When we returned from our walk, everyone was already awake, so we sat down for breakfast.
After the meal, the day unfolded in a leisurely fashion. We had plenty of food stocked up—in fact, the icehouse still held a significant amount of meat that needed to be dealt with first. For the time being, there was no pressing need to go hunting.
On top of that, yesterday, we had gone all out to hunt something big since Alice-san was visiting, so now there was even more leftover meat… Honestly, figuring out how to use it all was going to be a challenge.
「If it comes to it, maybe I should just give some to Ji Liz.」
「Bark!」
「I feel kind of bad, like I’m just dumping our excess on them.」
Staring at the mountain of meat occupying half of the icehouse, Chocola and I let out a contemplative sigh.
—However, that afternoon.
The communication crystal tucked into my pocket began to vibrate, signaling an incoming message from Sidera.
When I read the text displayed on it, I let out an 「Ah.」
「What’s up, Sui-kun? Is it about that matter with your aunt?」
「No, it’s from Berde-san… and I completely forgot about it.」
When Mother asked, I held up the communication crystal for her to see.
「They’re starting the Snowmelt Festival tomorrow and invited us to join.」
It was an invitation to a celebration held in Sidera to welcome the arrival of spring.
※※※
I’d heard about the Snowmelt Festival before.
It was an age-old tradition in this world.
When the harsh winter comes to an end and spring arrives, nature’s bounty once again fills people’s bellies, and trade routes become active. With that, much like Chocola and I had been worrying about earlier, the stockpiles set aside for winter need to be consumed.
Thus, a festival is held.
Reserves are shared, everyone feasts together, and the new season is celebrated in grand fashion. It’s a way to relieve the frustrations accumulated during the frugal winter months and to replenish energy for the hunting and farming that will begin anew in spring.
Of course, with advancements in logistics and technology, people no longer face the risk of starvation during winter unless under extraordinary circumstances. Yet the joy of surviving a harsh season and the desire to seize the occasion for some revelry remain unchanged.
In Sidera, where people contend with the edge of the Void Forest, such celebrations are even more significant.
In any case, the invitation to join the festival couldn’t have come at a better time for us.
「Let’s bring some meat as a gift. Even though it’s frozen, the flavor will start to degrade if we leave it like this.」
「Hmm, good idea.」
And so, in the living room, we gathered to discuss our participation in the Snowmelt Festival.
「I’m in favor, too. I think they’ll appreciate it. But… we can’t all go together, can we?」
「Yeah. If we took the lizard carriage, the festival would probably be over before we even got there.」
The Snowmelt Festival will last for three days, starting tomorrow.
Even though Pochi’s magical strength had grown since he first arrived, there was no way we’d reach Sidera within three days.
「What should we do…?」
Should we leave one or two people behind, as usual, and ask Ji Liz to shuttle the rest of us? But that felt a bit lonely—and honestly, unfair to whoever stayed behind. On the other hand, we couldn’t just leave Pochi alone. And thinking “because of Pochi, we can’t all go together” left a sour taste in my mouth.
As I mulled over the dilemma with a furrowed brow, Mother—true to her uninhibited style—came up with a solution.
「Then let’s split into two groups and go over two days. Half of the family can go tomorrow, and the other half the day after. Problem solved, right?」
「Wait, two days in a row…?」
「We’ll have Ji Liz fly us. He won’t mind.」
※※※
「Sure, that’s no problem.」
And just like that, the matter was settled.
Before Karen or I could voice a word of protest, Mother had already pulled out the communication crystal and contacted Ji Liz. And in no time, he arrived—bringing his family along as well.
「Mine Ork! Ji Ness!」
「It’s been a while, Mint! Chocola!」
「Hey there, how’ve you been?」
「Bark! Bark bark bark!」
Mint and Chocola ran over in delight to greet Mine Ork-chan and Ji Ness-kun, who had dismounted from Mine Ah-san’s back. The young dragons flapped their wings excitedly, circling around each other in the air.
Ji Liz, watching his children with a warm smile, readily agreed to Mother’s request.
「I’m sorry for imposing… We’re just going there for fun, after all.」
「Oh, don’t worry. That’s why I’ll be taking one group myself.」
The one who addressed my apologetic remark with a gentle gaze was Mine Ah-san.
「Wait, really…?」
「You know, I’ve been a little jealous. My husband often flies off alone with you all, doesn’t he? It’s not that I have no interest in human towns, and I’ve always dreamed of carrying someone on my back and soaring through the skies. Besides… this is a great opportunity for the hatchlings, too.」
Mine Ah-san flashed a playful smile, revealing a hint of her fangs, her gaze softening as it landed on the young dragons.
「If it’s with all of you, I’ll feel at ease. My husband and I will take turns transporting everyone, so please, bring the hatchlings along. That way, Sui-san won’t feel burdened, will you?」
「You’re right. That sounds good.」
I glanced at Mother, who gave me a confident nod as if to say, “Of course, I planned this all along.”
Absolutely not. There was no plan.
「We appreciate it. Mother has this way of being, well… quite uninhibited about these things.」
「Oh no, that’s not the case, Sui-san.」
But Mine Ah-san shook her head gently.
「You see, a mother often holds herself back in these situations. I’m certain Heavenly Bell-dono initially thought of staying behind on her own. But… she probably couldn’t resist. She wanted to spend time with her family and enjoy the outing together. Just like me.」
Before I knew it, Mother averted her eyes and began petting Chocola as if to distract herself.
Karen quietly stepped closer to me, a small smile on her lips.
「Sui, Viole-sama is coming with us.」
「Yeah, you’re right. Let’s accept the dragons’ kindness. And Mother was brave enough to ask for what she wanted, after all.」
Truthfully, the thought had crossed my mind, too—whether Ji Liz could help us out for two days.
But Mother had taken the initiative to ask Ji Liz without hesitation, paving the way for Mine Ah-san to offer her own solution.
「Come to think of it, Mine Ah-san, you seem to chat with my mother quite often. Whenever we visit, at least.」
「Oh, you’ve noticed? Yes, we mothers have plenty of shared topics to discuss. And we seem to get along well.」
「So, you’re mom friends.」
「Mom friends? Hmm, what a curious phrase. I like it… Heavenly Bell-dono and I, mom friends.」
Repeating 「mom friends」 with an amused lilt, Mine Ah-san looked genuinely delighted. Ji Liz, observing her, gave us a wry smile and spoke.
「So don’t worry about it. Both Mine Ah and I would like to take this chance to relax and enjoy the human town. …Though, of course, feel free to be generous with the meat from your icehouse.」
「We’ve also got fresh meat from the Gugalanna we hunted yesterday—not frozen.」
「Oh, splendid! Much appreciated!」
With a laugh, I lightly tapped Ji Liz’s cheek with my fist.
And so, it was decided—we would fully enjoy the Snowmelt Festival starting tomorrow.
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