NOVPUBThe golden afterglow had faded, sinking into the dim streets.
A single light ignited, followed by two, three... Eventually, countless lights twinkled, like stars shimmering on the surface of a river.
Warm sky lanterns gently rose, flitting towards the night sky like fireflies.
"This is the festival of Floral City Pariel."
Lanci and Talia walked up Montmartre Heights’ slope-stairs, overlooking the entire city.
"It’s beautiful."
Talia murmured, almost to herself, filled with awe as she gazed at the suddenly bustling Floral City Pariel.
The breathtaking view before them caused them to hold their breath—the twinkling lights illuminated the stone-built houses, and people clad in festive outfits beamed with joy.
Some citizens did not venture out but simply lit bamboo lanterns by their windowsills, releasing them to soar with the wind towards the starry sky.
"In a little while, when the night falls completely, the fireworks will begin."
Lanci informed Talia.
He had already looked up the introduction to Floral City Pariel’s fireworks festival.
They were still at the boundary of Pari North Shore 3rd District, and by following down the stairs from the highlands, they could head straight to the neighboring 1st District, to their final destination for the night—the Temple of Love.
But the view from the highlands was excellent; from a distance, they could see buildings miles away.
As for the best place to watch the fireworks, it was undoubtedly the riverside plaza behind the Temple of Love, where extensive terraces had been set up.
There, they could watch the fireworks explode in unparalleled brilliance up close.
"Actually, every day I can see the fireworks from the Card Making room..."
Talia was about to say something.
The crisp ringing of bells shattered the night’s tranquility, rippling out and drawing their gazes.
That was the sacred music played to purify the land.
Crowds gathered at a distant plaza, sitting around the altar.
Unbeknownst to them, a bonfire had already been lit at the center of the plaza.
A priest dressed in a pure white robe strolled towards them; she was the chief Priest serving the gods of love and will.
"Morning breezes softly brush, as petals scatter."
The Goddess Officer swung her Tin Cane, leaving behind silver trails and the crisp ringing of bells with every motion, chanting prayers and dancing.
"Your voice gently cleanses the world."
This was the sacred dance, an offering to the gods, an imitation of divine movements.
The prayers echoed across the plaza, reaching all the way to the peak of Montmartre Heights.
"People pray to the deities for blessings, hoping to become luckier."
Talia spoke of the human thoughts she’d come to understand over the years.
Despite that,
If one were to look only at the surface, they would think a grand festival was in full swing.
Yet today wasn’t as harmonious as it seemed.
Along the way, they occasionally heard conversations among passersby.
Due to the recent turmoil, Floral City Pariel suffered significant casualties and destruction that night, with humans and the Demon Race wary of each other; there had even been protests and confrontations during the day.
"Sky lanterns are used to guide the souls of the dead."
Lanci murmured with a hint of regret in his tone.
"Under your care, emotions continue to flourish."
The distant Goddess Officer chanted loudly.
"May love, like a rivulet, converge into an everlasting ocean."
The bonfire went out, the crowd dispersed, and new visitors arrived.
Only the solitary lanterns in the night sky faithfully illuminated the earth.
Unsure of who took the first step, Lanci and Talia continued down the highland, walking towards the plaza leading to the Temple.
"I didn’t expect that, in the end, the relationship between the humans and the Demon Race of Floral City Pariel would deteriorate."
Talia looked down at the city lit by lamplight beneath her feet.
To the ordinary citizens, the instigator was the ambitious Demon Pandora Perlman, and those who attacked the city were the Berserk Demons.
Overnight, the peaceful city district became a brutal battlefield, causing anyone to harbor some fear of the Demon Race.
"It’s not entirely accurate to say that, though. Since Floral City has chosen this method of coexistence, maybe this is simply an inevitable path, a process of mutual understanding always accompanied by conflict."
Lanci nodded in agreement with Talia.
Walking on the occasionally rugged and sometimes smooth mountain path, various stalls began to appear on both sides, displaying a dazzling array of goods.
Many stalls hung masks; there were both artistic Poson-style masks and Demon-styled masks.
These masks would have sold very well tonight.
Because the Temple of Love was holding a masquerade ball.
The original intention of the ball was to allow Poson residents and the Demon Race to shed their prejudices and interact amicably.
Beneath the masks, you could be a human or a Demon.
Everyone was the same.
"Floral City Pariel is actually a miracle, in my eyes."
Talia listened to Lanci’s words, browsing the Pariel festival night market alongside him, responding.
A hundred years ago, she never imagined she would see the city’s scenery of humans and Demon Race living together.
This trip to Poson could be said to have been an eye-opener for her, the Princess of the historical Demon Clan.
"Which is why Perlman is a difficult character to judge. His mistakes are undoubtedly irreparable, but the impact of his contributions still remains profound."
Among the three memorable enemies, Lanci had particularly more compassion for Perlman, for Perlman had once been kind-hearted, allowing Nigel to be taught. 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Nigel was like a younger Perlman, only Nigel differed fundamentally from Perlman, possessing a truly ironclad heart.
Or perhaps what Nigel firmly believed in was not any person or anything but the unwavering conviction within himself.
"Yet, didn’t Perlman ultimately shatter his own ideals and veer towards the other extreme?"
