Aschenfall Central Plaza — One Week Before the Festival
The plaza had been transformed.
From a functional space for markets and public meetings into... something completely different.
Decorations hung from every surrounding building. Colorful fabrics waved in the breeze. Garlands of flowers—real and paper—created arches.
Wooden stalls being constructed. Platforms for musicians. A cleared area for dancing.
And in the center, something massive covered with tarps.
Aurelia's secret project.
Gorman supervised the construction with evident satisfaction.
"Higher that arch! It needs to be visible from the main streets!"
"And those flowers! Make sure they're evenly distributed!"
The citizens worked with an enthusiasm not seen in months.
Months of war, reconstruction, survival.
Finally, a moment to celebrate.
An elderly woman—Mrs. Mueller, a local baker—approached Gorman.
"Do you think Lord Kaito will appreciate all this?"
Gorman smiled.
