I spent some time enjoying the festival by visiting various stalls with Shiro-san, but as it was approaching the time we could officially call evening, we decided to head toward the Clock Tower.
It was still a bit early for sunset, but it was better to get there sooner rather than later. If we missed the sunset, there was a real risk that time itself would be rewound, which would undoubtedly deal a devastating blow to the stomachs of Laguna-san and Chronoa-san. I had to stay vigilant about that...
Well, if we left now, we would easily make it in time. It shouldn't be a problem at all.
"…Hmm? Shiro-san, what is it?"
"Look, Kaito-san. They are performing a play."
"Eh? Ah, you're right."
Shiro-san came to a halt and shifted her gaze. Following her lead, I spotted a large tent, much like the one used for the shooting gallery, along with a sign listing the program.
I wondered… did she want to watch it?
"When it comes to couples on a date, watching a movie is a classic staple."
"That's true… though it's a play rather than a movie… Well, since we’re here, should we go in? It probably won't last more than an hour, and we have plenty of time."
There was still a good margin before nightfall. According to the sign, one performance lasted about an hour; even if we watched the whole thing, we’d still make our destination.
Crowded streets might have been a concern normally, but we had been moving with unnatural smoothness throughout the festival—likely thanks to the thorough support of Fate-san and the other gods.
I bought our tickets at the counter and we headed inside the tent. We were just in time for the start of the next performance; the timing was perfect.
The title was "Hero of the Forest." It sounded like an adventure story.
"I wonder what it'll be like. I'm looking forward to it."
"As am I. Apparently, it's a tale about a young man from another world who saves a city of the Elf Race."
"…………Wait, what? Shiro-san? What did you just say…?"
"This play tells the story of a young man from another world saving an elven city. It is based on true events and is currently experiencing explosive popularity among the Elf Race."
"……"
I had a bad feeling. A very, very bad feeling. I desperately hoped I was just imagining things… but everything that had happened so far seemed to point toward the truth.
The reason Shiro-san had stopped and shown interest was because the story was about me. This was it, wasn't it? The play based on those books about me that were all the rage with the elves… I wanted to go home! The curtain hadn't even gone up, and the shame was already unbearable!
"It will be alright. Apparently, it isn't a direct adaptation of the book; it's been rearranged quite a bit."
"O-Oh, I see. Well, in that case…"
That book had been fairly considerate of me, using a different name for the protagonist. Of course, since it was common knowledge among the elves that it was me, the pseudonym was essentially meaningless, but in a play, perhaps there was a chance people wouldn't recognize me.
…Actually, that book was so packed with exaggerations and embellishments that it was practically an entirely different story anyway. It read more like a heroic epic; if I could just stop thinking of myself as the model, it was actually a pretty entertaining read.
…Y-Yeah. As long as I didn't think about it being me, I could probably get through this. I mean, it was still mortifying, but…
While Kaito and Shallow Vernal were inside the tent, the Supreme Gods were discussing their plans for what was to come.
"As for the Earth God, there is nothing we can do for now. We have no choice but to leave her be."
"Right. For now, our immediate priority is the Clock Tower. If my authority worked, I could have guaranteed they arrived at the exact moment the sunset is at its most beautiful, but my power has no effect on Kai-chan or Shallow Vernal-sama…"
"Based on the scheduled end time of the play, it would be ideal if they reached the Clock Tower forty-seven minutes afterward. Let us make thorough preparations, including managing the surrounding area."
As they calculated the upcoming events, Fate happened to glance at the flyer Life was holding—the one with the program schedule—and tilted her head.
"Hey, God of Life. Looking at that program… the gap between the current play and the next one is unusually long, isn't it?"
"Now that you mention it, it is longer than the other intervals. Perhaps there is some other attraction scheduled in between?"
"I see… Hey, God of Space-Time. I’m starting to get a really bad feeling about this."
"…What a coincidence. So am I."
Serious-senpai: "When Kaito and Lilia are feeling optimistic, things never go well. It’s an established fact at this point. Truly a pathetic sight. You could almost call it a reliable 'Flag Constitution'…"
???: "…Senpai, are you familiar with the concept of a boomerang? One just slammed into the back of your head with startling grace."