The Great War of Rhodesia

The Antology Festival I

Finally the long-awaited day has arrived. The day on which the Aksa festival of ideas is held.

Already from a part of the Eblan region was filled with people from other regions. They can't wait to wait for the Great Market to open tonight.

Some of the large inns around the place had already begun to look busy by the customers. While for those who can not afford to rent lodging, it has begun to line up neatly in the campground to book a place.

The organizers of the event also seemed busy preparing everything.

While some people from the Central Region have started to leave together in a large group using Iron Train and Steam Train to the Eblan region.

While for important people, later will be escorted using the Air Ship to come to the place.

-

"I don't think we can go to a celebration at a time like this" Katarina said on the Iron Train with Ellian, Couran and Haldin who had just passed the South Gate.

"really. Though both the southern and northern regions are currently being filled with tension." Ellian responded to her brother's remark as she stared at the scene outside through the windowpanes.

"Yes. We should be grateful to be residents of this kingdom" Couran said later from the steering wheel next to Haldin. "Because we have those two young men and Her Majesty the Queen" he added.

"really. It is not wrong that we decided to move here" Haldin said with a small laugh that seemed approved by another colleague.

And not far behind the Iron Car of the Couran troupe, walking the Iron Train of Go's entourage and his three nephews.

"If you know it will be crowded like this, we should go to the Eblan region from yesterday along with the entourage of Lord Aksa and lord Nata. This way we'll be late." Loujze looked worriedly at the main street of Ignus which seemed to be filled with Iron Trains.

"Don't worry. We'll move by Steam Train once we get to Varun City later," Deuxter retorted from the steering wheel trying to get his best friend up.

"At the same time we need to bring the rest of these Fireworks, which were just finished last night," sahut Go from the back seat beside Hubert pointed to the pile of wooden crates behind his chair.

"really. So it's impossible for us to go there yesterday." Hubert confirmed Go's speech.

"I know that. But still this worries me. Because we still have to make preparations upon arrival there later," replied Loujze who still looks unsettled.

"Don't worry. Citing the boy's remarks, the evening event will definitely run spectacularly," Go said then trying to reduce Loujze's concerns.

And it seems to work. Because now the Iron Train is filled with laughter from its passengers.

-

While shortly afterwards at the West Port in the Licensing building, it appears that Carl is cleaning up his work when he sees his colleague Maeve still looks busy rereading the report paper.

"Maeve's? Do you intend to stay behind that pile of reports? Today is the opening day of the Rhapsodia Festival for the first time" Carl said, trying to remind the woman.

"Ah, I'm worried about whether or not to come" Maeve replied after taking a deep breath.

"Indeed why? Is there a problem?" Carl looks worried to see his partner who looks like he is in trouble.

"Because if I come, Miss Margaret and Versica will definitely ask me to have a drink until morning. And that means not just today I'm suspending my work. But most likely until the day after tomorrow," replied Maeve who looks frustrated.

"Then why?" reply Carl lightly. Because there was no problem in the words of his best friend.

"You're good to talk. That means I have to go overtime not sleeping the day after." Maeve replied with a cynical look towards Carl.

"Well, isn't that your daily habit?" Carl still responded to Maeve's words lightly.

"I don't know anymore." Maeve ruffled her own hair.

"So how? Not participate? Miss Anna and the others are waiting in the harbor" Carl said, ignoring Maeve's previous complaints.

"Yes, okay. Think of it as an unexpected event" Maeve replied as he stood up from his chair.

"really. Think of it like an unexpected natural disaster" said Carl while walking first to leave the workspace.

Maeve then turned off his desk reading light, picked up a robe, and walked out of the room.

-

While in Gala City, the Fire Star entourage that had come from the day before, was now starting to get ready to go around the Great Market together.

And indeed doing things together like that is not something new for the group. They almost always meet regularly on weekends.

"Of you guys, we'll be late to see the Fireworks later." Sigurd looks impatient in his inn room with Axel and Shyam.

"There's no need to make a fuss, Sig. Before this Hubert told me that the Fireworks would be launched at 9 p.m. And now even 6 o'clock yet" said Shyam who was seen cross-legged on his bed.

"But still. The streets will definitely be crowded because almost everyone from this southern region will come to see them." Sigurd still could not calm down.

"Are you crazy, Sig? We deliberately rented this inn because it was only a few minutes away from the Great Market." Axel replied with a slight annoyance at his disturbing colleague's whimper. "And again we still have to wait for Thomas and the Chairman."

"Ah, parallel. Let's just get to them" Sigurd replied.

"Have gone there myself I don't care anymore" said Axel who now looks upset.

But shortly after Axel stopped talking, the door was knocked. And then there was Thomas' voice calling from outside.

"Well, are you happy now?" sahut Shyam with a slightly sniffy tone.

And then the Fire Star group went to the Great Market together.

-

Although it is still at 6 pm, but the Great Market is already very crowded by visitors. People are much more enthusiastic than expected.

Those who participated did not lose much. Thanks to the Trade Union and some of the start-ups from the southern region. Also the Central Region Craftsman Union and Culinary Trading Association.

So that dozens of fairly diverse stalls were seen lined up to form a threading pattern to meet square-shaped field maps where the Pasar Raya was held.

.

Versica was walking alone in the crowd of Pasar Raya while enjoying snacks and drinks in a small bottle, when suddenly someone called his name from behind.

"Ve?!"

"Joan?" versica said after discovering that Joan was the one who called her. "Where's Arthur?" he asked when he saw Joan alone.

"She's trying some games with her friends. Did you come alone?" joan asked back because he saw Versica who was also alone.

"No. I have an appointment with Margaret and the Star of Fire people. But it looks like they haven't come yet" Versica replied.

"Oh, so. How about we go for a drink while we wait for them" Joan said.

Which was approved by Versica. "A good idea. Come on!"

And soon the two women were busy talking in a small shop owned by local residents among the trading stalls still in the area of Pasar Raya.

"The area is really very crowded these days. Like not the Eblan area," Versica said opening the conversation.

"really. And a few months ago, dozens of people in this region almost starved to death because of their rulers," Joan replied. "And now, even everyone can buy luxury items that once only the nobles could afford."

"It never occurred to me that a celebration could help people like this" Versica said. "I knew in the past a celebration was often a burden to the citizens" she continued.

"I think right now we're in the hands of the right people." Joan said sincerely.

"Right," Versica replied as she was later seen the group of Fire Stars walking from a distance.

"Hey, you!" the female shouted then called out to them while waving her hands into the air.

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