Chapter 71 – Chapter 3: Fall Festival – 1
I visited Deseo’s government office again.
Even though I confidently entered through the back door, no one stopped me.
A pure white dress with noble elegance.
Because no employee was brave enough to block the way after seeing the high shoes, wide-brimmed hat, and large sapphire brooch hanging on the chest.
I went into the bank counter and presented the supporting documents.
They said it would require complicated procedures, but once I showed Mr. Aban’s signature, the job was completed in an instant.
The employee held out a small piece of paper.
“It was issued normally. Mrs. Modales.”
1,000 gold written on paper.
It was a check from Deseo Central Bank.
When I took the check and turned around, the employee greeted me politely.
“Thank you. “I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Yes.”
I answered like that and smiled slightly.
I’m sorry, but there is no ‘again’ for me now.
Because you will be leaving Deseo.
Even if I come back, it will be in a very distant day.
I left the government office.
This city, which is always gloomy and pouring rain, was very sunny today.
I see a lot of people.
I went out into the street and stopped a carriage.
I handed over a gold coin and happily got on the carriage.
The coachman asked bravely.
“Where should I go, ma’am?”
“Please go to the port.”
“I understand!”
I rested my chin on the window frame and watched the city.
“…”
Little by little, the blue sea could be seen from afar.
The sea sparkles with the sunlight breaking into small pieces.
People are picnicking on the white sand beach and enjoying the cool breeze.
Suddenly I have a new feeling.
A month ago.
I was a girl who came to Deseo for the first time and knew nothing.
At that time, I wondered how I could collect 1,000 gold. The sky seemed dark.
I fell asleep shivering in the cold atmosphere of this city.
Now I’m riding a carriage, basking in the dazzling sunlight, holding a check for 1,000 gold in my hand.
You are enjoying the scenery without any worries.
“We have arrived!”
I got off the carriage.
Ttogak.
The sound of shoes hitting the hard stone floor of the port.
The dress flutters in the warm sea breeze.
The sailors who were resting and smoking looked at me with curious eyes.
I took the stairs and went down to the warehouse.
Shoot-.
In front of a warehouse where you can hear the sound of waves crashing in the distance.
A merchant was leisurely taking a nap on a hammock woven between the trees.
“… Hmm?”
He must have heard me coming, so he gently opened his eyes.
It hasn’t changed at all.
This warehouse too. A short merchant.
The rare goods dealer looked at my changed appearance for a long time, then clapped as if he had belatedly realized who I was.
“Ah! You…”
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, yes! It’s been a while! It’s been a while! “He died here like a hero proudly passing the Arc de Triomphe holding the news of victory.”
He jumped out of his hammock and smiled.
“Follow me.”
I followed the gesture and entered the warehouse.
Said the merchant, humming his tune.
“You know what? Once I’m confident, I’m never wrong. But there were only two exceptions in life. One was that I thought Dienbus would be sold for a damn high price, and the other was that I thought my dick would be with me for the rest of my life until it died. And now the ‘third exception’ has just appeared.”
A stubby finger pointed at me.
“I was sure you would be dead in less than a week in this city. You smashed my predictions brilliantly. Just for that alone, you are an amazing and terrible bitch.”
“… “Are you praising me now?”
“Of course it’s a compliment. “There aren’t many people who hear things like this from me.”
“It’s okay because I’m not happy at all.”
He giggled and laughed awkwardly.
“Do you know why I was so sure you would die within a week? This is because I have met countless people who boasted in front of me that they would definitely succeed. His stubbornness is extremely strong, and his pride is unnecessarily high. Those stupid bastards couldn’t survive and died. Deseo is that kind of place. To have it all, you have to be willing to give it all… “What a cold yet beautiful city this is!”
The merchant’s burning eyes seemed like someone who worshiped this city.
“But in the end, you survived Deseo without sacrificing your pride and stubbornness. I mean… I am so happy that I can now meet you again. My prediction was wrong! “It’s not often that something so enjoyable happens in my boring life!”
I had no intention of playing along with his tricks.
“What a pitiful life.”
“What?”
“After living in this cold city for so long. “Have you never met a warm person before?”
He returned a sneer to the merchant who blinked.
“Like you said, I almost died. I fell to the bottom and saw the cold and scary side of this city. Why did I come here? It was so difficult that I even lost my purpose and wandered around.”
“…”
“But there was someone who saved me from the quagmire. Thanks to that person, I was able to get back up again. Finally… We have reached this far.”
I showed the check in his hand directly in front of him.
“Want me to tell you why your prediction was wrong? It’s because I’m always locked in this dark warehouse. The only people who would enter a place like this are people like you. I have never been able to look straight at the sun. That’s because he’s the kind of person who just laughs at people under the sun.”
“Giggle…”
“Remember. “As cold as the city is, there are also many warm people.”
“Yes, yes. “Remember that.”
The merchant nodded and headed deeper into the warehouse.
Then he took out the Dien Booth medicine bottle he had prepared and showed it.
He said, looking into the vial.
“I endured it well. Honestly, there were many other ways, right? For example, by killing me and stealing this medicine. If it’s too hard, you tend to think like that.”
“… “I hope you don’t think of me as someone like you.”
“No. I’m serious. Actually, there were a lot of guys like that. Nevertheless, the fact that I am alive and well until now… Well, I just want to let you know that that attempt was very foolish. Hehe…”
Chuck.
He held out a vial.
“1,000 gold.”
“Here.”
He handed over the check and received a bottle of Dien Booth.
As soon as the merchant received the check, he smelled him.
“Ha-. It’s killing me. The smell of this money that the girl brought with her sweat… Be special.”
“It’s still disgusting.”
“It doesn’t mean anything. Just be proud. You are the first bitch to earn 1,000 gold by ‘keeping her virginity.’ And that in just one month. How would I describe this if not special? If you put your mind to it, you could surpass me someday. Hehe.”
“… Then I’ll just leave.”
The merchant laughed at my back as I left.
“I don’t know who it will be. The guy who takes your expensive and noble virgin will definitely be the most blessed guy in the world. Giggling…”
I just ignored it and left the warehouse.
I walked until I couldn’t hear the merchant’s laughter.
Standing on the edge of the street.
I clenched his fist once.
Kwaak.
I feel it.
The feeling of holding Diebenbus in your hand.
Small waves jingling inside the bottle.
That’s how much my heart sank.
It is liberation. It’s over.
Now really… The only way left is to return to Ritz.
Keep the medicine bottle in your body carefully so that it does not break.
I headed to my accommodation.
I raised my head.
The bright sun of Deseo is setting.
* * *
Uncle Posao returned to his lodgings.
He said he was busy all day today trying to sort out what had happened.
The man asked.
“Tia. Hey, the medicine… Did you save it?”
“Yes. “I bought it.”
He proudly showed off the DIEN booth.
“Hee, hee. So is Ritz better now?”
“Yes. All you have to do is go back to Brisden and give this medicine to Ritz.”
“What if I go back?”
“Isn’t the only way to go through the scalpel road?”
“Uh, over there… Tia. Don’t do that…”
The man hesitantly held out something.
It was a small paper ticket.
She took it and read the text.
Right tomorrow.
It was a ‘direct boarding ticket’ from Deseo to Taildon.
“… !”
I was so surprised that I covered my mouth.
Boarding tickets are famous for being very expensive.
So, I gave up a long time ago and was making plans to pass through Mess Road.
But this…
The man scratched his head as if responding to my silence.
“The first thing to do is to get back quickly. Hehe.”
“But why just one? “What about you?”
“I-I…” “I’m going to stay here and sort out some business with Mr. Aban.”
It was said that it would take quite a while to resolve the incident as it was a complex case involving politics and the economy.
“But, I’ll be back soon! They say that once the contract is completed, it would be better to leave Deseo for a while until the work is completed…”
“I guess so. “It’s a dangerous thing.”
“Yes…”
So will I be alone again?
He lowered his head and hit his foot.
“Mister.”
“Huh?”
“If… Do you think it will take a long time?”
“They say just work hard for about a week, and it will be over.”
I scratched my cheek.
“Well, I can wait until then…” .”
“Oh, no! Tia… Ritz… Ritz comes first. Well, go back first.”
The man said in a serious voice.
“Leave the rest to me. Tia.”
“… !”
Yes, that’s right.
You are doing this for me too.
On the contrary, if I remain in Deseo, I could be a nuisance to you.
Leave the rest to me.
I have to go save Ritz.
“All right. Thank you so much, Uncle Posao.”
Since boarding is scheduled for tomorrow morning, I decided to pack my bags now.
It’s been a while since I opened my old bag.
As I was picking out my clothes that were mixed up with his clothes, I suddenly thought that I had stayed here for a long time.
Now this accommodation feels like home.
I have become accustomed to the complex cityscape I see when I open my eyes.
I have to leave this place.
When I thought about it that way, I felt something regretful.
What should I say?
I definitely have dark and lonely memories.
Nevertheless, it is a city that is not entirely unhappy.
If I’m being honest about my greed.
I wanted to go back after having a better experience here.
I want to leave behind happy memories that will make me forget all the sad and difficult memories.
… But there might not be time for that.
That’s just a shame.
I’m quietly organizing my bag.
Suddenly the man opened his mouth.
“Hey, Tia?”
“Yes?”
“Now… Poetry, do you have time?”
“Yes. If there is anything I can help you with, I will help you.”
“It’s not like that…”
The man smiled sheepishly and pointed out the window.
“Oh, today… It’s the last day of the fall festival. Together… No, do you want to play?”
I looked back out the window.
The streets of Deseo under the veil of night.
There were so many people there.
It felt as if everyone in this city was out on the streets.
Until now, we only had ‘banquets’ so we didn’t know.
The ‘festival’ enjoyed by the common people of Deseo was being held in a much different way.
Dancing, playing, singing, and drinking in the streets.
People talk loudly and laugh without hesitation.
Also, during impromptu performances, people sit in a circle, watch, get excited, and clap.
The kids are running around happily too.
Families buy delicious food from street shops and share it.
Young couples were happy holding each other’s hands, playing fun games, or seeing amazing things.
Excited. Excited.
My heart pounded as I looked at the lively streets of Deseo.
Right now.
I wanted to run out and play with people.
“… Yes.”
I looked back at the man.
And he smiled brightly.
“Let’s play together!”
