At the Northern Fort

Today is the day of the Star Festival in Colby Village.

The sun goes down early this time of year, so the festival starts at five o'clock in the evening when it is dark.

As the sun set, I went to invite Kgalg to join me. After that, we were going to go to the fort together, but before that, I suggested to K'garg: "Let's invite Ryzaard too.

"Let's invite Ryzaard, too!　We've gotten to know each other so well.

"Yes. Yes, but...　

As soon as Kugarg gave his consent, the two of them used their movement skills and charged towards the Lizard.

The tiger form of Ryzaard was in the forest where he lived, lying down in the sun and sleeping soundly. In Alidora, the sun had already set, but here it was still daytime.

"Ryzaard!　Let's go to the festival together!

I, dressed as a baby fox, and Kgalg, a baby panther, ran around the sleeping Ryzaard in circles. We were so excited about the festival that we couldn't contain our excitement.

"Ryzaard!

"......?　What is it?　What? What?

Lizard, still unaccustomed to my existence, got up in a hurry when he woke up. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

'Milphria and K'garg?　What's the matter?　You came to a place like this: ......

This place is where Ryzaard lives, isn't it?

Yes, it is. That's why I asked you why you came to my place.

Lizard was puzzled. He's not used to being close to anyone.

I've come to invite you to a festival. There is a festival today in a village near where I live. Didn't Lizard say he saw it once before, thirty years ago?

"Oh, that festival ....... It's a festival that was started to welcome Snowlea, the spirit of snow, right?　I remember it well because I was so jealous.

Let's go there together!

Of course you can. ......

With a still bewildered Ryzaard in tow, K'garg and I headed for the fort.

In the room of the fort, the ship's eye knight, the branch commander, Tina, Kix and Recca were waiting for us.

"Ah!　You're here too, Ryzaard!

Yes, I was invited by Milphilia.

Lizard was embarrassed to be welcomed by Tina-san.

I, on the other hand, looked at the outfits of the ship-eyed knights and asked.

"Huh?　You're all not in uniform today, are you?

The five knights were dressed in simple, inconspicuous clothes, just like the people of the village of Colby.

The ship's eye knight explained as he put on his fur hat.

I'm going to the festival with Mir and the others. If people outside the village find out that we are knights, it will make Mil and his friends stand out, surrounded by those knights. We all need to dress like villagers.

The people of Colby Village know the faces of the knights and there is no danger of them realizing that we are spirits, but I guess they are wary of people outside the village.

He said, "They've prepared clothes for Mir and the others. "The branch commander said.

"Would you all mind taking human form?

Kix and Rekka told us, and the three of us changed into human form. Then the branch commander rushed to give us clothes.

This is Mil and K'garg's clothing," he said. I didn't expect Ryzaard to come, so I didn't prepare clothes for him. ...... I'll hurry up and find them for you.

The branch commander had a look of "Oh no! I'm not sure what to do.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something for me. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.

I left Kugarug, who was looking a little uncomfortable, and headed to the next room with Tina and Rekka.

After I finished changing, I went back to my original room.

Then the branch commander had already returned and was helping Ryzaard change.

When I looked at the half-naked Ryzaard, I saw that his abdominal muscles were as ripped as those of the knights here. The gap between him and the feminine language was amazing.

"Oh, Milphilia. You look very pretty.

Lizard smiled at me as he proceeded to change his own clothes. I was dressed like a girl from the village of Colby, with boots, skirt, poncho, gloves and a woolen hat.

It wasn't as frilly as the Commander's choice because I had to blend in with the villagers, but the flowery skirt, white poncho, and woolly hat that hid my fox ears were cute.

The tail was hidden by the skirt, and I put a backpack on top to weigh it down and keep the volume down. It's winter, so she's wearing thick clothes, and I think her ears and tail are naturally hidden.

Kugarg was wearing a woolen hat as well, pants, boots, and a cute burgundy cloak that resembled a p-coat. The flame in his tail seemed to have been extinguished and hidden inside his clothes.

You look good, K'garg. You look great, too, Lizard-san!

Tina complimented them both. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

He was wearing a short black cloak with the collar turned up, but it looked good on him. Her purple and gold hair color stands out, but it's dark outside, so it won't draw too much attention.

Let's go, then. The festival has probably already started.

The knight with the ship's eye said as we finished changing. So the eight of us left the fort and walked to the village of Colby.

Wow, the candlelight is beautiful!

I said with excitement as we arrived at the village. When we arrived at the village, I was impressed and said, "There are so many candles lighting up the streets of the village, and the flickering orange flames are fantastic.

There are a lot of people here.

Kgalg looked around and muttered. The festival was already in full swing, and the streets were filled with people drinking and talking and looking up at the stars. There must have been a lot of people from outside the village, and I had never seen the village of Colby so full of people.

There were a few knights of the fort here and there in the village, but they seemed to be at work, all wearing their uniforms and standing guard. I heard that sometimes people get drunk and try to climb Mount Snowlea, so they're patrolling the mountain as well.

It's a peaceful festival. It's a peaceful festival, and the only thing we do every year is break up fights between drunks.

That's what the ship-eyed knight explained to me.

"Mir and K'garg, hold hands so we don't get separated.

The branch commander told me to join hands with Kugarg. Both of us were wearing gloves, so it was a little difficult to hold hands.

Ryzaard too.

I held out my free hand to Ryzaard. Lizard was not familiar with the village of Colby and would be lost if he got separated.

Lizard is not familiar with the village of Colby and would get lost if he got separated.

Even as he said this, Ryzaard squeezed her hand, looking a little happy. And then he happily observed the surroundings.

It's a lovely festival after all. It's so lively, yet quiet and warm.

The villagers had set up tables in front of their houses and were selling drinks, food, gloves, and socks on them. Some were selling handmade bags and clothes, some were selling carved wooden foxes and even fox masks. It was a good time to make money, so everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

I wondered if fox masks would sell, but then I saw people from outside the village with masks on their heads. Apparently, they were selling well.

They sell cookies, too. They sell gingerbread.

I found some sweets and pointed at them. I pointed at the sweets and said, "They look good," and the branch leader immediately bought them. He acted quickly.

Thank you, Mr. Commander.

Then Kix and Rekka said in turn, "The sweets are good, but the Star Festival is not.

The sweets are fine, but we need to drink at the Star Festival. We'll have hot milk or hot lemonade, since Mill and the others can't drink.

There's also hot cinnamon and apple juice over there.

I'd like that!　Kugarg?

Mmm, milk.

Kugarg said with a twitch of his nose. He did not like the smell of lemon and cinnamon.

He didn't like the smell of lemon and cinnamon.　Hot wine is the most famous drink at the Star Festival. Many people come to the festival just for this.

When the ship-eyed knight asked, Ryzaard replied, "Hot wine?　I'm not sure, but I'll try it.

The branch commander bought all the drinks, as he should have. Thank you very much. He had also bought hot wine for himself and the four of his men, and they all thanked him. Kix said, "That's the branch commander!　Thank you! Kix thanked them lightly.

Lizard took a sip of the hot wine and rolled his eyes.

What is this?　Delicious. ......

Hot wine is a drink made by heating red wine with oranges, cinnamon, raisins and other ingredients. The basic recipe is red wine with spices, citrus fruits, sugar and honey, but each family has a different recipe. This one has almonds in it.

The knight with the ship's eye explained to Ryzaard. Since each family has a different taste, it seems that everyone doesn't finish just one cup, but drinks throughout the festival. The rest of the time, if they're not drinking, it seems to be due to the cold weather.

And then the drunks on the street started arguing about something, and a bit of a commotion ensued.

At first it seemed that two people were arguing about their shoulders hitting each other, but it seemed that the arguing got bigger and bigger, involving the people around them. The knights of the northern fort are also trying to intervene. That's a coquettish army.

There are too many drunks, so Kix and I will go with them. Branch commanders, please take care of Mir and the others.

"What?　Me too?

The ship's eye knight left the hot wine with Tina and headed for the center of the commotion with a dull-looking Kix.

It's only six o'clock, but it looks like they're ready to go.

Ms. Rekka chuckled as she looked at the people at the center of the commotion. It really seems to be just a drunken brawl, so the knights will take care of the situation soon.

Little girl.

Then, as I was watching the commotion from a distance, a voice called out from next to me. There was a table and chairs in front of me - the villagers had put them out in front of their houses to provide a place to relax and drink - and a group of men who seemed to have come from outside the village were sitting there drinking. By the looks of their puffy eyes and reddened faces, it looks like they're ready to go, too.

I had separated from Kugarg and Ryzaard to drink and eat cookies, so we were in close proximity to the drunks, me, Kugarg, and Ryzaard in that order. The branch commander, Tina, and Rekka are further back with Ryzaard.

The drunk uncle sat down in his chair and looked at me and Kugarg.

'Ladies, are you from this village?　I heard that there is a snow spirit in the mountains near here.　I'd like to see the spirit with my own eyes.

The uncle laughed and laughed. His breath smelled of alcohol!　

The people who seemed to be with him were also drunk, but they didn't stop him. "It's a snowy mountain.　Go ahead and go alone! They were laughing at him.

"It's dangerous, you shouldn't do that.

I told him, but it seemed that it was useless to warn a drunk. The uncle grabbed my arm in a good mood.

Don't say that. Just show us the way.

There was a hint of movement on the part of the branch commanders, so I didn't resist and remained quiet.

What are you doing with my child?

"Hey, you!

It seems that the branch commander was trying to help me as my parent, but before he could, Ryzaard stepped forward and grabbed the uncle by the chest.

He then ruffled his own hair with one hand and glared at the other with his golden eyes, threatening him.

Don't you dare touch her. If you do anything to her, you're dead.

When I shouted at him in a lower voice than usual, he suddenly seemed to sober up and let go of my hand.

He didn't yell at me, but said it quietly in a dull voice, which scared me.

"I'm just kidding, hahaha .......

And then he slinks away with his friends, becoming small and scared of Ryzaard.

Drunkard.

Ryzaard mutters, glaring at the back of his head. His hair has somehow become loose and all-black, and he looks like a Yankee, but he's cool.

"Thanks, Ryzaard!　You were so cool!

I look up at Ryzaard, and he lets his hair down. I looked up at him and said, "You looked great!

"Oh no, I'm sorry!　I was so irritated by your casual touching of Milphilia that my old blood got the better of me.

The blood of a former delinquent?　

Just as I was about to poke my head in, the ship's eye knight and Kix came back with the ruckus under control. The drunkard from the other side seemed to have quieted down when he saw the strong bodies and grim faces of the knights of the fort. And there's the army of coquettish men, too.

Oh, it's starting to snow.

Then Tina looked up at the night sky and said, "There are no clouds in the sky. There were no clouds in the sky, and we could see the stars, but there were flakes of snow falling.

Is it you, Mother?

"I'm sure it does. Every year, Snowlea sends us snow during the festival. It's a gentle snow, just enough to make it pile up or not.

The people who were enjoying the festival noticed the snowfall and cheered. I guess this snow is Mother's way of thanking us. She must be happy that the people of Colby Village have welcomed her and held this festival for her.

--As I was thinking this, I spotted your mother in the crowd. She was wearing a stole over her head and simple village clothes, and was drinking among the humans. She had also bought a fox mask and was wearing it on her head.

"You're a beautiful woman, but you're a strong drinker!

My mother smiled happily when someone from outside the village told her so. You're a little drunk.

My mother told me that she secretly participates in the festival every year. There are a lot of drinks that she likes, and it looks like fun.

Those clothes and stoles were offered at the altar a while ago, I think. Maybe the people of Colby Village are aware that Mom participates in the festival every year. So, before the festival, they would give her clothes so that she could blend in with the humans.

It's beautiful.

Lizard said, looking at the snow falling from the star-filled sky.

It's as if the stars are falling as snow.

"Yes, it's beautiful.

I muttered to myself, looking up at the sky.

I wish I could come back to this festival next year with my fellow spirits, the knights of the northern fort, and my loved ones.

That's right, maybe next year I'll invite my father too.