Junta & Wizarding World

#38 Festival

The city of Fern, a city that looked big and bustling, this was the first time the Junta and Kou had come to this city, or at least that was what the Junta remembered, while walking towards the city gate in the clear daylight, Junta and Kou repeatedly saw many people passing in and out through the gate, not only people, but also people, but also many wagons and chariots that enliven the atmosphere, the atmosphere, coupled with the guards guarding the gate looking a little more than the other cities made the Junta think whether this was a normal situation.

“This city looks crowded, its guard looks a little tighter, are you sure that one of the leaders of The Fingers is here Kou?”

Kou who was walking beside Junta started looking around with a face like he was thinking about something.

“That's the information I got Brother, I must admit that this city is more crowded than the cities we have been to, what kind of situation is this a common thing.?”

Kou seemed to think of something.

Not feeling the footsteps of Junta and Kou had brought them to the front of the city gate, after stepping their feet into the city, the crowded atmosphere that Junta and Kou felt outside was getting stronger, stronger, the streets were crowded because of the large number of people who were there, they all wore a half-face mask that only covered their forehead to their nose, the masks they were wearing had various expressions such as being crying, angry, or something like that.

Not only did the people who made the road look crowded, but the existence of small to medium sized stalls standing along the street also filled the city streets, as well, the stalls look like they are made from a material that is easy to disassemble, looks like plastic, but is sturdy like wood, the stalls there sold all sorts of items that the Junta had never seen before, the Junta could only tell that most of the stalls on the side of the road were selling some kind of food.

“Alright, now I really doubt whether this is the usual thing in this city or not”

The junta said as he folded his hands together on his chest.

“This looks like a festival, why don't we ask the merchant who is guarding the kiosk?”

Kou pointed towards the stall that seemed to be selling a lot of masks.

Since the Junta no longer knew who to ask, the Junta followed Kou's steps towards the stall guarded by a man who looked like he was 37.

“Welcome! Choose the mask you like!”

The excited and carefree welcome was the first thing Junta heard after he reached the small stall.

“We just arrived in this city after a long trip, what exactly happened here?”

Kou said like that while looking at the mask that was in front of him.

“Oh, you must be from a far country! Today the city of Fern is celebrating a festival that we commonly call the 1 Day Festival, yes people call this festival is a festival that aims to ward off evil spirits, but who cares about the background of this festival as long as the people participating can enjoy it?”

“I think you're right, ya” festival

Kou took out one of the masks which had an angry expression.

Junta more or less understood what Kou was thinking, Kou must have thought of using this mask and mingling with people so as not to look suspicious, there were indeed some people who were not wearing masks, indeed, but the majority of the people on these streets were all wearing masks, and wearing masks and mingling with the atmosphere of the festival was not painful, so what did the Junta need to think about?

“How much is this mask price?”

Junta took out a mask with a crying expression.

“Because this is your first time coming to this festival, then I give you a special price! What if 10 silver coins for 2 masks in added you will get this”

The man took something from below and gave it to Junta and Kou.

“It's a kind of necklace that is believed to repel evil spirits, or at least that's what people think”

The necklace looks very simple, looks made of black colored rope that is slightly thick and strong, the necklace has a kind of shell that is purple in striking, purple, The junta examined the object that looked like a shell and then blew it, not unexpectedly the sound produced was similar to a whistle, only weaker and softer.

“How? If you pay the normal price, you should pay 20 silver coins, but for you, 2 masks and 2 necklaces, I give you the price of 10 silver coins!”

The Junta looked at Kou first to ask for his opinion, and it seemed that Kou had agreed to buy this since he was already wearing his mask which had an angry expression while looking at Junta.

“Alright, why not”

The junta gave the merchant 10 silver coins and then put on the mask he chose, which was a mask that expressed itself as if crying.

”Thank you! Don't forget to enjoy this festival!”

The junta went away from the stall while raising his hand to the level of his head to signal he was grateful for the advice given by the merchant.

The Junta and Kou's main goal of coming to the town of Fern is to capture and interrogate one of the leaders of The Fingers, Kou argues that the masked person they fought in the Sorz forest was a caster or witch from the black water they are currently investigating, because the masked person that Junta and Kou were fighting back then was one of the 10 Fingers, so Junta and Kou planned to ask about their enemy at that time to the person they were going to capture in this city.

But, looking at the situation and condition of this city that was celebrating a festival, made the Junta think to change its original plan, for now the Junta will monitor the situation first and devise tactics based on the existing situation.

“Kou, have you seen our target?”

The junta leaves for this town with Kou without knowing the face or figure of the person they are going to interrogate.

Kou looks around and says.

“I haven't seen it, or at least that's what I expected”

“I want to make sure this Kou, do you know the figure of this 10 Fingers?”

“Of course I know, how can I invite Big Brother to kidnap or arrest someone while I myself do not know who I will catch?”

“I just made sure”

“I wish he was still in this city”

“It would be very troublesome if our target is not here”

The head of the Junta and Kou repeatedly turned their heads to the right and left, occasionally they looked back to look for the whereabouts of their target, fortunately the city was celebrating a festival, so if at first glance Junta and Kou look like they are enjoying this festival, it does not look suspicious at all.

The Junta doesn't know what their target looks like, so all it does is look around for someone who looks suspicious, to be honest, it was a little difficult for the Junta to find someone who looked suspicious in the middle of the crowd of this festival, moreover, the majority of people on this street wore masks, making the Junta unable to read their expressions in full.

After walking while looking around for quite a while, Kou tugged at his brother's robe slowly but strongly, the Junta who understood Kou's intent began to set its sights in the same direction as the one Kou was looking at.

Junta saw a man who looked 32 years old, tall and big, he was wearing simple clothes but looked elegant and luxurious, his hair was short in black and he was sucking on something smoky in his mouth.

The man had just exited a narrow alley and started walking away from that alley, of course Junta and Kou accelerated their footsteps so that they would not be left behind.

While walking trying to follow the man, Kou embraces his sister's left arm while looking at the stall that was on the street, Junta understands Kou's intentions, and the, this was one of Kou's tactics to blend in with the people who were here so as not to look suspicious.

Kou may seem to focus on the strange items sold by the stalls on the side of the road, but occasionally he looks at the man they are following, as well as the Junta, he was seen looking around at the other stalls that were far away from them, but in fact the Junta was also focusing on the man.

All of that was merely a diversion to make Junta and Kou look unsuspecting, of course they keep the tempo of their footsteps so as not to get too close to the man while hiding in the crowd of people who are walking on the street, so far the man looks oblivious to Junta and Kou, so Junta feels that it is safe so far.

Seeing the crowds in the streets, Junta thought of changing his plan to follow the man to find out where he wanted to go, The Junta felt that making a mess by drugging that person in the middle of the city crowd like this was not a good thing, naturally the Junta told Kou what he was thinking through a hand gesture, Kou understood it and seemed to follow what the Junta was thinking.

After walking after the man for some time, the man suddenly stopped at a stall, spontaneously Kou pulled his brother's arm to a nearby stall, which he was walking to, as if Kou found something interesting and wanted to see it, to be honest Junta was a little surprised when Kou pulled his arm, but thanks to that, Junta's reaction looked natural so it didn't look suspicious, although Junta and Kou are seen looking through the goods in a stall, they still try to focus on monitoring the man's movements.

Although Junta's view was blocked by the crowd on the street, Junta was able to confirm that he saw the man giving something to the stallkeeper he was approaching, the man was seen talking something to the stallkeeper then after he finished he left to continue his journey, naturally Junta and Kou moved their legs to follow the man again, The junta tried to look at the stall that the man was approaching, and the stall looked like an ordinary stall, the stall was seen selling food and did not look suspicious at all, then what did that man give to this food stall keeper? Whatever it gave him, this stallkeeper seemed to have a connection with the man, which meant that this food stallkeeper could have been one of the members of The Fingers.

Which means the Junta must be careful in following the man, who knows how many members of The Fingers are in this festival, why did the Fingers come to this festival? Moreover being a stall guard, was The Fingers planning something? Or maybe something else?

The junta followed the man carefully while thinking about many things, the further they walked into the city, the more crowded the atmosphere was, the more, decorations in the form of lanterns floating on the city streets may look good if lit at night, colorful cloth is also seen stretching through the city streets that make the atmosphere more attractive.

After walking through the crowd to follow the man for some time, the man is seen entering a building that looks like a bar, of course Junta and Kou follow the man inside.

Inside, what the Junta saw was a group of people eating and drinking, the bar looked crowded to the point that the Junta felt a little claustrophobic in there, the Junta looked at its target, and it looked at its target, the man was sitting at a table in the corner of the room, he was sitting while enjoying the drink he ordered alone there, he said, Junta and Kou decide to sit at the bartender's table so as not to get too close to the man.

“Welcome, want to drink what?”

“Something that can refresh our throat in the midst of the crowded streets of kota”

“Haha, looks like you guys are really overwhelmed out there ya”

The bartender was a young man, his voice sounded deep and friendly, because the Junta did not understand the names of the drinks that were here, either, so the Junta fully handed over what they were about to drink to the bartender.

The bartender returned quickly while carrying 2 glasses of light blue liquid.

“Try it, you will love it”

Junta drank a little of the drink and unexpectedly it was very delicious, it did not have ice or anything but it was cold and refreshing, the taste of the drink can not be explained completely Junta but clearly the drink tastes sweet and fresh.

The bartender laughed slightly before finally saying.

“I'm glad you guys like that, if you want to add just say”

“Sure, thanks for this drink, how much does it cost?”

“30 silver” coins

Junta gave the money to the bartender before finally drinking back his drink, while Junta chatted casually with the bartender, Kou seemed to still focus on observing his target, the position of Junta and Kou was currently at the front, and the man sat a little far behind Junta and Kou, precisely the man was close to the entrance, to make his supervision easier, Kou sat facing the Junta while occasionally moving his head left and right as if he was looking around.

“You should calm down Kou, drink your drink, you will like”

The junta said that while turning his head to the right to look at his sister.

“Our position is not favorable, but I will try not to look suspicious”

Kou drank his drink after saying that, not long after Kou drank his drink, the man stood up and walked towards the stairs covered by the crowd inside the bar, before the man stood up to walk towards the stairs, there was previously a cloaked man walking towards the top floor, it seemed like the target of Junta and Kou was following that person, of course Kou rushed to follow the person carefully, fortunately not only was Kou walking towards the stairs, so Kou was able to blend in with the people who happened to be walking towards the top floor.

The junta chose to call the bartender earlier to inquire upstairs.

“What's up on the bartender?”

“Hosting, do you want to rest?”

“It so happens, then I rent 1 room for 1 night, how much?”

“10 silver” coin

The junta gave the money to the bartender and the bartender gave the key to the Junta.

“The room at the far right”

“Thank you”

The bartender replied to Junta with a friendly smile, after getting the key, Junta rushed towards the top floor and found Kou standing at a door in confusion as if looking for something.

“What are you doing?”

Junta walked over to Kou while saying that.

“What Brother brought the key?”

“Sure, our room is in there”

The junta led Kou to their room, opened the door with the key the Junta held and entered and locked the door again.

“I saw our target enter the room not far from our room, I think Brother also saw it earlier right?”

Kou said that while moving his hand in the air as if he was writing something.

“Againly at a glance I saw someone in robes who climbed here before finally our target also walked towards the stairs, you think our target is following this cloaked person?”

After the Junta finished saying that, Kou finished with his magic and a small circle appeared on the wall of the room they had rented.

“I have a feeling that they are talking about something, and we should listen to it”

Kou said that while attaching his ear towards the magic circle, of course Junta followed Kou's movements, not long after, Junta and Kou could hear the sound of 2 men talking.

“How else, it has happened”

“I still can't believe that Ei failed in his mission, really very unfortunate”

“Instead of that, I'm more interested in Ei's opponent, whoever he is he seems like he's strong enough to force one of the 10 Fingers to retreat”

“Fight Ei is a threat we should be aware of, and as the leader of The Fingers we should consider this to design the next plan”

“Do you have something on your mind?”

“Ei failed in its mission to catch the spider it is indeed very unfortunate, but on the other hand I heard our other plans went smoothly”

“You mean that spider monster power trial against class 5?”

“To be precise, if only Ei managed to catch the spider that can remove the black water, maybe our plan will go much smoother than we planned”

“So what's the next step?”

“We have to wait for the meeting to be held soon, I don't know what the other 10 Fingers are thinking so I can't predict the next step, after all what about the stuff? Did you manage to put all that into this city?”

“Sure, I've spoken to our courier, I think I should thank this festival because with this festival, our stuff is not suspected”

“Good, you do your job and I do mine”

“Because my part is almost done, I think I will leave the rest to you”

“Of course, leave it to ku”

“Then I will go first downstairs, I want to drink something fresh”

“Enjoy your drink, I'll rest here”

After which, Junta and Kou heard the sound of the door opening and the sound of footsteps.

Since the conversation was over, Kou ended his magic.

“Highly interesting information”

Kou said that while walking towards the bed and sitting there.

“I believe the Ei they were talking about was the masked man we fought back then”

Junta replied to Kou's words while walking towards him.

“I also have the same thoughts as you Brother, this means our opponent back then, the masked man, he fought us not because he wanted to protect that monster”

“Play to snatch it”

Kou took off the mask he was wearing and put it on the bed he was sitting on, after which he said.

“This means the masked person who was our opponent back then was neither a caster nor a witch of the black water we investigated”

“I think this is a dead end, if not the 10 Fingers caster, then who is the magician who cast the original magic of our mother?”

“I don't know, but recalling that 2-man conversation, I guess 10 Fingers also didn't know who the caster of the black water was, either, I mean why do they look so sorry for their failed mission to capture the spider if they know who the witch who planted the black water on the spider monster they were after?”

“Or maybe they didn't know that the curse water was the result of magic planted?”

“So I mean Brother 10 Fingers do not know that the spider they are after cannot produce poison?”

“That could have been a possibility, 10 Fingers had no idea that the spider they were after could not produce poison or some kind of curse, either, so they didn't know that the curse water was the result of the magic that someone had planted against the spider, so they think that the spider that can emit black water is a rare breed or something, but it's just a possibility”

“The fact that 10 Fingers is not a caster or witch of the black water we are investigating is an interesting new clue, but at the same time this clue does not produce results”

“It looks like looking for a caster of our mother's original magic magic will be quite a troublesome thing, do you not have any other way or clue Kou?”

“I'll try to think, let's see what I can find”