Chapter 31 : Harvest Festival (1)

The next morning.

“───A festival, you say?”

“[Yeah. Seems like it starts today.]”

“Heeh…”

Straightening his outfit, Dante let out a small sound of awe at Aquila’s words.

Here—at the far eastern edge of the Elros Mountain Range—sat an empire known as Resta, famed for its agricultural economy.

Of all its industrial sectors, agriculture and related industries flourished most prominently in Resta. The empire was renowned for hosting a long festival every year, lasting around three weeks to a full month.

It was a grand Harvest Festival, held under the state’s sponsorship, to celebrate the bountiful harvests nurtured by hardworking farmers and to offer gratitude to the god of abundance who blessed the land.

Coincidentally, today marked the first day of that very festival.

Aquila, recalling that fact as dawn broke, had immediately come to find Dante.

Since they’d come all the way out to the remote Elros Mountains for a trivial trial, Aquila figured they might as well enjoy the grand festival of a neighboring empire before heading back.

Naturally, Aquila offered to cover both the expenses and attire.

“Okay. I’m in.”

Dante formed a circle with his fingers and responded without hesitation.

Truthfully, while he’d never been particularly interested in most other imperial festivals, he’d always dreamed of attending Resta’s Harvest Festival at least once in his life. There was no reason to decline.

It made sense—Leprechaun Empire and Resta were on opposite ends of the continent, making travel difficult. Even so, the fame of Resta’s festival was such that even children on the other side of the world had heard of it.

A celebration that renowned? Of course he’d want to see it with his own eyes.

“[Hahaha! I like how quick you are to decide! Then I’ll be waiting at my lair—just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll fly you straight to Resta.]”

“Sure. Thanks, Aquila.”

Smiling softly, Dante waved at Aquila as he took to the skies.

Now then, the first thing he had to do───

***

“Ab-so-lute-ly not!!!!”

“Called it.”

Expecting this exact reaction, Dante casually dug at his ear with a pinky as Olivia roared.

With her arms tightly crossed and a look of fierce determination, she growled,

“Listen closely, Dante. This world is way too dangerous for someone as delicate and emotionally sensitive as you! Filthy beasts are out there, drooling over your cute, charming, and lovely looks, just waiting for a chance to pounce on you!”

“You’re the f*cking beast I should be worried about!!”

Wasn’t this what they called karma? Or poetic justice?

With an exasperated look, Dante smacked his forehead.

“I said no! No way!! Not happening!! I don’t care if the world ends, I won’t allow it!!”

“You stingy-ass lizard b*tch!!”

With a loud slam of her tail that cracked the floor, Olivia threatened him with a snarl.

Moments later, as a scream echoed desperately throughout the mountain range, Dante sprinted out of the lair without so much as a glance back.

***

And now.

—So, that’s what happened.

[What the f*ck—]

Even with Yeonhwa’s shocked voice laced with disbelief, Dante quietly lifted his chin with pride.

[No, my dear. No matter what happened, don’t you think that was a bit too much—]

—But still, she seriously pissed me off since morning. That damn lizard b*tch.

I should stop calling her the Black Dragon with red eyes and go with the Bloodshot Dragon instead, seriously.

Dante pouted and furrowed his brows.

Whether the sky above his head understood his complex emotions or not, it remained a stark contrast to his mood—bright and clear, painted in a vibrant shade of blue.

Fluffy white clouds drifted by in lines like cotton candy, though they hung higher in the sky compared to summer and were noticeably smaller.

Unlike the Elros Mountains, where a chilly autumn climate lingered with cold air swirling around, this place was filled with refreshing breezes and warm sunlight seeping into the earth—an exceptionally pleasant day.

This place, undeniably brimming with the lively energy of human activity, was none other than the bustling port of the Resta Empire, where merchants were engaged in nonstop trade.

As he walked down the beach road stretching out beneath the dock toward the city, he brushed the dust off his shoulders.

The soft sand crunched gently underfoot, tickling his toes for some reason.

If you asked how things ended up like this—

“I swear, if you try to follow me or spy on me, I’ll bite my tongue and die on the spot. So behave yourself.”

After throwing such a cheerful threat at Olivia, who was rolling on the ground clutching her face in frustration, he immediately dashed to Aquila’s lair. From there, he showed off his dragon-riding skills (i.e., hanging on for dear life) and made it to the Resta Empire.

Hah… What kind of crazy b*stard even does this? He clearly didn’t inherit any common sense. Must’ve tossed that straight into the trash.

—Anyway, just for today, I get to fully enjoy some alone time. Wouldn’t you like to join me outside, Yeonhwa? The sea breeze is really nice.

[Oh? In other words, are you asking me out on a ‘date’?]

—Haha, no comment.

Knowing full well that she was just teasing him, Dante smoothly changed the subject and called her name aloud.

“Yeonhwa.”

Flash!

In a burst of radiant light, a white fox leapt out from his chest, flipped once in the air, and transformed into the figure of a human.

A woman with long, snowy-white hair like frost and violet eyes.

“Ah…?”

“Hehe.”

But today, her outfit was different from usual.

Instead of her usual traditional, loose-fitting robes, she now wore something Olivia might choose on a casual day—minus the formal suits.

A black tank top with thin straps, a gray zip-up hoodie draped loosely off her shoulders, and denim shorts folded once at the hem. She even had on bright, colorful sneakers.

Far from looking awkward or out of place, the outfit suited her so perfectly it was as if the clothes were made just for her.

Yeonhwa was just as tall and well-proportioned as Olivia, with long limbs and a slender frame. Wearing slightly snug clothes only served to highlight her charm.

And as the sun’s warm rays poured down on her white hair, it shimmered faintly with a caramel hue, giving off a soft, radiant glow. It was as if the goddess of beauty herself had descended.

Truly breathtaking.

Stunned by Yeonhwa’s bold fashion change, Dante blinked rapidly and stumbled over his words.

“Did… you change your clothes?”

“There’s a saying—when in Rome, do as the Romans do. That applies to clothing as well. I styled myself to match your master, that Black Dragon… Does it look strange?”

Her eyes drooped slightly in concern as she asked, and Dante responded immediately.

“Not at all.”

He gave her two thumbs up.

“Ma’am, you’re killing me.”

“?”

“I-I mean, you look amazing.”

Ahem… Hrm…

Standing tall against the sapphire sea and golden sand, her graceful figure looked like a painting come to life.

If Olivia was like a thorny, untouchable flower, then Yeonhwa was a rare blossom growing on a high cliff, beautiful yet unreachable.

Two completely opposite auras.

Smiling brightly at his praise, Yeonhwa naturally took his hand and gently led the way.

Dante, smiling as well, allowed himself to be guided.

Ah… So this is what they call that legendary ‘animal therapy’ thing.

Even someone like Dante—so used to the extraordinary—needed a bit of healing now and then.

***

Central Plaza, City Center of the Resta Empire

“Wow…”

The moment they stepped into the central plaza, Dante let out a quiet gasp of awe.

Prosperity. That was the only word to describe the atmosphere.

Colorful paving stones stretched out across the plaza floor, and all sorts of flower pots lined the sidewalks in neat, decorative rows. The streets rang with the melodic tunes of string and wind instruments played by bards on every corner. Laughter echoed from the lively crowd—citizens of all ages moving with cheerful steps.

And of course, since it was the Harvest Festival, merchants and shopkeepers had poured into the streets, setting up stalls and selling every kind of delicious food imaginable.

But what truly drew the eyes of the people wasn’t the vibrant flowerpots, nor the dense flow of the crowd, nor even the enticing aroma of festival cuisine.

Their gazes were fixed on one thing—and one thing only.

A nameless woman strolling freely through the city streets, her snow-white hair fluttering behind her like silk.

Hypnotized. Enchanted. That was the only way to describe the reactions.

Men had goofy grins plastered across their faces, and women couldn’t stop murmuring admiration, cheeks flushed with awe.

Whether she was aware of their stares or pretending not to notice, Yeonhwa remained calm and poised. She simply kept a firm grip on Dante’s hand, leisurely taking in the sights around her.

But unlike her, Dante—who had become painfully sensitive to public attention thanks to Olivia—could barely stay composed. Flustered, he instinctively tried to hide behind her.

If only she still had nine tails like usual, he might’ve managed to conceal himself a bit better. Unfortunately, she was only showing one tail today to blend in like a typical foxkin. Not nearly enough to shield the back of his head.

He could feel it—the piercing stares of the nearby men. He didn’t know why, but it was as if they were trying to set him on fire with their eyes alone.

‘What the hell did I do?! Why are they looking at me like I stole their lunch?!’

Swallowing down his grief, Dante clung tightly to what little pride he had left.

No—he couldn’t let this shake him. Not when the real festivities were only just beginning.

***

At that very moment, in the Elros Mountains…

“You’ve got to be f*cking kidding me…”

Olivia muttered in disbelief.

That lunatic. He really did it.

She always knew he was an unhinged maniac who meant everything he said—but still, this?

Even she couldn’t muster up the courage to follow after someone so absolutely out of his mind.

“Love is such absolute bullsh*t…”