The date for the Moon Festival of the Moose Centaur Tribe changes every month.
The elder chief and the warriors always follow their instincts, often only deciding on the date a few days before the festival. This time was no exception.
During the Moon Festival duel, Germain defeated Kioris with the Sacred Moonlight Sword, earning him the respect of nearly the entire tribe.
Among humans, the only one before him to gain such recognition and acclaim in the Moose Centaur Tribe was Don Freecss.
After the Moon Festival ended, the elder chief arranged suitable accommodations for Germain, Ging, Shizuku, Bisky, and the others.
Their residence was located next to the house where Don Freecss had once lived. Ging was granted permission to enter Don's home, accompanied by Scela, to take a closer look.
Because Don was a close ally of the Moose Centaur Tribe, he was allowed a private and unique residence there.
Everything in the house had been prepared specifically for Don, but it had been a long time since anyone used it.
However, Ging quickly returned disappointed, finding almost nothing of value in the house.
Aside from a stack of paper rolls suspected to be part of the Journey to the New World: Western Section manuscript, Don Freecss had left no other clues behind.
Ging questioned the elder chief, Scela, and others who had been in close contact with Don Freecss to learn more about his condition during his last visit.
Once again, he was met with disappointment; no one could provide definitive information.
All descriptions were strikingly similar: Don Freecss had been completely wrapped in a long robe, with only his face, hands, and feet exposed. His behavior had been peculiar, and he avoided interacting with too many people.
Ging shared the information he had gathered with the group, and everyone frowned in response.
"Isn't this just like Sanbica?"
After listening to the description, Bisky knelt by the canal, fetching water to wash off the mud clinging to her from the Moon Ritual. She casually pointed toward Sanbica, who wasn't far away.
"Hmm?"
Everyone turned to look in the direction Bisky was pointing.
Caught off guard by Bisky's sudden gesture and the intense gazes that followed, Sanbica wore an innocent expression. Her reaction was unintentionally amusing, which eased the tension in the atmosphere.
For the time being, the issue was set aside.
The moose centaur tribe didn't understand why their human companions felt the need to wash off the mud after participating in the Moon Ritual.
However, they respected their human allies. After all, these humans were brave warriors, deserving of special treatment.
For the moose centaurs, having mud smeared on their bodies was comforting. But they acknowledged that what was good for them might not apply to humans.
Germain also took a quick cold shower and, once done, stepped out into the night.
Using a towel to dry the droplets of water from his black hair, Germain spotted a familiar figure sneaking through the small forest not far ahead.
The moose centaur settlement was enclosed by towering stone walls, and within the settlement, stone houses dotted the landscape.
Yet, the moose centaurs maintained as much harmony with nature as possible.
Mud covered the ground, and trees were planted between scattered houses. Over time, these trees formed a dense woodland.
Hanging the towel around his neck, Germain followed the figure into the forest.
After walking a short distance into the shadows of the woods, he spotted a small silhouette sitting atop a dirt mound.
Germain hadn't made an effort to mask his movements, so the person quickly heard him and turned around.
It was Shizuku.
Her glasses glinted in the moonlight, obscuring her eyes, but her body noticeably stiffened when she realized Germain was approaching.
Her reaction amused Germain, who found the moment oddly fascinating.
Germain wanted to look at her for a little longer, but he knew when to prioritize.
"Shizuku, have you been avoiding me since that day?"
Germain had just taken a bath. His hunter's triangular hat and robe were set aside, and now he wore a simple, lightweight shirt from Greed Island.
He emerged from the shadows of the forest like a white ghost, stepping into the moonlight and starlight.
"No, I haven't," Shizuku replied.
She turned her head and stood up from the small hill.
She wanted to leave, but Germain suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Wait," Germain said.
Her eyes widened as she stared at where Germain held her wrist. Her expression was like a cat caught red-handed by its owner, equal parts shocked and confused.
"Are you really this afraid of me?" Germain asked, pulling Shizuku closer with a gentle but firm grip. "Or is it something else you're afraid of?"
"This constant avoidance… it's not like you, Shizuku. And it's not like me either. Come on, let's sit down and talk this through."
"I don't like going in circles, dwelling on things. And I'm sure you don't either."
Germain let go of her wrist and moved behind her, gently guiding her back to the small hill.
He applied light pressure on her shoulders, signaling her to sit down. Shizuku hesitated but followed his lead. Germain sat down beside her.
Since that ambush on the fateful night, this was the closest Germain and Shizuku had been to each other.
"So, tell me—what are you afraid of?"
Germain looked ahead and noticed the large bonfire burning brightly in the distance.
It would burn through the night, watched over by the centaur elk-like creatures, until it reduced to ash, pale and blackened.
Shizuku didn't respond right away. Germain wasn't in a hurry. The night was long, and he was a patient man.
Silence stretched alongside the darkness, broken only by the rustling of the forest in the cold night wind. Finally, Shizuku's voice emerged.
"Well… to be honest…"
She tilted her head slightly, blinking her large eyes, and placed her palm over her chest.
"It suddenly appeared, and I don't know what it is."
"Well, maybe I shouldn't say it suddenly appeared... It's more like… playing hide-and-seek in Meteor City, and then suddenly realizing someone's been hiding right under your nose the whole time."
"This... this feeling—it's so unfamiliar, and it scares me."
"When I saw it, I couldn't unsee it... Do you understand what I mean, Germain?"
"Yeah." Germain nodded.
He really did understand.
********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer