(One month later)
Well, it was time for the first day of the festival. Some things were already taken care of. Benimaru's position as military governor while we occupy the Eastern Empire, an aid package to the Eastern Empire that provided financial aid, equipment, technical assistance, and more. This will help them rebuild infrastructure, industry, agriculture, and more. Benimaru and Masayuki would oversee how the funds get allocated, with Benimaru having more authority. This should help foster trade between our countries and improve diplomatic relations, as well as people's perception of us after the war.
As for the people on our side, they're already in the process of converting. And while I don't exactly support it, Adalmann is there trying to convert them. Look, I know it's part of his job and duties as the head priest of the religion, but those people just went through a war. They don't need someone trying to pressure them into a religion, which is why I set constraints on him. No public preaching or being loud. Now, he could preach in a church, but he won't pressure people to attend; it must be their choice. And just help them without being religious about it. They don't need to hear about some god over and over again. Just once, and they got it; you don't need to repeat it.
But of course, with the festivities starting, people were taking a vacation and a break. A lot of people from the Eastern Empire, both from the land that was ceded to us and from the occupied territory, were here as well. Most definitely curious about the country and the leaders who would now rule over them.
Leaders from other places were here as well. Gazel as well. And he bought his pegasus with him, and oh boy, she was looking big. But it was alright. We placed her under some care. The pegasus looked like it would give birth any week now. This is definitely some kind of weird biology going on here, because normally, a horse would be pregnant for around a year. Probably something weird with a pegasus and Dun Stallion. Eh, the sooner the better, I guess. I'll just say it's magic and leave it at that.
Well, nothing more left to do than enjoy the start of the festival. There was a lot of food and other stuff. But the other stuff wasn't as important as the first thing.
I was dressed in a semi-formal outfit. It was something that Shuna picked out for me. It was a kimono and a large sash thing. I think it was called an obi? Anyway, this is my first time wearing something like this, and it's way more comfortable and softer than I thought it was. And it was very fashionable and cool. And it was also "me", like there was a big dragon design and other wavy features on it. It was mainly blue and gold, with a bit of silver. Some of the fabrics and threads seemed to shine and sparkle in the sun.
I really wanted to check out the burger and hot dog section. I made sure to oversee that personally. It was basically a small burger and hot dog festival inside of this big festival. From reading the small description of the event, I was looking forward to this. I still remember Rimuru's reaction to it. "Of course, America would have something like that." It was kind of funny, and also true, but I don't care how others see it. I don't really care about that stereotype. Mostly because there's nothing wrong with it, unlike some other stereotypes, but it is what it is.
Anyway, I was just waiting for Shuna to arrive so we could get started. She's been acting a little weird over the last month, but I can't figure out what's causing it, and that worries me. I've been with her long enough that I should be able to know what's bothering her, but this time I can't seem to place anything on it. There's no way it's something physical; she's basically immune to that kind of stuff. Something mental? Spiritual? No, that can't be it. She's way too strong for something spiritual to affect her. I guess something mental? But what? What could be bothering her? This one has me stumped. I'll figure it out.
You know, maybe I'm just overthinking it. Maybe it's not that big of a deal. Something, something about suffering more in imagination than in reality. I'll get through with no more surprises.
"Ah, Artoria, I'm here, sorry for taking a little bit longer than usual."
"It's okay, Shuna. I'd wait as long as I need for you. So, you ready? We're going to visit the burger and hot dog section first. I want to try many of the novelty burgers and hot dogs they have."
"How novel?"
"Just from the descriptions I've read, it's crazy."
"I thought you oversaw that part."
"I did, but not the actual food they would make. I wanted to be surprised by the creations of the cooks. Come on, let's go."
I held her hand, and we started our little walk through the festival. And as we passed by, something very peculiar caught my eye. It was a live sculpting. Yeah, those three Kijin, who work in my cathedral/art museum/specialized history museum that focus on me, were working on yet another statue of me. They had a big block of marble, and they already had the head carved out. If that head was anything to go by, this would be another life-like masterpiece once it's finished and painted. They were even selling statuettes of me as well.
I could see some nobles and rich people from other countries trying to get them for commissions, but they work for me. Which is something I never told them to do. Their decision to soley work for me is something they decided themselves.
Moving again, there was another part of the museum. The history part, which is just a history of me. It's also crazy. Our official history museum doesn't really have me in it. It only includes me when absolutely necessary. If they want to learn more about me, they need to head to the cathedral. Once again, this decision was solely on them, nothing to do with me. And it's alright with me.
There was even a museum guide giving a little speech about me.
"This place was just a small clearing of forest! A patch of dirt! Now, it stands as a city with economic might never seen before! A decade from now, it will be known as the center of the world where all traders, scholars, and artists pass through!"
Alright, let's move along. That's a pretty heated speech. Sounds kind of familiar, though. Eh, whatever. Let the guide put on a show.
We walked a bit further and finally, we reach the burger and hot dog spot.
"This is fantastic. Oh? What's this?"
Oh, yeah, now this is what I came here for. There was a sign promoting a challenge. A food challenge. A big burger challenge. It can't possibly get better than this.
"Artoria, you don't need to do this."
Shuna told me as she turned away my focus from the sign. She said it in more of a "you don't need to embarrass the owners" sort of tone.
"Huh? Come on, Shuna, I'm not even looking too hard at it."
"You licked your lips just now."
I did?
"That was just, uh, you know, a reflex. Look, there's money as a prize."
They were offering 5 gold coins to whoever could complete it.
"Artoria, you don't need money."
"You're right, I don't, but come on, I have to do it, just for the love of it."
Shuna let out a sigh. "Alright, fine. But if you get your clothes dirty, you won't hear the end of it from me."
"Yes!"
Alright, let's tackle this challenge.
/\\//\\//\
'Well, call me a Kennedy, 'cause my mind is blown!'
This challenge is going to be more tasty than I thought. A five-pound burger with two layers. It had two patties, cheese, bacon, and the usual toppings. There was a stack of fries as tall as the burger, and there were three milkshakes as the beverage.
Some people would say this is "excessive" or "too much," perhaps even "impossible," but impossible is a word found only in the dictionary of fools. Napoleon's quote applies perfectly in this situation.
And besides, those people aren't me.
I put a napkin on my neck to make sure things don't get too messy. I never do this, since I hate those pretentious and stupid, fancy etiquette when eating, but this is a much better time to use it. Like, don't even get me started on the different kinds of forks and spoons. Oh my god, that has to be the top ten dumbest things in human history. To hell with all that pretentious and fancy stuff. I don't give a damn what a king or noble thinks when I eat how I want to, even if it's in their own home or land. Chopsticks make more sense compared to that spoon and fork nonsense. And if they have a problem with it, they can take it up with Excalibur or Rhongomyniad…or both.
And besides, I wouldn't be surprised if most of this fancy etiquette is because of syphilis during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Anyway, not that my rant is over, let's dig in.
"You have 30 minutes to finish the meal. If you can't, then you have to pay for it."
He must not from around here, 'cause I can see some people give him looks of pity.