A festival

For the next two days, they stayed at the inn with all of their needs being provided. According to the major, they can't leave for now because he has some matters he needs to attend to in Alfonso. Cygnus suggested that they go ahead first but the major firmly rejected his suggestion.

His reason was that they still had that deal so he can't let them go by themselves and there would be no difference since the registration can be done any time for the next three months to give magic users from every corner of the kingdom time to register.

Cygnus looked at his comrades to know their opinion. Nina and Mr. C had no problem with it but Astrophos was a bit hesitant because he was still thinking of Ezio who was in the hands of the Magic Tower. He kept on frowning but at the end with much persuasion, he gave in. Thus, it was decided that they will leave after the Trade Festival.

"Trade Festival?" Nina asked with much curiosity. It was her first-time hearing of such a celebration.

"It is to celebrate the success of the trading in Alfonso since this town is a center for trade. Merchants come here to deal with their products to be distributed to the other towns. They even call this place a gateway for money and success. There are even beliefs that if you offer money to the gods, they would grant a wish for you," Lieutenant Lisbon, who came with the major to inform them of the plan, explained.

"Is that so?" Cygnus's eyes brightened at what he heard which made the three other people with him stare. They could tell that something would definitely happen now that he had expressed his interest in the festival.

"Well, it is just a belief so you don't have to be too invested with it. The highlight of this celebration is to showcase the different products of the different lands under the rule of Lunaira." Lisbon immediately made it clear before they fully believed about that unnecessary practice.

"For now, you can go around and take a look. Alfonso is a relatively safe place and with the tight security because of the festival no magic hunter will try to attack us here. You just need to be careful of thieves because there's a lot of them here," the major reminded. He then signaled for the lieutenant to bring out the envelope he prepared for them.

"What's that?" Cygnus asked after he saw that Lisbon was handing him the envelope that seemed to contain something.

"It's money. It's my way of compensating you for all the trouble you have gone through because of me, accept it," the major explained. Though it was not necessary, he still did it because right now he was intending to build a good relationship with the man and the others.

Cygnus blinked a couple of times before he realized what the major had said. He then shook his head and his hands while taking a step back. "I can't receive that. It's not right and besides we have money that we can spend."

"I told you to accept it or is it that you don't want to accept my goodwill?" Ginehart squinted his eyes at them. "Just accept it." He took the envelope and forcefully handed it to Cygnus who was still looking at him with wide eyes.

With no other choice, he could only reluctantly accept it. After that, Ginehart and Lisbon left to do whatever they were going to do.

"What a generous man," Cygnus waved the envelope then tossed it to Mr. C since he was the person in-charge of their money. "Let's go."

They walked around the town and saw that there were already banners at every corner of the streets. The night was also lively with all the preparation that was going on. Nina also suggested that they visit the place where they offer money to the gods.

After asking for directions, they came to a cordoned corner of the plaza where a raised platform was placed. Behind it was a statue of a man in somewhat like ancient Greek styled clothing holding a basket in his hand while it bent towards the platform.

"Hm, it is an impressive sculpture if I may say so," Mr. C praised the craftsmanship of the statue. Every line was defined to the point that it looked real if not for the fact that the whole statue was made of stone.

"Should we offer some money and see that belief is true?" Nina asked while looking at the platform where a large basket covered with red cloth was placed.

"Do as you like," Cgynus smiled. He turned around and left since there was nothing interesting about the statue nor its surroundings.

Nina did what she liked and placed money in the basket then they went around a bit more before returning to the inn. After two days of preparation, the festival officially started and just like any celebration, different kinds of people came to celebrate with them.

From morning until evening, the streets were busy. It was a joyous occasion. There were also several people who went to the platform and placed money inside the basket coupled with a short mumbling which Nina assumed to be a prayer to the god of trade.

They've pretty much saw each shop and every product as Nina pulled them around while buying too many things that she said could be useful. Cygnus on the other hand went to buy different magic items that he could probably use while giving a subtle glance at the direction of where their surveillance was.

He already noticed them yesterday after the major left. As much as the major doubted them, they were pretty much in the clear so these soldiers were not sent by him. He could only think of one person who was capable of giving them orders.

They continued with their tour as if there was nothing wrong and brought many things, before they returned to the inn where they ate as usual. After that each of them returned to their own rooms, Mr. C would always visit the master to make sure that he doesn't need anything before he will also rest.

As the night deepened and when most people were already asleep, silhouettes started to emerge from the dark alleys where no light could reach. They travelled across the dimly lit sidewalks and they continued doing so around the town, it was like they were looking for something.

A woman was walking home from her work as she shivered at the night breeze that crawled around her body. Her boss held her up and made her do some last-minute work to which she cannot say no since she needed the extra money.

While walking, she started to feel uneasy because the shadows formed from the lamp posts seemed to be alive. In fear, she hastened her steps but before she could reach her home, a black arm shot out from the darkness and pulled her in. She struggled but no matter how she fought, she was still pulled in and only her bag remained on the side of the road.