Sense of Nostalgia

The town was brimming with activity.

Caravans come and go, each of them bringing their cargo before returning back to bring even more. Taverns and cafes stocking food and drink for the upcoming customers that they knew would be larger in number than usual. Across the street, entertainers preparing their stands where people could have fun with the game that they set. At the city center, the townsfolks were building a stage where performance could be played.

"Everyone looks busy."

"Of course, they are! The festival is only in a matter of a week!" Padfoot Waitress replied as she brought the order. "Here you go, Miss Hunter!"

Good Hunter accepted the bowl of chicken stew and a mug of ale. As she enjoyed her meal, she took a look at the adventurers in the building. There were few of them than usual. Those who were in the building were also looked relaxed, being inside because it was their usual gathering place rather than wanting to take any quest.

After finishing the meal and leaving the payment on the table, Good Hunter went towards the quest board. It seemed to be emptier than usual; normally, some papers would cover others but this time, there was enough room for all of them to be seen in the entirety.

"Ah, Good Hunter!" She turned her head and found herself face-to-face with Guild Girl. "Something I can help you with?"

"I notice there are fewer quests than usual." She replied.

"Well, as you know, it's almost the Harvest Festival. There's a good reason that it is celebrated when monsters' activity at its lowest."

"I thought it is winter when some monsters decide to hibernate."

"Alright." Guild Girl rolled her eyes before laughing. "At its lowest during harvest season."

"I see." Good Hunter took one of the papers. "Most of it seems to be an escort mission."

"Of course. People from all walks of life with various reasons will come to the city for the festival. Many of them will need protection." She stopped smiling when she realized that the adventurer was not listening to her. "Um, Good Hunter?"

She didn't give any sign of hearing the Guild's staff. Good Hunter intensely stared at the paper. More precisely, the word "escort" that was written on it.

"Ms. Hunter, they're coming close!"

"Damn it! Get down the stairs, I'll hold them off!"

"But…"

"Don't worry, it won't be long. You won't even realize I was gone."

"O-Okay."

"Good Hunter!" She stopped her thought and looked at the worried face of Guild Girl. "Are you alright?"

She turned her eyes towards the paper in her hand, crumpled by the pressure of her hand. She attached it back to the board before taking several steps away.

"I am sorry." Good Hunter replied. "Just a bad memory."

The Guild's staff merely nodded her head. Even for those who lived a successful life as an adventurer, there were always moments that they wished to forget. Monsters, bandits, practitioners of dark arts, many of them could give even the strongest person a nightmare or two. It didn't surprise her that Good Hunter has her own baggage.

"I'll…I'll take my leave." The adventurer said as she went towards the door.

"O-Of course." Guild Girl replied as she waved her hand. "Good luck, miss."

With the door closed, she let out a sigh and focused back on her work. She needed to finish her work or else she would be forced to do it during the festival.

In front of a tombstone, Doll was currently praying for the departing soul. After finishing her prayer, she stood up, dusted her dress, and went to another tombstone. When she arrived, there was already another person there; it was none other than Good Hunter, sitting opposite of the tombstone. On it, words were written.

FOR THE ABANDONED GIRL

DAUGHTER OF

GASCOIGNE AND VIOLA

MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE

"Hmm?" The Hunter, noticing Doll, looked up. "Ah, it's you, Doll."

"Good Hunter." She put her hand on her shoulder. "Your soul is not in peace."

"What gives it away?" She let out a laugh but it felt empty of happiness. "Just wondering, do you know how many people have died during the Night of the Hunt?"

"Ever since the First Hunter drew his blade, countless men, women, and children have perished through many means, either being targets or collateral."

Both women remained silent in front of the tombstone. After a few moments, Good Hunter stood up and went towards the workshop. Once she was inside, she went to the table where she conducted an investigation regarding a peculiar symbol that she found in one of her quests.

She hoped it was merely an unfortunate coincidence but she knew better than that; the symbol was, without doubt, the Caryll Rune of Formless Oedon. She didn't know how or why it appeared in the ruins. What she knew was that the existence of a Caryll Rune did not bode well for the future, especially one that has a connection to a Great One.

At the moment, she was walking in the dark, having no clue at all. She needed to collect more before her investigation could lead to somewhere meaningful. It was just like in Yharnam; travel around the labyrinth of a city to find a clue to finish her task which could involve visiting the same place more than thrice.

There could be people during the festival that could help. She had heard that the Dwarfs were well-known for their runes. There were also Elves who were very gifted with magic, even more so than humans.

Besides, she really needed a way to calm herself down less she lost it.

The Harvest Festival was currently in full swing. People from all over the place, from all walks of life, were celebrating together on the street, on the taverns, on almost everywhere. The street vendors were offering various good and service, from a skewered meat and vegetable to a game of throwing balls into the mouth of the stone frog.

In front of the gate, surrounded by people entering and leaving the town, Good Hunter was having a last inspection of her clothing and weapons. She was wearing the late Lady Maria's Hunter Set with her weapons being Rakuyo and Evelyn, the same weapons that Lady Maria used during their fight in the Astral Clocktower.

All in all, she looked like a noble who decide to celebrate the festival on the street. Somewhat eye-catching but not exactly notable. There would be more people like that inside.

The first thing that she noticed the moment she set her foot inside was the smell of burning flesh. She reminded herself that it was very, very unlikely that it was the smell of a burning corpse. Especially since the smell of burning corpse wouldn't be this…pleasant.

The smell was if she had to describe it with a word, savory. Just from it alone she knew that the flesh was seasoned with salt and pepper. She looked at where the smell came from and as expected, it was from a vendor roasting poultry on skewers.

Well, she went to the festival as a way to relax. What better way to do that than fulfilling her stomach?

"Ah, young lady!" The vendor, noticing Good Hunter, greeted her. "Fancy yourself some street food?"

"I would like one." She replied, emphasized by her index finger raised.

"Of course!" He gave her one of the skewers. "Here you go, young lady!"

"Keep the change." She said after giving the money and went away, leaving the surprised vendor with a gold coin.

She tried to enjoy the taste and aroma in their entirety but ended up eating all of it in less than a minute. Sighing, Good Hunter threw the skewer into one of the bins provided to collect trash. She wandered around the town, trying to find something entertaining.

After they finished their date, Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl went to their separate way. As she looked at the ring that he put on her right ring finger, she wondered what else she could do in the festival.

"Oh, I should buy something for Uncle." She said to herself before laughing a little. "It's a shame that he's unable to celebrate it with everyone."

Cow Girl began to think about what to buy. If it was food or drink, they would likely be spoiled when she arrived at the farm. So, it needed to be an item of the sort. Problem was, she didn't know what kind of trinket that men like. Ring? Necklace?

She stopped her thought when she heard the sound of children being excited. When she looked at the source, she saw them currently watching a monkey juggling several balls while its tamer was playing the drum. She smiled upon seeing it, finding the show rather cute in her opinion.

Suddenly, her face lost its smile. She immediately turned around. When she didn't see what she felt, she started to run around, trying to find whatever caused her to feel it again.

She remembered that feeling. She remembered it very well. After all, it was the feeling that reunited her with her childhood friend. After that meeting, she no longer felt it again. Make sense as she didn't need it anymore.

So, who could trigger that feeling again?

"Think…think…" Cow Girl thought that as she ran around. "Who do you know back in your old village?"

There were her parents, obviously. She also remembered that she had another friend or two besides Goblin Slayer. There were also others like the old man who often told her story, the woman who she often called "auntie" who knew how to make a pastry, and…

Suddenly, she slipped up and fell to the road. It attracted the attention of the people around her. She went up a little and let out a grunt of pain.

"Ouch…"

"Oi, are you alright?"

Cow Girl raised her head and saw a man with a spear crouched down in front of her, offering his hand. She accepted it and the adventurer helped her stand up.

"I am fine." She said as she dusted her dress. "I just thought I…saw someone that I haven't seen for…a long time."

"I…see…" A woman wearing a witch outfit suddenly approached them. "Ah…it is…you…"

"Huh? Do I…" Cow Girl took a closer look at her before she finally remembered. "Ah, it's you!"

"Have we ever…" This time, it was Spearman turned to remember. "Ah, I remember. You once posted a quest for an escort."

"T-That's right." She said as she focused her mind on the pair. "So, you guys are celebrating here as well."

"Well, this is…where we…work…" Witch replied as she lightened her pipe. "So…about the…person you are…looking for…"

"Ah!" Cow Girl began to look around, trying to find the one that she has been looking for. "Looks like…I lose…her…"

Her. That was right. For some reason, she was unable to immediately recognize her, unlike with Goblin Slayer. Was it because she was someone more distant than him?

But still, who was it?

Inside a tavern, the three people that often work together with Goblin Slayer – High Elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman, and Lizard Priest – were currently enjoying their meal. The biggest person in the group was happily enjoying his meat that was served with cheese, though it looked more like as if the cheese was served with meat toppings. The only woman, on the other hand, was still sulking.

"Come on now, Anvil. Just let it go." Dwarf Shaman said as he drank his mead. "There's a difference between throwing a ball and shooting an arrow."

"I know that! But there's no way I couldn't land even a single ball!" High Elf Archer complained in return.

"Everyone has their bad day, Madam Elf." Lizard Priest stated as he kept enjoying his "nectar." "I am sure you could do better next time."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." She replied as she took a sip of her wine.

Suddenly, without warning, the elf spat out her drink, causing a mess on the table. She started to cough and banged the table, making even more mess on it. Fortunately, Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest managed to grab their food and moved it away from High Elf Archer.

"What is wrong with you, long ear?" The dwarf asked loudly.

Rather than answering her companion, the archer instead opened the window beside her and took her head out, seemingly trying to find something. The other two of the group wondered what could cause her to act like that.

"Madam Elf, is there something wrong?" Lizard Priest asked as he gently put down his plate.

"What? None of you feel it?" High Elf Archer asked back, pulling her head back. "It's not even inside the building and I can feel it as clear as a sunny day!"

"We're not as attuned to nature as the elves." Dwarf Shaman stated. "Why don't you tell us what the problem is?"

"It's…" She tried to say something but suddenly stopped as she gritted her teeth. "I…I don't know how to explain it…properly. We Elves have our words to describe it but I am not sure what a proper translation would be."

"Maybe you could give us a rough picture?" The priest suggested.

"Hmm…it's…it's as if something is…it's just not right…" Her voice became sharper. "The feeling that something is just not right. It's not supposed to exist."

Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest looked at each other. Admittedly, it wasn't much of a clue. Their experience, however, was more than enough to compensate.

Looks like they need to do another job before they could celebrate the festival at its fullest.

A part of her mind cursed the fact that she wouldn't be able to continue enjoying the festival. Another part was quite hopeful about the possibility of finding a clue regarding her current investigation.

She didn't know why but Good Hunter could feel that the person that she was currently following did not have a good intention in the slightest. She couldn't see their gender or race due to the robe that they wore.

After several minutes of walking among the celebrating populace, the robed figure moved towards an alley. Good Hunter followed his trail, Rakuyo ready to be drawn at the slightest sign of hostility. Slowly but steadily, the chased and the chaser walked further away from the public eye.

"What the…"

Before she could finish her thought, Good Hunter found herself having to deflect an incoming attack. As she jumped away from the attacker, she looked at her surrounding; looked nothing like an alley of a town.

"It seems that I am right." She turned her attention towards the speaker, none other than her attacker. "A brave, foolish adventurer decides to face me alone!"

As the attacker, likely a male from his voice, laughed, Good Hunter looked closer at her attacker. The first thing that she noticed was the pointed ears that he has. Judging from his height, the man in front of her was an elf. Not just any elf though; his tanned skin indicated that he was a Dark Elf.

"Adventurers these days. So full of glory, yet no power to back it up." Dark Elf spoke again before preparing another attack. "No need to pray, woman. Not even your gods could help you."

He dashed towards her, faster than what any human could ever achieve except a select few. Good Hunter was part of that exception for none of his attack was able to seriously injure her. He did manage to make some scratches though.

"Such power…" Dark Elf said as he moved back. "The reflects, the skill, you must be silver. Perhaps approaching a gold."

When he talked, she tried to use the chance by throwing a knife towards him, which he simply avoided by sidestepping.

"With you as a sacrifice, my Master will be more than pleased." He stated as he let out another laugh. "Give up, woman! You're trapped here with no way of reinforcement coming!"

"Trapped?" Good Hunter finally uttered a word. "You are right."

She took several steps forward. As she did so, her left hand when to the handle of Rakuyo.

"But I am not trapped here." She separated the sword, now wielding a katana on one hand and a dagger on another. "You are trapped with me."

Dark Elf was almost taken aback. She said it not with a mocking tone. It was as if she merely desired to fix a mistake, like a mother telling her child when the latter made a bad decision. He squinted her eyes and growled a little.

How dare for her to even think that she stood a chance to beat him?

"Have it your way, woman!" He exclaimed as the elf dashed towards her.

As their blade clashed into each other, Good Hunter was thinking about a lot of things. A part of her mind tried to predict and memorize his movements. Another part wondered how she could suddenly appear in gods-know-where. Yet another part focused on making sure that both of them were alone.

And the last part wondered how many times she was going to die until she succeeded.

And it is finally done.

If you have a question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.

Review, please!