Yarra's Adventure Notes-Chapter 93 - 17: Harvest Festival_2

"As we should." Lina curtsied to Mirak again. "Well then, Pannis and I will depart for now. We plan to wander about a bit, and we will return to consult with you before the conclusion ceremony the day after tomorrow." freēnovelkiss.com

"I hope you enjoy." Mirak was grateful for Lina’s gentleness and generosity. He offered kindly, "Do you need me to show you around?"

"That won’t be necessary." As Lina turned to walk towards the temple’s changing room, she said, "We can simply explore on our own. No need to trouble you. You should rest. Goodbye, Mr. Priest."

Exiting through the back gate of the temple, Lina returned to her usual leather armor with a gentle smile following Pannis. Pannis looked back at her uncomfortably and asked, "How should I address you?"

"Nice to meet you, I am the High Priestess of Catheria." Yet this time, Lina did not curtsy, she merely gave a soft smile, "Actually, I’m still Lina but at the same time, I’m not. Even I myself find it confusing. However, you can continue to call me Lina."

"Could you explain?" Pannis looked at Lina with a hint of worry, "It sounds dubious."

Lina pursed her lips in thought, hesitated, and then said, "Actually, even I can’t clarify it. And even if I did, you probably wouldn’t understand. I am an illusion, yet I am also reality. I do exist, yet I also don’t. I rely on Lina’s consciousness, but I’m also independent of it. Since she was eight, we’ve all lived together; she is our beloved little sister. We greatly influence her, and she often imitates our actions and habits. But this case is different; she was worried that merely imitating me wouldn’t handle the circumstances, so she asked for my assistance. Although I don’t worship the Goddess Denia, I am, after all, an experienced High Priestess."

"You’re not a follower of Denia?" Pannis asked, surprised, "Then how did you conduct the ceremony and even invoked the Holy Descension?"

"I have no idea," Lina replied jokingly with a wink. "Lina isn’t aware either, given our unique state, who knows? But Goddess Denia knows. She told Lina it was fine, so it must be. If the Goddess doesn’t care, then why should we?"

"Alright, indeed I shouldn’t worry about it," Pannis said with a dazed smile after a while, then shook his head, "Yet your current state still feels risky."

"It’s okay," Lina answered, chuckling at Pannis’s expression, "We mean Lina no harm, so it’s fine. Besides, this isn’t the first time this has happened. You were there last time."

"Last time?" Pannis was taken aback.

"Just a few days ago. On our way to meet two squabbling little girls, you forgot? That time it was Katerina who appeared." Lina spoke softly, "This time is the same as the last. But last time she was running away, that timid little fool. Alright, I should head back now, it was nice talking to you, Pannis. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday."

"Goodbye," Pannis waved.

"There’s no need to say goodbye," Lina said as she straightened her clothes, "Let’s go."

"So now you are... Lina?" Pannis asked, looking at Lina. The present Lina still retained the purity, innocence, tenderness, and shyness from before, seemingly the same but now lacking the divine aura in her movements.

Lina shrugged, "I have always been Lina."

"Alright." Pannis shook his head while still puzzled, "In order for me not to go insane, I’d better not contemplate it. So, you aren’t involved in what’s coming up?"

"Yes, not for now," Lina confirmed softly with a nod, "This region’s Harvest Festival process is straightforward. The first step is for me to preside over the festival ceremony. After the offering ceremony, we move to the second step. Initially, all the strong workers would begin to harvest, while the elderly and women would exchange goods produced at home in the square. This exchange functioned as a village-wide marketplace. As the Harvest Festival originated in the Neville Federation, but over the past few centuries, their festival has focused more on commercialization and lost its initial charm. Whereas the Neutral Lands have maintained the original simplicity. In recent centuries, tourists seeking novelty have flocked here. The increase in tourists also attracted more merchants. In this period, all the major villages were probably full of merchants and tourists. Hence, what was originally a marketplace for villagers has become a large-scale fair where goods from all over the world could be encountered. The second step lasts for three days. On the evening of the third day, also known as the day after tomorrow, all the harvestable fields would usually be harvested. Therefore, a village-wide bonfire party happens at night. That’s the merriest time, with many bonfires lit on the square, people meandering around them, freely singing and dancing. By the way, in the past three hundred years, there has been a display of goblin crystal fireworks just before the end—even though they’re a bit expensive, most villages are willing to set off fireworks every year."

Seeing Lina’s enthusiastic introduction, Pannis teased, "Sure looks like you’re experienced."

"Huh?" Lina’s gaze wandered as she said, "Actually, this is my first time participating in the Harvest Festival. I found all the information in books."

Pannis nodded understandingly, "No wonder you speak with such admiration. But, at least now you finally got the chance."

"Yeah." Lina sighed, "In previous years, I always happened to be away during this time. I wanted to participate but couldn’t. So, I initially made a promise with Vivian that we must attend together at least once. Unfortunately, she can’t make it this year. What a shame! Next year, I definitely can’t go on a mission during this time. Vivian and I need to come and enjoy a few days. I wish we still have the chance next year."

"Why does it seem to be urgent?" Pannis asked, "Isn’t the Harvest Festival held every year?"

"Vivian, she..." Lina wanted to say something, but eventually shook her head, forcibly changing the subject by pointing at a nearby stall, "Look at those two little girls there. They’re twins, but their dress colors are completely opposite. How interesting! And they brought a dog with them. Hmm, what breed of dog is that? It’s so ugly."

Looking up, indeed, a pair of twin girls stood side-by-side in front of a stall, selecting souvenirs enthusiastically. Both girls had light blue hair. One wore a purely black dress and the other a pure white one. Besides the color of their clothes, they were identical, with no differences. At their feet, a brown creature the size of an adult dog lay lazily by their side, occasionally licking its collar of mane and sometimes swaying its tail out of boredom.

"Phew." Pannis patted his forehead and sighed, "Yes, it is quite ugly. That breed of dog we usually call it a lion."