August 15th.
Around the time Jin—or rather, his Body Double—was making his way toward the demon land, Kaina Village was bustling with festivities. Or more accurately, it was in the middle of festival preparations.
"A festival, huh? That sounds like fun."
"Yeah. I hear they hold them occasionally in the royal capital."
"I'm so excited! After all, Jin is the one hosting it!"
Jin, the Lord of Kaina Village, had suggested holding a festival in mid-August during the farming off-season to give the villagers some well-earned recreation.
He had even secured permission from Reiko, who was currently busy transporting relief supplies toward the demon territory.
"If that is the case, it cannot be helped. Please ensure the Secret Mobile Unit guards you thoroughly."
Whether she was being overprotective or simply prone to worrying, Reiko had grudgingly given her consent since she couldn't remain by his side. It was hard to tell which of them was the parent.
While this world didn't have a custom like Obon, they did have harvest festivals, and the whole village would erupt into a celebration whenever a large haul of mountain deer was brought in.
However, this time Jin was taking the lead and arranging various attractions, so the villagers were particularly looking forward to it.
"A summer festival... It’s certainly proof of having peace of mind."
Lishia Fahlheit, the Lord of the neighboring Toka Village, had also been invited along with Braak, the Toka Village Chief.
"We celebrate during the harvest, but this is something else entirely..."
"Ah, Lishia-san, welcome."
"Oh, Jin-san, hello. It’s quite lively, isn't it?"
The venue was the Nidou Castle Square.
The Golem Maids summoned from Hourai Island were busy setting up stalls, making for a magnificent sight. Jin had considered including a Bon dance as well, but he worried that introducing too many new things at once might backfire, so he limited it to night stalls for now.
"My, Jin-san can truly command this many golems..."
Considering their initial cost and the expenses for maintenance and management, golems weren't necessarily more cost-effective than humans. This was especially true for lower-quality golems, as they required significant effort and expense for mana replenishment and parts maintenance.
However, the golems Jin created were maintenance-free. Under normal use, they would continue to operate for ten, or even a hundred years. Humans simply couldn't compete with such beings. That was the nature of Jin's golems.
"Un....Because Jin-nii is a Magi Craft Meister."
Elsa, who was walking alongside them, spoke with a touch of pride. She seemed to possess a slight sense of superiority.
"Well then, Lishia-san, I have rounds to make, so I'll see you later."
Leaving her with those words, Jin walked off with Elsa.
By mid-August, the shortening of the days had become noticeable. The breeze, too, had begun to carry a hint of coolness.
At 6:00 PM, as the sky began to dim, Jin officially announced the start of the Summer Festival at the Nidou Castle Square.
"Everyone, tonight is the 'Summer Festival.' I've prepared a few things as a token of my gratitude. Please set aside your daily work and enjoy yourselves."
As soon as he finished speaking, the magi-lamps in the square were lit all at once. Cheers erupted from the gathered villagers.
"Wow, how beautiful."
The magi-lamps illuminating the twilight square were intentionally varied in color—red, yellow, blue, and green. Lishia gazed at the scene, entranced.
She was wearing a yukata prepared by Jin. Since cotton was unavailable, it was made of linen. Due to limited materials, they had been distributed only to the women. Lishia wore one with a morning-glory pattern on a navy blue background. She didn't know what a morning glory was, but she simply assumed it was a flower from Jin's homeland.
Jin approached her then, accompanied by Hanna and Elsa. Hanna wore a sunflower-patterned yukata, while Elsa's featured a dianthus pattern.
"Lishia-san, please enjoy yourselves."
"Big Sister Lishia, do you want to walk with us?"
Hanna, holding Jin's hand, invited Lishia. Lishia gratefully accepted.
"In that case, we shall head off on our own," Braak said, perhaps being considerate, and moved away.
"Lishia-san, here." Jin held out some square, ticket-like items.
"What are these?"
"They're like currency that can only be used at the night stalls."
They were coupons made from thinly tanned parchment. Ten had been distributed to every villager, and any stall could be enjoyed for one ticket.
"Thank you. Oh, this is a wonderful idea." Lishia accepted them happily.
"Onii-chan, what's that?" Hanna pointed toward the Superball Scooping.
It was a game where players used a scoop made from monaka wafer to fish out colorful superballs made of natural rubber. The monaka wafer was a blend of wheat flour, rice flour, cornstarch, and baking soda that Perido had perfected after much trial and effort. It was originally intended for sweets, but Jin had adapted it for the festival.
It seemed popular with the boys. Kurt and Jim were competing to see who could scoop more.
"Oh? Jin-san, what is that? It looks like a cloud..." Lishia pointed at the cotton candy.
It was a sweet made by heating sugar until it melted, then using centrifugal force to spray it through tiny holes to create thin, thread-like strands.
"That's cotton candy. Want to try some? You too, Hanna, Elsa."
Jin handed over three tickets and bought three portions. All three of them seemed to love it. Jin himself had eaten far too much during the machine's testing phase and was currently a bit sick of the stuff.
Unaware of this, Hanna held her cotton candy out to him. "I'll give Onii-chan a bite too."
"Is that so? Well then."
Jin couldn't bring himself to refuse her kindness, so he took a small bite.
"Is it good, Onii-chan?"
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"Ehehe~."
Hanna beamed with satisfaction.
Next, they came to the shooting gallery. Since there were no guns, players aimed at targets with small bows and arrows. One ticket bought five arrows. The prizes were mainly accessories and toys made by Jin and the Smiths. Jin explained that even if someone couldn't knock down a single prize, they would receive a hand fan.
"Oh, I'll try this!"
"...Me too."
Lishia jumped at the chance, and for some reason, Elsa insisted on playing as well. Jin and Hanna watched.
"Hah!" Lishia's first shot missed. The second hit, but the prize didn't budge. The third hit, but it still didn't fall.
"..." Elsa released her arrows in silence. The first missed. The second missed. The third missed.
"Yah!" Lishia's fourth shot missed. On her fifth...
"I did it! It fell!" Lishia jumped for joy as she managed to claim a crystal ball necklace Jin had made.
"..." Meanwhile, Elsa’s fourth and fifth shots both missed.
"..."
"That's too bad. But that fan looks good with your yukata."
Jin comforted Elsa, who had received a hand fan with a goldfish design as a consolation prize.
"...Really?" Her downcast face lifted just a little.
"Ah, that looks delicious too!"
Erik and Barbara had just arrived at the classic shaved ice stall. They were sharing a single bowl.
"...What is that?" Elsa pointed at the yakisoba—stir-fried noodles seasoned with sauce, made from wheat flour, eggs, and baking soda.
"It smells good." Elsa handed over a ticket and bought some. Lishia, meanwhile, was enjoying Persica-flavored shaved ice.
"Maybe this would be good for Hanna?" Jin led Hanna to the grilled corn. Since her front teeth had fully grown back, she could manage it.
"Yeah, I'll eat it."
One whole ear seemed a bit much for Hanna, so Jin took half.
"Ehehe, I'm sharing with Onii-chan." Hanna was in high spirits, happy to be sharing a snack with Jin. Lishia and Elsa watched them with slightly envious expressions.
"Hello, Jin-kun. This summer festival is quite the achievement."
Sally Mileshann approached them along with the Village Chief. She wore a grid-patterned yukata with great style.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Doctor?"
"Yeah. That cotton candy was delicious. Although, it does leave one’s mouth a bit sticky."
Sally laughed. The Village Chief simply stood beside her with a broad smile.
"Ah, that looks like something everyone can do." Jin pointed at the ring toss. For one ticket, you received five rings to throw at posts marked with prize ranks.
"Alright, let's all give it a try."
The four of them took turns. First round: Jin missed. Elsa missed. Lishia missed. Hanna got 3rd prize. Second round: Jin missed. Elsa missed. Lishia missed. Hanna got 3rd prize. Third round: Jin missed. Elsa got 4th prize. Lishia got 3rd prize. Hanna got 2nd prize. Fourth round: Jin missed. Elsa missed. Lishia got 4th prize. Hanna got 3rd prize. Fifth round: Jin got 4th prize. Elsa missed. Lishia missed. Hanna got 3rd prize.
Jin and Elsa both ended up with a single 4th prize. Lishia got a 3rd and a 4th. Hanna's natural talent was the standout result.
As for the prizes, 4th was a hand fan. 3rd was a water balloon, and 2nd was a wind chime.
"Hanna-chan, you can have this." Since Elsa already had a fan, she gave hers to Hanna.
"Thank you, Big Sister Elsa! Then I'll give you these! You too, Onii-chan and Big Sister Lishia!" Hanna handed the four water balloons she had won to the others.
"Ehe, now we're all the same."
With a hand fan tucked into her yukata sash, a water balloon in her right hand, and a wind chime in her left, Hanna looked perfectly content. Lishia narrowed her eyes as she listened to the chime’s clear, tinkling sound.
"What a lovely tone. A 'wind chime,' you call it? It’s so refreshing..."
Looking up, the sky was filled with a canopy of stars. The Summer Festival in Kaina Village was a resounding success.
Saki: "I sneaked in to join the fun, and it's great!" Stearena: "I've developed a taste for the yakisoba." Vivian: "I prefer the shaved ice myself." Toa: "I struck out completely at both games..." Mine: "Elsa should really try to be a bit more proactive..." Reinhard: "I'd love to hold an event like this in my own territory!" Bell: "The cotton candy is delicious."