Event Quest:I'm Not Afraid of Halloween!:VN:5-1

[Translation by Kukuru]

Location: Daikanyama Academy

[Night 5: A Pumpkin holds the festival]

---

I will ask you this. That time when the Pumpkins asked you something...

Tell me exactly what happened that time.

...... Alright, I'll tell you what happened.

At the time, I... wanted my personality to be optimistic.

Although I knew that my own wish was impossible... I couldn't help but wish for it during that time.

Suddenly, pumpkin children appeared before Arslan-sama and I and said this...

That wish will come true. My heart will be brighter.

“That's why you should encourage all kinds of people with these pumpkins.”

Next thing I knew, a pumpkin head mask was attached to my head.

As you all understand, isn't that what happened?

2 options (Same Response)
Something popped out when I slashed the pumpkin.	I felt like I heard a voice.

I see......

Alice pokes her temple with her small finger and tilts her head.

Her forefinger creates a rhythm like a small bird steadily pecking at a husk.

Finally, she raises her head and describes one inference and hypothesis.

Uncle lion? I have a small favor to ask...

Hohoh, what do you need?

Volos' pumpkin that is sitting there, I need you to make a clean cut.

I haven't used this sword for cutting recently, but... You got it, Lass! Here goes!!

???:( face) Cripes, we've been found out! Ugh, this suuuuuucks!!

Huh!? W-What, what!? I hear someone's voice even though nobody else is here!

Arslan-sama! That voice... It has to be...!

???:( face) Kyahahaha!

???:( face) Aw, that's too bad. Welp, looks like our game of hide-n-seek is over!

???:( face) I wonder what game we'll play next time? I'm sure it will be a ton of fun! Catch you later!

...... Just as I expected. Somehow I knew that was the case.

2 options (Same Response)
The hell was that voice just now?	What were in those pumpkins?

Mmmmm... For some reason, I feel like I heard that voice before...

So the voice we heard was not any different. What in the world was that voice?

Let's see... Oh? I think... it might've been a fairy.

How can you be so sure of that, Wolf boy? There are other possibilities, y'know.

'Cause I'm a fairy dog. It's a bit different, but the scent is peculiar to fairies.

What the... Cusith-sama is a fairy...?

W-Whaaaa?! You're surprised to find out I'm a fairy!?

You have the right idea, Cusith. Even if you say there's one fairy, there's actually many types and appearances.

There was like a distinct scent mixed in with it though. I think it was like... a sweet pumpkin scent.

Those kids... They're like in between a ghost and fairy.

A very modest being that appears only in the Halloween season.

1 option
So it's some kind of evil spirit then?

The Halloween festival is the meaning of a harvest festival, while also being a festival that appeases the visitors of the world at night.

Facing the winter solstice, the world of light gradually shortens and the world of darkness becomes longer, precisely a season of dusk.

Maria mentioned something about that. She said that Halloween lanterns are lights that console the souls and spirits.

We, too, may perform a "calming ceremony" at this time of year... Of course.

The good spirits that lose sight of the light are guided, and the evil spirits that gathered, wander in the dark. Whichever it may be, there is nothing strange about it.

1 option
Is that the truth about the voice from earlier?

If the affected person listened to that voice, I believe it's reasonable to assume so.

Here's the next question to think about, "How did a fairy get inside the pumpkin?"

.........

Pardon me, Volos? It's about your "Sacred Artifact."

It has some kind of effect to vegetation. I assume that's a fair interpretation?

.........

Volos... -san...?

...... *Sigh*. Volos. Are you listening?

Oh, my bad, my bad. Let's see now, you were discussing about my "Sacred Treasure," right?

Okay... So my "Sacred Artifact" is not limited only to vegetation. To put it in easier terms, I can "enrich things that are scarce."

Since I'm an Agricultural student, I often use it for plants. I use it to "enrichen" the soil's nutrition...

In fact, I've been relying on it for experiments with the composts and soil in my pumpkin patch.

I wished to "spread the delicious pumpkins even more." But...

That should be irrelevant.

It's not limited to me, but when you leave the area produced by the "App," all the outcomes from using the "Sacred Artifact" will revert back.

A shiny wall comes out when you use the "App." When it disappears, everything you've done with the "Sacred Artifact" will be completely gone.

One more thing I want to add. The pumpkins originally didn't have the power to make someone act strangely.

Even if my "Rule" can turn one into ten, it still can't turn zero into one.

I understand now. Then there could only be one solution.

Those fairies went inside the pumpkins and utilized their power. There is no other solution other than that.

But, how are the fairies able to use such power? Without the "App," the power of us, "Transients," are limited.

Does that mean you fiddled with the smartphone's "App" inside the pumpkin?

No, there's no need for that. The "Closed Area" is still there.

The power used by Volos is in the "Closed Area" inside the pumpkin.

1 option
Inside the pumpkin?!

Volos is aware of this naturally, but a pumpkin is hollow inside.

"Pumpkin heads" can be abused. That's why you can use them as "headgear" by carving out the insides.

...... It's not that well known, but there is only one case where the "Rule" remains even after shutting off the "App."

"Closed Areas"... That is something that exists only for "Transients" and "App Users."

In the "Closed Area" where the conditions are met, you can continue using your "Rule."

2 options (Same Response)
The same thing happened in Ikebukuro.	When I was locked up in the underground fighting area...

Spiritual beings like fairies can get in by slipping through the husk. Then, they cause an influence on those that put on the pumpkins.

That's how the fairies' power is put inside a person's head. In other words, they cause an influence on the person's mind.

...... If that is the case, then I'll provide an explanation at this time.

W-Wait just a minute! But why only in my pumpkins!?

Volos, care to share how much "sugar content" there is in the pumpkins you produced?

Huh, the sugar content? Surely when I measured it with a sugar scale before shipment, it should been around 30 degrees.

Heeey, question here! "Sugar content"... what the heck is that?

"Sugar content" is the degree of sweetness of fruits and vegetables... I think I'm around the mark there.

Correcto. 30 degrees of sugar content is roughly the same as a ripe high-grade melon.

2 options (Same Response)
That is very sweet!	So that's why the pumpkins smelled so sweet...

Indeed... That pumpkin smells swee- No, it's very sweet!

...... Of course, I can also see Maria-sama and the others put a lot of effort into making candy.

Yup! If it's that sweet, it's a good way to show off your cooking and baking skills!

But... What's so strange about that?

Excuse me, Uncle Lion? In what way do you think the pumpkins carried in were handled?

How? I was told that... the insides that were cleaned out were used for cooking, and the husk was used for lanterns...... Ohoh.

Yes...... The sweet pumpkins were eaten, decorated, and spread across Daikanyama Academy.

Spirits and fairies have gathered here at Daikanyama Academy, drawn by the festival known as "Halloween."

If it were your normal, every day pumpkins, there wouldn't be any issues. After all, pumpkins used as lanterns are ill-suited as food.

A tragedy has happened however! The pumpkins this time were "abnormally sweet and delicious."

Indeed. To sum it up, the fairies were especially drawn to the pumpkins Volos grew.

...... Has anyone here heard of the word, "Cantrip," in this regard?

Wait, Alice-chan, how do you know about that? That's easy magic used by us fairies.

Very good, Cusith. It's mischief caused by the fairies, and a small power of charity.

An "abracadabra" that results in such magic... That is Cantrip.

The fairy heard the wish put into the pumpkin through his "Rule," which remained inside.

Within the "Closed Area," the fairies should be able to use their power to "grant such wishes"...

The wish granted was "I want to spread these pumpkins," no?

Now... Think about it.

A wish entrusted to the pumpkin, too strong of a sweetness. The good-spirited fairies were drawn in to that.

As you are aware, they are mischievous, so they like things that are enjoyable.

Wearing empty pumpkins is a Halloween custom.

Today is Halloween, above all else. The season of dusk. The time where fairies cause trouble.

1 option
All of that overlapped, causing this incident to happen?

If any of these factors are missing, an incident like this one would never have happened.

I believe magic for tricks is nonsense, but... This is Pretty Detective Alice's speculation!

That can't... No, but... Aaaa...!!

...... I see... What if... the mastermind behind this incident... was me...?

2 options (Same Response)
This has to be some kind of mistake...!	Volos is not a bad guy!

...... Did you misunderstand me? I am a detective. It's only a speculation based on the current state of affairs.

[Player]... Thanks, I appreciate it.

This is all my fault though. I just wanted to make y'all happy. That's my excuse.

I am terribly sorry to have caused y'all trouble like that. I should have been more careful about the contamination.

Contamination? Hmmm... Could that be a technical term?

Cahn-tahm-min-nay-shun. It's to be polluted by blendin' substances with bacteria, which ain't good for experiments.

It was a very particular concern, but this time I went too far with my pumpkins.

That was something I needed to get rid of the most.

2 options (Same Response)
You mean getting rid of your personal attachments?	What do you mean?

[Player]... Hear me out. I originally came from another world.

So I undertaken a little important position: Manage the development of produce and plants.

But, I am but a juvenile who still has a lot to learn... Just as I thought, I couldn't do anything that I wanted.

There was also harassment that lightning strikes down and burns the fields...

Back in Kitezh, they were the greatest and most believed in, so it was too much to handle.

2 options (Same Response)
That's horrible...	It's unusual for you to say things like that.

Well, it's my personal opinion, so it might turn out that. Just take what I say with a grain of salt.

I... was hated by them, because I happened to hate them too.

They did hurt my precious friend after all.

Even now I have become someone who aspires to science to push aside a biased viewpoint, I can't give up those feelings I had.

He was such a nice fellow. I really liked him.

That friend of mine... Yeah, you might resemble him a little, [Player].

But, it's because of that I've been glared at by them. They're interfering with me using my "Rule."

That's why I struggled with the people back home who have come to believe in me.

That's the reason why I made a wish. "I want more power to grow lots of produce for everyone."

I was summoned in response to that voice. Then we met, and worked on researching agriculture.

2 options (Same Response)
Volos is crazy about research...	You're an agricultural student 'cause of that?

My "Rule" and the knowledge and experiences I've acquired here...

If I can combine them, I can create a world where no one would ever be hungry.

And someday, I'll return to my original world... and save him. Even if there is no one to believe in me.

I wanted it for a very long time. I wanted to spread something great for the sake of everyone.

Even if I won't be around sometime later on, to make a world where nobody would be starving...

Say, [Player]. My wish... It's not wrong, is it?

2 options
Of course, you decided it.	Good wishes don't always lead to good results.
But... If that being the case, then this sort of thing should never have happened.	Yup, that's what Alice-chan wanted to say......

The other side of "kindness" may be... conceited self-righteousness.

I am still a hopeless guy-

???:( face) That's not truuuuuue!!

...... So you finally shown yourselves.

2 options (Same Response)
Why now!	Volos, be careful!

We're happy that you noticed us. Thank you, thank you.

We are the ones who have been born by your wish.

B-Because of my wish!? My wish... is to put an end to this uproar!

No can do~. A seed that has sprouted can't go back. After it has sprouted, it'll just steadily grow and grooooow.

Come on, let's go! We and everyone are gonna give you a warm welcome.

W-Wait just a second here! Where are y'all taking me... Uwaaaa!!

Many of the Lanterns lift up Volos and makes a run for it.

[Player], help meeeeeeee!!

......!

...... Large numbers! There's too many of them!!

...... I am extremely sorry, Arslan-sama. I couldn't make it in time to rescue Volos-sama.

Their strength this time is stronger than before... What I don't understand though is, why are they after Volos!

.........

2 options (Same Response)
Stop!	What are you going to do with Volos!?

We don't like you! That's why we can't let you get in our way!

......!

Eeeeeeeeeeh!? More of them are starting to pop up! T-T-T-T-There shouldn't be this many!!

The number of pumpkins that appeared are far more than you experienced before.

They circle and surround you, blocking off your path and leaving no gaps open, and focusing their attention on you.

We're just gonna stand in your way, right here! Scary people should just go away!!