Libinea maintained a firm grip on Raiking's hand as they navigated through the bustling crowd. This gesture was intentional, a quiet affirmation of the enduring bond they'd forged over centuries. The festival's warmth seemed to echo the gentle warmth rising within her. For the first time in ages, the burdens of queenship felt remote; in this moment, she was simply Libinea, walking beside the man who had witnessed her vulnerabilities and chosen to remain.
She glanced up at him, observing the subtle softening of his void-black eyes when they met hers. "You know," she said, her voice low enough for only him to hear, "I once believed the greatest gift you could offer was power. Now I realize it was always this—the freedom to choose my path and the assurance that you would accompany me."
"Are you certain you will not regret this?" Raiking inquired, his voice a calming presence amid the festival's chaos.
"It is far too late for regrets," Libinea replied, a playful smirk gracing her lips. "Everyone in the tribe has seen me holding your hand. What man on this mountain would dare marry me now? You've ruined my prospects, Lord Raiking, so you must take responsibility."
"And if I refuse?" he responded, a rare flicker of amusement dancing in his dark eyes.
"Then I will haunt you," she promised lightly. "I will peck at your head for all eternity."
"Gaga!" Faye chimed in, happily swinging her little arms within Raiking's embrace, her new feather cloak fluttering like tiny wings.
Libinea reached over, gently poking the giggling baby's soft cheek. "Don't worry, little one. I will haunt you, too."
Ahem.
"Okay," Ezmelral began, her voice cutting through the tender atmosphere. "Now that you two have finished... talking, where should we go first?"
Although she asked the question sincerely, her silver eyes were already darting toward the source of the savory smoke wafting through the plaza, betraying her true priorities.
Libinea let out a soft laugh. "Why don't we get something to eat first? The main activities won't start until later tonight."
"Hehe, you're so wise, Sister," Ezmelral praised, instantly hugging Libinea's arm in gratitude. A moment later, she released her, standing at attention and pointing forward with the authority of a military general.
"Onward to the food market!"
---
The journey through the food stalls was a culinary adventure unique to the Phoenix Festival. Each of the Five Tribes had erected their own expansive stalls, presenting the finest delicacies their peaks could offer. Since each of the five border mountains harbored distinct ecosystems and wildlife, the variety of roasted meats and seasoned dishes was astonishing.
"We will try every single one!" Ezmelral proclaimed, her silver eyes scanning the lively market before returning to Libinea. "Which one should we start with?"
"The Azure Peak specialties, of course," Libinea answered with a confident smile.
Fortunately for them, a nearby couple had just vacated their table. Ezmelral quickly seized the opportunity, swooping into the wooden seat with the eagerness of a vulture spotting fresh prey.
Once everyone was seated—Raiking in the middle with Faye happily bouncing on his lap, Libinea to his left, and Ezmelral to his right—they summoned a waiter. Libinea took charge of the ordering, expertly selecting the festival's finest cuts.
In a few moments, steaming wooden platters were placed before them. To the untrained eye, it appeared to be ordinary, thick-cut roasted boar meat, the kind readily available in any mid-tier Dawnfall Region tavern.
"That's it?" Ezmelral remarked, clearly unimpressed by the plain presentation.
Libinea remained silent, knowing well that appearances could be deceiving, and Ezmelral was about to learn this lesson. Ignoring the Sword Spirit's disappointment, Libinea turned her attention to the plate in front of Faye. She used her chopsticks to cut a tender piece of meat for the baby, dipping a wooden spoon into the savory broth.
As Libinea was about to guide the spoon toward Faye's eagerly open mouth, a sudden, horrified scream erupted beside them.
"Wha-wha-what is this?!?"
Raiking turned to see a panicked Ezmelral. The Sword Spirit had cut open her meat, only to find the highly prized "secret ingredients" that gave avian cuisine its unique texture.
"Maggots and worms," Libinea replied nonchalantly.
Instantly, Raiking's pale hand shot up, firmly clamping over the spoon of bug-filled meat just before it could reach his daughter's mouth.
"I think she's fine," Raiking stated plainly.
"What? Is there a problem with our traditional food?" Libinea asked, raising an elegant eyebrow.
"Uh... I just don't think she's hungry anymore."
"Gaga!"
"See? She's fine," Raiking said.
"Hmph! You outsiders just don't know what's good for you," Libinea teased playfully. She redirected the spoon toward her own mouth, casually chewing on the seasoned meat filled with a writhing assortment of crawlies that would unsettle most mortals.
Nom. Nom. Nom.
The loud chewing sound, however, did not originate from Libinea.
To Raiking's mild surprise—though considering her appetite, it really shouldn't have been a surprise at all—the sound came from Ezmelral. The Sword Spirit had quickly recovered from her initial shock and was now happily munching on the hybrid culinary creation.
"Actually... not bad," Ezmelral mumbled through a mouthful of roasted boar and toasted grubs.
"See?" Libinea said, gesturing triumphantly with her chopsticks.
"Yeah... I'm good," Raiking said, his expression remaining flat. Faye looked at the bugs, glanced at her father's face, and gave a firm little nod of silent gratitude.
Instead of avian delicacies, Raiking simply reached into his spatial storage and produced a warm bottle of premium, high-tier celestial milk. He gently fed it to Faye. As the little girl contentedly drank the extraordinarily potent nutrient blend, the spiritual pressure emanating from her tiny body underwent a subtle, soft pulse.
[Mortal Stage Level 6 -> Mortal Stage Level 7]
"I've been wanting to ask," Libinea started, her golden eyes tracing the faint, glowing aura receding into Faye's small frame. "Celestial Milk is typically known for enhancing bone strength, especially in children with unique bloodlines that specialize in body refinement techniques. However, it's never been noted to actually elevate a person's cultivation stage."
"That's because Faye is both a mortal and a God simultaneously," Raiking explained smoothly.
"Both?"
Libinea's lack of understanding was reasonable. She hadn't been present when Raiking and Ezmelral had explored the memories of the Goddess of Creation to discover the details of Faye's conception.
"Maryal was her only biological parent, which accounts for her mortal body," Raiking clarified, gently wiping a drop of milk from Faye's chin with his thumb. "However, the Goddess and I are her spiritual parents, which explains her indomitable soul. Since Gods are inherently born at the pinnacle of cultivation, her soul is rapidly trying to compel her mortal body to align with her true status."
"I understand," Libinea murmured as the pieces fell into place. "So, since spiritual nourishment can serve as a source of cultivation for her, if she consumed high-tier pills or magic crystals, she would progress at a much faster rate than ordinary mortals?"
"Exactly."
Although this seemed like an incredible advantage, a chilling realization suddenly dawned on Libinea. There was a significant issue.
The Cosmic Will. The universe only creates Gods for specific, intended roles. The Goddess was born to rule over Creation; Raiking was born to oversee Death. Faye, however, wasn't a naturally born God. She was an anomaly. Would the Cosmic Will even permit her existence? And even if it did, she still partially functioned as a mortal—and the heavens decree that for every blessing a mortal receives, there must be an equivalent and devastating tribulation to counterbalance it.
"Are there any side effects to her growing this quickly?" Libinea inquired, a protective tone edging into her voice.
"None that I'm aware of," Raiking responded.
That made sense. Faye was unique in the history of the universe. There was no precedent, no ancient text to consult. There was no way to truly predict how the future would unfold; they could only do their best to support her with the knowledge they currently possessed.
Libinea exhaled softly, her tense shoulders relaxing as she leaned slightly closer to him.
"Don't worry," Libinea said gently, her golden eyes filled with unwavering resolve. "I will be here to help you if any problems arise."
"Me too!" Ezmelral chimed in, enthusiastically raising a hand while still chewing on a large piece of bug-stuffed meat.
Raiking offered them a warm, genuine smile. His gaze returned to the serene Faye, who was currently far too young to comprehend the cosmic complexities of her own creation.
Whether her destiny lay in absolute goodness or endless, Cosmic-defying struggles, it didn't matter. Raiking would be there to face it with her, no matter what.