of course, not all the ribbons had the same number of points. For example, the gold, silver, and bronze ribbons that could only be acquired by coming top three at the various contests were worth many more points.

"Oi Kane. You got a silver ribbon, right? Who are you going to give that to?"

"Kuhum...! Well of course..."

The third-year student of the Knight Department, Kane, replied while scratching his reddened cheeks.

"M, Marie..."

"Oh..."

His peers, however, couldn't cheer for him.

Giving ribbons in the Autumn Harvest Festival meant much more than it might seem at face value. It was based on a legend that giving a golden ribbon at the festival would connect the two together.

These legends were very commonplace, but aside from the legend, it definitely meant a lot to give a ribbon that one earned through sheer effort.

That was why giving a ribbon was taken the same way as a confession, and surprisingly enough, it had a high chance of success due to the festival mood everyone was in.

"Marie, huh...?"

"Won't that be difficult?"

But that only applied when the girl didn't have a partner.

Marie Dunareff.

She was the top celebrity of the 3rd year students of Merkarva Academy, and everyone knew who she liked.

"I don't think you stand a chance..."

"I have vowed to myself already! Korin Lork! I can make Marie happier than that damn player of a guy!"

Kane had no plans of turning away from his feelings, which he had been steadily building since his 1st year at the Academy. He calmly waited for Marie, who should be on the way to the Banquet Hall.

"Ehew... Sure. I guess it'll help you settle your mind after getting rejected."

Ignoring his friend's concerns, Kane was looking forward and found Marie leaving from one of the dressing rooms.

"M, Marie!"

"Huh? Kane?"

Marie truly was stunningly beautiful.

She was wearing a vibrant blue dress that suited her blue hair. Her priceless silky dress was adorned generously with jewelry and on her shoulders were blue potato flowers folded with silk.

Although she usually went around carrying a basket of potatoes, she was undoubtedly the young lady of the dukedom to the south - a princess that everyone adored and admired.

"Y, you look pretty today."

"Thanks. You're wearing a tuxedo, Kane? It suits you!"

Marie replied the same way as usual, and seeing that, Kane bit his lips. He knew how she was viewing him as just a peer and an academy-mate.

But that was going to change today. Kane was going to confess his feelings today - after receiving this ribbon, Marie was sure to have a different perception of him.

"M, Marie! Here!"

Kane handed over the silver ribbon that he hard-stakingly earned from a contest. It was widely agreed upon that this ribbon reflected the giver's emotion of love.

How would she react after receiving it, he wondered to himself.

"Wow! Thank you! Are you giving it to me?"

"Huh? Y, yeah..."

"I knew it - you are a great 'friend'. Thanks!"

That was the end.

Thinking that he might catch a glimpse into her feelings by seeing her face, Kane lifted his head up.

What he saw was the same smile as always. It was beautiful and bright, but that was it.

It seemed that she wasn't aware of the confession he had just made.

"I, I...!"

It was when Kane was about to reveal his feelings in words.

- Senior Marie~

A voice echoed from behind. Korin was waving at Marie from a distance.

"Ah, Korin! Thanks, Kane! I'll give you some boiled potatoes later on!"

As if she didn't even hear him mumble, Marie ran across the corridor until she was right in front of Korin.

"Look! It's a beautiful dress right?"

Kane dumbfoundedly watched from a distance as she spun on the spot, showing off her dress to Korin with a smile.

"I told you it wouldn't work."

"...Hkk."

His friend came up and tried to console him, but Kane couldn't escape from the bitterness of his emotions.

***

The final selection of the Lady of Autumn Contest was here.

On the last day of the festival, the Main Auditorium that could fit everyone on the campus was decorated like the banquet hall of the royal family, and everyone present was looking forward to this year's Lady of Autumn.

- Seventh Candidate, Miss Alicia Arden! She also happens to be the second top student of the Knight Department in her grade! Everyone, please welcome her to the stage with a round of applause!

Alicia walked onto the stage under the applause of the audience. As expected of a lady of the Arden Household, in charge of the border to the east, her dress had a different style to what was shown until now.

It was like a fusion dress that had elements of the East.

- Wow...

- I didn't know Alicia was this pretty.

- Marie was even more amazing. I've never seen just a fabulous and wonderful dress.

- The Saintess was something else as well. I thought she was a goddess.

- I really liked Hua Ran. I thought she was scary, but she looked really pretty dressed up.

Looking at the young girls of the Academy standing on the stage, the only old person in the group, Erin Danua, felt slightly awkward.

Girls in the prime of their youth were decorating themselves. She had to join them soon, but how different was she compared to them?

"Haa..."

"What is with the constant sighs?"

An old friend and disciple, Josephine Clara, asked.

"I'm just thinking... how I don't really fit in here," Erin revealed her honest feelings.

"You have to remember that I had also participated and won the contest once."

"Wasn't that... 70 years ago?"

That was back when Josephine was still considered "young". After seeing through what she meant, Josephine said with a smile.

"Do you know?"

"Know what?"

"Someone 1,000 years old is less repulsive than someone 100 years old."

"Hmm?"

"Someone that is 100 years old sounds like a grandma and makes people feel repulsed but a 1,000-year-old lady is just someone from a long-living race. In terms of attractiveness as a lady, the latter is surprisingly more appealing."

"W, what do you mean...?"

"It's a fact. A wide-spread concern for witches and their longevity."

Erin looked puzzled like she didn't understand what she was trying to say, but Josephine continued while fixing her hair.

"You are beautiful. You look stunning. There is no male in existence that can turn you down."

"Ugh. You are embarrassing me now..."

"So don't back down and be more confident. Go show him how much of a waste it would be to not choose you."

Slap!

Josephine tapped on her bare back which was revealed due to the design of the dress.

100 years.

They had been together for 100 years.

Erin had picked up a persecuted and poor young witch, fed her, gave her knowledge, and honed her skills.

Despite living a life longer than other humans, even Josephine couldn't dare compare herself with the lady in front of her.

That was why she wished sincerely from the bottom of her heart.

- Here comes the lucky last! The only staff member in this contest is our new chairman! Chairman Erin Danua!

"You have every right to win. My beloved master. My mother."

Like a mother sending off their daughter in love, Josephine gently pushed Erin towards the stage.

- WAAAHHHHH...!

Erin slowly walked out from the back. The cheers and claps slowly started to dwindle, until it eventually became dead silent.

"..."

"..."

The new chairman, who came to the position after last year's Tower of Magic incident, was already a celebrity. Leaving aside the question of how strong she was, it was because of her otherworldly beauty.

Although she herself was uninterested in decorating herself, Erin had an appearance that suited her status as a goddess.

Her fine silver hair fell gently like silk, and her blue eyes were clear and bright like sapphire. Her mature appeal that peers could not dare imitate had stolen some of the hearts of the young teenage boys.

That was back when she wasn't even dressing up and now, she was wearing a pure white dress.

Her hair, which was usually braided up into a ball, was undone and flowing gently in a long wave, and clear crystal heels were covering her bare white feet.

- Wow...

- She's so pretty.

The audience blankly gazed at the stage.

Erin's awkwardness as if she wasn't used to a stage like this was the cherry on the top.

Every girl participating in this year's Lady of Autumn Contest was beautiful but... Erin Danua stood out the most with the mature appeal of an adult.

Despite feeling burdened by those astonished gazes from the crowd, Erin kept glancing at the audience seats until she finally found the person she had been looking for.

- Master! You are so pretty!

Seeing her disciple cheer out loud, Erin floated a beautiful smile that further shocked the audience.

- Chairman. You look... absolutely stunning today.

The host finally broke out of his stupor and proceeded with the event. He asked several questions until it reached a question that meant a lot to Erin.

- Is there anyone specific that you would like to show this to?

It was the same question that the host asked everyone but it sounded differently to Erin.

"Ah..."

Her lips quivered. Her heart started to race and her trembling lips refused to part.

"My disciple," she wanted to say.

My dearest beloved disciple.

The boy who willingly signed a contract with the Grim Reaper, for her sake, and ended an endless cycle that had continued for more than 300 years in a city of death.

A hero who returned from the future and was pushing himself on the path of suffering.

"Yes. There is someone I would like to show this to."

- Ohhhh...!

- Chairman! Look this way, please!

The audience clamored but Erin couldn't perceive them anymore.

Her eyes were fixated on nothing but her disciple, who was waving and cheering at her.

***

Every participant in the Lady of Autumn Contest was confident in themselves, and their outer appearances were indeed incredible.

The most eye-catching of them all was the top student of the 3rd year Magic Department, Marie, and the second top from the 2nd year Knight Department, Alicia.

There was also the unconventional Hua Ran and the pride of the Kingdom, Estelle.

Despite the strong candidates on the list, the ribbon holders with the votes still had bitter looks on their faces.

"Hah~. So what if we give ribbons? They all like someone already anyway."

"One guy at that..."

The Lady of Autumn Contest was a beauty contest but at the same time, it was an opportunity for boys with ribbons to publicly reveal their interest. It didn't always lead to something, but the boys couldn't help but hold such expectations regardless.

But all the top candidates had a love interest already.

And it was one single person at that.

- Korin Lorkkkk...!

- I'm so jealous...!

It was time for the vote.

Numerous candidates stood on the stage including Marie, Alicia, Hua Ran, Estelle, and Erin. Several girls lining up after making themselves as beautiful as possible was truly a sight to behold.

- Now, here comes the question! Who will get the most ribbons to become this year's Lady of Autumn!!? The first giver will be the one who acquired the most golden ribbons in this Harvest Festival! With the shocking number of five!

- The unprecedented character who won golden ribbons in the Auction Contest! Magic Exhibition! Food Sales! Hunting! And the Crossdressing Contest, as well as a silver ribbon in Trials of Linton! KORIN LORK!

There were a lot of interesting sights and talks at this festival and one of them was the Struggle of Korin Lork.

Getting a prize in six different contests was nothing easy. Considering how five of them had been golden ribbons, including the Crossdressing Contest that he had to attend, even other men had to give him his due credit.

- Wow... So you need to do that much to have a harem, huh?

- That enviable bastard... Crazy in a lot of ways...

- But still, this is too much, no...?

Ignoring the crowd, Korin walked onto the stage and took out the golden ribbons he earned.

"Senior Marie. Thank you for everything you do.

"Alicia. Great work in the Tournament.

"Hua, Ran. I'm counting on your help.

"Estelle-noona. Congratulations on winning the Tournament.

"Master... You look absolutely gorgeous."

Each and every one of them turned bright after receiving a golden ribbon from him. Although they weren't the only ones being chosen, they all knew how hard he had to work for the past week and seemed content enough.

- Next up—

The night went on.

The final night of the festival was nearing the end.

***

Night time when the festive mood of the city was starting to fade, the clock tower, located at the central plaza of Merkarva City, was quietly fulfilling its duty regardless of the noise it had been surrounded with recently.

On top of that clock tower where one could gaze down at the entire city was a boy carrying a spear.

"What a view."

Despite the nauseating height of the clock tower, the boy stayed there on the last night of the Harvest Festival, waiting for both the midnight and the guest to arrive.

Before long, footsteps started to echo as a goddess reflecting the ambient moonlight appeared next to him.

"I loved your dress."

"Fufu, that is great to hear. You can ask me later if you wish to see it again."

Erin, who was back in her normal outfit, slowly took her seat next to her disciple.

"How do you like my city?"

"It's great. It's a really good city."

Korin had spent the last 5 years in this place.

Waking up as a foreigner, he initially let himself be swept away by the flow of time, but after coming back in time, he began doing whatever he could for a better future.

For the past 5 years, he had experienced a lot of things and came to notice a lot about this city.

He also knew how beautiful the city looked... even in its downfall.

"You should dress up like that more often. Wasting your beauty should be considered a sin."

"Who would I dress up for?"

"You can do it for me."

"...Seriously. You and your smooth tongue."

In an attempt to conceal her reddened ears, Erin leaned on his shoulder.

"Are you cold?"

He seemed to have understood it the wrong way though.

To be fair, although it was still autumn, it was approaching midnight and the breeze up above was certainly blisteringly cold. It wasn't irrational for him to misunderstand it as such.

"Do you see that there? The fruit shop in the market streets? That's where we had our first school."

"You mean Merkarva Academy?"

"Fufu, it started as an orphanage. It was me, Josephine... and a few children who lost their families to demons."

100 years ago.

That was when the wandering goddess settled here. She founded an orphanage with children including a young witch who would later be praised as a Great Witch.

A village was formed around the orphanage she created. The orphanage became a school and the village became a town... it grew all the way until it reached the current stage of Merkarva.

"That was the starting point. It was one of the most intense memories I had from my long life."

The darkness started to thicken and noises from the people were starting to fade. Only the moonlight remained strong, as it ambiently shone on her.

Korin was staring at Erin as she continued with her story.

His beautiful master was always smiling. Even in her very last moment, she smiled and protected the children.

Today was her final night.

"Master."

"What is it?"

Korin turned silent. As if looking for something to talk about; as if trying to hold onto this last conversation as dearly as possible.

At last, he opened his mouth.

"I want happiness."

It was a sudden change of topic but Erin quietly lent her ears.

"Not just for myself but for many other people. Some might see everyone as worthless; others might see them as fake or call me out for being overindulged but...

"Since we are at it, I want everyone to be happy.

"Being alive - I wanted to help everyone maintain something so fundamental."

Erin couldn't understand everything he was saying. She could not possibly understand what he experienced outside this world; the three years he spent as an outsider and the two years he spent after coming back in time.

However, there was still one thing that she could feel.

She could feel the sincere goodness in his heart.

"If it's you, you can do it," she said.

"I have to do it. And that 'everyone' has to include you."

"..."

Only a few minutes were left till midnight.

Uneasy, Korin pulled her into his arms.

"You have to stay next to me until it's all over."

Erin didn't have the heart to tell him not to worry about her - she knew if the time came, and if need be... She knew the lengths she would go to if it was about saving him.

It was sad that she couldn't comfort him but at the same time, she did not want to lie.

The time drew near. The minute hand of the clock tower clicked before finally climbing to the top.

Midnight.

12 am.

The short period of time marking the end of the long festival and a fresh start of a new day.

The world stopped.