Before long, Sophie came upon a bustling little town—bustling not just because of its charming buildings, but because of the sheer noise and activity.
A dense crowd of people was moving toward her, as if the entire town had turned out. Their expressions varied—some happy, some blank, some furious, some grief-stricken. The procession was lively yet eerily subdued, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
As the crowd drew closer, Sophie quickly stepped aside with the two children. She knew this spectacle wasn't for her; she wasn't famous enough to warrant a whole town's welcome.
A group of finely dressed young men carried a platform laden with fruits, atop which sat a figure shrouded in a silver-white cloak. From the shape, it seemed to be a petite girl, but the figure remained motionless, as if asleep.
Behind them, burly men carried enormous trays piled high with golden, melon-like fruits. Though Sophie had eaten many exotic fruits since arriving in this world, she'd never seen anything so radiant—gleaming yellow, almost glowing, with an intoxicating fragrance that made her mouth water.
*If only one would fall…* Sophie thought, eyes locked on the melons.
Beside her, Belindak poked out its little snake head, recognizing the scent. "Huh? Aren't those honey melons? Why are they carrying so many?" Despite its recent toothache, the serpent couldn't help drooling.
"Honey melons? *These* are the things that gave you cavities?" Sophie muttered, eyeing the culprits. *No wonder. I'd eat a ton too.* If someone handed her a whole tray, she'd gladly accept—though she'd exercise restraint. Maybe just one a day.
Behind the melon-bearers came ordinary townsfolk, some carrying simpler offerings.
As the procession passed, Sophie frowned. *Some kind of festival? A sacrifice? Should I follow?* Torn between curiosity and her urgency to meet Master Marifao, she hesitated.
Before she could decide, a figure sprinted past her, kicking up dust.
"Cough… So eager for the show they couldn't slow down?" Sophie grumbled. Then another group rushed by—*Latecomers?*
This bunch looked worse for wear—panting, bruised, clothes dirtied. *Did they get trampled trying to catch up?*
"Damn brat! When I catch you, I'll skin you alive!" A grizzled man clutching a massive axe wheezed to a stop near Sophie, leaning on his knees.
*Poor guy. At his age, lugging that axe around…* Sophie approached. He seemed the only one willing to talk.
"Sir, what's going on? Why's everyone in such a hurry?"
"Sir?" The man—Dick—glared, then softened at the sight of a pretty girl. "Call me *brother*. I'm only thirty!"
*This 'brother' looks fifty.* Sophie kept that thought to herself. "Alright, *brother*. Why the rush?"
Dick plopped down, ready to chat. Sophie sat opposite, the kids eagerly listening.
"Sigh. We had no choice. Normally, Harold's the one who gets violent during the Offering. We've talked him down before. But this year… they picked Cloe, the girl he loves. So we locked him up. But he broke out, hurt some of us." He rubbed his face.
Sophie blinked. *None of that explains anything. Is he slow as well as old-looking?*
"Brother, what *offering*? And who's Harold? Are they sacrificing *people*?"
"Oh! We're the town guard. Harold's our strongest. Years ago, the mayor's son drowned in Mirror Lake while transporting melons. A drifter claimed a 'Blue Dragon' ate him and demanded yearly tributes—300 melons and a maiden. So now, every year, we throw in fruits and a girl. Some toss in extras, praying for blessings."
Sophie's stomach turned. *Belindak's the 'dragon'?* The snake only cared about melons—why throw in girls?
She excused herself and hurried after the crowd, leaving Dick reminiscing. *Wait… was that girl real?*
By the lake, chaos erupted as Harold broke free, clutching Cloe. "I won't let you take her!"
Then the water stirred. Belindak's massive head emerged—but no attack came.
Silence fell.
Then, from atop the serpent's head, a voice boomed: **"Foolish mortals!"**
The crowd gasped. A veiled woman in white stood there, the serpent seemingly her servant.
"No more maidens. Leave the melons and go."
Relief washed over Harold and Cloe. The townsfolk obeyed, scattering.
Dick, arriving late, squinted. *That 'goddess' looks familiar…*
As Sophie gleefully surveyed her haul, she turned to the kids. "Next year, remind me to come back for this!"
Her future looked bright. She *loved* this world. Maybe one day, she could bring her family here…
"Marifao! I'm coming!" she shouted, dashing off.
The kids exchanged glances. *What's gotten into Mom now?*
**Will she ever find the elusive master—or is this just another wild chase?**