The courtyard of Whole Cake Chateau was filled with the sweet scents of frosting and baked goods.
Along both sides of a path paved with colorful sprinkles, talking biscuits danced in groups, while teapots topped with cream flowers bustled among the guests on tiny legs.
In short, it was a scene straight out of a fairy-tale picture book.
This was the lull after the guests had arrived, before the birthday party officially began.
The guests gathered in small groups, the gentle clinking of crystal glasses and muted laughter echoing between candy-encrusted columns.
After a fairy-tale opera-style welcoming ceremony, the Underworld Emperors entered the venue as well.
"Whew-still as-enthusiastic as ever-"
With that absurdly oversized scythe slung over his shoulder, Piekro was the first to step onto the frosting-paved welcome path, his gruff voice coming from beneath his mask. His heavy footsteps sent sprinkles flying onto Umit's gleaming leather boots.
The Underworld Emperor glanced down at his boots, his thick beard twitching.
"Watch it, Piekro. You walking bad omen."
"Hah? Got a problem, freight hauler?"
"All right, all right-we're all respectable people here. What's there to argue about? We're celebrating Linlin's birthday today."
Field stepped forward with his belly thrust out, the little sunglasses on his face catching a faint glint.
Giberson followed behind, his long nose twitching slightly beneath his top hat. On the surface, he looked like a muddleheaded old alcoholic. In truth, he understood perfectly well.
...Today's real theme was no birthday party.
"Has the Great Angel already gone inside?"
Morgans flapped his winglike hands, his large beak opening and closing. He was a little disappointed. He had hoped to chat beforehand.
...In fact, as something of an insider, Sephiroth had entered through the back door, sparing himself the public humiliation of the welcoming ceremony. By his standards,