The Empire's festival had originally been established to commemorate the hero who had once saved it-Grand Mage Miriam.
Every year, the people of the Empire held grand parades and banquets in remembrance of that legendary figure.
Although the hero's phantom had been annihilated just a few days earlier by a fellow who looked like a cowboy, that did nothing to stop people from celebrating.
After all, as time passed, the so-called festival had long since become an excuse for people to blow off steam, especially when they had just lived through a disaster like this.
More than ever, people needed a reason to laugh, to celebrate, and to tell themselves that everything was behind them.
So, to ensure the festival could take place on schedule, the students were working flat out.
Hauling materials, repairing walls, clearing streets-everyone had their hands full.
The slum district where Greg was working was one of the main priorities for reconstruction, as fierce fighting had taken place there that night too.
"Shoo, shoo. You kids go stay with your big sister Lilith. Don't get in the way here."
With a huge load of building materials on his back, Greg freed one hand and waved at the eager children in front of him as though shooing chicks away.
The children looked no older than seven or eight. They had all rolled up their sleeves and insisted they wanted to help.
Greg was touched by their willingness, but it would be awful if they got hurt helping out, so he had turned them down.
Lilith, who had been awkwardly dealing with the children, bristled the moment she heard him.
Her vivid red hair seemed to burn in the sunlight. She planted her hands on her hips, unmistakable anger in her voice.
"Wait-are you saying I'm only fit