Chapter 422: The Awaited Arrival?
Chapter 422: The Awaited Arrival?
"Mm!" Yuuki nodded with a bright smile. She didn't realize that she and her little group had been out of invisibility for a few seconds. Her attention was so diverted to observe the festive festival.
"Nee, what's going on over there? Why are they giving away food for free after receiving a few pieces of metal? Is it a special custom in this place? Do you know anything about it, Goddess Ely?" Yuuki tugged Elysia's sleeve while pointing at the row of street vendors.
"Hum, oh, that... The food vendors are just selling what they're selling. The metal is the currency for trading." Elysia smiled in amusement to see Yuuki's clueless expression. But, she didn't feel strange because this fox girl had been living in seclusion for too long.
Elysia just took out a coin pouch and showed the various types of coins to Yuuki. "These are valid coins. Are you interested in buying something? I'll teach you about money."
"Yes, please!" Yuuki clasped her hands with an enlightened expression.
"Alright, let's go over there to get some information." Elysia whispered and guided her little group to the street vendors district.
"Let's try this one as here seems to have the most visitors." Yuuki stopped at a cloud candy shop. She was attracted to the colorful edible clouds.
"Cotton candy? Sure, let's get in line." Elysia invites and walks to the queue. Yuuki and the little beasts followed like loyal followers.
Elysia taught Yuuki the basics of money while waiting. It didn't take more than two minutes, and it was her turn.
"Which one do you want, Yuuki. Choose the flavor you like. Would you like some too, Helen, Aria, and you guys too?" Elysia asked all her group members.
"O-ho! Welcome to the cloud candy shop of a thousand flavors. You can choose the flavor according to your preference." The cloud candy seller spoke, but he still kept his hands busy.
"A thousand flavors!? How can I choose from so many choices!" Yuuki held his forehead. She seemed to have a sudden bout of dizziness.
"Haha! That's just the name of my shop, why are you so panicked, young fox girl? Look at this list and my shop signboard, you'll understand." The cloud candy seller laughed as he thought it was just a joke of the younger generation.
"Oh, that makes me relieved, big monkey uncle." Yuuki heaved a sigh of relief after looking at the flavor list.
She stroked her chin while choosing. But, in the end, she just decided her pick by color. "I want this one, the white blue one."
"Aiyoo! How about you, young cat girls?" The cloud candy seller gave a big thumbs up.
"Hmm, this one, this one, and this one. Ah, these small one too, for our pets." Rhea pointed out some of the variants from the menu list for others as well.
"What a cute and kind kitten. Please wait a moment." The cloud candy seller immediately made all the orders with his nimble hands. He moved and behaved a lot like a real monkey.
Meanwhile, Elysia just gave a neutral look with a friendly expression. She didn't want to appear rude or racist to anyone. Therefore, she simply chose to be neutral about all the uniqueness of every beastkin.
"Here are your orders, young girls." The cloud candy seller handed over the orders.
"Mm, thank you, big monkey uncle. Uhm, may we know what festival is being celebrated right now, uncle?" Elysia distributed the cloud candy to Yuuki and the others.
"Oh, you really don't know or are you just kidding, young girl?" The cloud candy seller seemed quite surprised to hear that. Several other sellers and buyers were even surprised to overhear that.
"Please forgive my ignorance and inexperience. We come from the snowy mountains of the north and really don't know much. This is our first time going to this city." Elysia wore a gentle expression, and she knew it worked.
"Oh, it turned out that way. We're celebrating an annual festival called Transcend Harvest. For the next three days is the day the beastkins in Evroria City celebrate their gratitude to nature." The cloud candy seller nodded in understanding. Some of the other beastkins also went back to their own business.
Sure enough, a gentle yet polite girl could easily be tolerated by the majority. Elysia nodded in her mind. "Thank you very much for letting me know, big monkey uncle. Then, have a nice day."
Elysia waved her hand slightly and walked away. Yuuki and the little beasts followed while enjoying their cloud candy.
Two hours passed, Elysia and her little group took a tour around the city to enjoy their time at the festival.
'Uhm, fwaah~' Elena yawned and stretched her body a little. She just woke up from sleep. 'Good morning, Ely. Hmm, where are we now? Are we at a celebration or maybe a festival?'
'Mm, good morning to you too, sleepy head. We are currently at a festival called Transcend Harvest. This city's annual event is to convey their gratitude to nature.' Elysia's expression brightened to hear Elena awaken from sleep.
So, she could share her experience in this festival with her guardian angel as much as she wanted.
'Oh my... It's so lively and full of happiness here. It's as if these beastkins are completely oblivious to the chaos out there. Or maybe, the higher ups on this continent don't know anything about those accursed monsters?' Elena looked around with her shared senses. She began to wonder about the safety of this continent.
'Yup, that's our goal in this city, right? It's nine o'clock in this region time. We're going to the palace around eleven.' Elysia glanced at the large clock tower near the palace.
'Oh, it's like the clock tower in England, but this one with the charm of a holy church. What's that called, hmm. Oh, yes! That's the Big Bang tower!' Elena dropped her fist into her open palm.
'Did the one you mean the Big Ben tower?' Elysia smiled in amusement.
'Oh, yeah, that's it. Woah, those beastkins really enjoyed their time here. It feels so cheerful and peaceful here. I'm sure your friends on the Human Continent would love to visit this city with you, Ely.' For some reason, Elena felt that this place was free of any problems they had encountered in the past month or two.
'Mm, maybe.' Elysia also agreed to that. At that very moment, she thought of Evelyn and Ella. Maybe she could take them on a trip when the opportunity came?
"A-re?" Elysia stopped her steps because she remembered something. She finally remembered one thing she had forgotten before!
"Hmm, what happened?" Rhea up while licking her candied fruit candy.
"This is bad, I forgot something. I almost forgot my friend's request for our trip." Elysia didn't hesitate to express her anxiety.
'Oh-o?' Elena knew what Elysia had in mind. However, she only wanted to watch Elysia's decision.
"Is it possible for you to tell me, master? I might be able to help." Rhea offers to help.
Unfortunately, Elysia just shook her head and stroked Rhea's head. "It wasn't anything difficult or complex. I just forgot to capture the moments of our trip to this Memoire. Evelyn was really looking forward to seeing Fairy Continent and Elven Continent, I guess." Elysia took out an item given by Evelyn, namely a camera.
"Hum, we can go to the Fairy Continent and Elven Continent after we are done with our business here, master. If you wish, we can return to the Human Continent after that." Rhea gave a suggestion as she thought it was the best solution. Breaking a promise to a friend was the worst thing to do.
"Hm, that's a good idea. I also need to buy some souvenirs for them. Thanks, Rhea. We'll do that after this. Let's go around one more time." Elysia gently pinched Rhea's delicate cheek.
Then, she walked at a brisk pace to catch up to Yuuki and the little beasts. They didn't even realize that she was falling behind.
Elysia suggested touring the festival one more time. And, of course, it was well-received by the others as they enjoyed their time.
However, this time, Elysia took the time to capture the festival moment with her Memoire. She disguised her camera with magic and took pictures without anyone knowing.
When the clock tower rang eleven times, Elysia ended their tour of the city. Apart from enjoying the festival, they also got some basic information about the Beastkin Continent, especially about Evroria City.
"Woaah... So, this is the Imperial Palace? Why not the Royal Palace?" Yuuki was amazed to see a magnificent and luxurious building before her eyes.
"I don't know, it might have something to do with something in the past, history. Let's put that confusing thing aside as we need to come visit the palace." Elysia walked closer to the palace. She simply ignored the stern gazes of the guards in the distance.
"Halt! The Imperial Palace is not open to the public. Please return to the festival." One of the guards blocked the young girls from getting any further into the palace grounds.
"Hm? Please forgive our impoliteness and impudence. However, could you give this letter to Empress Luna Evroria?" Elysia took out a golden letter.
Yet, a female rabbit knight rushed out of the palace. She stopped right beside the big guard and stared with gleaming eyes at Elysia's group. "Ah, you have finally arrived. Her Majesty Empress is waiting for you."
Then, she turned to the big guard. "Kongmin, you may return to your duty. The arrival of these guests has been awaited by Her Majesty Empress."