The two bouts of light rain recently dispelled the lingering summer heat that had lasted for months.
The weather became cooler, and one needed to wear a coat when going out in the morning and evening. Even Warm didn't mind coming out to play.
After Rhode settled things with Lucy, he left the Guild with Mira and rented a carriage to head to Lavender Village.
Traveling directly by River Crab would've worked too, but a carriage was more comfortable and offered a bit of privacy, making it easier for the two to talk.
They stopped for a break at noon and only reached Lavender Village in the afternoon.
During the journey, Rhode had been watching through the perspective of the River Crab responsible for scouting. By now, most of the crops had been harvested, with only a few scattered fields left with golden crops still awaiting processing.
Half a year later, a proper wall had been built around the village, reconstructed from the vine wall that Rhode had the Tree Monsters create before his last departure.
The incinerators that were originally used for handling rat carcasses and waste were mostly dismantled, and the peculiar odor that lingered in the village for a long time had entirely vanished.
Rhode got off the carriage and helped Mira down, finding that the ground here wasn't damp. Perhaps the recent rain hadn't reached this area.
Someone pushing a cart full of rice passed by and recognized the newly arrived pair, exclaiming, "Mage? Oh, Mr. Rhode, Miss Mira."
"Lightning?" Rhode remembered him. He was the one responsible for guarding the village entrance and managing the bonfires, always running around to help, a very diligent person.
"Didn't expect you to remember me," Lightning said happily, realizing, "You must be here for the Harvest Festival, right? I think the village chief mentioned it."
"Indeed, it was Mr. Jasper who invited us. Is he at home now?"
"He should be in the village center preparing for tomorrow's event, but you can head straight there. If he's not there, he might be resting at home. As for me… sorry," Lightning gestured to the cart he was pushing.
Rhode waved his hand, "Oh, go about your work, it's fine. We know the way."
Lightning bid them farewell and pushed his cart away.
Mira paid the carriage fare, and the coachman looked at Rhode with envy.
Rhode was in high spirits.
The two entered the village side by side, as Rhode sent two River Crabs to patrol and keep watch nearby.
In the village, some people were transporting goods while others were threshing grain. It was a busy scene, and the villagers' spirits had noticeably improved since the rat infestation.
Many recognized them along the way, warmly greeting them.
A little girl followed them for a short distance, prompting Mira to stop and ask, "Is there something you need?"
The little girl shook her head, "Sister, you're so pretty. Will I become this pretty when I grow up?"
Rhode observed closely. The little girl had two pigtails bound up, freckles on her face, and was missing a front tooth, causing her speech to come out slightly distorted.
In fact, she was quite cute, though her smile was somewhat awkward.
Mira patted her head, "Of course you can, maybe even prettier than me."
"Tiffany! Stop bothering them, come home now!" a voice called from nearby.
The little girl responded with a yell and turned to run back.
She hadn't run far when she fell flat on her face. But instead of crying or fussing, she got up without even brushing off the dirt and ran home swiftly.
The way she fell on flat ground and her ease in getting up reminded Rhode of Wendy. He wondered how she was doing lately.
The last hurried return probably worried her a lot. He'd write a letter in a few days or perhaps contact her using the Communication Magic Crystal.
"Bring that wood over here, place it there, yes, over there…"
The two of them reached the village center and indeed saw the village chief directing others to set up the venue.
A platform over two meters high had already been built up front, with an offering table on it, seemingly for some kind of ritual offering.
Colorful flags were inserted all around, and various decorations were hung, creating a festive atmosphere.
Approaching closer, Rhode called out, "Mr. Jasper."
Without turning his head, Jasper asked, "What is it?"
But after speaking, he felt something was odd. In the village, people either called him Jasper or the chief, adding "Mr." was rare.
Jasper turned around in surprise, "Mr. Rhode, Miss Mira? What brings you here?"
Rhode was puzzled, "Wasn't it your designated task for us to come as guards?"
"Ah, no, I mean… yes…" Jasper stammered, "I mean, the Harvest Festival doesn't start until tomorrow evening. Why are you here so early?"
"We suddenly received a guard mission, worried something was amiss here, so we came a day early to check things out, in case preparations were necessary," Rhode explained his reasoning.
Mira inquired, "Did something happen near the village, prompting the urgency to hire guards at great cost?"
Jasper hesitated, "There's actually nothing, or rather, to be honest, there's a small matter that's slightly unsettling…"
"Chief, where should this go?" Two young men arrived, carrying a stone mortar used for pounding rice cakes.
"Put it over there!" Jasper replied, then apologized, "It's not convenient to talk here, perhaps we could go to my home?"
Mira asked, "What about the tasks here?"
"I'll ask my wife to oversee things shortly, just need to explain to the young ones how to set it up," Jasper said, leading them towards his home.
With important matters unspeakable on the road, they indulged in small talk. Rhode asked about the village's condition, "It seems the harvest was quite good this year."