Chapter 39

The village designated for Shiro was located in the eastern part of the kingdom.

In this village, an annual festival is held, where fireworks are launched to commemorate the day the demon king was defeated.

In this region, where saltpeter is produced, fireworks were once launched annually as a form of resistance against the black clouds created by the demon king.

After the demon king was defeated, this festival evolved into a celebration of the peace that followed, as well as a prayer for the souls of those who fell victim to the demon king's army, with fireworks launched towards the sky.

The place and time Shiro designated were precisely when this festival was to take place.

The five-year war with the demon king's army had left the country exhausted.

There are still remnants of the war in various places.

Towns and villages that were forced to disperse, people who lost their parents or children.

The area where the demon king's castle once stood has become a habitat for powerful monsters, and the kingdom has yet to begin its reconstruction.

Ten years have passed, and people unrelated to that region have become indifferent to the losses and the struggles of their neighbors.

This is understandable to some extent.

When one is preoccupied with daily life, it's easy to lose the capacity to care for others.

However, this attitude is nothing more than a willingness to turn oneself towards the folly of forgetting the valuable lessons given by those who suffered and repeating the same history.

That's why this festival, which provides an annual opportunity to reflect on what has been lost, surely has great significance, I believe.

I told the party members that we would go to the festival for a bit of rest.

While I couldn't lie to Lena, I did feel the need for some rest after working so hard, so it wasn't entirely a lie.

None of us had ever seen fireworks before, so everyone was looking forward to it.

"Wow, there are so many people!"

"Yeah."

I nodded in response to Lena's words.

The village, which is usually not very crowded, was overflowing with people today.

"Hey, hey, this is the popular fried bird dish from the surrounding countries! It's crispy and delicious!"

"How about a painting for today's commemoration? I'll draw fireworks in the background if you want!"

When people gather, business begins.

There were various stalls, not just food stands, but also shops selling decorations and artists drawing impromptu portraits.

Unlike the bustling streets of the capital, this was an extraordinary space.

A place like fireworks, which shine brightly for a moment and then disappear.

"Alright, let's all enjoy today! The fireworks won't start for a while, so until then—"

As I was about to say,

"Hey! Anyone! Is there a healer around? A child has been injured!"

A somewhat urgent cry was heard.

"Sure thing! I can do it! I'm on my way!"

Without waiting for our response, Lena ran in the direction of the voice.

"......We have no choice, Nick, let's go."

"Okay."

Pharan and Nick tried to follow her.

I was about to follow them, but...

"There's no point in all of us going. Elise and Elaine, find a good spot to watch the fireworks. Let's meet back here when things calm down."

"Sure, do that. And, try to make up, okay?"

Without waiting for my response, Pharan and Nick followed Lena.

Elaine and I looked at each other and smiled wryly.

Making up, huh.

Indeed, since the incident with the ring, things had been tense between Elaine and me... and it seems we had been causing others to worry.

...That's so typical of Nick to say it so casually.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes, let's go... on a reconciliation trip, shall we?"

After that, we walked together without much conversation.

Even though we were looking for a good spot, it was our first time watching fireworks.

I thought a higher place would be better, but if we left the village, it would be difficult to meet up with the others.

While asking the villagers about the direction of the fireworks, we found a suitable place with fewer people.

"There's no one here."

"Right."

"Maybe they're done over there? Let's go back and—"

Boom.

My words were cut off by a loud sound as fireworks bloomed beautifully in the sky.

---

Honestly. To get Shiro to move, showing her dreams and making her buy a ring... isn't that a bit roundabout?

At her comment, I smiled wryly.

---I just wanted to keep one promise. ...Because I've made too many promises I couldn't keep.

At my words, she nodded.

---That's right, we did promise. After defeating the demon king... we would all watch fireworks together.

A promise we once made.

A promise I finally kept, an important one.

---Yeah. I thought I'd seen enough fireworks, having seen them so many times... but the fireworks blooming in the sky, unobstructed by the black clouds... are beautiful.

---Yeah.

---Thank you, for bringing back this sky.

---No, we did it together... no, everyone did.

---Right. Right.

I was happy.

That she said "everyone." That she acknowledged we fought together.

After a while, without saying anything, we watched the fireworks together, and she laughed softly.

---But... what will happen?

---Huh?

---Our relationship, and all that?

She chuckled.

---Well, that... is up to us to decide.

---Hehe... right.

---But, maybe... a little mischief is allowed. After all... according to Shiro, we're ghosts.

---Mischief?

---I saw it on the way here. The portrait shop had red dye. I'll get a little.

At my words, she looked exasperated.

---Oh, I don't think that's a good idea. Using it like that...

---Since I thought of it at the last moment, it's okay to play a prank, right? ...So, will you put the ring back on?

---Ring? Yeah, sure... but...

---This is the last one. The ghost game is over.

---...

---See you, Elaine.

---Yeah, bye... Elise.

---

---'Guide.'

At the parting, her smile was bright.

Yet... it felt fragile, like a firework that leaves a momentary glow before fading away.

---

"Hey! Elise! Elaine!"

At Pharan's voice, I snapped out of it and turned around.

We were in the place where we had separated from the others earlier.

I had no memory of how we got back here after the fireworks started.

I looked at Elaine beside me.

She seemed just as confused as I was.

"What's with you two, standing there dazed... the fireworks are over, you know."

"......Oh, sorry. What about you?"

"It's been over for a while. It wasn't a serious injury."

"Ah, there you are, Elise, Elaine, welcome back."

Lena and Nick were coming towards us.

It seemed they had been looking for us.

Pharan walked towards them, and I was about to follow when...

I saw Elaine's ring shining in the corner of my eye.

The moment I saw the ring, I...

"Elaine, that ring..."

"Huh? What? That's strange, I thought I took it off..."

I grabbed her hand as she tried to take the ring off again.

Surprised by my sudden action, she looked at me, and words spilled out of my mouth as if squeezed out.

"You don't need to take it off. ...It suits you, the ring."

Elaine stared at me for a while... then slowly pushed my hand away and called out to Lena, who was just arriving, as if seeking help.

"Lena, help! What do I do? Elise is saying weird things! Saying the ring suits me, which is totally not true! I think it's a fake!"

"......Hey."

"Um, it looks real?"

"But that's not right! It's Elise!?"

"Oh, he's finally awakened—Elise."

"......No, Lena, please stop that."

As I watched the two of them teasing me, I thought about why I had said those things.

...I don't know.

If I had to exaggerate, it felt like fate had commanded me to say it, and I had no choice but to obey.

(Is this the work of a ghost...?)

Gratitude and resentment intertwined.

While the party members were still having fun, I watched them...

(No, I should be grateful...)

The laughter of my comrades, which I hadn't heard in a long time, made me feel happy.

I felt like I had been scolded for being too serious as a leader and a sword master.

If my being a laughingstock could bring smiles to the party members, I should be content as a leader.

What's important, as 'Dragon Fang's Bite' suggests, is the bond between comrades.

As if searching for the ghost that taught me this, I looked up at the sky.

The fireworks were indeed over, as Pharan had said.

In the starry sky, free of clouds, two stars seemed to shine particularly brightly.

---

Since then, we have not been troubled by déjà vu.

Thank you for waiting for this additional episode. The word count isn't too high, but it was very challenging to write.

I hope you enjoyed it.

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'The Strongest Swordsman, Told "Adventurers are Unstable" by His Love, Seeks Stability by Joining the Weapon Merchant Guild—Ends Up Being Called a Shadow Hero After Demonstrating Sales Skills in the Field and Receiving Higher Evaluation Than When He Was an Adventurer—'

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Thank you for reading to the end.