After the tournament ended, the hot springs city seemed even more lively than before. As we left the arena carrying the prize and listening to the conversations of people in the streets, I had the feeling that the entire city was celebrating something.
Maybe it was just my imagination.
Or maybe they really were celebrating.
After all, that night would be the Festival of Lights, a traditional celebration of the city that brought together residents, merchants, adventurers, and travelers from many different regions.
As soon as we returned to the inn, we had enough time to rest a little before the festivities began.
I sat near the window of my room and watched the movement outside.
The streets were being decorated.
Colorful lanterns were being hung on lamp posts.
Banners were stretched between the buildings.
Stalls were beginning to be set up along the main avenues.
It was a completely different scene from the battlefields I had seen over the past few months.
For a moment, it was hard to believe that only a short time ago I had been fighting one of the Demon King's generals.
Scarlett appeared behind me.
"You're thinking too much again?"
I looked at her.
"Maybe."
"You won a tournament today."
"I did."
"You're in a beautiful city."
"Yes."
"You're surrounded by people who are important to you."
"That too."
She crossed her arms.
"Then stop thinking so much."
I ended up laughing.
Scarlett really had a special talent for simplifying things.
A little later, everyone began gathering in the inn's main hall.
Liriel was talking with her assistant.
Lyannis was studying a tourist map she had received from the city's lord.
Elara was looking at some sweets sold by local merchants.
Rai'kanna remained seated in silence.
She still seemed a little frustrated by her defeat in the tournament.
Vespera was the first to notice.
"Are you still thinking about the fight?"
Rai'kanna sighed.
"A little."
Scarlett smiled.
"How long are you going to dwell on it?"
"Until I get stronger."
"Then it's going to take quite a while."
The two exchanged glances.
For a second, I thought they were about to start arguing.
But, to my surprise, Rai'kanna simply looked away.
"I know."
Scarlett looked surprised.
So did I.
In the past, that answer would have started an argument that lasted for hours.
Maybe she really was maturing.
Or maybe she was simply tired.
When the sun began approaching the horizon, we finally headed out to explore the festival.
The city seemed completely transformed.
The streets were packed.
Music could be heard almost everywhere.
Children ran around carrying small lanterns.
Merchants advertised their goods.
Performers gave open-air shows.
Some adventurers demonstrated their skills to entertain the visitors.
It was impossible to walk without finding something interesting.
Liriel's assistant looked around with curiosity.
"Humans really do hold interesting festivals."
"You've never seen anything like this?"
She shook her head.
"I watched many things from afar."
"But I never took part."
"It's different when you're actually here."
I could understand.
Seeing something and experiencing it were completely different things.
We wandered through the streets for a while.
We sampled local food.
Visited craft stalls.
Watched musical performances.
At one point, Elara disappeared.
Five minutes later, she came back carrying an absurd amount of sweets.
"You bought all of that?"
"No."
"Then why does it look like you bought the entire stall?"
She simply smiled.
Liriel started laughing.
Even her assistant looked amused.
As we walked, many people continued to recognize me.
Some wanted to talk.
Others simply thanked me.
Many wanted to shake my hand.
I still couldn't completely get used to it.
For most of my life in that world, I had been just an ordinary adventurer.
Now it seemed that everyone saw me as someone completely different.
It wasn't a bad feeling.
But it was still strange.
In one of the central squares, we found a group of dancers performing.
A large crowd had gathered around the stage.
The music was lively.
The performers displayed impressive skill.
Even Vespera, who usually kept a calm expression, seemed interested.
We stayed there for a few minutes before continuing on.
As the night went on, the streets became even more brightly lit.
The lanterns reflected off the stone roads.
Small colorful lights decorated the windows and rooftops.
The entire city seemed to shine.
It was beautiful.
Very beautiful.
As I looked at everything, I began to realize something.
I was relaxed.
Truly relaxed.
I didn't have to think about battles.
I didn't have to analyze strategies.
I didn't have to worry about demonic invasions.
At least not that night.
It was simply a peaceful night.
And it had been a very long time since I had one of those.
"Takumi."
I looked at Lyannis.
"Yes?"
"You're smiling."
"I am?"
"You are."
I thought about it for a moment.
Maybe she was right.
I really was.
We continued exploring the festival until we reached an area near the river that ran through the city.
There were dozens of stalls selling traditional food.
The aroma filling the air was irresistible.
We ended up buying all kinds of different things.
Some were delicious.
Others, not so much.
Scarlett insisted that I try an extremely spicy drink.
I regretted it immediately.
She spent the next several minutes laughing at my reaction.
Later, we came across a group of musicians playing near a bridge.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Their melodies blended with the sound of the flowing water.
For a few minutes, no one said anything.
We simply listened.
Sometimes silence was pleasant.
When we finally left that place, I noticed that the sky had become completely dark.
The stars shone above the city.
At that moment, one of the townspeople walked past us.
"The fireworks will start later."
"Don't miss them."
We thanked him for the information.
I already knew about the fireworks.
The city's lord had mentioned them earlier.
But hearing the excitement in the people's voices made it even more interesting.
It seemed to be the main event of the festival.
We slowly continued walking through the illuminated streets.
The city was still bustling.
But now there was a growing sense of anticipation.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for something.
The conversations revolved around the celebration that would take place later.
Children pointed toward the sky.
Merchants began closing some of their stalls.
The atmosphere gradually changed.
I could feel it.
When we stopped in a small square to rest, I looked at my companions.
Elara looked happy.
Lyannis was relaxed.
Liriel was chatting cheerfully with her assistant.
Vespera watched the movement of the city.
Rai'kanna finally seemed to have put her defeat behind her.
Scarlett still wore the same confident smile as always.
Looking at all of them reminded me of everything we had been through together.
Battles.
Journeys.
Dangers.
Victories.
Defeats.
So much had happened since I arrived in that world.
And despite everything, they were still by my side.
That simple realization warmed my heart.
Then I heard the distant sound of bells.
People began to move.
Many were heading in the same direction.
Liriel tilted her head.
"I think it's almost time."
I nodded.
I had the same impression.
The Festival of Lights had not yet reached its main event.
But it was obvious that something important was about to happen.
And as I watched the crowds walking through the illuminated streets of that peaceful city, I had the feeling that it would be a night I would remember for a very long time.