Section 9 "Halloween Declaration"

The townspeople still aren't celebrating Halloween. I'm not sure, but they don't seem very happy.

Then let's start by making the place Halloween central! Right, Puppy?

Huh!? Well, um...

...Once I decide something, shouldn't it just kind of happen?

No, it shouldn't! Do you think you're some kind of spoiled princess?

We can't do it alone. Let's ask the townspeople for help.

Yeah. I'm with you.

We won't get anywhere unless we ask the townspeople.

？！

...R-Right! Time to order the pigs around!

Nobody likes being called a pig. Explain to them what's going on properly. Come on, you're the ruler.

What? But my fans love it!

Even that Cock Robin chirped with joy! As its owner, that means you'd love it if I called you a pig too, right?

I've got nothing to do with that fat thing! It just follows me everywhere!

Elisabeth, you mustn't assume all humans are the same.

If you want to make Halloween fun, then you must ask properly.

F-Fine...

Okay, let's split up and ask everyone we come across.

We can hand out the pumpkins at the same time.

You're right. Let's reconvene here in two hours.

Okay, see you then!

Huh? Wait, where do I go?

？！

Elisabeth, come with us.

(We wouldn't want her to say things in a weird way and cause trouble...)

Okay!

All right, I'll sit this one out. I'll be waiting here! (Chomp chomp)

Looks like we're all here.

We didn't have any luck... Master, this is depressing...

You too? ...Robin Hood, what about you?

No good. Zilch.

Still, people did seem to be looking forward to the festivities.

Oh, yes. I agree.

I don't think they were against Halloween per se, but they were not particularly open about any support either.

Grrr... Unforgivable! Halloween's a festival kids and adults can both enjoy, and yet...

It seems that Elisabeth does not have enough respect as a ruler.

Add that to the fact that the queen in the pyramid banned Halloween and it's no wonder they're not on board.

...Sheesh. What kind of queen would do that to a pyramid, anyway?

Hey, what is it about me that's wrong?

The outfit (probably).

BUT I AM A HERO!

Halloween has been banned by Oh, not you people again!?

Oh, I know! Hey, you there!

What do you think when you look at me?

What do I think?

You should hold back on showing your skin. It'll hurt if you get slashed.

Zero fashion sense!

...That sound... Oh no!

Hmm? More commotion? Well, it has nothing to do with me.

I've got this chocolate cake that the townspeople gave me to consume instead!

Heh, heheheh... It feels like a waste to even eat it... Where should my first bite be?

Gee... It looks good no matter where you begin... Aww... Heheh. You adorable little thing...

I think I should take little nibbles from the side and

HEY! WHAT GIVES!?

You're...!

Oh, how sad...

It saddens me that the queen does not wish to see the town stained in the orange of Halloween...

Huh? What's with this pretty boy?

I am Tristan... Former Knight of the Round Table. Currently a queen's knight.

Call me Tristan, the Child of Sadness... Or perhaps Tristan Who Sighs And Looks Out Upon the Setting Sun...

Way too long!

You're an Archer. You needn't go out ahead

Here's one more!

What the... Where's he going!?

Huh? What was that?

Wait! Where are you

...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!

New enemy approaching, for sure this time!

What's wrong, Lanc

SHUUUUUUTTT UUUUUUPPP!!!

Eh...!? Why the sudden sleeper hold!?

I give up! I give up! I give up! I'm tapping out! I'm tapping out!

They've started fighting each other! Master, let's take them out now!

...Um, I don't really understand why...

...but my body is telling me that black knight needs to get mashed up...

...just like Gawain's potato dishes!

Right! Prepare to die!

R-Right! Mash Kyrielight, taking deep breaths!

In... Out... In... Out... In... Out... In... Out...

...Okay, ready to crush him!

She's too pumped up!

？！

It's the enemy! Th-The enemy's here! The enemy!

ENEMYYYYYYYYY!

Now!

LOSERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

We lost... How sad...

Sir Tristan and Sir Lan I mean, the Mysterious Black Knight have been defeated!

Anyway! This town is going to celebrate Halloween! I won't allow any complaints!

That goes for you guys too. Here, wear these and go celebrate!

A jack-o'-lantern? Uh, wait, let me at least remove my helm

Save it.

Those knights ran away crying...

Probably because you cursed those pumpkins with your Egyptian magecraft or what have you. They'll never come off now.

Thank you, Nitocris!

...Well, it is Halloween after all. Anyway, Elisabeth.

Now the townspeople can prepare for the festivities without having to be afraid of the queen.

That's true! Okay, everyone! We drove all the knights away!

Feel safe to openly celebrate Halloween!

GOOOOOOOOOD...

You seem quite happy, considering we lost...

Still, I'm glad too.

She matures fast... I was so sure it would've taken at least ten years...

QUEEEEEEEEEEEEN!

Yes. Now she has won the right to face the queen.

Now it's a question of whether or not she can surpass her. This is something we must see with our own eyes.

ESCAAAAAAAAAAAAPE!

Yes, let's take flight. Quietly now.

Hey, they're fleeing!

Easy.

How rude...!

The vanquished should hang their heads and await punishment!

Surround them, medjed!

How sad... But naturally, a knight never gives up! Not until he draws his last breath!

The game is not over until the whistle blows...!

WINNERRRRRRRRRRRR!

Now, let us escape!

...So, it was you.

Step aside, young one. You're clearly not one of us.

As you can see, I am the embodiment of chivalrous ideals, dreams, and realities. I would never lay a hand on a woman.

That holds true even for nonhumans like you. In fact, if you were a decade or so older, I would have liked to have dinner with you.

...However, given the murderous look on your face, I shall use an Evade skill on myself. Just to be safe.

That wind-cutting bow of yours... So you're the scumbag responsible!

"Great Grudge of Rashomon"!

Oh my...! A Noble Phantasm that removes buffs... How awful!

Here's another one for you!

Go, Sougenbi! You're going to pay for what you did to my cake!

"Great Grudge of Rashomon"! Raaarrrrrrgh!

Two in a row! How... agile...

STUUUUUPIIIIIIIIID!!!

Hm, not good. I should have sent them flying the opposite way.

They went flying towards the pyramid. ...It's like we set them free ourselves.

Th-Things like that happen in battle, you know. It's not my fault!

Eeeeeek! Shuten!? Shuten, IWhy yooou...!!!

Amazing, Master. That impression was not good at all, but it had an intensity to it.

Nyafu!? ...Huh, Shuten? No? Where'd she go?

...Why you...! What trickery is this!?

There, there, Ibaraki. Calm down.

？！

Anyway, this town has been liberated!

Even if the queen tries to stop the festivities, there's no way they ever will!

Ahh, the world is filled with the happiness of Halloween...! It makes me want to burst out singing!

Let's not do that. We'll just get sent back to the starting point again.

Why's that!?

...Oh? The children...

Yayyy, trick or treat!

Oh, m-me!? I'm sorry... I don't have any candy...

Then trick it is!

？！

Master, you too!?

Fou!

Fou just gave them the sesame buns that the doctor was hiding!

Yay, sweets!

...Phew. You saved me, Fou.

Fou fou.

Hrmm, hrmm. (Om nom nom)

Hey, it's not enough. And I'm tired of this flavor already.

I want something a little more like confectionery!

Oh, I'm sorry. How about these macarons then...?

What are these? They look great! Such vibrant colors!

And this texture... They're soft, but solid enough to be broken apart... Ah! They're all mushy inside!

Oh, wait. What's this? They have different flavors and colors!? Matcha! Chestnut! Strawberry! Pistachio!

It's like a kaleidoscope of sweets!

Yeah, kids love macarons... No wonder they hit the spot for Ibaraki-Douji...

Halloween's so fun!

Yes it is, very fun.

Look, it's a pumpkin monster!

...

It's finally starting to feel like Halloween. Right, Master?

Exactly!

To properly hold and run a festival is also the job of a pharaoh.

I hope that child begins to understand that soon.

Well, people need to take breaks at times. Although as a person coming from the forest, I hate rowdy places.

You say that, but I know you're secretly handing out candy to the kids.

What!? But I never sensed your eyes on me!

Kahahaha, I disguised myself as a child and received some too!

Have you no shame...?

Hmph, call me clever, you spineless candyman. I just have a different sense of pride, that is all.

？！

Now let's go pay the queen a visit! My concert willNo, never mind. The concert is also important, but...

But most of all, in order for everyone to enjoy Halloween, we need to take her out!

Fou...

I kind of understand what you're trying to say, Fou.

Even as a Heroic Spirit stopped in time, one can still understand and learn something new.

...That is true.

Even if it is like a single night's dream, the experience will not have been in vain.

Mash Kyrielight.

Yes?

...I'm sorry, it's nothing. It doesn't seem like you need my words of advice.

H-Huh...?

Now, let us go. And let us face that gatekeeper once more.

...By the way, maybe one song wouldn't hurt before we go...?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!