Chapter XV
Deceptive Paradise Part 2
Felix raised his eyebrow. “For . . . real?”
The vendor grinned. “Yes, sir. Today, our city is celebrating the Lavish Moon Festival. In this festival, we’re cherishing the beauty of the full moon who gave light and prosperity to the city 392 years ago. And as a token of appreciation for attending the festival, I’ll give you some of my delicious foods for free.”
Renata looked at her father. “You heard that, Father? Free food for today!” Her eyes began to sparkle.
Felix just sighed and thanked the vendor. He watched his daughter grab some food.
“Thank you!” Revi yelled while walking away at the stall.
“May the moon be your light!” the vendor shouted back.
Renata immediately ate what she got as she walked with Felix. The Vigliancos decided to stay in the provincial area first where the beautiful plain
Chapter XVI Heroes Everyone is free, but if someone tried to take one’s freedom, the price shall be his freedom, too. However, the norm had changed. One’s freedom could be other’s demise and since that day, freedom became slavery. ~*~ Susan gave Felix a hot cup of coffee. She temporarily let Felix in her home to make him rest after a long journey while Renata and Yner were outside, playing in the hammock. She sighed and sat down in front of Felix. “I'm sorry that our house is messy.” She chuckled. Felix nodded. “It’s fine,” he said, “by the way, how far is the house to the city?” “It’s pretty far. Probably it’ll take 30 minutes or more to arrive in the city if you’ll just use your feet in transportation.” She took a sip from her coffee. Felix nodded. “A horse will be enough to arrive earlier, ri
Chapter XVII Heroes Part 2 Yner was stunned. He didn’t expect to receive such words from their new neighbor. He sighed and lowered his gaze. “I see. You’re really a foreigner.” Revi didn’t respond. She was expecting something . . . She was expecting an explanation or an answer to her question. Why does mother need to die? Why do you need to take her life? Answer me . . . please. Yner slowly returned to the swing and silently sat there. Revi just watched him return and didn’t bother to move a single step to approach him. Revi sighed and went near him. She finally decided to let herself hear what he’ll say as she’s mentally demanding an explanation. “Foreigners hate us . . . and so do you. They hate us for fighting what’s rightfully ours, for fighting our rights. Can’t they just understand that we are suffering too?” Yner painfully gazed at Renata. “Why can’t you
Chapter XVIII The Wind and the Art Months passed after the Vigliancos landed their feet to the lands of Madreign, they found it hard to adjust themselves in this new environment. They were so lucky that the Louises were their only neighbor. This made their atmosphere much easier than expected. However, they often needed to go to the city to make money and to buy goods for their living. Aside from documenting everything they witnessed in Madreign, they were also taking care of their horses. The ship’s crew landed their horses somewhere else near Madreign’s pier where no Madreese can witness them, to avoid suspicion. Felix also enrolled Renata into a school, and because they were pretending that they came from Delural, they bought a wig to change their hair color. ~*~ “Five more minutes,” Renata’s writing teacher
Chapter XIX The Wind and the Art Part 2 Renata ignored her and turned around, then she spoke again, “I’m . . . I’m Naya. What’s your name?” Revi didn’t utter a single word. Naya spoke again, “I won’t report you, don’t worry.” Revi clenched her jaw because of that. Do you think I’ll trust you? For sure, you’re a hypocrite. Revi took a step forward and didn’t mind Naya, but Naya chased Renata. “Hey, wait!” She grabbed Revi’s arm. Revi’s eyes widened and immediately retrieved her arm. “Get your filthy hands off me!” Her eyes were bloodshot. Naya was stunned. “I-I just . . .” Renata slowly came closer and closer to her. Her eyes became black and her voice was ominous. “Do not dare to touch me again with your filthy hands. I did not give you any permission to do that, and don’t ever go near me, she murmured, “you—wicked victor.” With tho
Chapter XX The Lore Behind the Painting Renata was wearing a white long sleeved polo and black suspenders when she was waiting for Rory to come. She was silently standing straight in front of the gate. After a few more minutes, Rory finally came. Unexpectedly, Rory came with Naya and someone unfamiliar. Renata was dumbfounded because of that. She thought Rory would come alone. She was dumbfounded, unable to say anything and was just standing there. She immediately changed her facial expression from bewilderment to sadness and grief. She was in shock. She never thought Rory would bring someone unfamiliar along. Seeing the situation, Rory told Renata, "Renata, I'm sorry for not informing you but Naya and Heidi will be joining us. You will surely enjoy their company." "Haa~" Revi gave them a slack-jawed
Chapter XXI The Lore Behind the Painting Part 2 Rory prepared the blanket and other stuff she needed to prepare. She brought a bag full of books, watercolors, and papers. After everything was set, she let the kids sit alongside her. “We’re going to paint?” Revi asked. Rory nodded. “Yes, so I’ll give each of you a paper and three watercolors. Your activity for today is to paint anything that comes into your mind using the colors I will give you. Isn’t that fun?” She gave them the supplies. Heidi and Naya beamed after hearing what Rory said while Revi and Yner had no reactions and started immediately. Renata got violet, black, and red. She didn’t know what to do with those colors so she just filled the whole paper without any context in her mind using those. After filling the whole paper, she just sat and looked at Rory. “Teacher, I’m do
Chapter XXII Renata's Caligo Oculus Something had been bothering me . . . ever since the day I heard Teacher Rory’s story about a mortal who was blessed by the gods. Hours after Teacher Rory left with Heidi and Naya—it was midnight, I felt like I just reminisced a memory that I didn’t even have. As if I was on the spot, watching that mortal’s journey. As soon as I heard Teacher Rory’s story, I wanted to correct her. Although I said I understand nothing, it was because what she told was completely different from what I saw. The main character of the story, Sator, wasn’t a mortal, but an archon and a compelling god. He wandered the celestias or universes he created with his immortal comrades but . . . a tragedy struck in the abode of the deities named Procyron. Sator was part of Procyron’s council, a group of eight gods ruling the abode of deities and celestias. The council
Chapter XXIII Renata's Caligo Oculus Part 2 Another thing, searching for the truth requires a lot of effort and I’m lazy for that. I jest, the real reason was . . . I don’t want my views or perspective about the world to change. I think I already have enough knowledge about this world. The trauma . . . almost made me go insane. I never wanted my perspective to change because of what my babu said to me before he died. “Everyone around you, Renata, is perfidious. You can’t trust anyone . . . not even gods.” Remembering that line . . . was always making me wary. “Renata.” As soon as I heard a voice, I came back into reality, a reason why the dominoes fell continuously. I groaned. It took me time to build all of this. I glanced at the person who disturbed me. Only did I realize that it was our math teacher. “Why are you playing dominoes in the middle of the class, Renata?” I frowned. “Uh . . . To help me with numbers?” I stayed silent for a moment. “Perhaps?” I released an awkward