Chapter 193: Festival of Spring

Spring could indeed be felt clearly. It was as if overnight, the cold wind had transformed to become warm and gentle. The stiff, dry branches of the roadside trees, though already dotted with specks of green, had not fully bloomed. But the pedestrians in the city only just now took off their slightly bulky coats, looking more spirited.

The already busy Poitou City instantly became extraordinarily lively. It was as if the dullness and gloom accumulated during the winter had been driven out of the houses and out of the city in just a few days. This city, where it never snowed all year round, was like a young man who had just put down a heavy burden and set off lightly.

The so-called chilly spring was just like this; the Bolerum Territory had just experienced the baptism of a cold wave rarely seen in years. Although it would not affect spring plowing, for the citizens, especially the children, this weather was certainly not a good day to go out. And lacking the bell-like laughter of the children, the city naturally felt somewhat lacking in vitality, not lively enough. Fortunately, all that had passed.

The roads were neat and bright, and shop entrances displayed eye-catching banners of various colors. Merchants shouted vigorously, and all kinds of long-absent rare items filled the counters. Snow rabbit fur products just transported from the north after the start of spring, cold-water pearls fished from the deep sea, and colorful glassware from the southern countries; the dazzling array of goods was overwhelming.

Of course, the best-selling items were still celebration supplies like colored balls and funny masks. Whether rich or poor, everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first festival of the new year: the Spring Festival, the Grass Festival.

At the same time, a large number of circuses, wandering poets, touring dance troupes, and theater troupes gathered, carrying their luggage and lining up in long queues before the pass leading into the Bolerum Territory.

George, who was at City Hall, tapped the table in front of him and said, “No, we cannot let those people into Poitou City this year. Even Morbihan Port had better not open to them.”

“But Lord, last year’s Spring Festival was held quite grandly! If there is such a big change this year and those entertainment groups are not allowed into the city, will it spark some bad rumors?” Ketterwell explained to George with a troubled look, while wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

With the continuous economic growth in recent years, a large portion of the commoners in the Bolerum Territory had spare money in their hands. As the saying goes, warm thoughts breed wild desires. No! It should be said that after material life was guaranteed to a certain extent, people began to yearn for spiritual enjoyment.

Similarly, just as fresh meat attracts vicious dogs, such a treasure trove would naturally attract a swarm of entertainment workers. For them, Poitou City was the biggest gold mine outside the capital, Karada.

Of course, last year’s Spring Festival seemed particularly grand and lively. To add to the festive atmosphere and attract those touring theater troupes to the Bolerum Territory, George had not only waived the entry tax required to enter Poitou City. At the same time, the Acting Lord, whom many called generous, announced that he would give a reward of fifteen Gold Coins to every float that satisfied him in order to decorate this grand festival. This was definitely a huge sum. Everyone in the theater troupes desperately hoped that this reward could fall into their hands.

Although there was no limit on the number of rewards in the announcement, this actually made those people worry. This not only meant that many competitors were eyeing the money. It also meant that if no one satisfied George, this big patron, everyone might end up with nothing. Therefore, the groups that came prepared to make a fortune were all mustering their energy.

The Spring Festival officially started at two o’clock in the afternoon on the first day, but much earlier, people had already gathered together. Under the brilliant sunshine, the gate of enthusiasm in people’s hearts was easily opened. Around those floats, people placed their own tables, chairs, and benches. For a time, the wide streets became a very lively gathering place. The residents of the Bolerum Territory, who rarely had a day off, treated this open-air street as a club and salon that anyone could participate in.

At the same time, the streets on both sides of the main road were packed with people preparing to participate in the parade. In fact, although there were many floats, the floats of the theater troupes often left a deeper impression. Because they were professionals, these floats appeared noble and elegant compared to the other floats nearby.

When George was at City Hall last year, watching these floats pass through the square in front of the door, he could feel that the leaders of those theater troupes had put a lot of thought into decorating their floats. Of course, they wouldn’t spend too much money, after all, their daily lives were still quite difficult.

In fact, the area near those floats seemed quite lively. As touring theater troupes, they certainly knew how to seize the opportunity to attract audiences with their performances.

Such things seemed commonplace, because George knew that in the small alleys beside the distant street, starting from the dressing rooms temporarily arranged for changing clothes—they were using their unique assets to fill their pockets for a long time to come.

Outside the small alley, many people were watching with gusto; they were all there to see the actresses of the touring theater troupes change clothes—for them, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Not only were they watching, but those people were also making comments. And those actresses were already used to all this; they didn’t care if anyone was watching. In fact, that was also a means to attract business.

And once a male actor squeezed into the crowd, the actresses immediately teased him. Of course, more than half of it was acting, because making those onlookers jealous was much more effective than actively seducing them. The actresses were well-versed in the tricks.

Because in a touring theater troupe, relying solely on performances would absolutely not fill one’s stomach. Therefore, privately, the touring theater troupes served those rich gentlemen and ladies who were unsatisfied. If they could satisfy these people, those people were actually quite generous.

For that kind of life, the actresses in the troupe might have various concerns and each prepared a way out for their future. But the male actors didn’t have much dissatisfaction; after all, in the eyes of most people, their profession was what any man dreamed of.

After all, being able to be intimate with many women, doing something that makes any man feel comfortable and happy, and also getting paid by the women, this was undoubtedly an enjoyment only found in heaven.

Well, this also had more or less to do with the customs of this world. Because of the influence of habits before the disintegration of the empire, at least at this time among the commoner class, their concept of chastity was not strong.

And the relationship between the protagonists and noble ladies in certain knight novels also made the behavior of living off women and being a pretty boy not despised. Although the knights in the territory clearly sneered at that set of sayings.

The most eye-catching things on those floats were the piles of snow-white cotton, which really looked like clouds floating in the air. Moving among them were angels with white wings and small spirits with wings like dragonflies. If there really were so many beautiful and moving women in Heavenly Mountain, then for most men, heaven would indeed be a place worth living permanently.

And Joey was more interested in how the other party made those crystal-clear fairy wings. Later understanding made George suddenly realize—it turned out that fine iron wire and maltose syrup could actually be used in this way. When the golden sunlight passed through those pale amber wings, it was truly dazzlingly beautiful. On the contrary, the women in it were not outstanding in the eyes of George and his group. However, this team called “Forest Fairies” won the fifteen Gold Coins in George’s pocket with their exquisite craftsmanship.

Of course, among these floats, there was no lack of women who caught the eye. One of them wore a metal ruler’s crown on her head, draped in a rare and expensive blood-colored war robe, with armor painted gold tied to her chest. She stood there valiantly holding a golden Spear, and her unique beauty attracted the onlookers.

Obviously, as a female, she had a tall stature that stood out from the crowd. Her brown, restless hair hung in waves behind her head, and her sideburns were trimmed short, completely revealing her ears. Her nose bridge appeared too straight, somewhat unsoft; her sharp chin and the somewhat masculine, angular mouth did not match very well; only those eyes could make people feel a trace of feminine gentleness. But this appearance full of masculinity was quite rare among women and was indeed very suitable for playing the role of a female warrior.

Making reasonable use of one’s own conditions was a method for every woman. So this troupe, which seemed to be named “Tabatha’s Nightingale,” not only won George’s reward but also earned substantial profits for themselves during the celebration in the following days. According to gossip, Hiren seemed to have just recovered from his injury at that time when he went to perform a private duo with the heroine on the float.

Of course, the liveliest among these floats were actually those composed of circuses. They not only had thrilling acrobatics. At the same time, there were performers wearing loose and funny clown costumes. The various inexplicable stupid things that clowns did were exactly the performances people liked to see most during this carnival festival. Moreover, clowns were also heroes in the eyes of children and the most popular figures.

However, there were really too many such groups, and George could only select the ones he was most satisfied with to give rewards.

Following that was the parade of women dressed flamboyantly and colorfully. They wore bright, wide-skirted dresses; some wore feathered hats, and some wore masks.

On both sides or in front and behind the women’s parade group were percussion bands of hundreds of men. The musicians wore strange clothes and trousers rarely seen on ordinary days, flashing in the brilliant sunshine. They played their instruments cheerfully and it was very lively.

Accompanied by the strong rhythm of the music, the dancers held their costumes, competing in beauty, singing and dancing along with the dance tune. It was a dance with violent shaking and large swaying of the waist, hips, and abdomen.

The dancers were in high spirits, and the spectators were entranced. Whether dancers or spectators, people forgot all their troubles, forgot their names, forgot to eat and drink; the intensity of their enthusiasm almost reached madness.

Recalling the activity he organized last year under the banner of sharing joy with the people, George did not feel that he had done anything wrong. Since some things were destined to happen, why not let them happen under his own nose!

And in terms of effect, it was quite good. Not only could the reputation of the Bolerum Territory be further spread through the Caravan and these touring entertainment groups! At the same time, such a carnival itself was also a good outlet for the citizen class who had accumulated a lot of pressure. At the very least, for a long time after that, public security cases decreased a lot.

Originally, George, having tasted the sweetness, intended to continue this kind of activity. Perhaps it would not only become a tradition of the Bolerum Territory. It might even become a new common celebration activity for the entire Western Continent.

However, this year George was not in that mood. After knowing that someone was likely to carry out sabotage activities in secret, these entertainment groups became the easiest hiding place for them. George would not let them into the city no matter what. Of course, this aspect needed strategy; he couldn’t let the other party realize that he had already discovered them.

“Luring the snake out of the hole” was the plan George set this time; he had to make those venomous snakes hiding in the dark expose themselves no matter what. Only by thoroughly beating them to death or crippling them would the Bolerum Territory have peaceful days in the future. Otherwise, the feeling of being stared at from behind all the time was really bad.

“Do you remember those brave warriors who sacrificed their lives to protect the Territory this winter? Without them, would you still have the chance to think about these entertainments? This is a sorrowful year; we have suffered unprecedented casualties. To mourn those heroic warriors, I absolutely will not allow any official entertainment activities to be organized. Of course, we will not point fingers at the needs of the people either.” George used his own strength to completely nail this matter down. The excuse used was also very sufficient and powerful.

But even though the station was set in the wild fields outside the city, the wealth of the Bolerum Territory still made a large number of groups stay.

“Remember to visit our Fairy Forest Dance Troupe! Be a good boy, and I’ll save a spot for you in the tent later.” The women wearing tights, revealing their plump figures clearly, winked and stuffed leaflets with beautiful patterns and the dance troupe’s name into the men’s arms, touching them teasingly as they did so.

Just like the previous theater troupes, those dancing girls who performed for a living did not mind, after the performance, taking audience members who could afford the price to their tents for an extra show. Extra income was, of course, the more the better.

At the same time, the exotic flair shown by certain foreign dancers among them was even more likely to arouse everyone’s desire. Compared to the snow-white skin of the Europa people, many people sometimes felt that those sexy wheat-colored bellies might better embody the beast hidden in women’s hearts. The dancers’ bellies and breasts trembling like hummingbird wings were enough to make every normal man’s mouth go dry.

The circuses intentionally pulled back the canvas outside the wild beast cages. Fierce and strong beasts paced back and forth in the cages, occasionally growling irritably at the watching crowd, causing screams from curious people, especially children.

At the same time, the cruel game of bear-baiting was also quite popular among certain gamblers. After paying money, people could let their own dogs fight a bear chained with an iron chain. As long as the dog could bite the bear until it howled, the dog owner could win a bonus.

And the solitary wandering poets, of course, did not have such a big scene. Wearing gorgeous and strange costumes, they walked calmly, only stopping to play a few notes and striking a melancholy and unrestrained pose when they saw a pretty young girl. After all, the city ban was directed at groups and vehicles, not individuals.

The girls of Poitou City blushed and secretly followed behind the poets they liked, wanting to know which inn he stayed at, exchanging information on where new handsome men had arrived.

Uninhibited, crazy, and happy continuous revelry would last for seven days. Except for the public servants who stuck to their posts, the time people looked forward to most every year had arrived.

However, for Gnat Street and the taverns with small rooms, the carnival was not a good day. Their business would be much bleaker, and they wished this losing week would end early.

The temptation of the dancers’ costumes and the graceful figures formed by long-term singing and dancing practice were naturally much more tempting. Most importantly, men always liked the new and disliked the old.

“Old Jack, give me a cup of Cider!” A hunchbacked man who had finished his day’s work walked into a tavern in the Lower District of Poitou.

The red roof, the exaggerated big signboard, and the loud noise of the drinkers constantly coming from the windows. All of it showed its busy atmosphere at the moment; in fact, this was far worse than usual.

“Foam and Sausage,” a tavern with such a vulgar name, was probably the liveliest place on the street in the Lower District. There was cheap and delicious beer, enthusiastic and loose barmaids, and the most famous small rooms. Although vulgar, every normal man could find his own fun there.

A moment later, in a corner of the “Foam and Sausage” tavern, the noise of a table being overturned and the whistles of onlookers came. The boss in the bar looked at the two drunks hugging and falling to the ground, turned his head and shouted loudly, “Anason! Why aren’t you going outside the city to watch the performance today? Did you think of our cute little Emma again?”

Everyone present knew that Emma was the most famous signboard girl of the “Foam and Sausage” tavern. When she performed a hot dance on the wine table, the excited howls of the men could almost overturn the roof.

Then there would be some drinker who said a few words to the boss and quietly stuffed a few Silver Bits, buying the right to stay alone with her for a period of time in the small room upstairs of the bar.

Generally, for a quarter of an hour, sometimes a little longer, Emma’s purse would also have a handful more “clinking” things.

In fact, after working for a few more years, Emma would be like her predecessors. She would take her savings to a place a little further away, find an honest man to marry. Of course, this was also their best outcome.

“Poitou City is our turf; those scum should all go to Hell.” Emma, whose business had clearly dropped these past few days, secretly cursed those outsiders in her heart.