The Village Five Festival was scheduled to last for an entire week.
However, the festivities didn't run around the clock. The events took place from sunrise to sunset, meaning that once night fell, the village transitioned back to its usual business hours. Of course, the boisterous sounds of banquets could be heard drifting from every direction, but as long as the revelry stayed inside a shop or a private home, it was considered acceptable. As long as it wasn't out in the streets, there was no problem.
Down at the foot of the mountain, the smithing contest continued through the night, though that was simply a necessity of the craft. The residents of Village Five watched over the flickering forge fires with open hearts.
...Actually, I kind of wished they would show a little more interest than just "watching over" them. No, wait, I shouldn't force it. My apologies.
Anyway, regarding the smithing match. To be honest, I didn't actually know what the "kennata" we chose as the theme was. What kind of tool is a kennata? How does it differ from a standard hatchet?
When I asked Yoko—who had picked the theme—she showed me a real one. It looked like a slightly elongated hatchet, or perhaps a hatchet that could double as a sword. In some regions, they are apparently called "machetes," and they are highly practical tools—or rather, daily necessities—used for clearing paths through the forest.
"The name might change depending on the length of the blade, but there is no need to worry about such trivialities," Yoko explained.
I see. By the way, how are we going to decide the winner of the contest?
"I am currently weighing the options. However, if the Village Head wishes for Gatto's team to win, I can certainly arrange that."
"Don't even joke about that."
"Hahaha. My apologies, it was merely a jest. Though our time together has been short, I have come to understand your preferences. I shall judge the match fairly."
I left Yoko and returned to the Village of the Great Tree. Life here was as usual. The sheer contrast between the quiet village and the festive atmosphere of Village Five never failed to surprise me. The Teleportation Gate really is an incredible thing.
Participation in the festival was voluntary. I told everyone that anyone who wanted to attend was free to go, and I provided them with spending money. However, I made it a strict rule that children had to be accompanied by an adult. Once that was settled, the residents split into several groups to head out.
Urza’s reaction was unexpected. At first, she was chomping at the bit to go, but as soon as she realized that Kuro’s and Zabuton’s children couldn't attend, she suddenly lost interest. Alfred and Tiselle followed her lead. I was glad they had such kind hearts, but they didn't need to hold back for my sake.
"Go on, don't hesitate. Hakuren, I'm counting on you to watch Urza."
For Alfred and Tiselle, I arranged for Bulga and Stifano to go along as escorts. Normally, Lu or Tia should have gone, but they were planning to wait until the final day to see the results of the smithing match. Yoko said she would take Hitoe around herself later. Nart also wanted to wait for the final day, hoping to see her father, Gatto, in his moment of glory.
As for the beastman boys... they went on the very first day. It sounds like they had a rough time navigating the massive crowds.
After seeing the children off, I went back to my room and flopped face-down on the rug. I needed a brief escape from reality. The kittens immediately climbed onto my head and back.
"You guys are getting big, you know. You're actually pretty heavy."
I felt a heavy thump against my side and looked up to find Kuro staring back at me. Was he planning to join my nap? Before I knew it, Yuki had claimed the spot on my other side.
...Um, I couldn't move. I stayed pinned like that for about thirty minutes.
Escape from reality: concluded. Time to face the facts. A problem had cropped up in Village Five.
When the festival was being planned, Galf’s group—who had gone out to deal with the Goo Turtle—hadn't returned yet. I felt bad about holding the festival without them, so I had sent out a liaison. The messenger made contact with Galf's team and brought back word that they would return sometime during the festival week. Apparently, they had finished off the Goo Turtle, but they stayed behind to clear out some other troublesome monsters they'd found.
I had been worried about them, but Galf and the others finally made it back to Village Five just a short while ago. ...And they brought two groups of elf dignitaries with them. One group was led by a serious-looking middle-aged man; the other by a strong-willed woman. As soon as they met me and Yoko, they both declared their surrender.
"I do not care what becomes of my own life. I only ask for mercy for my village," the serious-looking man pleaded.
"I offer my head to bring this conflict to an end," the strong-willed woman declared.
I looked at Galf, wondering what on earth had happened, but he quickly averted his eyes. I pressed him for an explanation.
"Wait, Village Head! It wasn't our fault! We were just hunting monsters according to the directions of the elves who were acting as our guides!"
"Then how did it turn into this?"
"Well, we somehow got caught in the middle of a conflict between different elven factions. While we were defending ourselves, they both just... surrendered."
"...While you were defending yourselves?"
"W-well, we might have gone on the offensive just a little..."
"A little?"
"They tried a night raid, so we raided them back... that sort of thing."
...My head hurt. How does a monster-hunting expedition result in two entire elven settlements surrendering? Alright, first: what about our losses? Any injuries?
"A few adventurers were hurt."
"Any deaths?"
"None."
Good. What about the other side? Any casualties there?
"Lots of injuries, but no one was killed."
Well, at least the worst-case scenario was avoided. Next... this counted as an internal conflict within the Demon Kingdom, didn't it?
For now, I needed to hear everyone’s side of the story. I felt for the elves, but I asked them to stay at an inn for a while.
"The inn fees are on us... wait, what? The inns are all full because of the festival?"
...Fine, put them in the guest rooms at the Village Head's mansion. I told them a civil official would be coming by to interview them and asked for their cooperation.
"Yoko, please assign someone to look after them."
Galf, Daga, Pirika, and her disciples—they'd all been through a lot. I was just happy they'd returned safely. Since the fighting was a counterattack born of self-defense, it couldn't be helped. So, I decided to say it.
"You did well to win."
I told them I'd hear the full story tomorrow and to get some rest today.
"Ah, sorry. What about the adventurers who were with you?"
I wanted to hear their perspective as well, even if they were being polite and staying out of the way.
"They went to the festival."
...Am I the only one taking this seriously? Considering our relationship with the Demon Kingdom, I thought this was a major incident. No, this wasn't working. I needed a breather. ...Which was why I had fled back to the Village of the Great Tree to hide from reality earlier.
Hmm. Yoko hadn't seemed particularly bothered. She’d given them a straightforward compliment for winning. Is it really just me? Is this actually not a big deal? My heart felt heavy at the thought of contacting the Demon Kingdom, explaining what happened, and offering apologies if necessary...
The next day. I consulted the two former members of the Four Heavenly Kings, and it turned out it really wasn't a big deal.
The Demon Kingdom is made up of various territories, large and small. While unauthorized attacks on lands outside the kingdom are strictly forbidden, internal conflicts between territories are not. Apparently, you can go to war as long as there's a valid reason.
I had my doubts about a kingdom that allowed that, but I was told it was a necessity for maintaining such a vast domain. Essentially, the only rule that truly mattered was not becoming an enemy of the Demon Kingdom itself. Defeating an elven village that belonged to the kingdom wasn't considered an act of hostility toward the state.
...Really?
"It would be a problem if you had slaughtered everyone in the village, but bringing them under your control doesn't decrease the kingdom's overall military strength."
I wanted to point out that people still got hurt in the fighting, but I swallowed the words. I had to accept that this was just how things worked in this country.
"At any rate, victory is something to be celebrated. I should like to give them a reward as well."
As I watched the two former generals rejoice, I wondered what I had been so stressed about yesterday.
After that, I held a formal audience with the two groups of elves. "Audience" sounds a bit stuck-up, doesn't it? Let's call it a meeting. The two former Heavenly Kings sat in with us.
"I accept the surrender of both villages. You shall hereafter be subordinates of Village Five."
"Understood!"
And with that, it was over.
...Time to go back to the Village of the Great Tree and play with Zabuton’s children. I didn't get a chance to play with them yesterday, after all.