Festival

She had changed out of her maid outfit for the traditional clothes of the elf kingdom. She wanted to try them on, and when she had the chance, she put them on and was met with an incredible coolness.

<Wow! Asia, what's that got you into?!>

She blushed; she knew it was a bit skimpy, but she couldn't stand the high temperatures.
The leaf bra highlighted the girl's ample breasts. The semi-sheer robe caressed the curves of her body.

Issei was speechless; he had never noticed how beautiful Asia was.
After yesterday's conversations, the knight had begun to look at the world differently.

Shirou, on the other hand, looked at the girl with indifference.
He was a coachman, taking care of carriages and horses. Those two things gave him the happiness he needed. He wasn't interested in a love life.

Josuke, too innocent, only saw the girl in unusual clothes. He wasn't yet thinking about dirty things like the two knights. He only thought about dragons.
He really wanted to see one up close so he could pet it. That was his biggest dream.

Issei finished breakfast and went out for a walk. He didn't really feel like fighting monsters or doing quests. He wanted to enjoy that peaceful day.
He put aside his thoughts about the snake, Zouken, and his wife.

<Good morning, Issei.>

A familiar voice greeted the knight.

<Ah, it's you, Sylphiette.>

Issei greeted the sweet elf, who, as always, was dressed in the typical elf outfit. Issei looked at that outfit differently after seeing it on Asia.

<Are you happy to be able to walk back to the village?>

<Yes, well, I was unconscious, so I have no idea how it went. Did they really forgive us? Didn't it all happen too quickly?>

<Why, aren't you happy to be here? Did you want everyone to hate you?>

<No, look, I...>

<Rather, how are you after being bitten by a giant, talking, poisonous snake?>

Issei scratched his head in embarrassment.

<I'm fine. I mean, it's not the first time I've found myself in life-or-death situations.>

Sylphiette approached him as if asking for gripping, action-packed stories.

<I was wondering...>

<What?>

Sylphiette shuffled her foot on the ground as if drawing something.

<Why are you on a journey? You don't look like a normal group of adventurers. In fact, none of you look like adventurers.>

<Ugh...>

The elf had Issei cornered. He couldn't say who he was or where he was from, much less his mission.

<It's a secret.>

The girl crossed her arms and pouted. Her cheeks puffed out and she didn't seem to want to breathe until someone told her the truth.

The two began to chat, and whenever the elf asked Issei private questions, he promptly rambled off.

They walked through the city until they reached the market where all sorts of items were being sold. Among all the stalls, Issei stopped at the food stalls, foaming at the mouth.

<Are you hungry? Haha.>

The knight looked sad. Then the girl's stomach rumbled. Issei laughed, pointing to the elf's stomach. She took offense and pouted. Instant karma made the knight burst into laughter.

<Shall we go get something to eat?>

The two even spent lunch alone together. Meanwhile, at the inn, the others ate without him. They were worried, but after everything that had happened, they preferred to leave him alone. He could enjoy his well-deserved break.

<Are you coming to the late spring festival?>

Issei didn't know anything about it. He knew a few things about the elves, but he didn't know about any festivities.

<I didn't know anything about it. When is it?>

<It'll be this evening. They'll light a big fire in the square and everyone will dance. There'll also be a big buffet; maybe that'll be of interest to you. Haha.>

<I'm not just thinking about the food.>

As they walked, the elf hoped to be held by the hand. She looked at the knight, much bigger than her, who was walking with his gaze fixed on the horizon. She was madly in love with him, but he didn't want to reciprocate.

<That bracelet is beautiful. I'd love to have it. It's a shame it costs so much.>

The knight laughed, a laugh stifled by truth. Life was expensive.
After a few hours, the two separated.

<I have to go or my companions will scold me. See you tonight!>

The elf said goodbye to the knight, and everyone continued on their way.

<Here you are, Issei. We have to do at least a few quests, or we'll never make it to the demon king's castle! Especially after what you bought.>

<Yes, sorry, here I am.>

Shirou and Issei spent the entire afternoon doing quests. After the snake attack, goblin sightings skyrocketed. The two knights continued killing goblin after goblin. Until they couldn't take it anymore.

In the evening, Issei told the others about the late spring festival. Everyone agreed to go, and the prince was thrilled.
All dressed up and groomed, they headed to the square.

A huge fire had been lit, and around it danced elves with their faces covered in mud and stripes all over their bodies made of pigments of every color.

<Here I am! Wow, you're so colorful. Haha.>

Issei greeted Sylphiette. She had also painted her body.
Her arms were crossed in embarrassment. She puffed out her cheeks and looked away.

<What's wrong?>

The knight asked the elf. She was embarrassed to be seen by people she knew looking like this.

<Nothing. Now it's my turn to dance around the fire. I'm going, see you later.>

Did I say something wrong?

Issei, confused, admired the girl dancing around the fire. She was singing something in a language he didn't understand.

<L'ultimo petalo è caduto. Ormai l'ora è arrivata. Tu che rimani muto. la primavera è passata.>
<Il sole è più audace. La terra è dorata. Tu sorridi in pace. L'estate è arrivata.>

The girl's words were harmonious, seeming to recall the essence of spring and launch it against the arrival of summer.

Issei listened attentively to every single word. He didn't understand a word, but the girl's voice brought joy to the knight's ears.

The elf blushed when she saw Issei looking at her, but then she laughed. She was happy to know someone was admiring her.

<Did you like the late spring song?>

Sylphiette asked Issei. He nodded, happy to be able to relax in front of a fire. The girl sat down next to the knight.

<This moment is perfect. It couldn't be better.>

Issei smiled at that moment. He held something behind his back.

<I gave you a gift for saving my life.>

<What are you talking about?! If it weren't for you, I'd still be dying in that cave full of goblins.>

The knight laughed. Then he took out the gift; it was the bracelet she wanted so much.

<I can't believe it! You really got it for me?! But it cost an arm and a leg, how could you afford it?!>

<I worked harder than usual today. As much as I wanted to take a day off, I really wanted to get you this bracelet.>

<You shouldn't have!>

<But yes, now please put it on.>

The elf had tears in her eyes. Until yesterday, no one had cared about her.
No one missed her when she was kidnapped by the goblins. Now, however, someone had come to give her a bracelet.

<Fine, you can put it on me.>

The girl stretched out her leg and placed a foot on Issei's knee.
He remained confused, staring at her foot.

<Come on, don't just stand there and watch. Put the bracelet on me. I lost the old one fighting the goblins yesterday.>

Issei gently placed the bracelet on the girl's ankle and tied it loosely.
The precious metal, covered in small stones, seemed to glow in the light of the fire.

<Thank you, Issei. I really mean it. If it weren't for you, I would be dead...>