By the time the inn finally became quiet enough for the workers to stop moving endlessly between tables, the night had already grown deep.
Most of the customers had already left, leaving behind only a few drunk men lazily finishing their alcohol near the corners of the inn. The loud laughter and chaotic atmosphere from earlier had finally calmed, and the remaining workers slowly began finishing the last of their duties for the night.
My shift for the day had finally ended.
After cleaning the final few dishes and helping rearrange several tables back into place, I quietly walked toward the front counter where the old owner usually handed out our daily wages before closing the inn.
The old man was sitting behind the wooden counter as usual while counting coins from a worn wooden box placed beside him. His rough fingers moved quickly through the pile of money with the practiced ease of someone who had repeated the same routine for years.
I stopped in front of him quietly and waited.
The owner briefly lifted his eyes toward me before reaching into the wooden box and taking out few coins. Then he casually placed them onto the table in front of me.
I lowered my eyes slightly toward the coins resting on the counter.
Three bronze coins.
For a brief moment, I became slightly surprised because the amount was more than my usual payment. I instinctively looked back toward the owner in confusion.
The old man noticed my reaction immediately and clicked his tongue before speaking in his usual rough tone.
"That extra one is your bonus," he muttered. "You worked hard today, so just take it."
Hearing that genuinely surprised me slightly. After everything that happened earlier with Bryn and the others inside the inn, I honestly expected the owner to scold me for attracting trouble during work hours.
But contrary to my expectations, he was actually rewarding me instead.
A faint smile slowly appeared on my face.
"Thank you," I said politely while bowing my head slightly in gratitude.
The old man simply grunted in response before continuing to count the remaining coins inside the wooden box.
Standing beside me, Miguel was also waiting to receive his payment for the day. The owner reached back into the wooden box again before placing two bronze coins into Miguel's hand instead.
Miguel immediately stared down at the coins with an exaggerated expression of disappointment on his face.
"Owner sir," he said respectfully, "where is my bonus?"
The old man instantly frowned at him.
"Bonus?" he snapped. "You want bonus for eating more than customers?"
Miguel immediately looked wronged. "I work very hard too," he protested dramatically.
The owner narrowed his eyes.
"Take the money and leave already," he said irritably. "If you keep whining, I might even take back what I already gave you."
Miguel instantly raised both hands defensively.
"I was only joking, owner uncle."
Then after turning away slightly, he quietly muttered under his breath, "Stingy bastard."
Hearing that made me laugh softly from the side while trying not to show it too obviously.
The owner suddenly narrowed his eyes at Miguel suspiciously.
"What did you just say?" he asked slowly.
Miguel immediately shook his head innocently while putting on the most honest expression he could manage.
"Nothing at all, owner uncle," he replied quickly. "I was praising your generosity."
The old man snorted loudly as if he did not believe a single word. Then, after putting away the remaining coins inside the wooden box, he suddenly spoke again in his usual rough tone.
"Tomorrow is the night festival," he said. "The inn will be closed for the day, so you do not need to come to work."
Hearing that, I quietly nodded my head in understanding. Meanwhile, Miguel reacted far more dramatically.
"Hoho, a holiday!" he exclaimed excitedly as though he had just received wonderful news.
The old owner immediately waved his hand dismissively, clearly already tired of listening to him.
"Get out already," he muttered.
Miguel grinned shamelessly while quickly pocketing his coins.
Soon afterward, both of us finally left the inn together and stepped out into the cool night air outside.
Outside, the night air felt far cooler and fresher compared to the heat, noise, and heavy smell of alcohol lingering inside the inn.
The streets were still lively despite the late hour. People continued moving beneath the lantern lights while merchants and workers busily prepared decorations and stalls for tomorrow's festival. In several parts of the street, colorful lanterns were already being hung overhead, and distant sounds of laughter, music, and hammering could occasionally be heard throughout the city.
As Miguel and I walked together for a short distance, he suddenly turned his head toward me.
"Arthur," he asked curiously, "are you going to the night festival tomorrow?"
I thought about the question quietly for a brief moment before replying, "I am not sure yet."
Miguel immediately looked disappointed.
"Come on," he said. "The night festival is amazing every year. The entire city becomes lively all night long."
His excitement was so obvious that it almost made me smile. After thinking quietly for another moment, I finally replied, "I will think about it."
Miguel's face immediately brightened after hearing that.
"Good," he said happily. "Then I will wait for you tomorrow at the festival."
After saying that, he casually waved his hand before turning toward another street that likely led toward his home.
I watched his back disappear into the crowd for a brief moment before a faint smile appeared on my face.
Then I quietly turned around and began walking back toward my own place beneath the lantern-lit streets of Astravia.
The next evening, after thinking about it, I eventually decided to go to the festival.
Inside the small room, I changed into clothes different from the ones I usually wore. I wore a plain black shirt along with black pants. After making sure everything looked normal, I prepared to leave the room.
But just as I was about to step out, Charlie suddenly spoke from nearby.
"Young master, please allow me to come with you."
I turned my head toward him before shaking my head slightly.
"Who will look after Camose if both of us leave?" I asked calmly. "And do not worry. There will not be any problems. I am only going to look around the festival for a while."
Charlie still looked somewhat reluctant. Ever since arriving in Astravia, he had become even more cautious than before because of the dangers surrounding my identity. Even now, his expression clearly showed that he was uncomfortable allowing me to wander alone through the crowded city.
In the corner of the room, Camose remained lazily wrapped around a wooden rod while blinking slowly, seemingly completely uninterested in the conversation happening nearby.
After remaining silent for a moment, Charlie finally let out a small breath of resignation.
"Please be careful, young master," he said quietly.
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"I will," I replied.
Then, before leaving, I looked back once more and added lightly, "I will bring sweets from the festival."
Charlie gave a helpless smile after hearing that. Soon afterward, I stepped out of the room and quietly left the building, heading toward the brightly lit streets of Astravia.
---
The night festival was being held near the center of Astravia, and even before I reached the area, I could already hear the distant sounds of music, laughter, and crowds echoing through the streets.
The closer I got to the city center, the livelier the atmosphere became.
People filled the roads from every direction, many dressed in colorful clothes while groups of children ran excitedly between the adults. The energy of the city felt completely different from its usual busy atmosphere.
But the moment I finally arrived near the festival grounds, my steps unconsciously slowed.
The entire area looked completely transformed. Colorful lights illuminated the streets while countless lanterns hung overhead, making the entire city center glow beautifully beneath the night sky. Bright decorations stretched between buildings, and the warm golden light reflecting across the crowded streets created a scene that almost felt unreal for a moment.
The streets were packed with people wandering between food stalls, shops, and performances happening across every corner.
The smell of cooked meat, sweets, grilled food, and alcohol filled the air while merchants loudly advertised their food, games, and items to passing crowds in hopes of attracting customers.
Nearby, dancers wearing colorful clothing performed gracefully to the sound of music while other performers showed off dangerous stunts that drew loud cheers and applause from the surrounding people.
For a brief moment, I simply stood there quietly taking in the scene before me.