GILF Hunter

After the play ended.

Ian and Frenda left the theater and walked along the street.

’...Should I lodge a protest?’

’Didn’t you say that plays are originally made however they please?’

’Th-that’s true, but that was...’

As she spoke, Frenda’s face turned bright red again at the memory of the play’s content.

If only they could at least do something about those ridiculous lines.

’If you request a revision, wouldn’t it just fuel the actors’ artistic passion even more?’

’Sigh...’

It seemed likely to Frenda as well.

In that case, she just had to let such stories spread.... Thinking that, Frenda hung her head low.

She could only hope that the play wouldn’t reach the eyes of anyone else she knew.

Walking the streets after leaving the theater, Ian checked the time briefly.

While watching the play, mealtime had already approached.

The person from the Merchant Association who had guided them at the theater suggested recommending a nearby famous restaurant, but Ian declined.

He felt it didn’t quite fit today’s purpose of seeing the festival.

Such establishments could be visited anytime, even when it wasn’t a festival, so they could go later. For now, exploring the streets seemed better.

Instead, Ian sought out a street lined with food stalls with Frenda.

’Wow...’

One of the most popular places during the festival.

Frenda’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the street lined with numerous stalls.

’There are places to eat over there, so let’s buy a few things here and head over.’

’Yes!’

Browsing the stalls one by one, Frenda and Ian purchased several items they liked.

There were common foods, but there were also many unfamiliar ones only found at festival stalls. Because of this, Frenda couldn’t easily pick what she liked and walked back and forth along the street several times.

Noticing Frenda’s gaze stop at a particular stall, Ian made a suggestion.

’Should we buy that too?’

’Buying th-that as well seems like a bit much...’

’Then let’s just buy one and share.’

’Ah, that’s...’

Frenda flinched and stopped mid-sentence.

Sharing food. It’s almost like being a couple...

It was because such a thought had inadvertently crossed her mind.

’What’s wrong?’

’A-ah, no. It’s nothing!’

Frenda quickly looked away, perhaps to hide her blushing face.

＊　＊　＊

Before long, the sky began to darken.

Usually, this would be the time when crowds start to thin and shops prepare to close, but...

This was the festival period.

On the contrary, the streets began to overflow with even more vitality. The number of people seemed to be increasing steadily.

Realizing the surroundings had grown boisterous, Frenda looked around with a puzzled face.

People were murmuring and moving here and there in search of something.

Frenda asked Ian.

’Is something happening? Everyone seems to be going somewhere.’

’The mages are putting on a fireworks display. It seems everyone is looking for a spot to watch it.’

’Fireworks...!’

When Ian, who had checked the festival schedule, replied, Frenda’s eyes lit up at the word fireworks.

Frenda had never seen a fireworks display in her life.

Festivals hosted by the Great Temple always had a strict and serious atmosphere, so they didn’t hold such rowdy events.

Even in the neighborhood where the monastery was located, festivals were held occasionally, but they weren’t grand enough to hire mages, so she hadn’t seen fireworks.

Fireworks were an extravagant pastime that required hiring multiple mages solely for entertainment.

It was an event only seen at festivals in wealthy large cities like this one.

As a result, Frenda had only ever heard of fireworks through rumors.

’Let’s go watch too!’

’In that case, we should go somewhere with a good view.’

Ian and Frenda wandered nearby, looking for a place to watch the fireworks.

However, most spots were already packed with people. It was only natural... everyone had claimed their spots early to watch the fireworks.

The problem was the crowd, which was larger than expected. This was because the number of festival visitors had increased significantly compared to usual.

It was a number Ian hadn’t anticipated either. He thought that even if they couldn’t get a prime spot, they could at least find a decent one, but there were no seats left at all.

’There are no spots left...’

’Ahaha. Then it can’t be helped. Shall we just watch from the street?’

Frenda said so with a smile, as if it were fine.

Ian glanced at the festival pamphlet.

Naturally, there were fireworks viewing seats prepared for VIPs, but those had been excluded from consideration early on.

VIPs would be gathered there, and those people would surely recognize Frenda’s face.

If people started talking to her, Frenda wouldn’t be able to refuse easily... and she’d likely be trapped there for hours.

’Hmm.... Let’s go this way for a moment.’

’Yes?’

After a moment of thought, Ian led Frenda toward a quiet alleyway.

It was a last resort, but it was a place he had thought of in advance just in case.

’Do you know of a place?’

’Yes. But I’d appreciate it if you kept this a secret. It’s minor, but it’s not originally meant to be used like this.’

The place they arrived at was an alley slightly off the main street.

It was the entrance leading up to a city watchtower.

It was a facility used for defense during monster invasions, so it was usually locked to prevent entry. Although it wasn’t much, it was technically a military facility during invasion periods.

Ian, who pulled out a key in front of the locked door, opened it.

Ian had keys that could open the doors of these watchtowers located throughout the city.

Previously, he had received the keys and access authority from the guild to command operations, and when he tried to return them after the invasion ended, he was told to just keep them.

The reasoning was that he would likely use them again later, so he should just keep them rather than going through the hassle of getting new ones every time.

...Well, it meant the facility was that insignificant. It was just a watchtower, after all.

Ian and Frenda climbed to the top of the watchtower.

As a facility built to observe the city, everything including the sky and every corner of the city was clearly visible without any obstructions.

’Wow...’

In the middle of the bustling festival.

It was a tranquil place, isolated like a lonely island within that commotion.

’The fireworks should start soon if we wait.’

It wasn’t a very large space.

Since it wasn’t built as a resting area, it was good for looking out, but there were no comfortable seats.

Ian and Frenda spread a cloak on the floor and sat side-by-side.

There was still a little time left before the fireworks began.

’How was the festival tour?’

’Yes.... It was fun.’

Frenda and Ian talked for a while as they waited for the fireworks to start.

About the festival they saw today.

About her recent life at the temple.

Even about the stories from when she was at the monastery or the Great Temple.

The conversation, which continued without any particular theme, eventually flowed into plans for the future.

’So, you have no intention of returning to the Great Temple for the time being?’

’Yes. For now.’

When Frenda replied as such, Ian asked about something he had been curious about.

’It seemed the Great Temple wanted you to return quickly. Is it alright for you to keep refusing?’

’That’s probably because of the Saintess appointment...’

’Were you chosen as the Saintess?’

’Not exactly... there are some complicated circumstances...’

After a moment of hesitation, Frenda decided to confide in Ian.

Although it was internal temple business, Frenda considered Ian an important person related to the temple. Of course, Ian himself denied it.

’Actually, we have been searching for a Saintess candidate for a long time. We already received a prophecy that someone with the power of the Saintess has appeared at the Great Temple.’

’If you’ve been searching... does that mean you haven’t found her yet?’

’That’s right...’

Frenda nodded.

’But no matter how much the priests traveled, they couldn’t find a trace. It’s usually not this difficult... it’s as if the power of the Saintess suddenly vanished somewhere.’

’Could something have happened to the Saintess candidate...?’

’If that were the case, the prophecy would have changed and a new candidate would have emerged. One is always maintained. But the prophecy remained the same.’

An unprecedented situation where the Saintess had appeared, but her whereabouts could not be found.

The Great Temple had used various excuses to delay the Saintess designation until now, but there was ultimately a limit to leaving that position vacant indefinitely.

It didn’t look good to outsiders that the Saintess hadn’t appeared for so long. It was about time that anyone would start to notice something was seriously wrong.

’As a temporary measure, there was a suggestion to designate one of the young priestesses as the Saintess. From the outside, no one would be able to tell the difference anyway.’

’That would be... you, Ms. Frenda?’

’Yes, well...’

Being a young priestess with the talent to rise to the rank of high-ranking priest, she could certainly take over the role even if she became the Saintess.

To anyone, Frenda was the candidate who fit the role best.

But Frenda had a look on her face that suggested she wasn’t very keen on the idea.

’Isn’t that a good thing?’

’I hate it.’

Stopping her words for a moment.

Frenda, who was hesitating with her head bowed, replied in a small voice.

’I like being here more...’

Fireworks shot up, piercing the night sky and bursting into brilliant radiance.

Frenda gently took Ian’s hand.

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