Nia and Meira left Felt’s tavern with El as the sun set.
Night had fallen, but the streets of Belorn Town only grew livelier.
Everywhere along the road, people were passing by, each holding a torch, all moving toward the same destination.
The countless torches made the harsh winter night seem almost warm with enthusiasm.
As Nia took in her surroundings, El handed both her and the princess each a torch.
“What’s this for?” Nia asked, looking curiously at the torch in her hand.
“We’re taking these to the altar in the square. The Harvest Festival ceremony is about to start there,” El explained briefly before naturally taking her hand.
Feeling the warmth radiating from El’s palm, Nia blinked in surprise.
“Why are you suddenly holding my hand?”
El, torch held firmly, remained expressionless, his tone calm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“There are a lot of people on the road. If we get separated later, it’d be hard for me to find you.”
He had a point, so Nia didn’t refuse.
But then a new question occurred to her.
“If you’re leading me, what about the princess?”
“Don’t worry about that,” El said, pointing behind him.
Following his finger, Nia saw Meira walking with an unfamiliar girl.
Behind them were Feiert and Feiert’s wife.
Noticing their gaze, the little girl even winked at them.
“Who’s she?”
El made a playful face at the girl, as if sending a secret signal.
“She’s Feiert’s daughter.”
“Oh.”
“Let’s go. If we’re late, there won’t be any good spots left.”
Without giving Nia a chance to reply, El tugged her hand and pulled her away from the tavern.
Along the way, Nia saw many townsfolk walking hand in hand just like them.
What puzzled her was that from wrinkled elderly men to teenagers of sixteen or seventeen, all the pairs were male and female.
“Why aren’t there any men walking with men, or women with women?” Nia asked, eyeing a young couple up ahead.
“Who told you there aren’t?” El’s face was partly shadowed by the torchlight, expression hard to read. “Meira and Feiert’s girl are two girls walking together, aren’t they? You just don’t see those pairs because you’re not paying attention.”
That actually made sense.
Taking his word for it, Nia stopped dwelling on the question and followed El with the crowd toward the square.
In the town’s central square, the pile of wood they had seen earlier stood firm before the Bell Tower.
People naturally formed a circle around it, quietly watching the platform behind the pile. Everything was orderly.
After about ten minutes, the entire town had gathered in the square.
The towering flames lit the area as brightly as daylight.
Frank and a gruff-looking man stepped out of the crowd, each holding an unlit torch.
Under the eyes of everyone, they placed their torches into a brazier and lit them.
Next came the ritual and a brief speech.
Essentially, they represented the whole town in thanking the Harvest God for watching over Belorn this year and expressing hope for another bountiful year to come.
Nia thought that was the end, but unexpectedly, the stern man on stage suddenly called out El’s name.
“This year, besides the Harvest God, we also owe thanks to two friends who generously came to Belorn’s aid in its hour of crisis, saving the village from ruin. If it weren’t for them, this Harvest Festival would probably be held in exile. Let us thank El and his friend!”
The man shouted, and a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.
The area where they stood was quickly cordoned off.
Every gaze in the town focused on the two of them.
Cheers of “Heroes!” and “Long live!” rang out.
Their voices were so loud that Nia’s ears almost hurt.
Fortunately, El quickly raised his voice to quiet the crowd.
“Everyone, please be quiet!”
He lifted his arm, silencing the townsfolk, all eyes turning to him, eager for his words.
“First, the credit for defeating the dragon demon is not mine alone. Without everyone’s trust and unity, I couldn’t have dealt with that monster by myself.”
El’s voice was steady and powerful, echoing across the silent square.
“It was because of your courage and determination that we succeeded in defending the town. Today, we celebrate the harvest not only as a bounty of grain but as a testament to our shared courage and unity!”
As his words ended, the square erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
Everyone raised their torches high, the flames illuminating every face.
After the cheers, the celebration officially began.
The residents, as if rehearsed, took turns approaching the bonfire, placing their torches upon it.
As the center of the festival, El was soon surrounded by men who linked arms, forming a circle and beginning a lively dance before the flames.
Separated from El, Nia found Meira alone outside the crowd’s circle.
They sat together on a bench near the bonfire, Meira staring at the dancers.
Suddenly, she spoke.
“Nia, aren’t you going to join them?”
“I don’t know how to dance,” Nia shook her head and returned the question. “What about you, Your Highness? Why aren’t you joining?”
“Human festivities are much more fun than I expected,” Meira didn’t answer Nia’s question directly. She looked off at the crowd and sighed.
“What do you think of this celebration?”
“Me?” Nia thought for a moment before answering, “It’s loud, but I like it.”
“Right? I feel the same. Maybe when we get back, we can gather everyone and host our own celebration.”
“Sounds good.” Nia smiled, a rare bright expression. “Everyone will love it.”
Meira was about to say more when an uninvited guest interrupted them.
It was Feiert’s daughter.
The little girl, her voice sweet and childish, grabbed Meira’s hand, blinking up at her.
“Sister Meira, come dance with me!”
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