On the heels of the bell, the festival's opening ceremony officially began, under the rapt attention of the entire city!
"Citizens of Orario! Honored gods and goddesses! Guests who've traveled from afar! Brave and fearless Adventurers!"
"In this romantic season of falling snow, we've finally arrived at the most heart-pounding moment of the entire year!"
"Welcome to the event the Orario Guild has poured all its love into bringing you... the Christmas Festival!!!!"
"Look at this sea of people! From the very peak of Babel, the White Tower, to the foot of the towering walls stretching as far as the eye can see, from the First District all the way to the back alleys of Daedalus, all of Orario is boiling over for today!"
"Now, let me hear you cheer...!"
"Whether you're an Adventurer who just got back from an Expedition, or a merchant running a cozy little shop, or a vendor working a street stall;"
"Whether you're a god come down from the Heavens, or a child born and raised in this city of heroes;"
"Today, right here, we all share one thing in common... we're here to enjoy the Christmas Festival!"
As the words fell, the host raised an arm and pointed off into the distance, voice climbing with feverish excitement:
"See all those glowing lanterns and decorations? Those are magical masterpieces our finest craftsmen worked through the night to finish! Smell that aroma drifting through the air? That's the feast the whole city's chefs prepared for today! Feel the ground trembling beneath your feet? That's the unstoppable energy and passion of our Orario!"
"Today, there's no threat from the Dungeon, no quarrels between Familias, no clashes of ideals, no dividing lines of allegiance! Only laughter, good food, music, and surprises beyond counting!"
"I hereby declare..."
"Let the candy be sweeter! Let the wine be richer! Let every smile shine brighter!"
"This winter, let Orario, this Labyrinth City, this city of heroes, this city of adventure, become the warmest, happiest, most joyful place in all the world!"
"So, my dear friends..."
"Are you ready for this dreamlike celebration?"
"We're ready!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Wonderful! Let's open it together, the best Christmas Festival, the one that belongs to all of us!!!"
For one breath, silence fell.
A deafening series of blasts erupted across the sky!
As if answering the whole city's anticipation, countless magical firework launchers placed throughout the city roared to life in unison! Brilliant beams of light shot skyward from every street, every landmark, and every corner, setting the winter sky ablaze in a flowing feast for the eyes.
The emblems of Orario's Familias bloomed one after another in the night sky, interweaving and spiraling among Christmas symbols and countless festive patterns until the whole sky became one dazzling tapestry.
The rain of light spilled down, illuminating every upturned face, pushing the festival's euphoria to its peak.
A thunderous roar rose from the crowd. Cheers, delighted screams, applause, and heartfelt exclamations of awe rolled in waves, mingling with the fireworks overhead in a magnificent festival symphony.
At the Demeter Familia's section, Leon, Demeter, and the others gazed up at the splendor in the sky, every one of them wearing a genuine smile.
The lively Laurier couldn't hold back any longer. Dragging Aura with her, she darted between the Familia's snack stalls like a cheerful little bird. With a fistful of candy in her left hand, a pastry in her right, and her cheeks stuffed full, she looked like a bear cub that had fallen into a honeypot, making everyone laugh.
Laurier herself didn't mind in the least, but Aura had long since flushed red with embarrassment. She kept trying to pry herself free of her friend's grip, only to end up with an armful of snacks shoved at her instead. She ducked her head and scuffed the toe of her shoe against the ground, her pointed ears burning red as she wished she could sink through the floor.
There beneath that sky full of splendor, Demeter turned gracefully.
The streaming light of the fireworks played across her flawless profile, tracing out a breathtaking allure.
She spread her arms wide as if to embrace the celebrating crowd, her elegant mink cloak fluttering lightly in the wind to reveal the exquisite winter gown beneath. Her open-sided heels, decorated with rhinestone wheat stalks, completed the goddess's graceful appearance.
"Children! Please, enjoy yourselves!"
She smiled and swept up a sleeve, her clear, bright voice carrying across the venue:
"These are all festive treats specially made by our Demeter Familia, free for the taking throughout the festival!"
"Yesss!!! That's our Lady Demeter for you!"
"Your beauty and your kindness are equally moving!"
"This is the heart of the great Earth Mother goddess!"
"Lady Demeter, we'll love you forever!!!"
The declaration drew a burst of cheers and adoring cries, and countless hats went flying above the joyful crowd!
The declaration seemed to press the festival's start button. The neighboring Familias responded, each showing off its own distinctive festival attractions.
There were the blessing knots gifted by Freya Familia, the starlight charms carved with Astraea's sword of justice and winged emblem, the assorted clown toys of Loki Familia, the holy water Dian Cecht Familia had set out for one Valis apiece (Airmid's bathwater), and the Hermes-brand backpacks and bard hats matching the ones from the Traveler's Lodging, along with all sorts of trinkets and goods carrying rich Familia flavor.
Of course, beyond these rarely seen items, there was no shortage of all kinds of delicacies, either.
Strolling along Demeter Familia's stalls, Leon walked leisurely shoulder to shoulder with Persephone and Demeter, following behind Jeanne and Rose. He looked over the dizzying array of food stalls with real interest, and as he passed the dried-fruit section, he couldn't resist the vendor's enthusiastic invitation and took a little of each.
After that, he peeled open a sugar-roasted chestnut and popped it into his mouth, and after savoring it slowly, a spark of surprise crossed his eyes:
"So sweet!"
Then he cracked an amber walnut with his bare hands and nodded with satisfaction:
"Mm... delicious!"
"Even someone like me who doesn't eat dried fruit often is won over. When it comes to good food, our Demeter Familia never disappoints."
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