CH 496

C496: At the Food Stall

The festival had a well-developed Japanese summer festival atmosphere. I think the fact that many of the participants were wearing yukata (light cotton kimono) was a major factor.

“By the way, where do all these people get the yukatas they are wearing?”

“I heard they rent them at the entrance to the venue. It’s free, and yukatas are rare, so most people seem to be renting them.”

“That’s very generous of them to give them away for free.”

“That’s because all the expenses are paid by the Kingdom of Meltaria.”

“Then it must be Yudin who is really generous.”

The kingdom of Meltaria is said to be relatively wealthy due to its resources and easy trading terrain, but since Yudin became king, the economic situation has become even more stable and they have ample funds.

“Let’s try something else.”

Nagisa pointed to one of the stalls, which looked like one of those target practice games you see at fairs. But it was different from the shooting game I know.

“Yeah? Is that a …… projectile?”

“Looks like it, but…….”

There is no firearm like a rifle in this world so I had a little trouble explaining the projectile to Jean, but apparently that didn’t go over well.

The rifles that shot out corks and aimed at the prizes had been replaced by bazooka-like cylindrical objects that were carried on the shoulder and fired. Furthermore, on the shelves lined with prizes, a target-like object was placed between the prizes, and it was not clear whether the correct answer was to aim at the prize or at the target.

“Welcome! How about a shot at one of our gorgeous prizes?”

The man who was on duty at the store called out to us as Nagisa and I approached.

“What are the rules?”

“Yes, it’s a game where you use this rifle to aim and shoot at a target. But be careful, if you hit the prize and break it, you will have to pay for it.”

“Seriously……?”

“It’s a thrilling and fun experience for sure! Go ahead, it’s free of charge!”

Even if there’s no charge, it could be expensive if you have to pay for a broken prize…….Well, since we’re here, let’s give it a try.

“Okay, I’ll try.”

“Here you go. Pull the trigger here and it will fire a bullet. Don’t point it at anyone.”

I had a bad feeling about this, but I thought there was no way I was shooting at a target with such a dangerous object, so I took it easy and aimed at the target.

“A little more to the right, don’t you think?”

“I know.”

I took good aim and pulled the trigger. At that moment, with a loud bang, something flew out of the end of the tube on my shoulder with great force. The object that flew out did not just blow one of the prizes away, but also punched a large hole in the wall behind us.

We were all dizzy from the force that far exceeded our expectations, and the storekeeper calmly said to us, “Oh my goodness, you destroyed the prize.”

As we were dazzled by the power that far exceeded our expectations, the store keeper calmly said to us,

“I’m sorry, you’ll have to pay 30,000 gold for destroying the prize.”

“That funny vase costs 30,000 gold!?”

“That’s a work of art made by Molly. The market price is 100,000 gold, but Mr. Molly kindly gave it to me at a low price.”

I was tempted to ask, “Who’s Molly?” but it was true that I had broken the prize. I had no choice but to pay the store keeper 30,000 gold.

“All right, Nagisa, avenge me!”

“Leave it to me, you know I’m good at target practice.”

I know she was good at target shooting, but I don’t think this is target shooting anymore…….

Nagisa smiles at me with a relaxed smile and holds the tube on her shoulder.

She took aim and pulled the trigger without hesitation. With a sound that surprised me no matter how many times I heard it, the bullet shot out and destroyed three of the prizes.