N-A-A Chapter 812 The never-ending Flower Goddess Festival (4)
Chapter 812 The never-ending Flower Goddess Festival (4)
【In fact, it is possible that you will not be selected.】
[Phoenix's luck...it's a bit difficult to choose if you don't win, right?]
[We have to understand one thing, Iya is also a phoenix...]
[From a probabilistic perspective, the probability of Iya choosing a flavor other than Sunset Fruit is non-zero... but reality doesn't rely on probabilities.]
【Reality talks about probability, but there are always people who don’t talk about probability.】
Afterwards, with Paimon's patient persuasion, Iya participated in the selection of the sugar bowl on behalf of Paimon.
Before my eyes were a dozen colorful, crystal-clear candy jars, sparkling with an alluring luster in the sun, and only one of them contained Sunset Fruit flavored candy.
On the other hand, Arataki Ichito generously selected it for himself.
Iya finally pointed to sugar jar number four - he explained gently and firmly that this was because Xumi was the fourth country he had visited following the footsteps of Ying and Paimon, and the number "four" carried the memories of the journey and the resonance of emotions.
When the lid of the jar was opened, the sweet aroma of sunset fruit quietly filled the air, which really lived up to my expectations.
Paimon cheered and couldn't wait to take one out and put it in his mouth, squinting his eyes to enjoy the sweetness;
Yiya also gently picked up one and put it in his mouth, as if he was tasting not only the candy, but also the little bits of warmth in this journey.
As for Aratake Ichito, he chose candy jar number seven without hesitation due to his almost fanatical love for the beetle.
As the green-glowing, peculiar-smelling candy with a strange smell appeared in the jar, everyone couldn't help but hold their breath.
He burst into laughter, opened the package on the spot, tilted his head back and swallowed it in one gulp. Then he puffed out his chest and made a bold declaration that resounded throughout the audience: "There is nothing in this world that I, Arawaki Ichido, dare not eat!"
Although Ying and his friends could not know exactly what the candy tasted like, the answer seemed self-evident when they saw Arataki Ichito's instantly distorted face, the bulging veins on his forehead, and the way he was trying to suppress discomfort while still forcing a smile.
However, the festive atmosphere should be dominated by laughter. Seeing this, the stall owner couldn't help but laugh and immediately handed over a golden sunset fruit flavored candy as a consolation:
"Here, this is for you, don't let yourself down."
He also added thoughtfully: "If any children draw a flavor they don't like, they can always come back to me to exchange it."
Arata Ichito took the warm sunset fruit candy, and the gloom on his face disappeared. He smiled brightly like a child who had received a reward, and bowed to the stall owner and said:
"Thank you very much, dear Sugar Knight!"
The stall owner held his forehead helplessly and chuckled: "I said... I'm the Knight of Flowers, not the Knight of Sugar."
Looking at his boss's expression, Jiu Qi Shinobu could only shake his head with a helpless smile on his face.
"Boss, please don't deliver another fatal blow to the heart of this Flower Knight who didn't get to ride on the float."
Upon hearing that the Flower Knight simply didn't get to ride on the float, Ying tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes, and asked softly, "Didn't get to ride on the float? So... the float actually exists?"
Dina Zedai nodded slightly and replied gently, "Yes, the float does exist."
She continued, "However, due to budget constraints, floats were not usually used in the Flora Festival in the past. After all, the flowers used to decorate the floats are very expensive and represent a significant expense."
"Only in years with exceptionally ample funds will Lord Caesar grant permission for a float to parade around Xumi City," she added with a smile. "Like this year—not only did Lord Caesar generously allocate funds, but my family also provided a partial sponsorship, which made it possible for the float to return."
When everyone heard this, they all showed expressions of sudden enlightenment.
Paimon blinked his big eyes and muttered with a hint of regret in his tone, "So there really is a float! And this Flower Knight can't even get on it? I was imagining he'd grab a few extra candies when he was throwing them into the crowd!"
The stall owner, who was acting as the Flower Knight, smiled brightly upon hearing this and said, "There's limited space on the float. Little Auspicious Grass King is already sitting on it, so there's only room for one more person."
"As for that position, I really can't think of anyone more suitable than Lord Caesar."
"I may play the Knight of Flowers, but the true glory belongs to Lord Caesar—but he won't throw candy to the people like I do."
【Xumi really can't live without Caesar.】
The only truth I've learned after going through the Flower God's Birthday Festival: Virtual reality can do without the Little Auspicious Grass King, but it can't do without Caesar.
[Caesar, we love your teeth! ]
[As expected, funding is a major drawback for any event.]
Jiuqi Shinobu seemed to be lost in thought, then asked, "As far as I know, during the original Flower God's Birthday Festival, the floats were supposed to travel all the way from Xumi City to Omos Harbor. Why do they now just parade around the city and then end?"
Dina Zedai shook her head slightly and smiled apologetically: "That... I'm not entirely sure either."
"If Vice President Jiuqi is interested, you might as well find an opportunity to ask Lord Caesar. He is a humble and approachable person and will be happy to answer your questions."
After receiving the crystal clear Yalda candy, a special delicacy for the Flower Goddess' Birthday Festival, from the Flower Knight, Dina Zede suddenly remembered that she had left some important items at the hotel, so she quietly asked Ying and her companions to accompany her back.
Ying and his group readily agreed, then waved goodbye to Aratake Ichito and Kuki Shinobu, and slowly walked towards the inn deep in the quiet alley in the slanting afterglow of the setting sun.
However, halfway through the journey, several dark shadows suddenly jumped out from both sides of the road - they were ambushers from the Gilded Brigade who appeared quietly and blocked their way.
"...Who are you?" Dina Zedai frowned slightly, her eyes warily scanning the two mercenaries in golden armor. "The Humayi family has never hired you."
"Indeed, we have not yet received any gold coins from the Humayi family..." One of them sneered, revealing his sharp white teeth.
"But if they capture you, how much ransom are they willing to offer?" The burly, muscular mercenary approached with a grin, greed glittering in his eyes.
This mountain was opened by me, and this tree was planted by me. If you want to pass through here, you must leave some money to buy your way through.
[The security situation in Xumi City is not very good. This is very Indian.]
[Luckily, I'm here with you, otherwise these greedy guys would have succeeded.]
[What a coincidence! My Dolly is still short of breakthrough materials.]
The material speaks for itself.
Paimon was filled with rage. He stood in front of Dina Zedai and shouted angrily, "It turns out to be a group of kidnappers! Ying, quickly protect Dina Zedai!"
The Iya people were known for being taciturn and fierce. Before he finished speaking, he had already drawn the long sword from his waist, pointing it straight ahead with a cold light. The sword tip cut through the air, making a low humming sound.
Ying shook her head slightly, her tone calm and firm:
"Don't be nervous, put down your weapons - the real professionals have arrived."
As soon as the words fell, a cold and angry voice sounded from the shadows on the street corner:
"But have you ever thought that there's a colleague you can't afford to offend who has already accepted the Humayi family's commission?"
With resounding footsteps, Dishia slowly emerged from the darkness, her nimble figure looming before the crowd like a fierce lion. Her golden eyes, sharp as knives, fixed their gaze coldly on the two uninvited guests, her presence radiating an untouchable aura of oppression.
"You...are Dishia?"
The other party was slightly startled, then sneered, "'Blazing Lion' Dishia? No wonder you haven't been seen in the mercenary circle for a long time - it turns out you've been 'tied up at home' as a watchdog."
Clearly, they recognized the name of this once-powerful figure in the desert mercenary world. However, facing this once-renowned warrior, the Gilded Brigade showed no fear, but instead displayed contempt.
Dina Zedai's expression was solemn, and her voice was cold and firm:
"Please be careful with your words. Miss Dishia formed an alliance with the Humayi family because she was once a member of our family. She is definitely not someone you call a dependent."
Dixia waved her hand, a disdainful smile on her lips: "It's alright, Miss Dina Zedai, it's just a common bluff among mercenaries."
She slowly raised her arms, the metal on her gloves gleaming coldly in the twilight, her eyes as sharp as a blade:
"When the fighting starts, these wild dogs will naturally tuck their tails between their legs and reveal their true colors."
【Sister is so handsome! 】
The chain behind Dishia looks like a lion's tail.
【So it's not a cat.】
[They are so nice, they protect each other.]
She is really handsome.
The Gilded Brigade on the other side raised their lips in disdain and sneered, "It's been so long since we last met, your claws and teeth must have gotten rusty, right? Don't be so confident, or you'll end up embarrassed."
Before he finished speaking, he casually waved his hand, and several members of the Gilded Brigade flashed out from the darkness and surrounded everyone.
Dixia quickly glanced around, then turned her head and said to Ying in a firm tone, "Ying, take Dinard and the young lady and go first. Leave this to me."
Paimon shouted anxiously, "No! They are so many in number, how can we leave you alone? Let's stay and help too!"
Ying shook her head slightly, her eyes calm and steady: "The most important thing now is to ensure Dina Zedai's safety. Staying here will only put her in greater danger."
"Protecting your employer is Dishia's true duty."
"Yeah...that's right...well, okay..." Paimon bit his lip and finally nodded reluctantly.
Yiya remained silent, slowly putting the unsheathed sword back into the scabbard, his expression solemn.
Dina Zedai looked at Dishiya, her eyes full of worry: "Be careful, Dishiya...you must come back safely."
Dixia responded with a brief but powerful look, and said calmly: "Don't be distracted by taking care of me. Protecting yourself is the key."
"This is my battle. Once I'm done with these guys, I'll naturally come find you."
Just as everyone was preparing to escort Dinazedai to evacuate——
A sharp cold wind suddenly blew past, stirring up dust and heading straight for the Gilded Brigade.
The crisp sound of high heels rang out on the cobblestone road, coming from far away and getting closer. The rhythm was calm, as if stepping on people's hearts.
A plump and elegant figure slowly walked out from the depths of the twilight, her skirt fluttering in the wind, like a white lotus blooming in the moonlight.
Then, a lazy voice with a biting chill cut through the air:
"The security situation in Xumi City is really disappointing."
"Robbing people in the street is like a bandit threat, but it can be done openly. It's really eye-opening."
Everyone turned around to see a woman with white-blonde hair like a waterfall slowly walking out. She wore a jet-black crown and a plain white dress, and her aura was noble and cool, like a queen in the cold night.
She stared coldly at the Gilded Brigade, the corners of her lips slightly raised, but there was no smile at all:
"It's a rare opportunity for me to come to this celebration. I wanted to enjoy a moment of peace and joy, but you chose to seek your own death."
"very good--"
Her eyes flashed, and the pressure in her body dropped suddenly:
"I'm really a little angry now."