The dancing performers moved across the stage.
Their movements were smooth.
Every step matched the rhythm of the music.
The lights followed them perfectly—
Turning with their movements.
Changing with every spin.
The crowd watched in amazement.
When the final note played—
The performers stopped.
They bowed deeply.
The audience erupted into applause.
From the spectator area—
Marquis smiled slightly.
"Nice one."
The performers raised their heads and bowed again.
Then they slowly walked off the stage.
A moment later—
Another performer stepped forward.
"That was our first performance!"
The crowd cheered.
"But before we continue..."
"Please enjoy walking around."
"We have opened more stalls for everyone to enjoy."
"Please take your time."
The visitors immediately began standing.
Families.
Travelers.
Villagers.
Everyone moved toward the decorated stalls behind the seating area.
The sound of laughter and conversation filled Roma Village.
Food.
Games.
Handmade goods.
The entire place was alive.
Meanwhile—
On top of a nearby roof—
Scrapper sat quietly.
The city lights reflected in his eyes.
Behind him, his mechanical tentacles moved slowly.
Searching.
Scanning.
He looked around carefully.
"...No sign of Void."
"Not even his men."
His expression became serious.
"Where are they?"
The machine tentacles stopped moving.
Scrapper jumped down from the roof.
Before landing—
He pulled up a hoodie.
The fabric covered most of his back, hiding the mechanical tentacles.
He adjusted it carefully.
Then walked into the crowd.
After moving through the visitors for a while—
He spotted a familiar group.
Saito.
Scrapper approached from behind.
"Hey."
Saito turned around.
His eyes widened.
"Scrapper?!"
"You scared me."
Scrapper raised both hands slightly.
"Sorry about that."
Saito looked at him suspiciously.
Then glanced at the hoodie covering his back.
"So..."
"How's your plan going?"
Scrapper became quiet for a moment.
Then sighed.
"Gotta admit..."
"It doesn't go pretty well."
Saito looked at him.
"You couldn't find anything?"
Scrapper shook his head slightly.
"No sign of Void."
"No movement from his side either."
Saito looked toward the festival around them.
Then smiled.
"Let's celebrate first, okay?"
Scrapper stared at him.
"..."
Then he let out a long sigh.
"I could use your help..."
He looked around at the stalls.
The lights.
The food.
The people enjoying themselves.
"But..."
"Wasting time enjoying this..."
He gave a small shrug.
"Maybe it's worth it."
Saito smiled.
"See?"
"Sometimes you need a break."
Scrapper shook his head.
"You're strange, Saito."
But he still followed.
The two walked together into the crowd.
Surrounded by the lights of the Roma Spotlight.
The festival was full of life.
Laughter echoed between the rows of colorful stalls.
The smell of grilled meat, roasted corn, and sweet pastries filled the air.
Not far from Saito and Scrapper—
Fanny and Alya stopped in front of a food stall.
The vendor smiled.
"Fresh hotdogs!"
"Hot off the grill!"
Fanny's eyes lit up immediately.
"I'll take one!"
Alya nodded.
"Me too."
A few moments later—
The vendor handed them each a hotdog wrapped neatly in paper.
Fanny took a big bite.
"Hmmm..."
"Delicious!"
Alya smiled faintly as she took a bite of hers.
"...It's good."
Just then—
Bomb and Rin walked over.
Bomb sniffed the air.
"...What are you two eating?"
Fanny held up her hotdog proudly.
"Hotdog."
"You want one?"
Rin smiled.
"Sure."
Bomb nodded.
"Count me in."
Alya stepped back to the stall.
"Four hotdogs, please."
The vendor chuckled.
"You've got quite the hungry group."
A few moments later—
He handed over two more hotdogs.
Alya took them and turned around.
She handed one to Bomb.
"...Here."
Then the other to Rin.
"And yours."
Bomb grinned.
"Thanks."
Rin took a bite.
"...Not bad."
The four of them stood together, enjoying their food as the lively sounds of the Roma Spotlight continued around them.
Saito and Scrapper made their way through the crowd.
The festival remained lively as people browsed the stalls and chatted with one another.
Soon, they reached the rest of the group.
Bomb noticed Scrapper first.
"Scrapper."
"You're back."
Scrapper gave a small wave.
"Yeah."
Fanny smiled.
"Did you finally stop working for a while?"
Scrapper shrugged.
"For now."
Saito looked toward the stage.
"I think it's about to start again."
He gestured toward the spectator seats.
"Let's head back."
Everyone nodded.
Together, the Blue Scarf crew returned to their seats.
They had barely settled in—
When the lights dimmed once more.
The performer walked back onto the stage.
He raised both hands toward the audience.
"Did you all have fun?"
The crowd erupted with cheers.
"YEAH!"
The performer smiled broadly.
"Wonderful!"
"Then let's move on to our second performance!"
He paused dramatically.
"This performance..."
"...was brought to us from Jokun City!"
"Please welcome..."
"...the Fire Invokers!"
Saito's eyes widened slightly.
"Wow..."
"They even invited performers from Bypass Village."
Bomb chuckled.
"Hope we get to see Mayor John perform."
Rin laughed.
"I don't think mayors usually perform."
The audience chuckled softly.
A group of performers dressed in crimson robes stepped onto the stage.
The lights focused on them.
One performer stepped forward.
He took a deep breath.
Then—
Whoosh!
A long stream of fire burst from his mouth, illuminating the stage with brilliant orange light.
The audience gasped.
Another performer raised his hand.
A small flame appeared above his palm.
It grew larger—
Until it became a blazing fireball.
With practiced movements, he tossed it into the air and caught it again, making it dance effortlessly between his hands.
The crowd erupted into applause as the Fire Invokers continued their spectacular display.
The Fire Invokers continued their performance.
One of them lifted the blazing fireball high above his head.
He smiled at the crowd.
Then—
With a powerful swing—
Whoosh!
The fireball shot into the night sky.
For a brief moment—
It disappeared into the darkness.
Then—
BOOM!
The fireball burst apart into dozens of tiny sparks.
Miniature fireworks spread across the sky, showering the village in brilliant red, orange, and golden lights.
The crowd looked up in amazement.
Children pointed excitedly.
Visitors cheered.
Applause echoed throughout Roma Village.
The Fire Invokers stood together at the center of the stage.
They bowed deeply.
The performer stepped back onto the stage with a bright smile.
"Let's give another round of applause..."
"...for the Jokun Fire Invokers!"
The audience clapped once more.
The Fire Invokers waved to the crowd before walking off the stage.
The performer waited until the applause settled.
"And now..."
"We move on to our next agenda."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"It is my honor..."
"...to welcome our beloved king..."
"...Marquis the Third!"
"Please give him a warm welcome..."
"...as he delivers his speech!"
The crowd immediately erupted into cheers.
All eyes turned toward the stage, waiting for Marquis to step forward.
Behind the stage—
Marquis stood quietly.
He adjusted his coat once.
Then looked toward the crowd beyond the curtain.
Thousands of people waited.
The cheers echoed across Roma Village.
Even he couldn't hide the nervousness on his face.
A gentle hand rested on his arm.
Aria smiled warmly at him.
She stepped closer.
"You'll do fine, darling."
Before Marquis could answer—
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Marquis blinked.
Then a small smile appeared.
"...You're right."
He took a deep breath.
Exhaled slowly.
The tension in his shoulders eased.
"...Thank you."
Aria gave him an encouraging nod.
"Go."
"Everyone's waiting for you."
Marquis straightened his posture.
His expression became calm once more.
Without another word—
He walked toward the stage.
As he stepped into the light—
The crowd welcomed him with loud applause and cheers.