Nigel stood in line with Abigail, Sam, Maru, and a group of children, his expression remaining neutral. He noticed Jas, a girl with purple hair, casting fearful glances in his direction. Nigel remembered that she was Marnie's relative, the owner of the town's barn. It might be beneficial to establish a good relationship with her.
With that in mind, Nigel attempted a smile, though it appeared forced, lacking warmth in his eyes.
"...hicc!"
Jas gasped, fear evident as she sought refuge behind the red-haired boy. Nigel was perplexed since he thought people generally appreciated smiles.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Abigail approached Nigel with concern. Nigel simply shrugged, returning to his usual impassive state. However, he couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment at the lackluster reactions.
"So, I didn't know you were joining us... Weren't you supposed to be working?" Abigail asked, curious.
"Free prize," Nigel replied succinctly, offering a brief explanation.
Abigail chuckled confidently. "A free prize, huh? Well, let me tell you, Nigel, I haven't lost an egg hunt in years! You must be dreaming if you think you stand a chance."
Nigel regarded Abigail with a bemused expression, as if she were a seven-year-old child, sensing that she was deliberately provoking him.
"Hey, how about we make a bet? The loser has to grant a wish to the winner. What do you say?" Abigail proposed, sounding self-assured.
"You seem overly confident. Just remember, pride can be dangerous," Nigel cautioned, expressing his reservations.
Abigail playfully teased, "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you're scared."
Nigel now understood her true intentions. She wanted to defeat him and send him to the hospital...it was obvious, since she kept glancing at his head, covered with the Fedora.
...Nothing really came to mind. She was annoying, that's all. He had no reason to take this bet, but...something occurred to him. If he won...He could just wish for her to mind her own business, and that's it. No more pointless chit-chat with someone who couldn't even graduate college before becoming an adult.
"...Fine."
"Ha! Prepare to lose, Nigel."
Nigel smirked inwardly. Even though his whole body was aching, there was no way he would lose. A moment later, Lewis walked in front of the group and began to explain.
"It's time for the highlight of today's festivities... The Annual Spring Egg Hunt!"
"Yay!"
Lewis chuckled as Jas and Vincent cheered.
"Calm down now, kiddos. You're going to need all your energy if you hope to find the most eggs and take home the exclusive prize. Now... Is everybody ready?"
Nigel stood among the participants, his gaze fixed on the colorful eggs scattered throughout the field. As the festival began, Lewis, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, announced the start of the Annual Spring Egg Hunt.
"Alright, everyone, let the egg hunt begin!" Lewis declared, igniting a wave of excitement and anticipation.
With the signal given, the participants scattered in all directions, their eyes darting around, searching for the hidden treasures. Nigel, however, took a moment to observe the dynamics of the event, his mind focused on his long-term plans.
While the townspeople eagerly pursued the eggs, Nigel's thoughts revolved around his farm and the need to establish efficient trading routes. He knew that expanding his operation required establishing reliable connections and finding markets for his crops. The festival, with its festive atmosphere and gathered townsfolk, presented an opportunity for him to explore potential avenues.
Despite being physically present at the egg hunt, Nigel's mind raced with calculations and strategies. He mentally mapped out potential trading partners, evaluated the demand for his produce, and considered ways to maximize his profits. The sights and sounds of the festival faded into the background as he delved deeper into his planning.
Meanwhile, the children darted around, their laughter and excitement filling the air. Nigel observed their infectious enthusiasm, admiring their ability to fully immerse themselves in the festivities. Their carefree joy stood in stark contrast to his own internal musings.
As the hunt progressed, Nigel moved with purpose, meticulously surveying the area for eggs. He skillfully navigated through the crowd, his eyes scanning for any hints of hidden treasures. With each egg he collected, he acknowledged the victory not as a personal triumph but as a step closer to realizing his overarching goals.
Abigail, noticing Nigel's determined focus, couldn't help but be intrigued. She had expected him to be engrossed in the spirit of the egg hunt, but his calculated demeanor piqued her curiosity.
"Nigel, are you even enjoying the egg hunt?" Abigail asked, sounding confused.
Nigel glanced briefly at her, his expression remaining impassive. "The egg hunt is merely a means to an end, Abigail. A momentary diversion amidst larger objectives."
Abigail raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his cryptic response. "Larger objectives? You always seem to have something up your sleeve, Nigel. Care to share?"
Nigel's lips curled into a faint smirk as he replied, "In due time, Abigail. All will be revealed when the time is right."
Abigail shrugged, unable to resist a challenge. "Well, I hope your 'larger objectives' include winning this egg hunt. Don't think I'll let you surpass me so easily."
Nigel regarded her with a measured gaze. "Abigail, our paths may intertwine for now, but remember, I am playing a different game altogether."
As the egg hunt neared its end, Nigel's efforts bore fruit. He meticulously collected a diverse array of eggs, each one carefully chosen to reflect the potential trade routes he had envisioned. Each egg represented a potential opportunity, a stepping stone toward establishing his farm as a formidable force in the market.
Finally, the designated time for the hunt drew to a close, and the participants gathered near the town square, clutching their findings. Nigel joined the group, his collection of eggs carefully cradled in his hands. He observed the varying expressions on the faces of his fellow contestants, ranging from excitement to disappointment.
Lewis, the ever-charismatic host, stepped forward, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Now, let's see who has emerged victorious in this thrilling egg hunt! It's time to determine the winner."
The townspeople leaned in, their anticipation palpable, as Lewis collected the eggs one by one, tallying the results. Nigel watched, his countenance unchanged, as Lewis neared the end of his assessment.
"And the winner is..." Lewis paused for effect, his gaze falling upon Nigel.
Nigel met Lewis' gaze with a steady resolve, his thoughts already focused on the next steps of his grand plan. Winning the egg hunt held no allure for him, as his victory lay beyond the scope of this festive competition.
"...Nigel!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of surprise and curiosity. The farmer... who didn't seem to be keen on this kind of game... won. Nigel discreetly checked the crowd's reaction. They seemed to have lost some wariness towards him... which wasn't necessarily bad.
...But now, the most important thing was yet to come... The prize.
Nigel stood amidst the jubilant crowd, holding his collection of eggs, as Lewis declared him the victor of the egg hunt. Applause and cheers filled the air, but Nigel remained stoic and expressionless. Lewis approached him, extending a straw hat as a prize.
"Congratulations, Nigel! You're this year's champion," Lewis exclaimed, placing the straw hat on Nigel's head.
Nigel's gaze shifted to the ordinary hat, devoid of any emotion. The townspeople burst into laughter, finding the situation amusing.
Abigail joined in the laughter, teasing Nigel, "Oh, Nigel, your grand triumph has led you to this splendid prize—a straw hat. How delightful."
Nigel's response was brief and unemotional, yet tinged with sarcasm. "Indeed, Abigail. A truly splendid reward."
The laughter continued, echoing through the square. Nigel adjusted the hat mechanically, devoid of any enthusiasm.
Lewis attempted to lighten the mood, saying, "Come on, Nigel. The straw hat may not be what you expected, but it symbolizes your victory."
Nigel met Lewis's gaze, his voice monotone, "A symbol, yes. A reminder that rewards can be mundane."
The laughter faded, replaced by a sense of quiet awkwardness. Nigel's indifference prevailed, and he remained unmoved by the comical turn of events. The straw hat rested on his fedora, symbolically separate... representing his detachment.
The crowd eventually scattered as the egg hunt concluded. The festival was ongoing until dinner, so it wasn't over, but people were taking it easy.
Nigel approached Pierre's stand, his eyes fixed on a specific product—a pack of strawberry seeds. The shopkeeper, taken aback by Nigel's intense focus, tried to strike up a conversation.
"Hey, Nigel! Great job on winning the egg hunt. You really surprised Abigail there," Pierre remarked, finding the situation amusing.
Nigel's response was direct and to the point. "How much for the strawberry seeds?"
Pierre hesitated for a moment, thrown off guard by the abrupt change of topic. "They're 100g each. It's a special product, only sold during the egg festival."
Nigel's stoic expression remained unchanged, betraying no emotion. He calculated the potential profit in his mind, realizing the efficiency of planting the strawberries now. The rapid growth and high selling price made them a valuable investment.
Without hesitation, Nigel made his decision. "Give me 80 strawberry seeds."
Pierre raised an eyebrow, surprised by the quantity Nigel requested. "Wow, I didn't realize strawberries were in such high demand. Here you go."
Nigel handed over the payment, his gaze already shifting to the next step of his plan. The transaction was completed swiftly, and Nigel left the stand, his mind focused on the future and the potential profits he could reap.
It was a gamble. He wasn't sure if these strawberry seeds would yield the same profit next spring, but according to his analysis, there hadn't been any sudden changes in the strawberry market recently.
...He couldn't deny the small anxiousness creeping into his mind. Every time he remembered his father's failure, the results... Running a farm meant running a small one-man company. Even though now he was just accumulating the basic capital for his future success... a small mistake could easily erase all his efforts.
As he said... Effort didn't mean anything in this world.
"...It's only the results. In this world, only the results matter... All that remains are the consequences."
But... Nigel knew for himself that even though effort didn't mean anything, it was the only thing he could do. Meticulous planning. Utilizing what was in front of him. Taking... what others discarded, and making it his own.
That was the path he chose.