Dawn- An age of Darkness
Chapter 317 - The Holy Night Festival (Part Three)

The whole thing had lasted for about an hour. Apparently, it was started by the royal family, and then the commoners all joined in and then finished the event. We caught the general people and the royals' attention when we threw the lights- but no one came this way, or complained for that matter.

Though the lamp event ended, it wasn't didn't. 

It was just the beginning. After the firework-like thing, people started to come back and go about in the stalls and the whole city felt as lively as ever. 

"In the past when this country was first found, the first-ever leader, was a woman. She was thought to be a goddess. Perhaps she was one but- no one knows," Alisa began, standing right next to me. "She never got married. She never had kids. Every year, she would light one lamp and let it float above the city. Those lamps never exploded like this but- those lamps were far brighter and no one could ever hope to mimic them. That one night was like a grand festival for the general people who were plagued with all sorts of problems. After all, the world was filled with monsters and perhaps this one night was the proof to them that they were still alive. Perhaps the lamp in the sky was proof that their lives had meaning. The kind gentle light made them feel peace and that night was deemed pure- the holy night." Alisa sighed. "After twenty years of peace, she left this town and moved on with her journeys- never to be found again. In her image, this festival was found, and ever since then, every year, around that time, the people of this city hold this festival. The holy night festival. Or so it's been written in the book of my mother."

I'd been hearing a lot about Alisa's mother lately but who was she? Alisa's father was a god, but what about her mother? It sure didn't feel like the best time to ask though.

"That sounds amazing but- how come she left? And who was she?" I watched as the people below us left the plaza one by one. People were gradually flooding back into the guild building too, some were going to stalls, while others were going home. But the majority of the people were enjoying the festive mood. There were even shows here and there, depicting what Alisa just told me. 

"Her name was Elfanse," The half-elf paused. She was to my right, while the rest were to my left. "My mother."

"Oh…" I kind of didn't know what to say. 

"She left just after giving birth to me and every year on my birthday she'd let loose those lamps in the sky hoping I'd see them. I was just a baby though, barely able to move my head," She giggled. "But I still remember those lights in the sky, those bright lights that made me feel I wasn't alone in my small rocking bed." She looked up, smiling faintly.  "It was funny how the goddess of poison came to be known as a pure maiden in this land."

'Goddess of poison!?'

"Did she-" This was a very sensitive topic but- "Did she go back? To you…"

The half-elf looked at me, and then back at the sky. "No, she disappeared from history. No one ever heard from her again. She probably turned into a monster like the rest."

There were no more talks. It wasn't hard to imagine. Almost all the gods were nothing but monsters now. Her mother probably experienced the same fate. 

But it was a bit weird to picture an actual goddess living and guiding humans. Gods stayed in heaven and guided humans from afar- that was the norm. But this goddess literally took this job and saw it through? 

Perhaps gods were different from what I'd imagined. 

Five minutes passed and then ten. 

"Let's go back I guess?" Ve said. 

"Yeah, let's."

It was getting way too awkward here anyway. 

  All of us climbed down the stairs and into the guild and well, it was busy. I expected this though.

The sound was rich and there were maybe a few hundred people talking all at once.

There were plenty of people and the almost empty guildhall was filled with chairs, tables, and adventurers!

And where there were adventurers, there were drinks! 'Can't I just drink this once time?' Just the thought was enough to make me want to throw up- I guess that was a no. 

"Let's thank the receptionist and be on our way I guess? You guys want to go anywhere or to the inn?" I just wanted to get out of this sweet-smelling place. 

"Maybe let's check out some of the event stalls?" Alisa said. 

Though she was smiling, it was forced. Of course, it was. 

It really hurt to see that smile but- "Sure."

The five of us went to the receptionist and thanked the girl there. She was acting a bit too frantic.

All the receptions were open and I could see some bigshots heading this way, sweating in the meantime. She must have called the higher staff.

"By the way, how come I don't see the guildmaster?" I still distinctly remember that man saying I could replace him in this city or was it the city before this one?

I kind of forgot actually. So much for remembering distinctly. 

"Oh, you're acquainted with Lord Ronald too!?" She seemed a bit too surprised about these things.

"Actually I know Bojang and Slouder too." I really hope I didn't mess up those names. My memory with names was terrible so I kind of didn't know if I was saying the names correctly or just making things up. 

"My goodness!" The girl held a hand over her mouth. She calmed down a second later. "I should have expected as much. Pardon me my lord but none of them are present at the moment: however, we have the acting guild master, over there." She pointed at the higher staff who were coming this way: I gave them a nod and they bowed. "We have great rooms here in the guild and we even have connections with the local…"

"No, it's fine. Give them my regards." I didn't want to throw around my weight anyway. 

With that, I turned around and started walking. I didn't bother looking back as that would have been a drag to deal with. Maybe this was rude, but, I didn't want to deal with this now- I just wasn't in the mood.

Okay, now I was getting stares. I was also getting jealous glares. 'Seriously? Now?'

***

We saw some plays here there. Most of them were the same thing, but the story was a bit different from what Alisa and the half-elf told me. 

  In this version, the first queen never really left the country and had two children. The children were a gift from the gods and she remained unmarried just like the original version. In this version though, the first queen passed her crown to her twin daughters and that day was first celebrated by these lamps: that was also the day when this country had won a war- though no one knew what war.

Very compelling- but it wasn't true. 

We had some street food here and there. None of my companions even showed a shred of sorrow. They were experts at hiding their feelings. 

It kind of hurt. But if I went with the flow and broke their hearts later. If I'd played with their feelings, that would have been far worse. 

And that's why I answered honestly. 

And yet, why was it hurting so much?

***

Around midnight we went back to the inn, had a light dinner, and went upto our rooms. 

The town was still celebrating but we had a big day tomorrow. 

Two people were already here and they were fast asleep. One guy and one girl. They were a couple I guess. 

"Goodnight everyone," I said, softly.

"Night," Alisa said. 

The rest just gestured. 

Anyway, I took the bottom bunk while Alisa took the top one. Ve and the half-elf took the other double bunk while Biteria alone took over the last one. 

I let out an inaudible sigh and lied down. The bed wasn't soft and it was kind of itchy. 

I didn't feel sleepy.

'I really hurt their feelings.' I knew I couldn't make it up to them. I couldn't really love them equally and even if I responded affirmatively, what if I just died three months later? Won't it all be meaningless? Besides, Alisa and Ve were literal gods. They'd live a lot longer than- wait, Lianne would live long too. 

I chuckled but kept the sound to myself. 'I really am an idiot.' But, I'd already made my decision. 

And I was going to stick by it. 

'Let's take these feelings to my grave too…'