[E-Book Bonus Short Story:
Solon’s Memorial Festival]
“Would you like to spend the final day of the memorial festival with me?”
Solon-sama, as usual, wandered into the shop, aimlessly drifting around and letting his gaze linger over the sweets before suddenly making that unexpected request.
Looking around, I noticed we had no other customers. He must have been waiting for this moment.
Solon-sama’s expression was stiff, his usual intimidating face looking even sterner.
The truth is, the great sage who appears so formidable is actually shy. It must have taken considerable courage for him to ask me this. I felt happy—truly, I did—but…
“Uh… I’m sorry, but that day we’re planning to make and sell special sweets, so…”
The memorial festival is a big business opportunity for the shop. It’s not something I can afford to take lightly. Regretfully, I turned him down.
“I see. Then I shall purchase all the sweets you make. Would that suffice?”
For some reason, Solon-sama’s face lit up with excitement as he made this extravagant proposal, looking like a wealthy merchant flaunting his riches.
But the memorial festival isn’t just about money. It’s also a chance for many people to taste what our shop has to offer. His suggestion misses the point entirely.
“Uh… I’m afraid that’s not really the issue…”
Just as I was about to explain further, I felt a tap on my shoulder from behind. It was my father, who had come out of the kitchen.
“Come here for a moment.”
Following his instructions, I stepped into the kitchen.
My father leaned in close and whispered.
“Listen, it seems like you’ve forgotten, but Solon-sama is still a noble. If he wanted to, he could crush our shop with ease. Not that he’d actually do it, but as the great sage, his thinking can sometimes be… unconventional. In short, he’s someone to keep an eye on.”
“Even more than Maria-sama?”
“Right after Maria-sama, yeah.”
In our shop, it’s an unspoken rule that Saint Maria-sama is the most dangerous person to deal with. One wrong word, and who knows what might happen. Even the hero himself is said to have suffered terribly at her hands during their academy days.
“So, forget about the shop and go enjoy the memorial festival with him. Fortunately, Solon-sama may be socially awkward, but he isn’t a bad person. He’s not the type to play tricks on you. Just don’t get any ideas, alright? He’s a noble, and you’re a commoner. That’s a wall you can’t climb over.”
Though he frowned slightly at the end, my father seemed to approve of me going with Solon-sama to the festival.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy. I had wanted to experience the festival with someone at least once. And Solon-sama, while his face is intimidating, isn’t all that bad if you really look at him. I think his appearance is to my liking. His personality is difficult to approach, but once you get used to him, you realize he’s surprisingly kind.
…In short, I quite like Solon-sama.
But as my father said, I’m just a commoner, and Solon-sama is a noble. Not only that, but he’s one of the members of the hero’s party. Even if we went to the festival together, it’s not like anything would change.
Still, I thought, it’s okay to make some memories like this, isn’t it?
With my resolve firm, I clenched my hands into fists in front of my chest and returned to the storefront.
“Alright, Solon-sama. I will go with you to the memorial festival!”
When I said that, Solon-sama’s face softened into a smile. This side of him is quite endearing.
“Is that so! Then how much would it cost to buy out all the sweets?”
…What he said, however, was not endearing at all.
“No, you don’t need to pay for anything. Let’s just enjoy the festival together! Oh, though calling it ‘enjoying’ a memorial might sound a bit strange. Anyway, let’s just walk around together!”
“Hmm, very well. Leave it to me. I’ll ensure you have the best seat for the memorial festival.”
—The best seat? I didn’t really understand what he meant, but I thought it might be rude to ask, so we left it at that for the day.
Solon-sama bought about twice as many sweets as usual before heading home.
※ ※ ※
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
On the final day of the memorial festival, I dressed as nicely as I could and made my way to Solon-sama’s mansion.
Of course, there were limits to what I could do, but I didn’t want to embarrass Solon-sama.
His mansion, which I was visiting for the first time, was enormous, with an overall dark and ominous appearance. It gave off an unsettling vibe, but considering the owner, it felt fitting.
The moment Solon-sama saw me, he remarked,
“You look good.”
Those words made me happy. I had put in the effort just to hear him say that.
“However, I’ve prepared an outfit for you. Change into it.”
It felt like I’d been hit over the head. So, no matter how much effort a commoner puts in, it’s pointless, isn’t it?
Feeling crestfallen, I followed him to a room where the clothes were prepared. Solon-sama seemed in high spirits and didn’t notice my dejection.
—And that’s exactly the kind of obliviousness that makes him difficult.
But the moment I stepped into the room, I gasped.
The outfit waiting for me was stunning.
It was a dark ensemble suited for the memorial festival, made from fine wool and velvet, adorned with intricate embroidery of vines and lilies in silver and gold threads. A small but elegant silver accessory was placed at the chest.
“This… is for me?”
All my earlier gloom disappeared in an instant.
“Of course, it’s for you. You can even keep it afterward. I used magic to replicate your body’s measurements, so it should be a perfect fit.”
…Magic to replicate my body’s measurements? That’s… unsettling.
Solon-sama is still a bit hopeless as a person. But, well, I already knew that.
After changing, Solon-sama took my hand and led me into the twilight streets.
People stared as we walked by. It made me feel a little proud, and I couldn’t help but grin.
“Is it enjoyable, being with someone like me?”
He asked hesitantly, as if uncertain.
He’s the kind of person who worries about strange things. That’s what makes him endearing.
“Of course, I’m enjoying myself!”
I made sure to smile as brightly as I could, hoping to give him some confidence.
“Is that so? Then I’ll take you somewhere even more enjoyable today!”
With that, Solon-sama cheerfully led me toward the center of town.
That’s where the main altar for the memorial festival was located,
where Maria-sama would perform the memorial rites.
Ah, so he plans to take me to a good spot to view the ceremony.
The area near the altar was reserved for nobles and foreign dignitaries, far beyond the reach of commoners like me.
For Solon-sama, this must have seemed like a considerate gesture.
Pleased, I followed him, feeling a bit important.
We moved closer and closer to the center… until I realized we were going too far.
“Um, isn’t this a bit much?”
But no one stopped us.
The knights and guards recognized Solon-sama and let us through without question.
Before I knew it, we were standing right in front of the altar.
The king and queen were nearby, along with the hero, Princess Alexia,
Sword Saint Leon-sama, and his stunning fiancée.
Maria-sama stood at the altar, radiating a divine aura that was completely unlike her usual menacing presence.
“How’s this? A good seat, isn’t it?”
Solon-sama looked incredibly proud.
It was indeed a good seat—too good. This wasn’t just a noble’s seat; it was practically royalty’s.
“Familiar faces are nearby, so you should feel comfortable, right?”
Did he mean the hero, the sword saint, and the saint?
Sure, they were regulars at our shop, but seeing them in formal attire like this made their overwhelming presence painfully clear.
“Uh, yes… I suppose so. By the way, where are we sitting?”
I hoped for a spot at the very edge, at least.
“Hm? That one over there?”
he said, pointing to the seats right next to the king and queen.
“I told them I wanted good seats, and they prepared those for us.”
He smiled innocently.
…This man is hopeless. My father was right—his thinking is completely out of the ordinary.
“Solon-sama, I have a request.”
I mustered my courage and spoke.
“What is it?”
“Please… consider my feelings a little more!”
In the end, we moved to a far less conspicuous spot, even within the special seating area.
Solon-sama seemed slightly remorseful, which made me a bit happy.
TLNOTE:
Another great volume, although not as good as the first two. The ending felt a bit weak in my opinion, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is still my number one favorite light novel series. Hopefully, there’s an infinite supply of heroes to kill so the series can continue for a long time, lol.
Because of that volume 1 and 2 fan translation in this site will be removed in the near future
otherwise check the internet archive
As usual, please consider reading other novels written by Daken sensei listed below :
- Monster Meat Led Me to the Throne
- The Castle of Canaan ~ The Lost Kingdom’s Princess, the World’s Hidden Treasure, and the Grand Adventure of the Mightiest Band of Thieves Versus an Empire ~
- The Wicked Princess and 12 Eyes – The Strongest Squires and the Legendary Evil Woman, the Second Time in Her Life
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
- The Last Magic (translated by my friend narwhal)
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
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