NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 383
“Wha, what, what are you talking about? Uncle!!! I’ve told you countless times not to say that kind of thing!”
“But, don’t you think I need to take extreme measures to solve my directional problems?”
“That’s not the issue!!! You clumsy uncle!!!”
Fer shouted irritably, waving her staff towards Quartz, who simply dodged it with ease and replied.
“If that’s not the issue…? Didn’t you always complain about my serious directional problems and advise me to never leave Theocaly for my whole life?”
“No, it’s not that, I mean! Ugh, seriously!!!”
Fer let out a frustrated screech while looking at Quartz.
“Anyway! I’m opposed to you going on a journey! Absolutely against it!!! Why would someone like you, being a Great Warrior, want to travel? Isn’t it enough to compete with the strong Lizardmen?!”
“I just want to broaden my horizons, that’s all.”
“I get that you’re curious! I also felt great joy when I obtained books filled with knowledge from other races! No, that’s not it!! Anyway, I’m opposed! Opposed!!! With the year-end approaching, shouldn’t you be preparing for the Great Warrior Selection Tournament instead of these foolish thoughts? Seriously! It’s so annoying!!”
With that, Fer ran out of the room like a fleeing rabbit.
“Honestly, what a troublesome child.”
Quartz could only shake his head a little while watching Fer’s retreating figure.
“Is that…. it?”
“Yeah. It’s likely to be that.”
“I can’t believe I’m actually seeing it…. I think leaving the Great Forest was a good decision!”
The female members of the hero party, excluding Alice, looked at Fer with eyes full of anticipation.
“That…?”
Alice seemed clueless about what it was, though.
She was straightforward when showing her favor to Eric, yet completely oblivious to others.
“Ahem. Now that it’s settled, it would be best to stay in Theocaly while we persuade that child. The year-end is approaching… and so is the time for the Festival of White Flowers.”
“The Festival of White Flowers!”
Once a year. A grand festival that starts at year-end and continues into the next year: the Festival of White Flowers.
With the year-end approaching, it seemed to be the perfect timing.
“I’ve only heard rumors, but to actually see it! This is one of the things I wanted to do!”
Elf Girl Lily became visibly excited at the mention of the Festival of White Flowers.
Similar to the Great Spirit Festival of the Elves, the Festival of White Flowers is widely known among other races.
There are even those who travel from afar just to see this festival, making it a widely recognized event.
“Lucky us.”
“Yeah.”
In truth, Eric and Alice seemed completely unaware of the festival and just happened to arrive.
“So… should we stay during the festival and leave afterward?”
At Eric’s words, Alice and the other companions nodded in unison.
Lily, who was looking forward to the Festival of White Flowers, and even Finna and Yurica, both nodded along. It seems even the rough Dwarf Girl, used to blacksmith work, and the Fox Beastgirl, who roamed the back alleys as a thief, held a girl’s heart in some corner of their minds.
After all, it’s quite rare to find a woman who dislikes flowers!
“Then we need to book accommodations and do some touring in Theocaly… so shall we go? What about you, Mr. Quartz?”
“I won’t get lost within Theocaly, and I’ve memorized the presence of strong warriors, so I’m fine.”
“You can recognize locations by remembering their presence… Does that mean you’re bad with directions despite that ability?”
“Too many presences can be confusing. However, I can clearly discern exceptional presences like both of you.”
Indeed, it seems he wasn’t an ordinary case of being bad with directions.
“Then I’ll do my best to persuade that child. After the Festival of White Flowers, it seems best to set out.”
“Understood. In that case, I’ll book our accommodations and enjoy a bit of sightseeing in Theocaly.”
Hmm… sightseeing. Well, we should have that kind of leisure. It should be fine.
Thanks to safely encountering Ifrit, it seems there’s also a bit of wiggle room for the internal struggles for Alice’s divine body. There’s no pressing need to leave in a rush.
We should have enough time to enjoy the Festival of White Flowers before heading out.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
For the Lizardmen, the most important festival, the Festival of White Flowers is known to praise the Creator Dragon God, washing away the sins of this world with pure white flowers to appease its wrath.
The white flowers used in this festival… there’s no record of what flower was used in the distant past. The only record is that it was simply a white flower.
So, as time has passed, it no longer mattered what kind of flower, as long as its petals were white.
You could use tiny fog flowers, or pick chrysanthemums blooming in the fields, or even use large blooming lilies.
The important thing is the heart behind the flower.
……
Thus, during the Festival of White Flowers, they decorate the streets with carefully grown pots of pure white flowers, create decorations using white flowers to sell, or even make food items, showcasing various goods.
However, the most important thing about the Festival of White Flowers is something else altogether.
The martial competition that determines the great warrior of the Lizardmen.
On the last day of the Festival of White Flowers, the warriors of the Lizardmen who made it through the fierce qualifying matches compete to earn the title of the strongest warrior and receive the blessings of the Creator Dragon God, becoming a dragon.
Although it’s a title limited for one year, the honorable warriors fight to gain the prestige of being the strongest Lizardmen.
As the year comes to an end, amidst battles that splash blood and scales, the victor is decided, and the blessings bestowed by the Creator Dragon God are given, while countless flowers that adorned the Festival of White Flowers soar into the sky, creating a fantastic sight in the moonlight.
Those who witness this at least once find it etched in their hearts, returning to Theocaly again the following year.
Why not visit Theocaly when the Festival of White Flowers is underway?
– Festival of White Flowers promotional pamphlet.
“Betting using this martial competition is only allowed at certified Lizardmen betting houses. Use at illegal gambling spots is prohibited.”
“The moment you set foot in an illegal betting house! Your money is no longer yours!”
“Let’s erase illegal betting and establish a healthy society!”
– Lizardmen Public Service Announcement Committee.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“Uncle, do you remember how many consecutive years you’ve been the Great Warrior?”
“Hmm… Was it a little over 10 years?”
“It’s 15 years!!! Where did those 5 years go?! Are you losing your memory?! No, you wouldn’t lose it since you’re blessed by the Dragon God! Anyway!!!”
Fer cleared her throat awkwardly to compose herself before continuing.
“The term of a great warrior is on average 2.5 years. In particularly long cases, it was 4 years. That was before you appeared.”
“Hmm… Was that the case?”
“It was! Remember at least that much! Ahem. Either way, in these 15 years of monopolizing the position of the Great Warrior, it’s clear that there are no rivals left among the Lizardmen. I know that when the Demon King’s forces were rampant, you planned to leave the Lizardmen territory, but due to your directional issues, you couldn’t even catch a few monsters!”
“Umm….”
Quartz turned his gaze away slightly in embarrassment. While he confidently left the city during the chaos that the Demon King and his forces were causing, he ended up nowhere but killing a few monsters that wandered in from somewhere.
Of course, those monsters were pretty dreadful enough to scare away even seasoned adventurers, but since he hadn’t even bothered to check that before defeating them, it shouldn’t be something to worry about.
Quartz, seeing Fer’s dissatisfied face, began to speak.
“I think this will be my last chance. If I let this opportunity slip, I may never leave the Lizardmen territory again.”
“…….”
“Please, won’t you let me go this time? This is really my last chance. If I don’t go on this journey… I’m even thinking of laying down my weapons.”
Fer froze at Quartz’s words.
“What?”
“Stagnant water usually stinks. If I monopolize the duties of the Great Warrior for too long, wouldn’t it hinder the growth of younger warriors?”
“T-That’s….”
“If letting the water stagnate is the issue, the plug must be pulled. I’ve been thinking of stopping at some point.”
With Quartz’s calm remarks, Fer’s eyes began to twitch.
How did the conversation of opposing a journey lead to Quartz’s retirement?
If the most distinguished Great Warrior among the Lizardmen were to retire… the repercussions would be far-reaching and not something easily overlooked.
That absolutely must be avoided.
“Okay, how about this then.”
Fer began to lower her tail.
“If you win this year’s martial competition and maintain your position as the Great Warrior… I’ll recognize your journey. I’ll even cast a spell so you can determine locations, and while you’re away, I’ll handle as much as I can.”
“Thank you, Fer.”
“But… when you return from your journey, you must fulfill one request of mine.”
“A request? What kind of request?”
“I’ll tell you after you return from your journey. I won’t make a request that you can’t fulfill.”
Seeing Fer put forth that statement, Quartz nodded slightly.
As he’d cared for her since she was little, he knew well that she wouldn’t make unreasonable demands in a situation like this.
If just one request could allow him to embark on this journey, it’d be a good deal.