Chapter 160: Tension

With an intrigued expression, and Ophelia's situation in mind, Estelle finally picked up her pace and arrived at the town's management center. She entered the building, nodding and greeting at some of the people in sight with a gentle smile before reaching a specific room clearly marked as the chief's office.

She knocked at the wooden door, announcing her presence with a cough. "Excuse me, town chief," she said.

The room was previously silent, but in mere seconds, it was no longer the same.

"That voice.. Is that Rae?! Oh, dear, Rae! You have come here again!" A loud voice erupted from within the room. Rumbling footsteps followed right after. The door knob turned and the door opened, revealing the familiar figure of this town's leader.

The man's expression quickly brightened up after his eyes fell onto the Goddess Estraea's signature appearance.

"It really is Rae. Come in, come in! Ophelia! Serve some tea for us two!" He gently held Estelle's hand and pulled her into the room, leading her to the seats. The town chief had a warm personality, and looked like a gentle elderly man.

Estelle's ears perked up when she heard Ophelia's name being mentioned. She immediately searched for the woman's presence, but couldn't find her anywhere. Although, she did hear a slight muffled sound of agreement from a distance, which she assumed to be Ophelia's voice.

Estelle sat down on the soft chair and looked around. "Good morning, chief. I came here to look for Sei, is he not here?"

The only person inside the room aside from her was this welcoming chief.

"Oh, getting straight to the point, are you? Every time, you always mention Sei's name! Hahahah! That kid sure is lucky," The chief, whose name was Oswald laughed boisterously. "He will probably come back very soon. I sent him away to do some chores earlier, the people in the town hall needed help with the festival's preparations,"

"Festival.. for what?"

"To celebrate a yearly custom in our town. It's unrelated to any cultural symbols, we just adopted this trend a while ago and kept it going. We typically have feasts, party around, but the most significant event is.. the large bonfire that is going to be raised in the middle of the town. We will all circle the flame and dance, sing, whatever it is to have fun," Oswald explained.

"Is that so.. When is the festival?"

"Actually, you came at the perfect time! The festival will be held tomorrow. If you're free, why don't you stay in our town tonight, perhaps you could join the festival tomorrow? It will be fun, I promise!" The chief enthusiastically said.

"I will have to consider that offer very carefully," Estelle replied. She didn't know how much time she had in this strange space she was in, but she wanted to make sure that her time is well spent. After confirming her targets, she planned to go and sightsee around the world to pick up the differences and perhaps spot significant information she could use in the future.

"Sei will be attending, you know? Come on, the last time we wanted to celebrate your contribution, you refused and ditched us. This festival can count as the replacement for that now that you're here!"

"Ahh.. but I might have urgent matters pop up suddenly. I will decide whether or not I would join right before the party, there is no need for you all to prepare for my stay. I come and go like always, you see?"

"I've asked this many times, but do you really not want to just settle in here? Rather than going off and coming back here repeatedly.. The town's people would be fine with you building a home here, you know? We will accept you. No, that's not right. We have already accepted you. You just have to say the word and a couple of voluntary workers will definitely pop up!"

"..No. I also have my own home.. People who need me to be there, and people I need to be with," Estelle ambiguously answered.

"I-Is that so," The chief coughed awkwardly. "My apologies for always asking this, but I really wish you stayed here. You have been such a great help, and-"

Right then, the door to the office opened and revealed a pretty young woman who had an exquisite appearance. She brought a tray that fit two cups of hot tea. The woman gracefully walked to the table and placed the cups down.

While she was doing that, Estelle kept staring at the woman, trying to imprint the image of her appearance inside her head. Ophelia. This was the one who brought her doom, Ophelia. The one who caused all the chaos to start, and would embody the soul of Chaos in the future.

Ophelia bowed down when she placed the cups. Sensing Estelle's intensive stare, she turned around to look at her. Their eyes met, and Ophelia immediately averted her gaze away to the cups.

"It's nice to see you again, Ophelia," Estelle tried her luck, prodding on the woman's matter to see how she would react to her.

"..It's nice to see you too, Rae," Ophelia flashed a bright smile, as if nothing was wrong. She tidied up the tray and stood there.

There was this strange tension within them, even without any signs of discomfort surfacing out.

"I heard about the festival. Are you going to attend it too, Ophelia?" Estelle asked as she took a sip of the tea Ophelia brewed, not worrying at all since she knew that her body was much more powerful than it was back in the previous realm. She wouldn't even be bothered by potent poison, and Ophelia herself should know this face. There would be no way she tried to do something funny to her drink.

Ophelia's eyes twinkled with pride as she answered.

"Of course. I am going to perform the last dance. It is going to be the highlight of the night, so I am very nervous about it.. I have practiced a lot, but what if I make mistakes?"

"Don't worry, daughter. You will be spectacular!" Oswald cheered, receiving a thankful grin from the beautiful daughter of his.

"Oh? A dance? Are you going to perform alone, or is there a partner who will accompany you?" Estelle asked.

"..With Aleksei. I will perform the dance with Aleksei since we have been chosen to be the party's main couple.. so we will have to dance together," Ophelia answered, showing a meaningful smile as she chuckled lightly.

"Is that so.. a dance, huh? I would love to see that. You're making me want to go to the festival!" Estelle replied with vigor.

"Your presence will be greatly appreciated. But.. since you came here last minute, I'm not sure if you will be able to find a dancing partner.. Everyone is already paired up,"

"Oh, that is of no worry. I could dance by myself, I used to love dancing! My style might be different from your palate, but everyone who saw my performance praised me, you know?"

"That is a certainty. Rae is very beautiful, when she saved this town, I almost thought that she was Goddess descending from the skies! At that time, you wore white robes and fluttered downwards, eclipsing the sun for a few seconds, letting your weapons blare, and the enemies instantly-"

"Father, you are being too chatty in front of the person herself. Won't she be embarrassed if you're like this?" Ophelia interjected, ending the chief's unending ramble.

"Oh, my bad, my bad. I got carried away. Anyway, Rae, you should definitely join if you could!" Oswald said once more. He really was a huge fan of this mystical young lady, no amount of praise was enough for him to channel his feelings. It was almost to the point of worship.

"Yes, I will do so. Now then.. Where did you say Sei was sent to? I'm thinking of surprising him with my arrival.. so it would be better if I just went there and approached him when he's busy. If I waited too long, I think the entire town will be notified of my arrival already. I greeted quite a lot of people on my way here, you see?" Estelle giggled.

"Oh, right! That would certainly be true. Then.. go off to the town hall! He's there right now," Oswald directed.

"Thank you, chief. I will definitely be back again," Estelle politely nodded as she said her farewells and began to head towards the town hall to seek Aleksei, the other main character that she wanted to research.

Upon arriving at the town hall, everyone was busy and loitering about. Estelle went ahead and approached a random lady who brought a large basket filled with apples.

"Umm.." Estelle called out hesitantly as she didn't know who this woman's identity was.

The woman turned around, saw the Goddess, and broke into a wide smile.

"Rae! You are here!" The woman said.