Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 96: Farewell Banquet
The sky was growing dark, and the last rays of sunset spread evenly across Bianshu Town, as if the whole place had been brushed with a reddish hue.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Owen raised a torch and walked toward the pile of firewood in the center of the square.
The logs had been coated with oil, so the moment the torch came close—whoosh!—they ignited instantly, and the atmosphere of the Spring Celebration reached its peak.
Next, more than a dozen lizardmen entered in neat formation. They began circling the bonfire, clapping to the beat and performing a simple yet strange dance.
This was a dance Lusha had planned especially so that many people could join in — the Bonfire Dance.
Owen watched from the side with great interest.
According to Lusha, this was a traditional dance of the Sinking Sand Tribe, performed only during major celebrations — such as the chieftain’s wedding — when the entire tribe would join in, bringing joy to everyone.
By bringing this cultural tradition here, Lusha hoped to deepen the friendship between humans and lizardmen through dancing together.
As they circled the fire, some lizardmen would break from the formation to invite nearby humans to join them.
At first, only the militia members accepted eagerly, slipping into the dance lines to join the lizardmen — understandable, since they had fought side-by-side through the winter and trusted each other.
Seeing them dancing together so naturally and joyfully, the townsfolk gradually let down their last bit of guard and joined in as well.
As more and more people participated, one circle was clearly not enough.
Encouraged by the lizardmen, the dancers split into two concentric rings around the bonfire, continuing the dance.
The sight of both sides enjoying themselves so harmoniously filled Owen with deep satisfaction.
Partway through, Lusha stepped out of the circle and approached him with delight.
“Lord Owen, look! Our Sinking Sand Tribe’s bonfire dance is a real hit here.”
“Indeed…”
Owen nodded.
“Your bonfire dance has an impressive infectious energy.”
It also gave him a new layer of understanding about the lizardmen.
He had assumed they were merely physically stronger than humans, living in primitive forest tribes with little to offer culturally.
But to his surprise, they also had their own fine arts when it came to celebrations.
He realized it had been his own prejudice — and reminded himself not to become like the old conservatives in the Church.
“Heh, of course!”
Lusha beamed proudly, then invited.
“My lord, why don’t you join everyone and dance as well?”
“Eh? Me?”
Owen froze for a moment. He had learned ballroom dancing for noble gatherings, but this… was different.
“The bonfire dance is easy.”
Lusha encouraged.
“Hold on!”
Clive suddenly stepped forward to object.
“Lusha, how can you ask the Marquis to perform such a crude dance?!”
“What do you mean, ‘crude’?”
Lusha frowned.
“Then tell me, what should dancing be like?”
“Real dancing should be romantic and elegant!”
Clive declared confidently.
“In a grand, luxurious hall, a handsome gentleman invites a beautiful lady. Then, under the envious eyes of all, they dance gracefully to refined music. After the ball, they fall in love and ignite a passionate romance. I can tell you agree with me, don’t you, miss Jarvis?”
Mapel looked dreamy for a moment, clearly lost in thought. When she realized someone was speaking to her, she blinked and stammered,
“Ah? I… I…”
She hesitated for a while.
“I half agree, and half don’t.”
Last time, Mapel had run away in embarrassment, but the next day she returned to the castle as if nothing had happened.
Owen knew that as his chief knight, she wanted to focus on her duties, so she never brought up that day again.
They simply went back to how things were before.
“Huh? Why only half?”
Clive looked baffled.
After hearing his description, Lusha made a face and said disdainfully,
“That all sounds so troublesome. As long as everyone’s having fun dancing, isn’t that enough?”
“Lusha is right.”
Owen stepped in at the right moment.
“There’s no such thing as high or low in dance. No matter what kind of dance it is, we should respect it. Come on, Lusha.”
With that, he started walking toward the bonfire.
“Eh? Marquis, you’re actually going?”
Clive’s face was full of disbelief.
“Of course.”
Owen replied without looking back.
Mapel hesitated for a moment, then followed after him.
Being a lord who enjoys festivities with his people wasn’t a bad thing at all, Owen thought.
The fact that the lord himself wanted to join everyone in the bonfire dance shocked and delighted the townsfolk. They felt Owen was incredibly approachable and friendly.
Of course, Owen didn’t dance for long. After one round, he quietly stepped back.
It was about time for him to attend another event—a farewell banquet. The Spring Celebration was meant mainly for the townsfolk and the lizardmen, in hopes that the two sides would continue to live together peacefully in the future.
As for the closing remarks of the celebration, he could leave that to Clive.
In the grand hall of the lord’s castle, the farewell banquet was already prepared.
The attendees were mostly Church members—Holy Knights, Bishop Flynn, and priests who had been treating the wounded in the infirmary.
It wasn’t that Owen had forbidden them from joining the Spring Celebration, but traditionally, the Holy Knights were always invited to the farewell banquet. Besides, he wasn’t sure if they would even be interested in civilian festivities.
At the banquet, Owen expressed his gratitude for their contributions in fighting the undead monsters, wished the Holy Knights a safe journey home, and encouraged everyone to eat and drink freely.
Halfway through the banquet, Owen quietly left with Viscount Jarvis, Bishop Flynn, and Bray, heading to the reception room. Clearly, there was something they wished to discuss in private.
Bray was the first to speak.
“Marquis, before we depart tomorrow, I’d like to talk to you about the weapons you used on the northern wall.”
“No problem. Go ahead.”
Owen replied.
“The muskets and cannons are weapons beyond our imagination. Once I return, I’ll be sure to report them to His Holiness the Pope. Frankly speaking, their appearance has shown me the future of warfare—knights and mages alike are no match for muskets and cannons. Therefore, I hope you can establish a cooperative relationship with the Holy Nation of Caleb.”
He paused, then added.
“Lastly, I apologize for the forwardness, but… could I purchase a musket from you to present to His Holiness?”
“Oh? You’ve seen their potential too, huh?”
Viscount Jarvis stroked his chin.
“Of course.”
Bray replied without hesitation. He had no less battlefield experience than Jarvis, so he could naturally recognize their value.
“No problem. I can sell you one.”
Owen’s quick agreement caught the other three off guard.
“Marquis, I’m certainly glad you’re willing…”
Bishop Flynn said.
“But… do you have no conditions? For example, forbidding us from making copies?”
“Doesn’t matter. If you want to copy it, go ahead. The core technology isn’t that easy to reproduce.”
By “core technology,” Owen meant the formula for black powder. Without gunpowder, muskets and cannons were useless.
Of course, the Holy Nation could try to research the formula themselves, but that would take time. By then, Owen might already be using an improved version.
Besides, firearms themselves would continue to evolve—Owen wasn’t afraid of imitation at all.
“Also, I know the Holy Nation is currently led by the New Faction. Your ideals are very peaceful, and racial equality is one of them. That’s why I believe we have great potential for cooperation.”
“You actually…”
Bray’s face was full of surprise.
Bishop Flynn looked slightly taken aback too, but quickly calmed—he had likely guessed how Owen knew about this.
“New Faction?”
Viscount Jarvis asked in confusion.
“That’s…”
Owen gave a brief explanation. After listening, Jarvis nodded in understanding.
“Marquis, do you share our ideals?”
Bishop Flynn asked.
“Of course…”
Owen smiled.
“The lizardmen in Bianshu Town are proof enough, aren’t they? That’s why I say we can work together.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Bray said happily.
“Marquis, you’re nothing like the nobles I’ve met before. I believe the Holy Nation will have a pleasant cooperation with you.”
“Hmm, we’ll see.”