Chapter 51

In Regol, there is a big festival even in spring.

It is the Spirit Festival, which celebrates the moon or the spirits of nature.

Every spring, flying jellyfish-like monsters appear from somewhere and enter the town, so it's just the right season for them.

Flying jellyfish may sound like a rather fantastical creature, but in reality, they are not jellyfish but slime.

They are called Jellieslimes. They float in the air, catching and digesting insects that fly into their semi-transparent bodies, much like carnivorous plants.

Their digestive ability is not very strong, and they are almost harmless to humans, so when they appear in the town, they are treated the same as small birds and other animals.

Their slow, umbrella-like movement through the air is mystical, and it's somewhat understandable why they are considered the same as the moon's spirits.

However, during the festival, the townspeople decorate these moon spirits with gaudy decorations, and children playfully catch them and throw them at each other, showing a lack of reverence. Poor Jellieslimes. They are even featured on the silver coins of Halperia, yet they are treated so carelessly.

"You have to catch them properly without breaking them, you know."

"Senior Mongrel, what's that bag?"

"This is a Jellieslime capture net I developed."

It's just a bug net with a bag at the end of a long stick, but it's surprisingly effective against flying Jellieslimes.

I'm catching them one after another and putting them into a large bag. My quota for today is 30, so I'm almost done. They are the incarnation of the moon's spirits. I'll catch them respectfully.

"Rina, didn't you do Jellieslime capture missions when you were in the Iron Class?"

"No, I never did. There are plenty of hunting opportunities during this period, so I never did. I didn't know it was a mission."

"There is. The captured ones are released into the sewers to improve the air and water quality. It takes time, but apparently, it cleans up quite a bit without much effort."

"Wow..."

Well, I don't do sewer missions, so I don't know the before and after.

"Also, some are used for the festival's performance. You know, those colorful Jellieslimes that are released into the sky all at once?"

"Oh, those! Yes, I've seen them! They are beautiful... Are there Jellieslimes that are naturally that color?"

"They are colored by humans. The color usually fades and disappears in about a day."

It's not a high-paying job, but it's a fun task that can be done in the town.

It's like a game to collect these fairy-like jellyfish. It's quite soothing.

"Will you go around the festival with Artemis, Rina?"

"Uh, I... I'm not sure. I haven't decided on any plans yet. What about you, Senior Mongrel?"

"I haven't decided either. The real fun starts when the free alcohol and salted jellyfish are served. Until then, I'll just wander around."

At the Spirit Festival, Lord Regol generously serves alcohol and dishes.

The alcohol is not the usual light ale but beer or wine. It's quite expensive, yet he is very generous.

He also serves delicious salted jellyfish from the coastal regions as a snack. The flavor of salt vinegar and the chewy texture are quite tasty. By the way, the edible jellyfish here are ordinary jellyfish. Jellieslimes are not edible.

"Then, will you go around the festival with me, Senior?"

"Sure, that's fine. But this is a busy time for you, right? If you have a mission, you can't just play around, can you?"

"The mission is fine. We just need to hunt and donate meat for the festival. After that, we have a break."

I see, a donation. Artemis always thinks of others.

Completing missions for nobles and actively donating to the festival... I wonder how far Shina is trying to advance. Is she planning to move to the capital? But she doesn't seem to be very focused on the capital, somehow.

"By the way, Senior Mongrel, haven't you used Artemis's bath yet?"

"Ah, I still have the second appointment. I was thinking of going during the summer. Do you think I should go sooner?"

"No, not really. Summer... isn't it coming soon?"

"Summer baths are very refreshing. I'd like to go every day if I could."

"...Then why don't you just use Artemis's bath?"

"I don't want to."

"What's the matter with you..."

"I'll help with interesting missions, though."

Spring is not boring thanks to the various monsters that appear.

Many of them threaten our lives, and the number of aggressive beasts increases, but living in a fantasy world is very fulfilling and never gets old, even at my age.

However, I'm not good at finding monsters, so it's reassuring to have someone who can act as a scout. If we can complete the missions efficiently, we might even be able to report back the same day.

"...How about we go hunting bird-type monsters with a bow next time?"

"Bow, huh? It might be good for practice."

"I can teach you, so let's do it next time. You can practice archery and I'll guard you up close."

"Sounds good. It's been a while since I've caught a bird."

"It's a small hunt, so we don't need to go with Artemis."

"Great, that helps. I can't concentrate with too many people around."

We made plans for the next hunt and parted ways with Rina.

Chicken... maybe I'll make some chicken broth.

I don't want to spend too much time making consomme, but I can enjoy a bit of soup. That makes me want some noodles... maybe I'll make some Chinese noodles?

Chicken salt ramen with kelp broth... oh, I need soy sauce.

I wonder if a failed potion could turn into soy sauce.

"30 Jellieslimes, hmm, indeed. They are caught nicely. They will be good for decoration."

"Really? That's great. Send them with my name on them."

"They will probably be good targets for the kids. Hahaha."

I handed over the Jellieslimes at the dissection site and received a ticket. More people are returning from completed missions, so I need to finish the procedures quickly to avoid congestion at the guild.

"Ah, right, Mongrel. For every 10 Jellieslimes, you need to give one of these. Here, take three."

"Oh? Ah, decorative flowers."

The dissection guy gave me three flowers.

They are long-stemmed, pale yellow flowers that grow in secluded areas of the forest during this season. They are often used for gifts and bouquets, so they are sold in the town.

During the festival preparation period, you can get flowers by completing tasks related to the Spirit Festival. It's not that anything special happens because of these flowers. It's just a way to add some festive atmosphere to your room or wherever.

In my previous life, I only bought flowers for grave visits, but I don't dislike this kind of culture.

"Thanks. I'll put them in a prominent place."

"Why don't you catch more Jellieslimes and make a bouquet for a pretty girl?"

"They'll disappear from the town."

"Hahaha."

However, with only three flowers, I can only put them in a slender vase.

Come to think of it, I don't even have a vase in my room. I remember I always stuck them in the vase at the inn's reception. Last year, the vase looked like it was for the opening ceremony, and I ended up breaking the narrow part and getting scolded by the innkeeper...

"Over there, it's escaping!"

"Get it!"

As I walked down the street, I heard the playful voices of children.

They seem to be chasing a Jellieslime that was floating low on the road.

"Perfect timing. Hey, little girl."

"Uh? What is it, mister?"

"I'll give you these flowers."

"Really!?"

I trimmed the three flowers to a suitable size and stuck them in the girl's black hair.

"There, you look beautiful. They suit you."

"Really!? Thank you!"

"Hey, Lumia, we'll corner it from this side!"

"Ah, I have to go! Bye-bye!"

"Okay, be careful."

The energetic children ran off to chase the Jellieslime.

As planned, the yellow flowers I stuck in her hair were the most noticeable in the area.

The festival is approaching. I'm looking forward to the jellyfish dishes.