Jellyfish Swimming in the Sky
In Regor, there's also a significant festival in the spring, called the Spirit Festival, which celebrates either the moon or nature spirits.
Every spring, flying jellyfish-shaped creatures called jelly slimes would emerge from somewhere and make their way into the city, marking the start of the season.
Although flying jellyfish sound quite fantastical, these creatures were actually not jellyfish but rather slimes. They were called jelly slimes. They floated gently through the air, capturing insects that ventured into their translucent bodies and digesting them, much like insectivorous plants.
Their digestive capabilities were moderate and posed little harm to humans, so even if they appeared in the city, they were treated much like small birds or other animals.
Watching them spread their umbrella-like forms and swim through the sky was mystical, which made it somewhat understandable why they were equated with moon spirits.
However, during the festival, the townspeople often adorned these pseudo-moon spirits with gaudy decorations, or children would playfully catch and toss them at each other, often showing a lack of reverence. Poor jelly slimes, they're even depicted on Halperia silver coins, yet they are treated so carelessly.
「You see, you have to catch them properly without breaking them.」
I said.
「Mongrel-senpai, what's that bag?」
Raina inquired.
「This here is my jelly slime capture net that I designed,」
I replied.
It was akin to a bug-catching net, a bag with holes attached to a long stick, but this proved quite effective against flying jelly slimes.
The jelly slimes, who hardly attempted to escape, were being scooped up swiftly and piled into a large bag.
Today's target was 30 captures, so just a bit more to go. These were avatars of the moon spirit, after all. I would capture them with care.
「Raina, didn't you do jelly slime capture missions back when you were Iron-rank?」
I asked.
「Nah, during this season, I'm always busy with hunting, so I never really had the chance. Didn't even know it was a mission,」
Raina admitted.
「Indeed, it is. We gather the ones caught and release them into the sewers to improve the air and water quality. It takes time, but apparently, it keeps clean without much cleaning,」
I explained.
「Wow...」
Well, since I never took on sewer missions, I didn't really know the before and after.
「And then there's also the part that's used for the festival performance. You know, the colored jelly slimes released into the sky? Ever seen it?」
I added.
「Oh, yeah! I've seen it! It's really pretty... There's no jelly slime with colors like that beforehand?」
Raina asked.
「Human hands are the ones that add the colors. Though, after about a day, the colors purify and disappear,」
I replied.
It wasn't a job that paid much, but it was somewhat enjoyable work that could be done within the town.
A whimsical task of jellyfish collecting could feel quite therapeutic, almost like a game.
「So, Raina, are you going with Artemis to the festival?」
I asked.
「Eh, uh... I'm not sure yet. I haven't really made any plans. How about you, Mongrel-senpai?」
Raina queried.
「I'm not decided either. The real festivity starts once they serve the free liquor and pickled jelly. Until then, I'll just wander around,」
I shrugged.
During the Spirit Festival, Count Regor generously provided wine and dishes.
The liquor wasn't the usual thin ale but rather something akin to beer or sometimes wine. Despite seeming to be expensive, the offerings were surprisingly ample.
Additionally, they served delicious pickled jellyfish caught from the coastal areas. The salt vinegar flavor mixed with the crunchy texture was quite delectable. By the way, these were regular jellyfish, not edible jelly slimes.
「Then, is it alright if I join you at the festival, Mongrel?」
Raina asked.
「Yeah, sure. But it's a busy season for you, isn't it? If a mission from Artemis comes up, you might not be able to just have fun,」
I pointed out.
「Missions won't be an issue. We just procure and donate the meat for the festival, then take a break,」
Raina assured with a grin.
Ah, a donation. Artemis was always thoughtful like that.
Completing missions for the nobility or actively donating for festivals... Where exactly did Sheena plan to advance? Would she move to the capital? Though she didn't seem particularly focused on the capital.
「By the way, Mongrel-senpai, didn't you use Artemis' bath yet?」
Raina asked suddenly.
「Ah, the second time agreement. I was planning to use it during summer. Do they think I should just hurry and use it?」
I wondered.
「No, nothing like that. Summer, huh... Doesn't it seem far?」
Raina mused.
「A summer bath feels great. Honestly, I'd want to soak every day if I could,」
I confessed.
「... So why not use Artemis' bath then?」
Raina teased.
「I'd rather not,」
I replied without hesitation.
「What's that supposed to mean...」
Raina sighed in exasperation.
「However, if there's an interesting mission, I'd lend a hand,」
I offered.
Spring was lively thanks to various magical creatures appearing.
Many threatened daily life while others were more aggressive beasts, but living in a fantasy world like this never got boring, even at my age. Though, my knack for finding creatures was poor, so having a reliable scout on my team was reassuring. If the subjugation went smoothly, returning the same day was a dream.
「... Well, why don't we go hunting bird-like creatures with a bow sometime?」
Raina suggested.
「A bow, huh? It might be perfect for practice,」
I mused.
「I'll teach you, so let's do it sometime. You can practice archery and be our melee defense, Mongrel,」
Raina proposed eagerly.
「Sounds good. Let's catch some birds for a change,」
I nodded.
「This hunt won't be too big, so we don't even need to bring Artemis,」
Raina stated.
「Oh, that's a relief. Fewer people mean better focus,」
I agreed.
With plans for the next hunt set, I parted ways with Raina.
Chicken, huh... Maybe I'll make some chicken bone soup.
While I didn't want to spend the time making consommé, savoring a bit of soup wouldn't be bad. I might want noodles then... Should I make some Chinese noodles?
Chicken salt ramen in kelp broth... Ah, I needed soy sauce.
Maybe a failed potion experiment could turn into soy sauce somehow.
「30 jelly slimes, indeed. They were captured cleanly. These would make good decorations.」, the man at the disassembly area remarked.
「Really? That's good to hear. Let them fly in the town with the name Mongrel on them,」
I requested.
「Would make quite the target for kids, huh? Gahaha.」 he laughed.
I handed over the jelly slimes at the disassembly site and received my slip. With others completing their subjugations coming back steadily, I needed to finish my procedures before the guild got crowded.
「Oh, by the way, Mongrel, for every 10 jelly slimes, you need to take one of these. Here, take three,」 he instructed.
「Oh? Ah, these are decoration flowers,」
I realized.
The man handed me three flowers.
These were long-stemmed, pale yellow flowers growing in slightly remote forest areas during this season. They were considered suitable for gifts or bouquets and often sold within the town.
During the festival preparation period, completing Spirit Festival-related missions earned you flowers. Though not obligatory, it was their way of suggesting you decorate your room or wherever for a festive atmosphere.
In my previous life, I only bought flowers for grave visits...but I didn't dislike this kind of culture.
「Thanks. I'll put them where they'll stand out,」
I promised.
「You could catch more jelly slimes and make a bouquet for a beautiful lady.」, he suggested.
「The town would run out of jelly slimes,」
I laughed back.
「Gahaha.」
Yet, with only three flowers, I ended up placing them in a slender vase.
Come to think of it, I didn't have a vase in my room. I remembered sticking them in the vase at the inn's reception last year, turning it into some kind of grand opening floral display by the end. Eventually, the vase's neck broke, and the landlady got mad...
「Hey, it slipped that way!」
「Catch it!」
Passing through the street, I heard the lively voices of children.
It seemed they were chasing a jelly slime lazily drifting at lower altitudes on the path.
「This is perfect. Hey there, young miss,」
I called out.
「Huh? What is it, mister?」, the girl responded.
「Here, take these flowers,」
I offered.
「Wow! Really!?」, she asked, excited.
I trimmed the three flowers to a suitable size and tucked them into the girl's dark hair.
「There you go, you're looking pretty. They really suit you, don't they?」
I complimented.
「Really!? Hehe, thanks!」
「Hey Lumina, let's corner it from this side!」
「Oh, I gotta go! Bye-bye!」
「Be careful, now!」
Energetic children chased after the jelly slime.
Those yellow flowers I'd stuck in her hair were indeed the most prominent feature around here.
The festival was approaching. I was looking forward to the jellyfish dishes.