#1050 There’s Always Something Similar in Every Generation

I’m Momoko the Heroine in the middle of winter.

As the chilly season sets in and farming takes a backseat, everyone seems to have some free time.

But that’s precisely when the star entertainer—yours truly—takes center stage!

...Huh? You’re wondering if I’m not a hero anymore?

Well, I’m currently juggling both heroics and entertainment.

After all, making people smile is the same in both roles!

But this year, the wrestling organization I’m part of is on a break, leaving me in a pinch and almost out on the streets!

Then, like a godsend, Princess Letasreit appeared.

She mentioned some big winter event and asked if I could help out since I seemed free.

It irks me to accept an invitation from the ex-princess, but a girl’s still gotta eat.

Fine, I’ll jump on your little money-making scheme!!!

So here I am, in some corner of the Human Kingdom.

Apparently, this is where the annual event takes place.

I wonder what we’ll be doing?

They must have something special planned for beauties like us!

Maybe we’ll be ring girls or race queens?

Kyaa!

Wearing skimpy outfits in front of a crowd is so scandalous!

But perhaps unveiling my hidden beauty might unleash a flood of marriage proposals from gentlemen who’ve finally noticed me?!

“Your wrestling costumes had similar exposure, didn’t they? And yet, no gentlemen approached you then.”

Stop it, Selena!

Don’t bring me back to reality so calmly!

Even so, a change of scenery might change how people see me!

And when we actually arrived at the venue...

“Step right up! Beans for sale! Celebrate this auspicious day with some beans!!!”

Ex-Princess Letasreit was... selling beans.

It was so predictable that I was actually surprised!!!

Crowds swarm the stall she has set up.

And what a surging crowd!

It’s almost like an idol concert!

For some reason, everyone wants the beans sold by the ex-princess!!!

“Beans are lucky charms! They ward off evil and are packed with life! Eat one, and you’ll cure diseases and extend your life! Eat two, and you’ll be even healthier and live longer! They’re nutrient-rich—there’s no downside! Perfect for moms and kids alike!”

She keeps reeling in customers with her smooth sales pitch.

She’s a real pro.

“If plain beans aren’t your thing, we have tofu, soy milk, miso, okara—you name it! Especially soy milk—nutritious and perfect for babies transitioning from milk! Highly recommended!!!”

“Natto is also a great choice.”

People are drawn to ex-princess Letasreit’s snappy spiel and bought in droves.

Our job here is to be sales clerks.

Basically, we’d weigh out the beans customers wanted, bag them, and exchange them for the right amount of cash.

It looks like Selena is over there selling tofu by weight.

Both of us are so busy we barely have time to breathe!

What a crowd! This makes our wrestling shows look tame!

What’s the deal?!

Are beans this popular in this world?!

“Actually, it’s not the beans but Orkubo’s Castle event that’s the real draw.”

Even in the chaos, Selena takes the time to enlighten me.

What a sweetheart. I love her!

“It’s an annual event that suddenly started a few years ago. It’s wildly popular, with enthusiasts coming from all over. Thanks to that, it’s held every year, drawing tens of thousands of visitors...”

Impressive.

So this bean stall run by the ex-princess is cashing in on the hype of Orkubo’s Castle, hence the massive crowd.

It’s not just us. Various vendors have lined the streets, competing fiercely...

“Uooooogh! That Bird Woman and Bean Princess duo! This year, our gonkotsu ramen will top the sales charts! We’ll crush youuuuuuu!!!”

“We’re guaranteed winners again this year! And why aren’t you disqualified for breaking the rules every time?! That soup of yours is practically toxic!”

Rival stalls are battling it out, and the competition only fuels the excitement.

Even the side stalls are this intense.

Just how amazing is the main Orkubo’s Castle event?!

“If you’re curious, you can go check it out,” Princess Letasreit suggests, noticing our excitement!

“But what about our work...?!”

“Once the main event of Orkubo’s Castle starts, the customers will leave anyway. Everyone’s here to watch it, so we’re just the warm-up act.”

True...

Everyone will probably munch on the beans they bought while watching...

“If anything, our busiest time is right before the event starts, like now. It’ll pick up again after, with people buying souvenirs, so it’d be great if you could help then. In the meantime, enjoy the show.”

Princess Lettuslate...?!

I thought she was a slave driver, but she’s surprisingly considerate!

“Of course, make sure to snack on the beans I grew while you watch! Here, take these!!!”

Bam!

She thrusts a gigantic bag of roasted beans into our arms.

If we ever get lost, we could survive for a month with this.

Right... that’s just how she is. I should’ve known.

“...Momoko, since she’s being so generous, let’s go watch. I’ve always wanted to see the famed Orkubo’s Castle, which even reaches the distant Demon Capital.”

Even Selena is giddy.

I wasn’t interested until now, but this Orkubo’s Castle seems more marvelous than I imagined.

It’ll make for a good story. Let’s go check it out.

This heroine Momoko is on the case!!!

***

I thought the crowd would be so thick we’d only see the tops of people’s heads, but Princess Letasreit tipped us off to a secret spot with the perfect view.

“From here, we can see the whole Orkubo’s Castle. As expected of Princess Letasreit! Insider info for the win!!!”

She’s unusually excited.

Is Orkubo’s Castle really that big of a deal?

Even scanning the entire venue, I still can’t picture what’s about to happen.

Come to think of it, I was invited to this event once, wasn’t I?

But I declined.

Back then, I was fully focused on finding the Saint’s Farm, and afterward, I was all-in with wrestling.

I really do only look forward.

Yet, despite charging ahead, I still haven’t found that farm.

“...Oh, it’s starting!”

It looks like Orkubo’s Castle has kicked off.

Masses of people begin to run from the bottom of a sprawling field.

They cluster together, and from afar, it looks like a black wave surging forward.

Like a war scene from a movie.

...Wait a minute!

Could Orkubo’s Castle actually be... that?!

An event where you storm a castle!

So that’s why there’s a fortress resembling Nagoya Castle at the far end!

Now it makes sense!

As the crowd rushes the castle, they hit a barrier.

Or rather... an obstacle?

There’s a moat cutting through the ground with a narrow bridge over it.

So narrow you can barely fit one foot... It’s more like a balance beam than a bridge.

They have to cross this shaky beam over a deep moat, where one misstep could send them plunging down.

This is just like an obstacle course!

And after crossing the beam, what’s next? Giant boulders rolling down a slope?!

Participants bravely charge upward, dodging massive rocks as they aim for the summit!

This is totally an obstacle course!

I get it now!

The Orkubo’s Castle event is...!

SAS*KE!!!

So Orkubo’s Castle is like a Ninj Wrrior course?!