While I was remodeling the castle and town, the adventurers were not just sitting around doing nothing.
For them, the nearly month-long period was more than enough time to get things done, and quietly, yet steadily, they had been preparing in the background. By the time I realized, it was already too late, and other organizations had unknowingly lent a hand to their covert activities.
"Boy! It's time for the festival!"
"Huh? A barbecue?"
Just as I was thinking about heading home, Panamera, with a huge grin, came to me saying we should have a festival, starting from the morning. It’s clear that Panamera is a cheerful character, so her suggestion didn’t seem too out of place. However, being suddenly told to prepare for it made things more difficult.
"You can’t just roast a mid-sized magical beast like it’s nothing, Panamera! Each beast has its own proper way of being cooked… You have to cut the material, prep it, and the seasoning is important too, you know?"
It’s a problem when she says things on a whim. I lightly cautioned her, and Panamera puffed her cheeks and narrowed her eyes into triangles.
"Of course. How many battlefields do you think I’ve been to? I’ve already prepared everything. We just need to hold the event."
"Eh?"
Surprised by Panamera’s unexpected words, I tilted my head but followed her.
We arrived at the square near the entrance of the fortress city. In the semicircular square, there were two shops from the Bell-Rango Trading Company and the Mary Trading Company, an inn, and various other buildings like the Adventurers' Guild and the barracks.
In the center, there was a simple tent—well, it should be called a tarp since it was only a roof. Underneath the tarp, there were blocks of neatly cut meat stacked up, looking like something out of a joke.
As I stood there, dumbfounded, the adventurers standing around the meat noticed us, and Orto spoke up with a smile.
"Ah, Van-sama! The meat’s ready!"
As Orto spoke, Bell from the Berlango Trading Company popped her head out from the direction of their shop.
"We have prepared the seasonings, fruit water, and alcohol! Of course, we also have charcoal!"
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
"Perfect."
As I laughed and muttered, Kusara pointed at the meat with a big grin.
"Of course! We’ve been preparing for the barbecue season, after all!"
With Kusara saying this, the other adventurers let out a loud cheer. Whether this event was suggested by Panamera or if the adventurers had been preparing it themselves, it didn’t matter. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, so I decided it was fine.
After thanking the adventurers for their hard work, I turned to Panamera.
"So, tonight’s going to be the big barbecue, huh? Can we light a bonfire too?"
"Go all out. We’ll make today the festival day for Cayyenne Fortress City. From now on, we’ll have this meat festival every year on this day, so I’ll need your help."
"Invite me as a guest! This is turning into labor, not a festival!"
"I’ll pay you in wages."
"That’s not the issue!"
I waved my arms and protested to Panamera, when Rosalie from the Mary Trading Company walked over with a smile.
"Van-sama. If I may, I believe you should help every year. Panamera-sama values duty and gratitude. By helping every year with the Cayenne Fortress City meat festival, she will certainly assist you when you are in need..."
As Rosalie said this with a meaningful smile, Panamera narrowed her eyes with a displeased look.
It seemed she was trying to get Panamera to admit to creating a debt in front of the town’s administrators and many of the residents. Still, this was something a mere merchant wouldn’t be scheming. Perhaps she was trying to strengthen her relationship with me by making this push, even if it meant a little manipulation.
In fact, though Rosalie made the suggestion with a natural smile, her fingers were trembling slightly.
Meanwhile, Panamera snorted and glared at Rosalie.
"You may think you’re helping the boy, but it’s none of your business. Originally, this Panamera Carrera Cayenne, Count of Cayenne, and Van Nei Fertio, Viscount, are in a 50/50 alliance. Regardless of debts, when Van-sama is in need, I will throw myself into helping him. Don’t underestimate my noble vow, merchant."
Panamera clearly stated this, and Rosalie hurriedly bowed deeply in apology.
"I apologize for saying something unnecessary. Please forgive my rudeness."
"It’s fine. Today is a memorable day. I’ll let it slide."
Panamera waved her hand dismissively, accepting the apology.
Well, in a public setting like this, I couldn’t help but do my part. After all, I valued my relationship with Panamera as well. There was nothing left to do but help with all my might.
"Then, since it’s a special occasion, I’ll make a bonfire stand that we can use every year. I’ll make it something grand that fits the festival of Cayenne Fortress City."
"Oh, I’m looking forward to it!"
Hearing Panamera’s response, I immediately began preparing the venue.
If we’re going to hold the festival every year, it would be best to have something that makes preparations and cleanup easy. I thought it might be useful as a regular decoration in the square.
With that in mind, I created a fan-shaped set of stairs in the center of the square. I attached large wheels underneath, hidden from view. With about five to ten adult men, it could be moved. At the top center of the stairs, I installed a small handrail, and we could set up the bonfire stand there. By the way, I designed the bonfire stand to look like flames, so even without lighting a fire, it would work as an object.
I was pretty pleased with how it turned out.
However, preparing the barbecue sets for everyone to cook the meat was a bit of a challenge. Though they had made progress behind the scenes, setting them up along the main street and lighting the fires would still be a lot of work.
While I was thinking this, Panamera, who had been watching the preparations with me in the square, suddenly grinned as if she had thought of something.
"Alright, I’ll light the fire. You just need to line up the grills."
"A lighting ceremony? We’ve never done that."
I nodded, amused by Panamera’s suggestion. At the time, I thought I might try it myself, but when I actually saw Panamera perform the lighting ceremony, I immediately gave up.
After all, it was something only Panamera could do.
"Light it!"
Once the preparations were done, Panamera stood on a slightly higher platform than the bonfire stand and declared it. Immediately, her magic caused a pillar of flame to erupt from the bonfire stand, with large sparks flying into the sky. The flames, too large to be called mere sparks, flew as if they were alive, lighting up the grills that had been specially prepared for Van-sama’s barbecue.
It was a beautiful lighting ceremony, but only someone like Panamera, on the level of a master mage, could pull it off.
As we were all captivated by the magical ceremony, Panamera looked at us with a smirk and spoke.
"Would you like me to help with the festival in Ceat Village?"
"...I appreciate it, but I’m not giving you a discount!"
"Tch."
Though she clicked her tongue, Panamera’s hosted meat festival was a resounding success. The grand and magnificent festival was lively, and everyone joyously enjoyed meat and drinks.
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