I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 37

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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37

 

Including myself, our family and Darius’ family all agreed to disguise ourselves in modest clothing today.

 

As the lordly family and their invited guests, we would normally receive the utmost treatment, but we chose to move around freely in order to truly enjoy the festival. We did have to bring minimal security personnel for safety though.

 

In short, it was like nobles experiencing commoner life.

 

When I put on active outing clothes and went to the central hall, Darius, who had come down first and was waiting, waved his hand from the bottom of the stairs.

 

Everyone had gathered in more modest attire than usual, as per their assigned mission.

 

The Countess, who exuded nobility, looked like a wealthy merchant’s wife even when dressed simply, but at least people wouldn’t part like the Red Sea saying a high noble had arrived.

 

Worried that yesterday evening’s awkward atmosphere might continue, I deliberately raised my energy level higher.

 

“Hurry up! We’ll be late for the opening ceremony! I promised to signal Father if his speech gets too long!”

 

Everyone smiled gently watching me urge the coachman.

 

On the way to Alean Village’s town square, fortunately Brother seemed to have cooled down and was having a normal conversation with Darius. Kail, who had looked pale yesterday, also seemed to be in decent condition.

 

Upon arriving at the square, we sat side by side in the front seats among the countless chairs laid out. After Father’s opening speech and choral performance, fireworks burst and the full-scale exhibition began.

 

Leaving the square and reaching the main street lined with tents and stalls, the atmosphere changed completely.

 

The savory smell from grilled meat mixed with the sweet scent of various pastries, tickling our noses.

 

Among the sea of people flowing like waves, children’s laughter and bargaining voices continued endlessly.

 

“Try some freshly baked warm bread! It has cheese from our ranch that’s so delicious it’ll blow your mind!”

 

“Please try a glass of wine! It’s made from the highest quality grapes from our orchard!”

 

At the dizzying solicitation, the eyes of Kail, Darius, and the Countess – city folk – grew as wide as lanterns.

 

Even the Countess, who was used to elegant social parties with classical music, was probably experiencing this kind of bustling market for the first time.

 

“Where were all these people living in this mountain valley…”

 

Kail muttered with his jaw dropped.

 

“Amazing, right.”

 

I responded confidently. As he said, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say all the villagers of the domain had gathered on this street for the exhibition, the biggest event of the year.

 

“This festival far exceeds my meager imagination.”

 

Darius, who had somehow finished tasting and purchased a bottle of wine tucked under his arm, said in an excited voice.

 

“Countess, we’re thinking of looking around the marketplace – would that be alright? There’s also a quiet, clean cafeteria back there.”

 

I watched the Countess’s reaction, wondering if she might have been shocked in a bad way by such a noisy event.

 

The Countess, who had been standing frozen stiff, shook her head.

 

“I’m a bit surprised, but it looks interesting. They seem to sell many handicrafts too, so let’s take a look.”

 

I could see an awkward smile appear on the Countess’s lips beneath her veiled fedora.

 

Though unfamiliar, she didn’t seem to dislike it.

 

I approached the Countess closely and pointed across the street with my finger.

 

“Do you see that huge yellow tent up ahead? That’s where the main exhibition events are held.”

 

After pausing for a beat, I cast the bait that would definitely catch her interest.

 

“This year we established a ‘Most Unusual Insect Corner.’ Under my direction.”

 

***

 

Fangirling is indeed something the heart, not the head, commands.

 

At the main exhibition hall, upon seeing rare butterflies, the Countess forgot about maintaining her dignity and got excited like a young girl.

 

“Miss Rieze! Look at this child with opal-colored wings!”

 

The butterfly in the collection container she pointed to fluttered, showing off its iridescent colors.

 

“How marvelous. How can it be so dazzling…”

 

It seemed like unusual insects were gathered here as in a zoo’s insect pavilion, so I also excitedly looked around out of curiosity.

 

The Countess peered at the nameplate attached below the collection container.

 

“What species is this?”

 

The nameplate only had the exhibitor’s name and number written on it.

 

“They just caught an unusual butterfly, so even the person who submitted it probably doesn’t know. It might even be a mutant.”

 

I said while handing her a voting slip.

 

The small paper was for voting on which insect they thought was the most mysterious and unusual.

 

Instead of voting, the Countess who received the slip hesitated and asked.

 

“What happens to the insects exhibited here later?”

 

“When the competition ends, they’re all returned to the exhibitors. The winner also receives prize money and honor.”

 

“…Don’t they do adoptions? Or at least auctions?”

 

She asked earnestly as if ready to spend her entire fortune.

 

“The exhibition committee doesn’t sell them, but personal transactions with exhibitors would be possible. Are you interested in this rainbow butterfly?”

 

She seemed embarrassed and delayed answering while fanning herself, but eventually nodded, unable to resist her fan heart.

 

I grinned and checked the name of the opal butterfly’s exhibitor.

 

I asked the event staff to call the butterfly’s owner and was able to connect them with the Countess.

 

While the two seriously negotiated the butterfly’s price, I quietly stepped back.

 

Kail was looking at the Countess with a bewildered expression.

 

“I’ve never seen this side of Mother before…”

 

He muttered this to himself.

 

He seemed to feel somewhat bitter discovering an aspect of his mother he didn’t know.

 

As the Countess also conversed with other insect enthusiasts, it took longer than expected.

 

“I really should buy some of the local specialty coffee beans I tasted earlier. They keep lingering in my mind.”

 

Darius declared with mock solemnity and left the exhibition hall.

 

Brother was also called away by Father due to staff shortage, so now only Kail and I were left alone.

 

The main exhibition hall had countless competitions comparing and displaying the size and appearance of livestock or crops for voting.

 

The whitest and softest wool sheep competition, the most bumpy and giant pumpkin competition, the most foul-smelling cheese competition, and so on.

 

However, most of these seemed boring to Kail.

 

Kail, who had initially looked around and tried voting on a few things, now just stood in place waiting for the Countess.

 

I had pushed coffee and wine as the main exhibition beverages for Darius, and introduced butterflies to the ‘Most Unusual Insect Competition’ for the Countess.

 

For Kail, I had arranged for carts selling chicken skewers and sweet desserts – his favorite foods – but we had already bought and eaten those while passing through the marketplace earlier.

 

Isn’t there anything else that could hit Kail’s preferences?

 

While pondering and recalling the exhibition’s event list, something suitable came to mind.

 

The popular event starting right at noon!

 

It was exactly 20 minutes before 12 o’clock.

 

“Kail.”

 

“What.”

 

“Let’s go watch the pig racing.”

 

“What? What race?”

 

Leaving Kail frowning and asking back, I told the Countess that Kail and I would go see something else and return.

 

I grabbed and pulled the hand of Kail, who didn’t understand the situation. On the way, I also bought a large container of caramel popcorn.

 

Entering the circular outdoor stadium, it was already packed with spectators with few seats remaining.

 

Scanning the stands with eagle eyes, I spotted exactly two seats left in the very front row and sat down.

 

Kail sat next to me and asked in a displeased tone.

 

“What’s fun about watching pigs run?”

 

I pointed to a boy walking around the stands with a wooden box hanging from his neck.

 

“You can bet money on which pig will come in first.”

 

Like horse racing. It was to add fun to the race, and to prevent excessive gambling, only small amounts of money could be wagered.

 

“We can try betting and also settle our competition while we’re at it. Was it 26 to 26?”

 

“It’s 26 to 27! Are you trying to cheat again?”

 

“How petty. Anyway, let’s do it!”

 

The sulking Kail reluctantly agreed.

 

With his competitive spirit ignited, finally some interest appeared in his previously listless eyes.

 

We carefully observed the pigs gathered at the fence in front of the starting line, pondering which pig looked fast, then each chose a pig we liked and bought betting tickets.

 

I chose pig number 5, ‘Hamon,’ who had particularly sturdy hind legs, and Kail chose pig number 8, ‘Bacon,’ who looked relatively thin and agile.

 

Soon ticket sales ended, and the pigs lined up at the starting line.

 

Amid the spectators’ cheers piercing the sky, the gong announcing the start of the match rang out.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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