The Young Ladies eating together didn't feel awkward anymore.
It was also the first time I got around a bonfire, and even enjoyed some meat.
For me, this bonfire festival was unfamiliar territory. Standing there like a bundle of dried barley stalks, I was suddenly startled by something big passing by.
Elga skewered a large pig on a stick, then placed it over the fire and started rotating it.
"Putting a pig over the fire reminds me of the battlefield."
Round and round, sizzle-.
The pig sweated oil on the iron skewer, and as it dripped down, the flames danced even more gracefully.
The flames looked like they were licking the meat, which was a bit eerie. But the smell of roasted meat could certainly stimulate one's appetite.
It seemed to be the same for the imps.
"Roast quickly-! I, Tartar, have been selling shaved ice all day today and haven't eaten anything-! Roasted meat, that's imp-friendly!"
The red-haired imp Tartar stood around the bonfire, urging the meat to cook faster. Of course, her urging didn't speed up the roasting process, so she was just there impatiently tapping her foot.
Next to her, the mad imp Gargar danced around the flames like a shaman of the Baehwagyo.
"This is my first time seeing beef-! To think we're eating cows, noble parties are indeed extravagant-! Hehe, what's left is packed-!"
"Ah-! Comrade Purpur-! That's not cooked yet-!"
Purpur and Marmar, the imps, chattered incessantly, which made the campfire bustling.
"Fire! Arson! Disaster!"
"Ahhht-! Gargar is sprinkling salt on the flames again-! Marmar, stop Gargar-!"
… Anyway, the imps seemed to like the campfire.
It felt more like an esoteric ritual than a party as they gathered around the flames, chattering loudly and waving their little demon tails in every direction. ŖАꞐǒ𝐁Èᶊ
Watching them, Elga, who was rotating the meat on the fire, furrowed her brow.
"Hey, you guys. Stay still. Who invited these noisy imps anyway? Was it you Mirna?"
Mirna, who was sipping a glass of wine, frowned.
"I thought these were your guests, Lady Lioness. You just fit in with the loudness."
"What are you saying? Then, Theo, was it you? Is there an imp—half-nymph alliance or something?"
I simply shrugged as Elga looked at me. I hadn't heard anything about a party on this hill today, let alone any invitations.
"Well, I definitely didn't. But if it's not Mirna or Theo—"
Naturally, our gaze converged on one person.
All that was left was Queen Aira.
Aira remained silent, merely gazing up at the dark sky.
Then her face suddenly brightened, her eyes reflecting the fireworks that decorated the high sky.
Pang, papapang-. Papang-.
We all stopped what we were doing to watch the loud and bright display.
The shapes of the fireworks varied, resembling various animals like a cat, goldfish, lion, rabbit, and so on.
Among them, the most frequent shapes were long-eared elves, soaring hawks, and the words "Bellhawk Association." Presumably, due to them investing the most money for the fireworks. In a way, you could think of it as a billboard that got shot up in the sky.
All things considered, this hill had a great view. Since this hill was exclusively rented by Mirna, it was the best place to enjoy the night of the festival.
We sliced and shared roasted meat while watching the fireworks, or played a sheriff's game seeking out outlaws.
━Ahht-! Lady Lioness is the mafia again!
━No, why do you keep pointing fingers at me first? I said I was a civilian.
By the time the heat had cooled down, the chattering imps were already slumped around the bonfire.
They must've been tired selling shaved ice all day.
"They'll get twisted mouths at this point."
As I covered Marmar, Tartar, and Purpur with thin blankets, Elga added more dry wood to the fire.
"So, Theo, have you decided to go back to work? Aira and Theo, did you two talk well?"
Mirna, who was brushing imp Gargar's hair, also glanced at me. However, it was Aira, not me, who responded.
"Theo has decided to continue working hard. And he will have one day off per week. I also decided to give him a month's leave during the school vacation."
"A day off every week and a month's vacation? That's generous. Anyway, it's good that you two reconciled. Especially at times , when Serazade is making a lot of noise. Shouldn't we stick together?"
Aira and I hadn't really talked much since the last conversation we had at the pond. We just acted as usual, as if nothing had happened.
I guessed this was our way of reconciling.
Then I suddenly felt awkward after becoming conscious of it.
Fortunately, the quick-witted Mirna savvily intervened in our conversation.
"Then, on a day , let's forget about the past and get along well. In that sense, Lady Lioness. Shall I pour you a drink?"
"Yes, I have a good drink that I have saved for today. I made it myself-."
"Hey, that's too bad, but I'm good. I don't really feel like drinking today."
Elga declining Mirna's offer of alcohol surprised Mirna, which prompted her to ask.
"Lady Lioness, why are you refusing the drink? I heard you're quite the drinker."
"I drink when I want to drink. It's not about drinking all the alcohol. And how can I drink the alcohol you're giving me when it's suspicious?"
"Hmm. And now I see you're not even smoking your pipe either. You haven't smoked all day, haven't you?"
"It's my decision. But why are you so talkative all of a sudden? Have you been watching me all day? You're so bored while I was busy grilling the meat, huh~?"
Elga started roasting meat again and relished. Was she having cravings? But the fact that Mirna was watching her with narrow eyes made me somewhat anxious.
So I decided to change the subject and get some fresh air.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom-."