"Come on, come on!"
"Jump! Drink! Laugh! Sing!"
"Today is the annual Fire Festival!"
"Shogun Castle issued an announcement long ago: all expenses in the city tonight will be covered by the honorable Saint Mihawk!"
"Everyone's food, drink, entertainment, and fun are completely free!"
Amid the lively spectacle of the Mountain God pulling the oiran float, a middle-aged man cheered excitedly.
This drove the atmosphere even higher, and some people even began shouting, "Long live Saint Mihawk!"
"No wonder that shopkeeper didn't charge us earlier. This Saint Mihawk is quite a good man."
Yami Sukehiro looked toward Shogun Castle and sighed. "The royal family was never this generous before."
"A few days ago in Rondel, I heard a mage who studied Sea Star history say that the Celestial Dragons' reputation had only improved in recent years. Apparently, they used to be terrifying."
Charlotte, walking through the crowd with her arm linked through his, spoke softly.
"Oh? How terrifying could they have been? Surely they weren't worse than the kingdom's royal nobles?"
"Please, I was born a noble too!"
"Yes, yes. You're one of the few good nobles."
Yami Sukehiro casually reassured her, then changed the subject. "Charlotte, do you think I should join the Yami Clan?"
"Only you can decide that. I don't think it matters either way."
"Besides, if you don't feel comfortable after joining, you can always leave. At worst, move in with me."
At that moment, a group of eight approaching from the opposite direction caught their attention.
Or rather, everyone around them was openly or discreetly watching them.
The five people in front looked fairly normal.
There was an exceptionally handsome man wearing a purple kimono and a black haori draped over his shoulders.
Beside him was a gentle young woman in a pale yellow kimono,