Chapter 129 – Bright and Lively
As the sun was setting, they made their way to the plaza in the center of the town.
It looked like they were holding a festival, with so many lanterns that it was as bright as day. And there were numerous different colors that created a mystical atmosphere.
There were also rows of food stalls, which were provided for free. People who were both familiar and unfamiliar were eating the delicious food hungrily.
Lanterns were floating on the waterways around the town, and the people riding in the gondolas watched them happily.
It really was more of a festival than a farewell party.
“Oh, the guests of honor have arrived.”
The guild master raised his cup to them in greeting.
Girls were dancing in the center of the plaza, while others clapped their hands. Ellie was wearing a long sleeve dress and dancing with them.
When the group arrived at the center, the guild master raised his voice.
“The saviours of this town. May Menew and his party have a blessed journey!”
“Cheers!”
The others raised their cups into the air.
Menew looked a little embarrassed, but Ralph seemed to be enjoying it. Totto was looking at the lights with awe, and Mofusen was chuckling as usual.
They were given cups which they also raised.
The people cheered.
And then, as if to contribute to this festive mood, Menew took out his paintbrush and sketchbook.
“Alright then. My hope for peace and prosperity in this town.”
He drew a particle of light.
“Summon.”
Like the stars of the night sky, silver and gold particles of light began to rain down all over the town.
They burst when you touched them and looked like beautiful fireworks that were not hot.
The children raised their hands and tried to grab them.
Even the adults cheered as the lights fell down.
There had just been a war. Many of them would have been grieving.
But now the lights were descending like some kind of miracle.
While eating and drinking, Menew watched the people gathering at the plaza, and he picked up his staff.
(A gentle magic would be good. Yes, like a scene I had once seen in my research material. From a foreign country.)
He walked to the center where the girls were dancing, and then he stopped.
And with a gentle expression, he raised his staff into the air.
The lanterns swayed, and then they began to rise from the water and float up into the sky.
“Wow…”
First, it was a little girl. But then other voices rose in awe. With the hope of lighting the way for the people in this town, Menew had used wind magic to lift the lights into the air.
People opened the windows of their houses to watch. And the people in the gondolas also watched with their mouths open, and sometimes cheering.
“Aren’t you going a little too far?”
Ralph said jokingly as he came to stand next to Menew.
“It’s fine. Because this is a festival.”
“I see. Well, I suppose it’s fine, once in a while.”
At the end, Menew held his staff with both hands and cast a spell on all of the lanterns that were high in the air.
“I have to do this much at least.”
One of the lanterns burst.
A flower of light bloomed, and the petals came floating down.
One by one.
The flowers bloomed and fell.
All eyes were fixed on this spectacle that Menew created.
And then one final, huge flower bloomed and fell, and the town was silent for a moment…
And then the thunderous applause.
“To the miracle-worker, Menew!”
“Thank you! May you have a good journey!”
“I wouldn’t be holding this cup if you hadn’t healed me! Thank you!”
They crowded around Menew in the center of the plaza. Still, he was glad that he did it.
Ralph, Totto and Mofusen were also pulled into the center, and they joined in dancing with the women.
As the others cheered and clapped, they danced, drank and ate at the feast late until the night.
The following day, Menew and the others rubbed their eyes after waking up early in the morning. Still, they headed to the Merchants Guild in order to pick up their carriage.
And after a final goodbye to Arty, who promised to carry them if they visited again, they quietly left the town.
Their first destination was the city of Ramsteris. If they follow the road, they should be able to arrive in a few days.
The hoses were in good condition.
And due to the festivities of the previous night, the town was quiet in the morning.
They climbed into the wagon, and Mofusen offered to drive. Menew opened the door and looked out behind him as they left the town gates.
“Goodbye, Juno. We will visit you again.”
And like that, they left Jupo behind them.