The Perfect Knight and the Illusionist (BL)

LEO

The day had finally come, and we arrived at the Hoffberg district bordering on the northern boundary of the capital just before lunch. The carriage ride (and those carriages were big, carrying twenty of us in each carriage) was mostly smooth on the paved roads through the city, until we got near the site where the paving became uneven, then gave way to a bare and bumpy road. The whole ride took a little longer than an hour, and I could see that the way people dressed gradually changed the further away we went from the city center, almost like how tree leaves change in color with the change of seasons.

Once we arrived, we got off the carriages and lined up on a large grass field, where many children were playing kick-ball.

"Leave the field, children," one of the Royal Knights who traveled with us said to the kids, announcing, "This site will be used as the assembly point for the Royal Knights for this weekend."

The children protested and moaned, but when the Royal Knight repeated the exact same words in a raised voice, they complied and left.

We then set up a large tent (which was the fun part) with the poles and cloth we brought, as well as tables and chairs for the administrative officers to sit and do their... whatever paper things they had to do.

After the setup was complete, we lined up in a neatly arranged square formation with rows and columns. They assigned each one of us into groups by reading out our names, and I was happy to be in the same group as Mario, Isabelle, and Beatrice—and a little nervous that our group also included Dorian.

Then once we were standing in our groups, we were further organized into bigger groups. Each small group had five people, while each bigger group had three groups, and the bigger group was called a ’team.’ A man named Sergeant Becker came and introduced himself as the Team Leader, and he was the one that we were supposed to report everything to, just as Lieutenant Gerlsbeck told us in our first briefing session back on campus.

"Today’s task is simple. We will follow the patrol route assigned to our Team for the festival tomorrow. Familiarize yourself with the street layouts today because seeing them populated will be disorienting for you."

With that, we set out on our path.

The street we first entered after leaving our assembly point was a rather narrow strip sandwiched between houses that lined up on each side. The houses looked very basic, to say the least. They were made of wooden boards rather than bricks, and I could literally see the inside of some houses through the cracks between the boards, which made me think that people inside must get really cold in winter (and the winter in the capital was supposed to be much colder than in the South, and houses in Erdville were built with bricks).

"As this is our entry path into the festival zone, this street is to remain empty at all times. If you see anyone loitering here, ask them to leave at once. If they refuse to leave, report to me immediately," Sergeant Becker told us as we moved along.

At the end of the street, we came to a small square where some grannies had set up stalls (or more like just clothes laid on the ground with their products on top) selling various vegetables that they had no doubt picked early in the morning.

"Nobody is to be selling anything in this square tomorrow. Only permitted festival sellers with valid licenses can set up stalls in this area and the main square, which we will get to later. If you see these same old ladies trying to sell the same things tomorrow, report to me immediately."

Isabelle and Beatrice were scanning the area, looking as if they were trying to memorize the faces of the grannies, while Mario had a very serious expression on his face yet with a hint of anticipation—like the face of a child who was getting explained the rules of a game and couldn’t wait to get started with the real thing. But other than that, what surprised me a little was Dorian. He always looked uninterested in anything we did, but he was paying careful attention to the surroundings, looking at all the buildings, windows, other streets that branched out from the mini square, and so forth.

We then passed through another narrow street to arrive at a much bigger square, where there were many people moving busily, setting up stalls and tents.

"As you see, these stalls here are the valid license-holding festival sellers."

It struck me as a little odd that the sellers who were getting their stalls prepared were all much better dressed—or at least dressed differently—than other people we saw in the area since we arrived, as if they were traveling salesmen. We had those visiting sellers during our festivals in Erdville too, but most of the sellers were from the village itself. That’s why we often got freebies and extra portions when we ordered drinks and snacks, so I felt a bit sorry for the children here that they probably wouldn’t get those little favors from the traveling sellers.

Then Sergeant Becker noticed something and went over to one of the stalls and told the seller,

"Your stall is out of line. Look to your sides and align it."

The seller dully complied, despite looking annoyed, and I wondered why it mattered at all. I didn’t dare ask Sergeant Becker now, but I thought maybe Mario could answer me later if I asked him.

"Follow me, and watch carefully," the Sergeant said as he turned back to us.

We then followed him closely as he went over to a stall that had large beer barrels.

"Show me your alcohol sales license," Sergeant Becker asked the seller.

The seller enthusiastically nodded and produced a paper from the pouch bag he was carrying around his waist.

"This license is valid for beer and beer only. You are aware of that, right? You cannot be selling wine or spirits," the Sergeant checked with the seller.

"Yes, Sir. I am only stocked with beer," the seller responded.

"Good. Now, everyone," the Sergeant turned to us and told us, "if you see any other alcoholic beverages being sold at this stall, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Sir," everyone said in sync.

Except me.

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