Volume 2 Chapter 1 Interlude - The Festival Of The Dead And Sir Ciel
At the beginning of autumn, after the harvest festival, the town is busy preparing for the Festival of the Dead.
At my Lobelia Diner House, after finishing the flyers for the mushroom picking contest, the flyers for the Festival of the Dead were delivered.
"There are many different festivals in this country, aren't there, Sir Ciel?"
"Yes, that's right. Festivals can change shape depending on the region, and the deities they worship can be a bit different too."
"A deity means statues like Goddess Alexandria or God Theobart, right?"
"Those 2 are the gods worshipped by the kingdom's people, but there are also local beliefs, and basically, the Bernard royal family doesn't restrict those unique regional beliefs. As long as it doesn't harm the Goddess faith, people are free to believe in whatever they want."
"So, for example, it's like saying that one grain of rice has a thousand rice gods?"
"One grain with a thousand is quite a number. Do the chefs in the Holy City say that?"
"I just thought of it now."
While I was putting up the flyers for the Festival of the Dead on the wall, Sir Ciel came by for lunch.
I served Sir Ciel a fancy mushroom and cheese quiche, soup, and tea, and brought my own portion too, then quickly closed the shop.
Since Sir Ciel is a friend, I wanted to chat slowly.
Besides, Sir Ciel seems to be busy most of the time. Even though he lives nearby, he doesn't come by for breakfast every day like Mr. Lucian, so when he does visit, I want to eat together.
So now, I'm sitting across from Sir Ciel, eating the mushroom and cheese quiche while talking about the Festival of the Dead.
"I see. So, beliefs spread like that. For example, if I were to tell someone about Ms. Lydia's idea about rice, it could gradually spread by word of mouth, and a new rice god could be born."
"One grain of rice has a thousand gods..."
"Yes. Then, more people would be careful not to waste rice. There are many things we don't really understand about the beginnings of beliefs. For instance, in a small village in the southern Rovanst region, the deity they worship is a worm."
"A worm?"
"Yes, a worm. Since it's a farming area, it might be because worms help the soil, or maybe it has a different meaning... Anyway, this country has many different festivals. The Festival of the Dead is different from those local festivals; it's derived from the Goddess faith, so it feels more like an official ceremony."
The people of this country believe that the souls of the dead ascend to the White Moon.
There is a paradise there, and everyone lives to reach that paradise.
The Festival of the Dead is a celebration held once a year to welcome the souls of the dead back to this world from the paradise of the White Moon.
That's what was written on the flyer for the Festival of the Dead.
Of course, I have never participated in it.
"You know a lot about festivals, Sir Ciel."
"I often travel to small villages for work."
"During the Festival of the Dead in the Holy City, it seems like it's proper etiquette to walk around the town dressed as the dead, Sir Ciel."
"Is that so? I didn't know that. What does dressing as the dead look like?"
"Well... you wear things like cat ears or bunny ears."
"Even though you're dead, you wear cat ears?"
"Anyway, it's to show that you're not a living person...! It seems like dressing up like that is in style. There were all kinds of costumes for sale at the town's clothing shops."
"I see. That sounds fun."
Sir Ciel smiled gently.
I stopped eating my quiche and stared at Sir Ciel.
He tilted his head slightly, looking curious.
So beautiful.
Maybe it's because his jewels are shining, but his white skin, red eyes framed by long eyelashes, and shiny hair are all so pretty.
Surely──he would look great in the Festival of the Dead's outfit.
"Sir Ciel, ...you must be busy, right?"
"Given my position, it would be a bit of a problem to say I'm free, but for Ms. Lydia, I will make time for anything. You are an important friend to me."
"Thank you..."
Sir Ciel is always kind.
Listening to his calm voice and gentle tone makes me feel like I'm in a deep forest.
"Um..."
"Ms. Lydia, if you don't mind, would you go with me to the Festival of the Dead?"
"Sir Ciel, I was just about to ask you the same thing... Did you know I was going to ask and say it first?"
"I think it's proper for a man to invite a woman in situations like this... Besides, I also want to join the Festival of the Dead with you... that's how I feel."
When Sir Ciel said the word "man," I blinked in surprise.
That's right. Sir Ciel is a man.
But since we're friends, I feel like it doesn't matter who invites whom.
Anyway, I'm happy that we can go to the Festival of the Dead together.
"Sir Ciel, then let's go together! There's a pumpkin harvest contest, and it seems like the person who brings back the biggest pumpkin will win a prize. Also, there will be candy. This is for the kids only, and I plan to make and hand out candy too..."
"A pumpkin, huh?"
"Pumpkin pudding!"
Eir-Eir, who was munching on mushroom and cheese quiche at the table, said cheerfully.
"We can make lots of pumpkin pudding, Eir-Eir. I wonder what kind of outfit I should wear... I need to dress you up too, Eir-Eir."
"If that's the case, should we ask Leavis for something? It seems like they've been making dolls shaped like Ms. Eiris recently."
"Is that okay?"
"Yes, I'm sure they will be happy."
"...Sir Ciel, will you wear that, um, dead person's outfit too?"
It's a bit embarrassing for me to walk around in a dead person's outfit alone.
When I asked Sir Ciel, he smiled brightly and replied, "Of course."
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)