One-Eyed Monster

At this moment, Young Master Hustace appeared just like Igor’s little sidekick.

Whatever Igor did, he did too, and he even enjoyed it immensely.

Igor was helping the villagers build the bonfire stacks, and he was helping too, but his speed was much slower than Igor’s. This was understandable; back at his mansion in Luona, he never did such things himself, merely watching others do them. Now, to be building a bonfire stack himself in this place was something he’d never imagined.

For the first time, Hustace experienced that there were so many different aspects to this world, that the world wasn’t as he had imagined. There were so many things he had never seen before.

The enthusiasm of the people was something Hustace had never encountered before. Previously, in Luona, most of the residents were respectful towards him, and those in the mountains were even more so, as if afraid of dirtying his clothes, some even avoided speaking to him.

But here, it was completely different.

Perhaps the people here didn’t know he was the son of Governor Rostov. If they knew, perhaps they wouldn’t treat him this way.

The villagers of Kanu County were very enthusiastic; they were quite a distance from Luona and hadn’t seen people from the Imperial Capital before. Seeing the League Guards from the capital this time naturally excited them.

The steam automobiles, as always, became the focus of the children’s attention. They surrounded the steam automobiles so tightly that not a drop of water could seep through, as if this iron lump held a special significance for them.

The adults were busy preparing for the Bonfire Festival and didn’t have time to manage the children, letting them bounce and jump around the steam automobiles.

Nakasha didn’t stop the children; he understood their curiosity. The steam automobiles were a novelty to them and they needed to have a good look. Nakasha had once been a child too, and knew the importance of such things.

Moreover, Nakasha’s focus wasn’t on the bunch of kids. He had to constantly keep an eye on Young Master Hustace and remain wary of the boy named Igor.

Young Master Hustace followed Igor in building the bonfire stacks.

They were building small bonfire stacks that needed to be straddled, all in the shape of cones. At nightfall, the villagers would light the stacks with torches, hoping the flames would burn brightly, burn away their bad luck, and ignite their good fortune.

The villagers prepared torches, bonfires, fine wine, and delicious food…

Igor and his companions’ arrival disrupted their busy pace, but as the night was the Bonfire Festival, their natural hospitality meant they became even more enthusiastic.

Igor was moved by their enthusiasm and willingly helped the villagers build the bonfire stacks. It was Hustace’s first experience, so he followed Igor to experience the building process.

Because Igor’s father was a woodcutter, Igor was familiar with firewood and bonfire stacks, so the stacks he built naturally earned the villagers’ praise. Coupled with his diligence, the villagers liked him even more, offering him water and towels.

Igor drank large gulps of water, feeling that his efforts were worthwhile.

”Igor, how do you do it? Why is it so difficult for me to build these bonfire stacks? Look, I can’t manage to place the firewood together.” On the square, Hustace was still studying a bonfire stack; it was his first time doing this kind of work and he wasn’t very skilled yet.

”It’s nothing. I used to be a woodcutter, so I’m familiar with this. It’s no big deal. The things you know from books are more than what we know. Everyone has something they’re good at, right? It’s no big deal.”

Igor stood beside a bonfire stack, carefully observing the square, not paying much attention to what Hustace was saying.

Because of the Bonfire Festival on Yowein Continent, every county and village had a larger or smaller square, where the Bonfire Festival was held.

Kanu County’s square was large and could accommodate many villagers. Many villagers prepared early; those from villages far from the County Administrative Office would come with their families to celebrate the Bonfire Festival. The festival was a carnival, and everyone could freely choose where to spend it, bringing with them the food and wine they wished to share with others.

The Bonfire Festival was a time of freedom, without constraints.

Hustace finally managed to build a bonfire stack. Just as he was about to show off to Igor, he discovered Igor had already started building the largest bonfire stack with the other villagers.

It was the main bonfire stack where people would gather to dance and share everything.

Hustace walked slowly to Igor’s side. He wanted to help, but still felt he had no use…

”Igor, why are you building this bonfire stack like this?” Hustace didn’t understand why this bonfire stack wasn’t built like a cone but in the shape of a tall pagoda.

”Because this is the main bonfire!”

”Hmm?” Hustace still seemed a bit puzzled.

”Haven’t you read a lot of books? You should know about this!” Igor found it incredible that Hustace had become so clueless.

”Uh…” Hustace began to feel a bit embarrassed himself.

”Let me ask you, what else is the Bonfire Festival called?” Igor began to gently guide Young Master Hustace. He refused to believe that someone as smart as Hustace couldn’t figure this out.

”The Bonfire Festival is also called the Torch Festival.” Hustace couldn’t understand the connection in this.

”Indeed, at night we light torches one by one, then use the torches to ignite small bonfire piles. When the bonfires light up, we place our torches on the main bonfire pile, allowing a myriad of flames to ignite the main bonfire pile.” Igor explained the process of the Bonfire Festival again.

”Oh, so that’s how it is.” Hustace had never fully experienced the Bonfire Festival; he used to spend it in a carriage, merely waving alongside his father by the bonfire… he wasn’t really familiar with the whole process of the Bonfire Festival.

”So, we can’t stack the bonfire pile in a conical shape because those spots are reserved for the torches.”

”I understand now, I am really looking forward to tonight’s bonfire.” Hustace was surely a smart person.

With Igor’s help, the main bonfire pile was completed without much time consumption, just before nightfall.

Time passed quickly, and soon night descended.

Kanu County welcomed the Bonfire Festival.

Torch after torch was ignited, and people’s faces brimmed with happy smiles. This was their carnival, where they would completely unleash themselves this evening.

There weren’t too many rituals, nor any rules. All the villagers lit their torches one after another and then raised them to find their own bonfire pile.

The flames gradually brightened, looking like countless shining stars on the earth, as if these luminous flames were echoing the stars in the sky.

The scene was quite spectacular. As the flames illuminated, the entire night became brightly lit.

”Happy Bonfire Festival, may good fortune be with you.” People greeted each other, exchanged fine wine, and shared delicious food. At this moment, they made no distinctions between ’you’ and ’me’, fully immersed in joy.

Igor and his companions blended in too, as their recent experiences had left them without such relaxation for a long time.

This Bonfire Festival allowed them to completely unwind, even Bunan and Pifu, who had taken quite an emotional toll, were smiling happily at this moment.

Hustace carefully lit his own bonfire pile, which he had built himself during the day; it was entirely his own accomplishment, making the moment of ignition feel different.

Igor joyfully gnawed on roast meat. He had fully integrated with the villagers, dancing shoulder to shoulder, gulping down large chunks of meat and bowls of wine, just as if he were in his own hometown.

It seemed everyone was indulging in their own joy. Once everyone finished lighting their bonfire piles, they tossed their torches onto the main bonfire pile.

Then with a whoosh, the flame on the main bonfire pile suddenly surged up like a bolt of thunder. When the main bonfire pile blazed fiercely, the entire square fell silent.

Woo— Oh—

A resonant sound suddenly pierced through the night sky. In the light of the fire, people all called out in unison. This was the sound to drive away misfortune, and everyone shouted loudly.

The fire blazed ferociously, and the crackling sound continued. The misfortune on people was cleansed thoroughly by the flames.

With misfortune gone, good fortune naturally came.

People began to dance, sing, and returned to the previous lively scenes.

Igor held a piece of meat bone, chewing while walking towards Stan Sol. Others were laughing and joking, but Stan Sol remained lonely.

”Happy Bonfire Festival, Sol.” Igor handed Stan Sol a piece of meat bone, wanting to share his current happiness.

Stan Sol looked at Igor without speaking, still appearing forlorn. He had no bonfire pile next to him, only his Battle Pet Fiery Blaze, which also burned forlornly like its master at this moment.

Igor saw through Stan Sol’s mind; he forced the meat bone into Sol’s hand: ”I know what you’re thinking, don’t worry, in a few days we’ll arrive in Luona, and by then everything will be answered.”

Stan Sol looked at his hand, palm and back; he could still feel the bond in his blood.

”Let the bonfire take away all your misfortunes, let good fortune stay comfortably with us. Come on, let’s dance.” Igor pulled the dispirited Stan Sol and led him into the joyful crowd.