Confetti like flecks of gold fluttered down, covering their shoulders.
Seele's eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "They're... setting off fireworks in broad daylight?"
Kiana swept her gaze over the machines hovering in midair and said calmly, "Just a warm-up for the celebration. Those drones setting them off are the very mech models listed in the files."
Watching the scene before her, Seele could not help marveling. "The things that Doctor makes really are incredible. They've found their way into every corner of daily life."
"Bronya mentioned it," Kiana interjected. "Anti-Entropy has long had ties to the Council's higher-ups, specifically to handle anomalies caused by Honkai energy."
Looking at these steel creations that blended perfectly into everyday life, Seele murmured, "Ordinary citizens would never know what they were originally built for."
Kiana nodded. "For that purpose, the authorities dress Honkai disasters up as accidents. They keep a watertight lid on the information. All right, let's not dwell on it. Let's take a closer look."
Before she had finished speaking, a shout cut through the noisy crowd.
"Holiday festivities! All-you-can-drink beer! A live rock band tearing up the stage!"
Seele's attention was instantly captured.
She tugged at her companion's sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly. "Look! That costume... it's Homu! Bronya's favorite!"
Kiana followed her gaze, a trace of regret flashing in her eyes. "Too bad she isn't here. Otherwise, she'd definitely drag them over for a photo."
The staff member in the orange plush costume keenly noticed their gazes.
He hurried over and offered them a flyer with both hands. "Interested, ladies? Food, performances, fireworks shows, nonstop. How about taking a guide?"
Seele took the paper, her eyes bright. "Sounds tempting."
Kiana nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Once the work at hand is done, you could all come relax."
Even amid the jubilant