Blue Archive story · Volume 5, Chapter 2, Episode 6
Vol. 5 Ch. 2 Ep. 6: Festival Preparations
1 scenes, 138 lines
1. Part 1
138 lines
Nyaha... Hello, Hyakkaryouran. You all look lovely.
I know that this was sudden, so thank you for coming.
Welcome.
Spare us your thanks. If this is related to Hyakkiyako's safety, then it is our duty to appear once summoned.
Besides, we haven't forgotten what the Yin-Yang Club has done for us.
That said, I do have a question...
...What is Schale's Sensei doing here?
"It's been a while!"
"I assume things are good?"
Sensei?!
Sensei! How marvelous for us to reunite!
...Good morning, Sensei.
Yes! And good work, Sensei, for coming all this way without getting lost! Nyaha.
"It wasn't that far."
"Anything for students in need!"
I was curious why the Yin-Yang Club called so suddenly...
But any request requiring the Hyakkaryouran and Schale's Sensei to be together...this must be serious.
Not in the slightest. What, do you think I would call Sensei all this way only to make them work on something hard?
The Yin-Yang Club has never shied away from handling Hyakkiyako's most complicated, troublesome problems. Right, Kaho?
...Yes. That is true of the entire Yin-Yang Club...excluding Niya.
Oh, ouch. So mean...
President Niya possesses a legendary level of laziness.
I've heard that, too. Apparently, if you ask President Niya to do something, she'll annoy you until you solve the problem yourself.
Wow, inspiring people to self-efficacy... She's a wise leader indeed!
Huh? When did this become an inquisition?
A-Anyway! I'm sure Sensei knows this, but we, the Allied Hyakkiyako Academy, are known for organizing our festivals. And...most disruptive incidents happen during these events.
So we invited you all here to humbly ask you to assist with our upcoming festival!
"You're having ANOTHER festival?"
Yes. Hyakkiyako has a festival for every season, at minimum every year, forever.
The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the spring. The Water Festival welcomes a warm summer. The Tree of Deities ritual wishes for a bountiful autumn harvest. And the Snowflake Festival...well, need I spell it out?
No matter which day of the year you visit, if you're in Hyakkiyako, you WILL be enjoying a festival.
And this new festival, the one that's the most special of all, is...
The Waraku Festival!
Yes!
I-I'm sorry to butt in... I'm just so excited!
Of course! Well, Sensei, it's pretty obvious! I proposed the Waraku Festival to show off Chise's charm and her talent and her...utter specialness!
We'll have a calligraphy exhibition that also highlights her haiku, and galleries showcasing the unique items she's collected, and even merch! You can bring a Chise plushie home!
But the highlight of the festival is definitely...
...The celebration concert featuring Chise, of course!
So many people haven't heard Chise's amazing singing voice! She has such a unique texture and sweetness, and now all of Hyakkiyako will hear it!
And, for posterity, the Yin-Yang Club has secured three advanced telephoto cameras to ensure that we can relive this moment again and again and...
K-Kaho... That's enough...
Breathe.
Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to... Pardon me.
"That was a lot..."
"It's good to see you so passionate."
O-Of course!
I've been working hard too!
"That's great!"
We know that the Hyakkiyako students are already enthused about the Waraku Festival.
So we have been patrolling the venue, monitoring potential safety issues, and clearing out the troublemakers.
Yes! We are well aware of and deeply grateful for the Hyakkaryouran's efforts.
However, we've hit a snag in our preparations. It's related to the festival, but...outside of it.
What do you mean?
What do you think is the most important aspect of a successful festival?
Perhaps securing a suitable location?
Spirited decorations?
The food stalls, right? That's the first place I always hit.
I agree. I cannot enjoy a festival until I've had a chicken skewer.
Yes, chicken skewers are...important. You have a great point. But there are also many, many other foods featured at the festival.
In fact, food is often the main source of revenue at every event.
But...do you know where most of our festival ingredients come from?
"They're not from here?"
A few are, but most are imported from far away!
Most of our fresh ingredients come from the Ebisu Satellite School in the northern district.
"Ebisu Satellite School...?"
Yes. While we are now a united Hyakkiyako, it didn't come easily. For years, we were split into warring satellite schools.
We still have satellite schools in the more remote areas, the outskirts of Hyakkiyako.
One of these, most relevantly, is Ebisu in the north.
Ebisu Satellite School is surrounded by fertile farmland. For years, they've provided us with the choice ingredients that make our festivals so...craveable.
Hm? That's near...the Great Snowfield, isn't it? I didn't know you could grow crops up there.
Fufu... Root vegetables like radishes, potatoes, and carrots become sweeter the colder it is. And, unlike the Great Snowfield, Ebisu has seasons. It's quite pleasant in the summer!
Their fish, fruits, and cheese are also exquisite.
And hairy crabs!
"Sounds absolutely delicious."
"I'd like to visit someday."
Well...Ebisu's asked us for help. And I think the Hyakkaryouran is uniquely qualified.
They say that when the sky is gloomy or after the sun sets, some paranormal...entities appear and attack people.
Paranormal...?
About that...Ebisu didn't have a better way to describe them.
You see, these...entities...don't have a set form.
Some people saw grotesque abominations, others viewed beasts, and others claimed to be confronted by old enemies.
These entities all looked different, but they have two things in common.
First, they embody the victim's greatest fear.
Second, they cannot be damaged by firearms, at least none of the typical ones.
Phantom Fables.
Exactly! We're on the same page.
Strange monsters that cause mayhem and only come out in the darkness...
They certainly sound similar to the Artifact Spirits that Nature's Beauty summoned during the last Lantern Festival.
And, if memory serves me well, the only thing that can hurt these monsters is...the Hundred Lotus, correct?
...
There have only been a few sightings, but we don't want this to get out of hand. Ebisu needs help, and we need theirs.
If possible, could the Hyakkaryouran investigate this? Our festival is at stake.
This certainly sounds like a job for us...
The "us" isn't relevant. Only, Nagusa, as acting president, can wield the Hundred Lotus.
We're required in the northern district?
I may not be as talented as Ayame...but I will give my absolute all.
...There she is.
All right! Let's crush those Spirits and heal Nagusa's arm while we're at it!
And rescue President Ayame as well!
Fufu... I'm so glad we're in agreement.
All our interests align! It's like hitting two birds─
─or, should I say, THREE birds with one stone?
"And...why am I here?"
"Of course."
"...There's no need to worry about that right now."
Nyaha?! Th-There's no need...?
That's...surprising. I thought you were still trying to solve that Chroma problem.
You've grown so much. You've really made a name for yourself, Sensei.
Well, not that you're looking, but I've heard rumors that the Great Prophet Kuzunoha resides at the Twilight Temple.
Of course, like Kuzunoha herself, we're not even sure the Twilight Temple exists. A few students claim to have seen it, but...who knows?
I heard that the Twilight Temple is somewhere in the center of the Great Snowfield.
Searching for a probably nonexistent temple in the vast, biting Snowfield certainly isn't my idea of a good time...
...but didn't Nagusa find Kuzunoha's letter in the snow up there? I doubt that's a mere coincidence.
"You think she's in the Great Snowfield!"
The Great Snowfield isn't for the faint of heart, and none are more faint than Sensei. They wouldn't survive a single bullet.
"That's a bit harsh..."
Fufu. But the district near the Ebisu Satellite School is nice and safe!
So if you stay close to the Hyakkaryouran, and lend a helping hand...
...Who knows, perhaps the legendary Great Prophet would notice!
"Thank you, Niya."
"That was...very helpful."
It was nothing! We're all just so grateful to have you and the Hyakkaryouran taking care of this.
...Niya!
To the Snowfield?
No...not you, Chise. You need to stay here and help us prep for the Waraku Festival.
I wanted to see the snow... The white clouds...
Oof... Chise, please don't be disappointed! You'll make me cry...
B-But it's still a no! Chise, this festival is all for you! You have to stay.
"Next time, Chise. I promise."
I will be waiting.
While they're not Chise, Ebisu promised to have someone greet you when you arrive.
Now I know you have the very capable Hyakkaryouran escorting you, but please be careful. This is foreign territory.
Safe travels, Sensei!