(Ten minutes later)
"Delicious. Very good burger. The fries and milkshakes were also good," I cleaned my mouth with the napkin as I told the cook my thoughts. I had to hold back so I could enjoy the taste better. I also didn't get the kimono dirty, so it's a win all around.
"I want another one," I asked for another one, but Shuna quickly shut me down by grabbing my hand and making me stand up from the table I was eating at.
"No, you're not getting another one."
I looked back at the cook as Shuna dragged me away. She may be merciful, but not me.
"I'll be back."
/\\//\\//\
And sure enough, I was. At the end of the first day, and after feasting on the many food varieties, I came back for another burger. All in all, a very fantastic and productive day. Tomorrow, there'll be an alcohol exhibit, which I also had a part in overseeing. If it wasn't obvious, while these little events were to have fun, it was also a showcase of what we had. The alcohol exhibits being one of them. And of course, there would be the specialty only sold in this city, and nowhere else. And of course, I mean the stuff that could kick-start a fighter jet just from a burp after drinking a shot of it.
I made sure to put more security and medical staff around that area.
Now, it was time to return home and relax. The festival went late into the night, and it took a bit to get everyone out, so the workers could set up things for the next day.
"Home sweet home. Did you like it, Shuna?" I asked Shuna as I started taking off the kimono she made for me. It was time to put on something comfortable for the night. And Shuna was also doing the same.
"It was fun. A lot of interesting characters. That statue of your is coming along nicely as well."
Yeah, that was true. It's not fully complete, but it was going to be a statue of me on horseback in full armor. The helmet, fur, and everything. It would be cool to see.
"Yeah it is, but I did notice you didn't eat as usual. I'm not comparing you to me, but you seemed not really have a big appetite. Is everything okay?"
"Hmm? Everything's fine."
"Alright, but don't hesitate to tell me anything."
/\\//\\//\
(Next day)
Alright, time for day two. I want to see the alcohol exhibit. That would probably be the main attraction. We're already at the festival and walking around. A lot of people, but within expectations.
And of course, the first sight I see is Suphia and Albis completely sprawled out on the ground. Physically, they were there. Just physically. Who knows where their consciousness is? They had quite a number of bottles around them, even the special stuff. And it doesn't take a detective to know what got them like this. You see, there were multiple other bottles that were finished, but there was only one bottle of our specialty, and it wasn't even half empty. I'll bet a stellar coin that they drank a big swig from the bottle and collapsed a few seconds later.
Well, I think they learned their lesson.
Just kidding, no way they do.
But it's a festival, so we're all here to have fun.
"You want to try anything, Shuna?"
"No, not this time."
"Huh? Well, you never were much of a drinker. Just tiny sips. But it's okay."
As we kept going, not only were there Suphia and Albis, but even Shion was there, because of course she is. And in her arms, she was tightly squeezing Rimuru in his slime form as she was basically on the verge of falling over as she walked, but she was all smiles and fun. The guy was struggling to get out, which I don't understand. The things people would do to be in his position. If that were me, I'd gladly die in that position.
"Artoria, you gotta help me! I'm being crushed to death! Shion's gone crazy with the alcohol!" Rimuru pleaded with me once he saw me.
"Rimuru…you know what, never mind. You'll be there until you realize that it isn't so bad."
And with that, I let him be. How he got in that position, I don't know, but he's there now, so that's what matters. Once again, another productive and fantastic day.
/\\//\\//\
(Five days later)
"Benimaru, is everything ready?"
"Yes, Lady Pendragon. Everyone has undergone the necessary training, and we have practiced multiple times. They can do it blindfolded and in their sleep. Gabiru is ready with his air procession; we have the flags, all our military units in dress uniforms, the band, the pyrotechnics, and everything else."
"Alright. Anything less than perfect will be considered a disappointment. Remember, the eyes of the world are upon us. Heads of state, representatives, and dignitaries of other nations will be present and watching. Not only that, the entire city will also be watching."
I walked around, inspecting all the details. Their uniforms, their formation, their symmetry, how they held the flag, their cleanliness, all of it. Benimaru did a very good job.
"Make one last inspection before we start."
/\\//\\//\
The entire city was ready to witness the parade. Flags, confetti, balloons, and other decorations lined the main street where the parade would take place. A variety of food was also being served.
In the middle of the main street, a large VIP booth stood where Artoria and others would watch the parade. Next to her was Shuna, and behind her was everyone else. To her, it was "everyone else" because the only other person worth naming to her, and that mattered there was Shuna.
Among the few, there were Rimuru, Gazel, Fuze, Elmesia, Erald, Elyun, Luminous, Hinata, Masayuki, Velgrynd, Veldora, and others.
It was very awkward for Masayuki and Velgrynd, though. They were essentially watching a victory parade celebrating the defeat of their country, more so for Velgrynd, because at least Masayuki had just now made the new emperor and was fighting against the Eastern Empire, but this would be good for relations. Not just diplomatically, but also personally, ever since Velgrynd saw who Masayuki really was. There were just some things missing, but it was a very strong case for Velgrynd. And that's not to talk about Veldora. He only added to the awkwardness for Velgrynd.
If it weren't for the etiquette and having manners, and because Artoria was also there, there was no doubt that certain conversations and actions would be had and done.
Though the little reunion was a bit tense, given how much history and connections these people all shared. And that's not to get started on Luminous and Hinata. Poor Luminous had to watch as Artoria and Shuna sat together.
"Hinata, we should be like them," Luminous whispered to Hinata, who was next to her.
This was standard for Hinata now. Not a day would go by that Luminous doesn't mention something about a relationship, ever since that day.
"Lady Luminous, it's best we don't. You have a better chance of convincing Shuna and Artoria to let you in their relationship and that will never happen."
"I hate that you're right. Something is different with Shuna. I can't tell exactly what it is, but I just know it. Something that will change everything," Luminous more to herself than as a response, as she looked at Shuna. If she felt envy for Shuna before, then right now, for some reason, it seemed to skyrocket.
"You know what, I order you to marry me, Hinata."
"Lady Luminous, you can't just order someone to marry you. And stop acting on impulse."
"Fine."
On the street, ten cannons symmetrically placed on both sides of the street were being rolled out and loaded with blanks.
"Alright, here we go. It's showtime," Artoria mumbled to herself.
This would set the tone for the entire parade, the expectation of everyone watching.. One tiny mess-up or a mistimed shot would not go over well.
But Benimaru was a good instructor.
With perfect timing, one loud synchronized boom echoed from the cannon blast that covered the entire city. Moments later, from the opposite side of where the parade would go, Gabiru, leading all his dragonewts, flew in a large formation. Behind them, colored smoke trailed, blue, yellow, black, and gray, the colors of the flag. Among the smoke, there were sparklers, like stars sparkling in the sky. It covered the entire parade route and would stay there until it ended. At the end, Gabiru and all his dragonewts, in perfect descending order, took their own place among the parade.
"Now, that's what I call a flyover," Artoria mumbled to herself. This was it, the tone setter, and in her opinion, the most stressful part of the parade was over with. Now, it was just cool marching and hearing the band playing.
Benimaru was at the front and on horseback. Behind him were the Color Guard, or flag bearers, the ones responsible for carrying the flag of the country, and the flags of the military units. There were also other tasks with carrying guidons.
"READY!"
Everyone prepared. The drum major gave a signal to the snare drum players to start playing.
"FORWARD, MARCH!"
(A/N: The random number generator rolled a seven. Damn.)