In this world, there was no such thing as online shopping, of course. If you wanted to buy something, you inevitably had to visit the shop in person.
I suppose nobles could summon merchants to their estates, but for someone like me, shopping meant walking the streets. I’d grown quite familiar with the thoroughfares near my home over time, or so I liked to think.
Today, however, the atmosphere felt different. It was hard to put into words, but the city seemed... buoyant. The Royal Capital was always lively, but today possessed a distinct kind of excitement.
Intrigued, I realized I was near Elise's shop. Since I was in the neighborhood anyway, I figured I might as well drop by. Elise ran a business right on this street; she would likely know the reason behind this subtle shift in the air.
Just as I reached that conclusion and arrived at her storefront, the door swung open and Elise herself stepped out. She immediately made a scowl of pure annoyance.
"Ugh, Human-san... what terrible timing you have," she muttered.
"U-Uh? Erm, hello."
"Yes, yes, hello... Move aside for a moment."
"Ah, right."
With her usual curt attitude, she brushed past me to hang a sign on the door. It read: Temporarily Closed Today.
"Oh, were you just about to head out? Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."
"It’s not exactly like that... but whatever. Just get inside already."
"Eh? Is it okay for me to come in?"
"It’s a nuisance having you just standing out there."
She had complained about my timing, so I’d considered just leaving, but it seemed she was willing to let me in regardless. I nodded my thanks and followed her into the shop.
"I’ll prepare some coffee. Sit wherever you like."
"A-Ah, thank you."
Even though her tone was as brusque as ever, she still treated me quite normally in the end. Even through the emotions I picked up via Sympathy Magic, I didn't get the impression that she actually disliked me.
"So, what is your business today?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing specific. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. Since you’re closing the shop temporarily, I assume you have something important to do?"
"Well, you could call it a task. I was planning to spend the afternoon preparing for a stall, so I decided to close for half the day. It’s not as if the work is particularly overwhelming, though."
Elise explained as she set a cup of coffee down in front of me. A stall? Come to think of it, she had run one during the White God Festival. Since we had originally met at the Six Kings Festival, she probably set up shop at events like that quite often.
"I see. A stall, huh... Is there a festival happening somewhere again?"
"What are you talking about, Human-san? Is that a boring gag... or are you actually being serious?"
"Eh? Erm..."
She looked at me with a face of utter exasperation. Why?
As I sat there bewildered, Elise let out a small sigh.
"It’s not just 'somewhere.' The Sinfonia Kingdom Founding Anniversary Festival is coming up. It’s held right here, in the Royal Capital."
"I-Is that so!?"
"You really didn't know? Ah, I suppose you were back in your otherworld for two years. The Founding Anniversary Festival isn't held during the years of a Hero Festival, so this must be your first time seeing it."
"I see, that makes sense... I thought the atmosphere in the streets felt a bit different today. They're preparing for the festival, then."
"It’s held at the end of the month. We still have plenty of time, but everyone starts their preparations about now."
So it was for the Founding Anniversary Festival. I had heard of it, but I hadn't realized it was so close. Well, considering the end of the month was still more than twenty days away, perhaps Lilia and the others had intended to tell me once it drew nearer.
However, for someone like Elise who would be running a stall, it was already time to get ready.
"...If you're so interested, why don't you try opening a stall yourself, Human-san? Even ordinary citizens can set one up if they apply... though I suppose counting you as an ordinary citizen is a massive mistake."
"My own stall, huh... I see. That does sound like it could be fun."
"I might have said too much. If you actually do it, please don't set up anywhere near my shop. I want no part of whatever chaos you'll inevitably cause."
Setting Elise’s biting words aside, the idea of running a stall was genuinely intriguing. I could probably manage making something like Yakisoba myself, or maybe I could get some acquaintances to help me out.
It felt like a school cultural festival. I hadn't really participated in those back when I was a student, so I felt a bit of nostalgia—or perhaps a longing—for that kind of thing.
Hmm, maybe I should give this some serious thought...
Demon Realm: "!?"
God Realm: "!?"
Human Realm: "!?"
Sinfonia Kingdom Capital: "……It’s over…… It’s all over……"
King of Sinfonia: "……What was that? I just felt a sudden, terrible chill in my stomach……"