It was a rainy morning in Bulida, and the entrance to the Karchi Art Museum at 84 Charing Cross Street was bustling with traffic.
The three-story building, constructed in the sixteenth century of the Sun Calendar, was simple yet elegant. Its ivory-white walls were decorated with intricate reliefs, while its brick-red roof, thickly covered in ivy, appeared and disappeared through the mist.
The gallery doors were tightly shut. The "Open for Business" sign swayed beneath the dim streetlamps, reflecting a cold glint and making the surrounding streets seem especially deserted.
This private art museum, founded by Professor Harrison Karchi of the Krui Di Empire's Royal Academy of Art, was nearly a century old. It had changed hands several times, yet it still maintained its gallery business.
However, the Karchi Art Museum was not holding an art salon today. Instead, it was constantly awaiting some special guests.
Eleven o'clock sharp.
"This is the place."
Amid the chatter of young women, the gallery's heavy oak door, fitted with a brass handle, was pushed open.
"Before we knew it, it was already November fourth."
"The Krui Di Empire's founding anniversary is at the end of this month. There'll be a nationwide festival, and the Twelve War Gods will also return to Bulida to receive the God of War and Sword's blessing. No matter what, it feels like something major will happen that day."
Dressed in a navy double-breasted trench coat and carrying a Birkin bag, Hughberlian entered the gallery with graceful steps. She removed her sunglasses, revealing aristocratic amber eyes. Antanas and the others followed behind her, chatting casually as they entered.
The first thing that caught their eyes was a fountain sculpture in the style of the Elcia Holy Domain.
After passing through the foyer, they entered a roughly five-hundred-square-meter exhibition hall