Chapter 283

The Silver Winter Merchant Guild had set up tents and shops all around the city center.

With people buzzing around, curiosity got the best of me, and I went to check it out.

"Welcome! Care for a simple game?"

"...Game?"

"Yes! If you participate, we'll stamp your card. Get more stamps by visiting other Silver Winter stalls, and if you collect all the types of stamps..."

Upon hearing the details, it seemed that each of the Silver Winter Guild's stalls had different gaming or experience zones. Complete a lap around the stalls, collect stamps, and trade them in for a small prize. What's more, it was all free!

"We definitely have to do this!"

The first stop was a dart-throwing stall.

The four of us took turns throwing darts. I completely missed the mark due to lack of skill, and Evangeline threw too hard, causing her score to be low. 

Junior expertly hit all the targets...and then there was Damien. He threw his darts so that each one landed dead center. 

"Heh, heh!"

With a weird laugh, Damien shrugged his shoulders. This smug, arrogant son of a...!

"It's just a dartboard, but this is actually pretty fun!"

The staff put a commemorative hat on Damien for breaking the all-time record. 

Wearing a silly oversized hat, Damien grinned like a little kid.

Evangeline clenched her teeth, seemingly envious of that hat.

"We're going to visit the other stalls! No, we'll make a round at all of them! I may be weak at darts, but I'll take first place in everything else!"

"Can we use magic for the next games...? No, I will use it. I want some souvenirs too."

"Easy there, guys. Please. Just take it easy!"

And so, our plans for the afternoon were set. We would go around all the Silver Winter Merchant Guild's stalls and collect stamps.

We visited other stalls, playing bowling, disc throwing, a card-matching game, and even solved quizzes.

'Really, it feels good to collect each stamp...!'

Every time a new stamp was added to my collection, a peculiar sense of accomplishment filled me.

I'm not one to be hooked on achievement scores or completion rates, but now I get it...a little!

At each experience zone, lines had formed. People in line bought snacks from nearby stalls and chatted.

No wonder they'd set up shops all over the place.

There were other parties enjoying themselves too.

Shadow Squad was laughing while bowling.

Kuilan was collapsing while arm-wrestling, and the Penal Squad was roaring with laughter.

The Holy Grail Seekers were smiling faintly while playing a card-matching game...

"..."

I quietly watched them all, each enjoying the festivities in their own way.

If this city had been a place free from monster invasions, 

Could I have seen such a scene every day...?

"Stamp collection complete!"

As dusk approached, we finally visited all the game and experience zones and successfully collected all the stamps.

We finished all the quests on the first day of the update, just like how Korean gamers usually do... Seeing this made me feel like my party members were somehow more familiar.

'Not in a good way, though.'

We should be enjoying this leisurely, you idiots!

Anyway, now that we've collected all the stamps, let's head to the prize exchange booth. We each flipped a bread hat onto our heads and headed toward the exchange point. 

The prize exchange was taking place at the central store of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild, located downtown.

"Your Highness!"

Serenade was there.

"Are you enjoying the festival?"

I silently showed her the paper filled with stamped marks in response to her sorrowful smile.

Serenade clapped and laughed brightly.

"You've collected them all! Congratulations! Let me exchange them for a prize!"

"Uh, umm..."

I felt like I was being treated like a child and it was a bit embarrassing... but honestly, I had fun, so whatever.

The prizes were an assortment of things like stuffed dolls, toy swords, and other knick-knacks. But what mattered was the mood.

Wondering what the others chose, I saw that Junior picked a toy magic wand, Evangeline picked a toy shield, and Damien chose a stuffed doll. You guys really stick to your characters, don't you?

While I was hesitating over what to pick, Evangeline suddenly jumped in and chose a toy crown for me.

Then, she firmly placed the crown over my bread hat. Seriously?

"Oh, it suits you! Truly royal!"

"I would have preferred that knight figure over there... Ah, forget it."

I had become an odd-looking creature with both a bread hat and a crown. Seeing me like this, my party members burst into laughter. Well, as long as they're happy...

"Thanks for setting up this event booth, Serenade. It really adds to the festive atmosphere."

While my party members swarmed over to a nearby snack booth, I spoke to Serenade.

"But if you give all this away for free, will you make any profit?"

"We definitely can't make a monetary profit," Serenade said, smiling gently.

"However, we can build a good image."

"Image?"

"This festival is an opportunity for the citizens of the city to enjoy running their own stalls. People bring out homemade liquor to sell, and share the snacks they baked at home," Serenade explained in a soft voice.

"What would happen if the Merchant Guild from the Imperial Capital suddenly intervened and started doing business on a large scale?"

"Ah..."

"We might gain a short-term profit from trading, but we'd also earn ill-will, not to mention ruining the spirit of the festival."

Serenade slowly scanned the crowd of citizens filling the streets.

"Even though Silver Winter is the largest Merchant Guild nationwide, we haven't achieved anything in the southern region. We have to start from scratch here."

"So, you start by planting a good image."

"Exactly. If we contribute a bit to the success of the festival, it will not only benefit the city of Crossroad in the long run but also aid your plans for a tourist city."

Serenade softly smiled as she handed a doll to a child who had collected all the stamps.

"So ultimately, this means our Merchant Guild will have more opportunities in this city."

"..."

"Making a quick profit is easy, but coexisting with the community over the long term is difficult. However, that's what makes it valuable."

I was blankly listening and then mumbled to myself.

"You're a good merchant, Serenade."

"Hehe. You flatter me. I just did what would eventually benefit us more."

I spotted my party members returning with snacks. Serenade waved them over.

"Go on, Your Highness, enjoy the festival. You've worked hard on the frontlines. You deserve a day like this."

"What about you? Aren't you coming?"

"Oh, I really appreciate the offer, but I still have a lot to do. Due to the rush in preparing, there are many things lacking..."

Serenade seemed momentarily tempted to join but ultimately declined.

It seemed that even the Silver Winter Merchant Guild was short-staffed due to hastily organizing this event.

"However, Your Highness, if you could, on the last day..."

Hesitating mid-sentence and entangling her fingers, Serenade cleared her throat and waved her hand.

"No, never mind! See you later, Your Highness!"

"Alright. See you later, Serenade."

As we shook hands, I added,

"Thanks for helping with the festival."

Serenade smiled brightly.

"Just hearing that makes me happy."

***

The sun had completely set.

Though the night was dark, the city was brightly lit. Stalls and taverns were packed with people eating and drinking.

Ash's main party of four disbanded after dinner.

Ash and Damien, tired from a day of fun, returned to their lodgings. However, Evangeline and Junior had prior engagements and re-entered the city.

They arrived at a cafeteria next to the central square. Already there, sipping wine, were familiar faces—Lilly and Saintess Margarita.

"Sorry, sorry~ we're a little late!"

"We were having dinner with our party, so it took longer than expected."

Evangeline and Junior greeted them warmly as they joined the table. However, the atmosphere was not exactly cheery. 

Lilly was continually emptying her wine glass with a sullen face, and Saintess Margarita was smoking...

"..."

"..."

What's with this vibe?

Evangeline and Junior quickly exchanged glances. Why were the senior mage and the saintess in such a grim mood on a festival day?

Evangeline clapped her hands and forced a smile.

"Alright! Crossroad Women Heroes and Mercenaries Welfare Committee! Or, for short, CWHMW! Our second meeting! Let's start on a high note!"

The name never got any less awkward, but the atmosphere needed reviving. Junior chimed in.

"Exactly! Come on, CWHMW members! Let's have some sweets and chat! Drowning ourselves in hard liquor and chain-smoking will only hurt us, you know? Especially on such a good day!"

Evangeline and Junior summoned the cafeteria owner to order food, desserts, and drinks.

However, even as the table filled with new dishes, the somber expressions on Lilly and Saintess Margarita didn't lighten up.

Sweat trickled down the faces of Evangeline and Junior. 'What's wrong with these people?'

"Saintess, is something bothering you?" Unable to hold back any longer, Evangeline finally asked.

"You both look particularly down today. If someone picked a fight with you, as the President of the CWHMW, I will set them straight!" Evangeline subtly emphasized the word 'President'.

Junior quietly thought to herself, 'Evangeline, you sure are ambitious, aren't you?'

"...No, it's nothing. Today was supposed to be my day off, but it's been hectic."

Snuffing out her cigarette, Saintess Margarita poured herself another glass of alcohol.

"The scale of the festival this year is bigger, and it's livelier, which has resulted in more injuries than in previous years..."

"I see."

"The emergency medical stations keep calling because they're understaffed. I considered ignoring it and resting, but I felt uneasy. I went, and before I knew it, I had spent the entire day at the emergency medical station. The sun is setting, and I didn't even get to enjoy the festival."

Taking a big gulp of her drink, Saintess Margarita sniffled.

"So, the atmosphere is just gloomy because I couldn't rest even on the day of the festival. I shouldn't be complaining about this as a cleric... I'm sorry."

"Ah, don't worry about it."

"We totally understand! No need to apologize!"

Evangeline and Junior emphatically comforted Saintess Margarita.

As the sweet snacks and alcohol continued to flow, Margarita's face thankfully began to soften.

The remaining problem now was...

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

"..."

"..."

Lilly, who had been chugging wine as if it were water.

"Um, Lilly... What's wrong?"

"... "

Slamming down the bottle she had been drinking from, Lilly growled, her face flushed from intoxication.

"It's a festival, right?"

"Yes."

"It's common sense to spend the festival with your lover, right?"

"Uh... Yeah?"

"Do you know what that elf said?"

That elf was obviously Godhand. Lilly heaved a sigh.

"'My companions are experiencing their first festival today. Can I spend today with them and start spending time with you, Lilly, from tomorrow?' That's what he said."

"Ah..."

"What could I say? His situation seemed tough too, and understandable. So, I said go ahead."

Well, she had said go ahead. Everyone started sweating nervously.

"Meanwhile, everyone else is having fun, and I had also planned to enjoy the day with my boyfriend. Instead, I've been moping around all day... I'm getting frustrated. It feels like he's taking care of his elf companions more than he's looking out for me..."

Lilly wiped her heated forehead with her hand.

"It might be an odd comparison, but it feels like I'm dating a man who already has kids..."

"Pfft!"

The remaining three spat out their drinks simultaneously. Ignoring them, Lilly continued.

"He's also totally clueless... doesn't know how to set the mood... I must be a fool for flirting with an elf. Ugh."

Thud!

Lilly slammed the liquor bottle down on the table, grinding her teeth.

"Do you realize how clueless he is? I haven't even gotten a proper confession yet."

"Huh?"

"Really?"

"Weren't you guys dating?!"

"Well, it just sort of naturally turned into a relationship... Ah, I don't know. Maybe this is the elven way of dating."

Lilly guzzled down the liquor. The darkness looming over the table deepened.

"Hey! Even though we're all a bit lost right now!"

Just then, Evangeline shot up from her seat, raising her glass high.

"I assure you, as the president here, that we'll all get what we want in the end!"

"Oh, that's right! Greater happiness is definitely coming!"

Junior hastily agreed, rising from her seat as well. Following suit, Saintess Margarita and Lilly also blinked their eyes brightly, raising their glasses and shouting in turn.

"To finding love!"

"To finding true love!"

Junior and Evangeline joined in the shouts.

"To, to finding health?! Wait, what am I looking for..."

"Crossroad is mine!"

Cheers!

It was a toast lacking context, typical of a tipsy gathering, but who cared about context at a place like this anyway?

The four of them emptied their bottles and glasses cleanly, and then—

Thud!

Lilly toppled forward. 

She had long since exceeded her normal alcohol limit. Her face flushed red, she hit the table face-first and passed out, letting out soft, wheezy breaths.

It was just then that the remaining three were about to discuss how to get Lilly back to her quarters.

"Ugh, ugh! Excuse me...!"

Someone rushed into the entrance of the cafeteria.

"Is Miss Lilly here by any chance? I've been looking for her for a while now..."

A tall elf with greenish-brown hair. It was Godhand.

Upon locating the culprit, the other three members shouted simultaneously, pointing their fingers accusingly.

"Hey! Can't you do things properly?!"