After a period of rest, I reunited with my companions and we headed to our lodgings.
The next day, after a good night’s sleep at the inn we rented in the Centaur country, I was planning to go shopping with Sharin. Well, “planning to” is the operative word.
“Why is Lauren coming?”
“Nfufu, nfufufufu, I’m sorry to intrude on your date. I want to go somewhere, you… you’ll come with me, won’t you?”
“Ah, yeah, sure.”
“Right then!” Lauren eagerly unfolded a flyer and started walking. Where on earth was she taking us? Sharin peered over her shoulder.
“Hmm, I don’t particularly mind, as long as it’s not a dangerous place.”
“Yes, o-of course. Nfufufu, here it is. I-I can’t believe they’re holding it in a place like this.”
The paper, spread wide open, declared “Comic Festival” in large letters. Comic… I felt like I’d heard that word somewhere. Lauren clutched the flyer affectionately. Sharin naturally tilted her head in confusion.
“What is that?”
“It’s an event where fans of famous manga and novels gather. You can sell things like books you’ve made yourself. The main attraction this time is, of course, Shadow Wing. Nfufufu, I-I actually thought of going with Veronica, but, you know, she can’t go during the day, right?”
Ah, that’s right, they were both fans of a hero called Shadow Wing. So it was an event for that. I’m sure they’d be selling merchandise and such.
As expected, since it’s the Centaur country, there were many Centaur tribe members around. Some were large, some slender, and their leg thickness varied considerably. Their colors and hair quality were also unique. Some were a standard brown, while others had purplish hues.
Their fashion was also unique to Centaurs, with some painting their hooves or shaving fur into patterns. There were even shoes for horses. Many shops also sold horseshoes. I’m sure there were many types for different purposes.
The road was wide and easy to walk on. The stairs were also wide with low steps. In contrast to the Flower Harpy country, which felt cramped within a small space, this place seemed to make bold use of its space.
As we approached the venue, the crowds grew thicker. A signboard read “Comic Festival Venue: This Way.”
“I-It’s amazing. T-this is a Comic Festival.” Laurent’s eyes sparkled as if she were gazing upon a sacred temple.
“She’s really lively.”
“Y-yes. I don’t quite understand it myself, but it must be an amazing place.”
After paying the entrance fee, we found ourselves surrounded by even more people. Numerous booths were lined up, and some had long queues.
“Hyaaa, I could die happy right now!”
What an exaggeration, but I’d never seen Lauren so ecstatic before. She dashed straight towards her intended booth.
“Hey, wait! If we get separated here, we’re in trouble!”
“W-what speed. Arachne were fast, weren’t they?”
We pushed our way through the crowd and finally caught up with her, only to find a special corner dedicated to Shadow Wing, Lauren’s favorite. There were life-sized character panels, merchandise, books, and cards. And what caught my eye the most was…
“I-It’s real! It’s real!”
Cosplayers dressed as the characters. Even as an amateur, I was impressed by how well they were done.
“S-s-so amazing. Junk Hooves, Doctor Poison, Horny Horn, I-I’m going to faint. N-no, I can’t take this. My heart’s going to stop.”
“Are you alright? You should step back for a moment.”
Sharin, not entirely grasping the situation, rubbed Lauren’s shoulder as she writhed. I didn’t think she was ill, though.
“Lauren, it’s fine to be overwhelmed, but shouldn’t you buy the merchandise quickly? Veronica wants something too, what do you think she’d like?”
Hmm, I had no idea. The only thing I could think of that Veronica might want was tobacco.
“How about a pen? Or a ruler?”
“No! W-what are you saying? Think properly!”
She shook my shoulders back and forth. Her passion was too intense, and Sharin looked troubled.
“T-then how about this?”
I picked up a mask worn by a hero from nearby. It was merchandise of the protagonist’s item.
“Hmm, i-it’s okay, isn’t it? Yes, it’s not bad. And this, and this too.”
Muttering to herself, she started shopping alone. Honestly, she could have just chosen from the start. Then, I noticed Sharin holding the same item and gazing at it intently.
“Sharin, do you want one too?”
“Mph, no, i-it’s not that, I just thought it looked cool.”
“Hahaha, it would suit you, Sharin.”
Come to think of it, Lauren had said they sold self-published books and manga here too. Let’s see, I’ll buy one to pass the time on our journey. Looking at a nearby booth, I saw thin books that looked like they were clearly self-made.
What’s this? Shadow Wing again. Well, it’s so popular, fan fiction is only natural. The cover depicted the protagonist and his companion, a young man. Along with the title “The Gears of Love,” it bore the mark “Not for purchase by those under adult age.” T-this is, could it be…?
“Alicegawa, what are you looking at? Hmm, a self-made manga? Maybe I should read one too. As Lauren said, it might be interesting.”
“N-no, you can’t! This, well, you should read the original first, shouldn’t you? Y-you can’t read fan fiction without knowing the original. Hahaha.”
I pushed Sharin’s back and moved her away from the spot.
