Chapter 07 "Sun Festival"

"Stop calling me that, Almira! You make me like a rare animal." I grumbled. Folding both hands across my chest while looking at her in resentment.

"But you are indeed rare, aren't you?" She chuckled, then shrugged her shoulders like innocent ones. Thus sat on the sofa opposite me. "I know your purpose here. You wanna ask me to teach you Esze again, right?"

I nodded quickly. It was a great help if Almira already knew my intention here, so I didn't need to suffer any more for explaining it from the beginning.

"You ... always come here and beg for it." That Elvian woman took a deep breath. Stretching both her hands on the sofa. "At least bring me some food out there, brat!"

"Had you forgotten? I often treat you and your kid."

"It was just food stalls. Treat us to a fancy restaurant, so we can have a deal."

"All right, but not in a short time. Because that old bastard man just kicked me out. So I'm completely broke right now."

"Huh, kicked out?" Almira raised an eyebrow.

Half an hour passed when I told her what happened yesterday. My emotions which had been expressed in the hearts now let go without any strain. Certainly not forgetting about cursing Grussel and Igresti. Two people that made my day gloomy. Almira just laughed at my story, sometimes giving some insults. I felt like an idiot for telling this person.

"Don't become a hunter if you are stupid!" She sneered sarcastically. Her voice echoed from the kitchen, which was next to the living room. The sound of the spoon stirring in glass became a back sound of her laughter.

Not long after, she walked across the living room. Her hands were carrying a tray. There were two cups of tea which was still lukewarm, and jars of chocolate pastries. I immediately grabbed a piece, although the cake wasn’t yet on the table. Almira was glaring. But I didn't care. Shrugged my shoulders and took another piece of cake.

"Being a hunter made your character cheeky, huh!" Almira put the tray on the table. Serving cups of tea and cookie jar on the table.

"C'mon! Don't be so rigid like that. The one who always asking treated to meals doesn't have the right to advise me about decency."

Almira sighed, patted her forehead. Maybe she was tired of dealing with people like me. Without tried to regulate my behavior anymore, she took one of the cups that were still steaming. Then sip without fear of blistering lips. While I still need to blow it to cool. I bet she was using Esze. The technique could cool a thing or created some tricks for heat-resistant lips. I didn't know, as a pure Elvian, it would have been very easy for her.

Although sometimes annoying, actually she was a good person. Almira was the only person in this town who could realize my race despite wearing the closed hood and thick clothing. From Almira, I'd learned many things, especially how to use Esze. She trained me to be able to use my potential as a mixed race. This woman also told me a lot of useful information about this country. Including a huge uproar if the world knew my actual race was Haier-Elvian.

Suddenly, I remembered when we first met about eight months ago.

***

One day Glafelden City was celebrating the Sun Festival. A celebration that was intended for the God of the Sun, Lillio. As one of two Supreme Gods who was worshiped in this country. The city held a parade with some rituals and dances in the town square on this particular day.

Also, the Sun Festival was enlivened by many art performances, food stalls, as well as merchants that provided the half-price discount. To me, who was new to this place, the Sun Festival became something not to be missed. There might be a new hood in the clothes shop display. I was tired of using an old model like this. If it coupled with a mask, it made me look similar to a miner.

I asked Dimas and Kak Shella to accompany me around. I surely did invite the twins, Vian and Vani, but rejected. The restaurant where they worked opened a small shop at the festival, they didn't have time to get around. Yeah, no problem for me. At least I would visit them later.

The three of us arrive in the morning, as the sun slowly rising. The weather looked very bright, not a single cloud visible as far as the eye could see. The wind was blowing breezy. Dried leaves were falling as the commencement of the Sun Festival.

A ritual dance troupe entered from the west in the town square, which had a length of two hundred meters and a width of one hundred meters. After I observed, this ritual dance troupe varies. A group of women dressed in traditional red clothes, a group of equestrian knights completed with uniforms and attributes, and a group of male dancers wearing creepy masks. They started dancing after entering the plaza. At first glance, this ritual was similar to the Cultural Festival in Indonesia.

Equestrian knight group split into two groups. A group of dancers surrounded the women from both sides. Then the masked dancers interrupted, tried to attack the female dancers. Despite looking like a fight, knights and masked men actually dancing. Aligning the movement of each other, swinging their body, and spinning gracefully. The thing that amazed me most was the horses they rode, it could dance as the knight's wish.

"The horses specifically for the ritual, so they were taught to dance. Not to fight or pulling a carriage," said Kak Shella.

The atmosphere was getting lively. Some of the people clapping and whistling, even though banned because it would disrupt the festival. Dimas, Kak Shella, and I sat on the corner of the town square that was a little bit far from the dancers. This place was a little higher than the ground. So we could enjoy the ritual without being obstructed by standing audiences.

We continued to watch the knights who seemed pressed by the monsters. Their faces looked like they were facing a real danger. The acting was absolutely perfect. Suddenly, the sound of trumpets buzzing from the south gate. The entire audience glanced at a dancer who went inside gallantly. His clothes were shades of red and orange. Looked very expensive and full of trinkets. A gold crown adorned his head, made him seemed the most influential figure here.

"Hoo ... who is he?" Asked Dimas, who seemed slightly interested.

"He's a dancer who takes a role a The Mighty Sun God, Lillio," I said softly. I pulled my hood back that slightly lifted by the wind. My long ears shouldn't be seen at the crowd like this.

My gaze didn't move an inch from the middle of the town square. Staring in amazement toward Sun God dancer. He was dancing and did some jabs in the air. The monster dancers were defeated one by one by him. Such superb acting was performed by them.

"How do you know?"

"While I was gathering information in the library, I accidentally read a book about world myths. From there, I knew about the origins of deities in this world."

"Hoo." He again showed some interest in his face.

I did once read about the history of the past. There was an ancient legend that along with this kingdom establishment thousands of years ago. Mentioned that in ancient times, the world's land was still dominated by monsters and huge-sized animals. The number of humans was still tiny. Every day, people were always shrouded in fear of the predator. Although they had mastered the art of fighting and surviving. All of it wasn’thing for ferocious monsters.

One day, the deities decided to come down from heaven. Quelling most of the monsters in the world with their strength and blessings. Until the beasts didn't dare to come out of from shadows of the world. Sun God, Lillio, and his sister Lunaris, Rubiel Goddess, who went down to the surface, decided to settle in the country and protect the people from monster threats. Hence the human worshipped The Sun God and Rubiel Goddess as patrons of the country.

The Sun Festival was dedicated to God Lillio, but it didn't mean they didn't honor his sister. According to the book, there was another festival devoted to Goddess Lunaris, Rubiel Festival, which would be held next month. If the Festival of the Sun told the story of the God Lillio's valor fighting against monsters. Rubiel Festival was more telling about the Goddess Lunaris' kindness and loving heart to many people. About the festival, I thought to put it into my schedule. Since it seemed to be as exciting as this festival.

Half an hour passed. Dance performances had started this ritual. Sun Festival was followed by burning incense by some Sayjev, a religious leader for the Sun God and Rubiel Goddess cult. Then they put both hands over their chest and closing eyes solemnly, followed by all audiences in the town square. That's how they pray. Then one Sayjev lead the audience to sing praises. It looked like it would last long.

"Hey, let's go find food! I'm hungry." Dimas suddenly gave the initiative. He was quickly bored with something.

Kak Shella and I glared at each other, then nodded. Walking to follow Dimas, who had already left the square. My stomach also seemed to start rumbling. To tell you the truth, I felt uncomfortable when they prayed. Because I wasn't a devotee of their Gods. Dimas and Kak Shella maybe felt the same way.

The three of us went into a small street near the square. Along the way, there are plenty of food peddlers here. Starting from snacks such as cassava chips up to heavy meals like toast with five levels. The aroma of sweet grilled beef sausage when dealing with fire went into my nostril. Likewise, my ear could hear the hiss of cooking oil. Somehow it felt every meal at this place was tempting me to buy them, but unfortunately, I didn't have much money. So I had to buy what I really needed.

"Thank you, Hoody Girl! I didn't know how you could find my stall in this spacious place," said a man who gave refund two pieces of bronze. He was a grilled octopus seller that I often bought at the town. I was fortunate to find him here.

"That's because your food has a unique aroma, Uncle!"

I waved as leaving him. Then towards the long bench near the street lamp. Dimas and Kak Shella were buying their food. So, I would wait here and eat mine. Actually, I'd love culinary here and wanted to try another food. But at the moment, I only have seven pieces of bronze, which I would use to buy a new hood.

The transaction system in this country was a little unique. Instead of wearing a standard currency unit, people prefer to use a piece of metal. One silver was equivalent to one hundred bronze. Similarly, the gold piece was worth a hundred pieces of silver. It feels really like RPG Games I'd ever played.

A few minutes passed, I'd eaten my meal. But Kak Shella and Dimas were still not in this agreement place. Maybe they had fun shopping together, so they forgot about me. Damn! I should have known this would happen when inviting two people who were in love. I sighed. Stretched both hands on the bench, then tried to close my eyelid.

In the next moment I opened my eyes, a tall woman suddenly standing in front of me. I was so surprised. She smiled at me kindly.

"Hello!" She exclaimed.

"Y-Yes? Who might you be?" I said haltingly. Still shocked by her sudden appearance.

The woman looked at me and whispered something in my ear."  You ... are not a human being, are you?"