The object in Eine's hand was a tiny, unremarkable, human-shaped carved piece of wood. Despite having little use, she had always instinctively kept the mysterious item closed to her. Like a dissipating haze, scenes from the peculiar meeting gradually re-emerged from the depth of her memories—the colorless, misty ndscape, the miraculous campfire, and the beast hybrid individuals. Eine's fatal encounter with the Devil Beasts had left her disoriented. After waking up, she had to deal with the consequences and became an unwilling participant in many other situations. The unending crisis state of affairs rendered Eine in a perpetual survival mode and unable to connect the seemingly apparent dots. Despite the numerous problems occupying her time, the surreal experience remained in a small corner of her subconscious, nudging her curiosity yet always out of reach. However, the sight of the festival's revelers finally lifted the veil, revealing the connection she had been searching for.

  Though the animal depictions varied, Eine recognized many divines from different regions, including the grey wolf spirit worshiped by the Geris Dukedom. However, it was not the universally celebrated deities that piqued her interest. Eine's gaze focused on those rare few wearing portrayals of less well-known, obscure beings, the current world's primordial Gods and Goddesses. The embroideries on the masks and headdresses bore an uncanny resembnce to those she met in her dream.

  A crimson bird, a white lion, a striped tiger, and…Eine abruptly stopped reminiscing. For some reason, she could not recall the st individual appearance, nor did he ever speak in the dream. Why did they reveal themselves to her? Were the Gods real or just a figment of imagination during her delirious state? Eine's hand squeezed the wooden doll. The mysterious object appeared at her bedside after she awoke and was the best evidence proving that her mind did not fabricate the event. Perhaps they know the reason for my arrival in this world.

  "Is something bothering you, La—Eine?" Roind asked, almost falling into his habit. Luckily, he fixed it before receiving Eine's stern, sidelong gnce.

  "It's nothing. I am fine." She tucked the tiny object back into her dress pocket. "Let's continue inside the festival."

  The Geris Dukedom's Capital, Astria, was a thriving city comparable to Soleias. Merchants worldwide gathered here, trading and selling exotic yet vish commodities while the residents enjoyed a retively prosperous and peaceful life. An assortment of sounds and sights assailed the senses, amplifying the festive atmosphere. Up above, continuous polychromatic confetti and flowers' petals twirled in the air like dancers waltzing through the skies. From the variety of storefronts with decorative, colorful signs to the parade of hundreds of entertainers and floats processing down the streets, the celebration was an undeniably spectacur extravaganza.

  "Let's participate," Eine stated, then navigated through the sea of festival goers to a small vendor.

  The merchant, a portly man in his fifties with receding hairlines, greeted them with a wide smile. "Come closer and see, little miss. We have headwear representing all the deities from near and far."

  "Thank you, mister. My brothers and I will take a look." She turned to face Roind's and Cecil's curiosity-infused gazes, pointing at the masks. "We shall each choose one. They should help us mingle more with the others."

  Her 'brothers' nodded and proceeded to browse the vendor's selection. Fitting with his character, Roind chose a full-face mask of the War God—a half-human and half-monster visage with red streaks that ran down its cheeks and eyes. Eine picked a blue-grey half-mask of a minor local female deity. To everyone's surprise, Cecil took more time to reach his decision. He finally pulled a pin bck and purple half-mask with unidentified symbols from the bottom of the stacks.

  "Who does this mask represent?" Eine asked.

  The merchant was bewildered, not remembering seeing that mask within his dispyed goods. He leaned forward to examine the piece but could not figure it out after a long moment. "Sorry, little miss. This might sound embarrassing, but I don't know the answer myself," he sheepishly admitted.

  Eine raised a brow but did not pursue the subject further. The masks were only an additional yer of camoufge. "No matter. We'll take all three," she said, signaling Roind to pay for the items. "Let's go. Alster. Theon." Eine attached the disguise to her face, leading her 'brothers' away.

  The merchant watched the peculiar group's figures disappear into the crowd. To him, the three resembled more like a master and her subordinates than siblings.

  Eine stood among the spectators, silently watching the parade for over half an hour before abruptly asking, "I'm hungry. Where is the rgest eating establishment in Astria?"

  Roind rubbed his stubble briefly before responding, "That would be the Ynones tavern in the East District."

  "Take me there," she ordered.

  "Of course, please follow me." Roind took the lead as they began weaving through the festival attendees.

  Although the East District was only a ten-minute walk from the current location, the jam of people prolonged their trip to twice the time.

  "Wait for a moment." Eine suddenly halted with eyes narrowed and ears perked, surveying her surroundings. After a few seconds, she retracted her gaze. Perhaps she was mistaken, but Eine thought she heard familiar voices. "It's nothing. Let's conti—"

  "Let her go, no matter what her station is. She is still a human being." A determined female voice sounded nearby, almost drowned out by the noisy crowds. Astria is the central hosting city for the Primavière Festival. It would not be extraordinary for her to appear here, Eine concluded. She turned to the voice's originating direction to confirm her suspicion.

  LittleFoodie

  Eine

  Spoiler

  [colpse][colpse]