When he woke up, Leeds tilted his head back because he didn't know why he was in this place.

　In his vision was a ceiling he didn't recognize, but that didn't make him feel uneasy.
　You move your eyes, wondering why, and there you see a familiar figure.

　It's Beatrice.
　It's right there, lying asleep, ...... and that's when I finally remembered where I was.

　This is the village chief's house.
　The village chief graciously accepted my request to stay two days in a row.

　I stayed in the same room as yesterday, not the same room as yesterday.
　If it's the same room as yesterday's, there's no reason why the ceiling is unfamiliar to you if it's ......, but why did you think it was unfamiliar to you earlier?
　You'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's because there's something else you should be worried about.

...... Seance, huh?

　The day you will be reunited with the dead.

　Of course, I should say, I don't really believe in it.
　But at the same time, it's true that somewhere in the back of my mind, I wonder if there is a way.

　Although that woman said something like that ...... at least Leeds knows that some of the rumors are correct.
　The rumor is that Leeds' uncle Alfred is seeking revenge on the royal family.
　As far as that goes, it's definitely true.

　Because Leeds has heard the story directly from his uncle.

　But it was supposed to be a story that never got out.
　Soon after, the uncle died, and the people who heard the story were knights.
　There is no way they would do anything to spread bad news about a man who was once, if ever, royalty.

　That's not much to think about.
　There's no way he could do it by himself, so either he had some collaborator who, for some reason, spread the information in the form of a rumor at ...... or he did.

　And in either case, there must be a purpose for the rumor.
　However, it is impossible for anyone to believe such a rumor if it is spread.
　Many things are known about Alfred's sincere service to the royal family.
　Hence, the story has become nothing more than a rumor.

　If so, ...... it could be taken as a message to those who know it's true.
　That is - Leeds.
　When Leeds heard the story, he thought it had something to tell him.

　And it was more likely to be something involving his uncle.
　Otherwise, there had to be some other way.
　It would only make sense to tell him something in such an uncertain way.

　That's why Leeds went from the royal capital to a place called the frontier, to that city and this village, knowing the risks involved.
　Leeds was Leeds because there was something in Leeds that he wanted to know.

　I thought for a moment that I might not be able to fulfill it, but it seems to be all right.
　I'm not sure.
　But somehow I had that certainty that we would find out when the night broke and the festivities began.

　Or maybe it was a revelation.
　It was such a strong conviction that he suddenly thought about it.

　But the thought of such a thought made Leeds' eyelids grow heavier and heavier.
　A reassuring smell enveloped her body, quietly luring her into the dream.

　Feeling a pleasant drowsiness, Leeds lets go of his consciousness without going against it--and is able to see that he's not alone.

"What does it mean that your uncle ...... means that I am going to be killed by your father ......?

　The moment.
　The words that had been on his lips since that day, and soon after, Leeds' consciousness fell into a dream.









　There are surprisingly many regional differences in a festival.
　There are some places that have a large number of people in a big way, while others go on quietly.
　Some do things that are unacceptable to people in other parts of the world, but fortunately, this village's festival is not like that.

Hmm ...... I see. I was wondering what you were going to do because up until the day before it looked like you hadn't done any preparations at all. ...... I'll start preparing in the morning.
Sounds like a small village, doesn't it? In a small village, isn't it?

　The atmosphere of the village, which was quiet and peaceful the day before yesterday, has changed dramatically today.
　It has become noisy and noisy since this morning.

　It's not an unpleasant atmosphere, however, and the reason for this is exactly what Aren and the others have just said.
　The village was getting ready for a seance.

It's a shame, but the number of people in the village is very small. "I'm ashamed to say, but the number of people in the village is very small.

　As we were talking about this, the village chief showed up.
　Like the other villagers, he is looking forward to this day, or perhaps he has a really happy smile on his face.

"But are you bored?　I'm sorry to keep you waiting, saying we were going to have a festival,
"No, it's because we wanted to see it in the first place and stayed. I am grateful for your help, and I don't even feel like I have to help you. I don't mind the atmosphere and I'm enjoying it a lot.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not going to be able to help you with your guest ...... and I'd appreciate it if you would say so.
By the way, there is one thing that has been bothering me as well: ...... There are so many people in this village.

　The reason Beatrice said such a thing is probably because just looking around the place, the number of villagers preparing for the festival is clearly large.
　Of course, Aren't all of the villagers in this village have met, but since there are more than twice as many unfamiliar faces, it is natural to ask such questions.

There are people who don't usually come out of their homes, or don't normally live in this village to begin with.
Does that mean someone has come back for today?
"Yes. It's a village in a place like this. There are many people who settled in this village for a while, but ended up going elsewhere, for their own reasons. Well, there are towns not too far away that are incongruous with the remote location.
Hmm ...... It's not going to be any different no matter where you are. But if they still come back for the festival, then this is still a good village.
I'm glad to hear that. I'm still the head of this village, even if it's in name only.



　While they are talking about it, preparations for the festival are going on little by little.
　However, at this rate, it will not be until after sunset that the whole thing will be over. ......

　Night is the time of the dead.
　It is a good idea to do it at night because the original purpose of the event was just to communicate with the ancestral spirits, according to the chief.

The reason why everyone in the village is preparing for the festival today only instead of working is a vestige of those days. Originally, all we had to do was wait patiently until that time. ...... Well, now I am the only one who knows about those days. The old man can't deprive everyone of their fun by saying unnecessary things.
I think it's noble enough to be able to think like that.
"Well, the more noise we make, the harder tomorrow will be for everyone.
"But it's all in good fun too, isn't it?
I'm sure.

　Whether he is listening to such conversations or not, Leeds, as usual, does not join in the conversation, but today, instead of looking down, he just watches the villagers preparing for the festival.
　You can also watch them and let out a small breath.

　The sun is still high now, but soon it will set and the time of the dead will come.
　The time for the festival to begin was getting closer and closer.