As time passed, the festival approached. In no time, the Moon Festival was upon them.
Yami finally understood why this event was so beloved. It felt like New Year's in his previous life. All of Orario was adorned with lights, and adventurers put their explorations on hold to join in the festivities. Dressed in their most casual attire, they filled the streets, participating in various entertainment activities, and even the food stalls were packed with people.
The influx of people led to a shortage of goods, but even the rapid rise in prices couldn't dampen the enthusiasm for the annual event. People were eager to celebrate, and the streets were filled with all sorts of trinkets and novelties unique to this world.
Yami was, of course, not one to miss out on the festivities. However, he didn't come alone. In fact, his group was quite large. Along with Tsubaki, Shinobu, Kanae, Kanao, and others from the Hephaestus familia, even the Hestia familia joined in. Notably, almost everyone surrounding Yami was female. The other men had found various excuses and dispersed to different parts of Orario.
The sight of Yami accompanied by such a large group of women naturally drew attention. Passersby, adventurers, and even gods couldn't help but look at him with a mix of envy, jealousy, and even a bit of resentment. If looks could kill, Yami might have met his end countless times by now. Yet, he paid no mind to the stares.
"It's so lively! Attending the Moon Festival was definitely the right choice!" exclaimed Goddess Hestia, her eyes sparkling as she admired the festive decorations along the street. She was dressed in brand-new clothes and was visibly excited by everything around her. Since establishing and growing her familia, Hestia's life had only improved. The loli goddess was gradually discovering the joys of the lower world. In many ways, she was incredibly fortunate.
When most of the children in the lower world had already joined other familias, Hestia, with little to no skills or reputation, would have struggled to form her own. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken her considerable effort to establish and expand her familia. Even in the original timeline, if she hadn't met Bell Cranel, it's unclear how long it would have taken for her to properly establish her familia.
But now, thanks to Yami's intervention, everything had accelerated. Not only had the strength of her familia members increased, but their quality of life had improved significantly. While they still owed a debt, it wasn't as overwhelming as expected. With the wealth accumulated by the former Demon Slayer Corps, led by Kagaya, more than half of the debt had already been paid off, leaving a manageable balance. And at least, Goddess Hestia wasn't pressuring them.
Overall, the Hestia familia was moving in a positive direction.
"Come one, come all! Gather around!" A commanding voice suddenly rang out, catching everyone's attention. "If you're far away, listen closely. If you're near, come see for yourself! Here at the Moon Festival, we have the most exciting sideshow! Adventurers, come and test your strength!"
The voice captivated the crowd. Hestia, who had been full of excitement, paused and curiously looked in the direction of the sound. In contrast, Goddess Hephaestus's expression became more focused.
"If I'm not mistaken, that voice belongs to Hermes," Hephaestus said. "What could he be up to this time?"
"Who knows?" replied Hestia. "Why don't we go and find out?"
The suggestion was immediately agreed upon by the group. Yami, however, wore a knowing expression. So, it's finally happening, he thought. Despite the changes in the plot, some events were destined to occur, as if guided by fate. Was this by design, or merely a coincidence?
With these thoughts, Yami followed the crowd. On a makeshift stage at the side of the street, Hermes was hosting an event like a master of ceremonies. His voice rose and fell, drawing in the passing crowd. Beside him, a magnificent spear was embedded in a crystal.
"Step right up if you have confidence in yourself!" Hermes called out. "Who will be the hero to pull out this spear? This is no ordinary weapon—only the chosen one can draw it forth! Whoever succeeds will receive the blessing of the goddess of chastity and the opportunity to travel the world, sponsored by the Adventurers' Guild. Anyone can try! Test your strength and courage!"
Hermes was a master of crowd control, and the effect of his words was immediate. The gathered adventurers erupted in cheers, their eyes filled with anticipation and eagerness to participate. Many were already preparing to step up.
"What is Hermes planning? Organizing an event with the guild... Could this be part of the Moon Festival?" Hestia wondered aloud, clearly puzzled.
However, Hephaestus and Tsubaki, both skilled blacksmiths, immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of the spear on stage.
"Hephaestus-sama, could that spear be...?" Tsubaki asked Hephaestus, her tone uncertain.
"Yes, you're not mistaken," Hephaestus confirmed with a nod, a hint of surprise in her voice. "That's a weapon capable of killing gods. Judging by its style, it's likely Artemis's 'Orion Spear.' Has she really violated the rules by using divine power?"
"Eh? How could that be? Artemis would never break the rules!" Hestia exclaimed, shocked by Hephaestus's words. "Does that mean she's been sent back to heaven?"
Hestia, who was close friends with Artemis, was visibly worried. The news was difficult for her to accept.
"Don't worry, Hestia," Hephaestus reassured her. "We don't know the full story yet. But if the 'Orion Spear' is here in Orario and Hermes is using it in this event, it means Artemis likely hasn't been sent back to heaven. We can ask Hermes for the details after this."
Calmed by Hephaestus's words, Hestia nodded. "You're right. Let's wait and see what happens."
The group stayed to watch the sideshow unfold. Meanwhile, Yami, from the moment he spotted Hermes, had already sensed the presence of Artemis. Not only that, but he also noticed Rengoku, Tengen, and other familiar faces among the crowd. They, too, had come to the stage, hoping to pull out the 'Orion Spear.' But despite their best efforts, none of them succeeded. No matter how strong the adventurer, the spear remained firmly in place.
Time passed as one adventurer after another tried and failed.