Time continued to pass, and finally, the night of the Moon Festival arrived.
The event took place at night. This atmosphere reminded Charlie of night markets from his previous life—the crowds, the aroma of food, and the glittering lights creating such similar joy, though the world's context was completely different.
Every corner of the city was adorned with charming hanging lanterns. Adventurers, from the roughest to the most elegant, shed their combat gear for casual clothing. The main streets were packed with crowds participating in various entertainments, while the aroma of cooking from crowded food stalls tempted anyone passing by.
The influx of people caused shortages of some goods, and prices soared. However, this did not dampen the residents' enthusiasm for celebrating this annual tradition in the slightest.
Charlie wasn't the type to lock himself at home when a celebration this big was happening. Besides, the residents of Empyrean Citadel wouldn't let him laze around.
He didn't come alone. His group consisted of girls who each radiated different charms.
Astraea emanating a calm mature aura, Kei looking fresh in her growing phase, Aishia at the peak of feminine beauty, and Est who was petite and adorable.
This combination created a sight impossible to ignore. Unsurprisingly, Charlie's presence surrounded by a group of beautiful women of different types became the center of attention.
The gazes of pedestrians, adventurers, even gods relaxing, were directed at them with a mixture of admiration, envy, and in some cases, unconcealed hatred.
If looks could kill, Charlie might have died repeatedly since leaving Empyrean Citadel. However, he didn't care at all and continued walking casually without burden.
"So lively! The scale is on par with the summer festival!" Kei exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
Not even a week living in this world, she was slowly discovering the wonders and joys of another world, gradually burying her past trauma.
Seeing Kei so spirited, a gentle smile bloomed on Astraea's lips. She also observed Charlie, whose eyes swept over the crowd and decorations with curiosity.
"This is your first time attending the Holy Moon Festival, right?" Astraea said, beginning her explanation. "This festival has been held for a long time, even before the gods descended to the lower world. In the past, the moon was symbolized as a protective deity that drove away monsters. So, this could be said to be one of the lower world's original cultures that still survives."
Charlie and Kei listened in passing, while Aishia and Est maintained their characteristic flat expressions, not particularly interested in history.
"Onii-chan, I want that."
Est's footsteps suddenly stopped. Her small hand pulled the edge of Charlie's clothes, pointing toward a stall selling colorful cotton candy that looked as soft as clouds.
"Sure. Let's buy it. Does anyone else want cotton candy?" Charlie asked while turning toward the other girls.
"I do." Aishia answered with an elegant light nod.
"I want to try it too!" Kei raised her hand enthusiastically.
Charlie then turned to the Goddess. "What about you, Goddess Astraea?"
Astraea shook her head slowly while giving a meaningful smile. "No need to buy for me. I'll just taste a little from yours later."
"Alright then."
Charlie led his group to approach the stall. He ordered three large cotton candies for Est, Aishia, and Kei, while he himself chose not to order, more interested in observing the happiness on their faces when receiving the sweets.
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Holding cotton candy of different colors and shapes, Aishia, Kei, and Est tasted the sweets while continuing to navigate through the increasingly dense crowd.
The festival's lively atmosphere seemed to become the perfect backdrop for their relaxed moment.
With her always calm and graceful movements, Aishia held her cotton candy in front of Charlie's face.
"Try this, Charlie."
"Okay."
Without hesitation or excessive nervousness like a shy protagonist facing an indirect kiss situation, Charlie immediately leaned forward and bit a small portion of the cotton candy. He tasted it for a moment before giving his assessment.
"Less sweet compared to modern cotton candy. Well, this is the low-sugar, healthy version."
"Charlie-san thinks so too? Turns out it's not just my imagination."
Hearing that, Kei was relieved it wasn't just her feeling. She offered her cotton candy to her Main Deity, Astraea, who was walking beside her.
"Really? To me, this is already very sweet." Astraea commented after tasting a bit of Kei's.
She then reflexively licked her lips to clean off the remaining sugar—a simple movement that somehow looked very sensual.
"..."
Instantly, the atmosphere around them became slightly awkward for the men passing by. Some men who happened to see Astraea's spontaneous action suddenly stopped in their tracks, crossed their legs, or hurriedly left with flushed faces because "something" beneath their pants had suddenly awakened.
Although Astraea wasn't a Goddess of Beauty and didn't have passive Charm skills like Freya, Aphrodite, or Ishtar, her transcendent beauty remained a heavy temptation for mortal men of any race.
"Maybe the taste receptors on my and Kei's tongues are damaged from years of eating food containing chemicals." Charlie speculated while shrugging. "So, when tasting food made from natural ingredients, the taste becomes less satisfying."
"Charlie-san makes sense." Kei nodded.
At the same time, she glanced disgustedly at the men moving away with suspicious movements after being aroused just from seeing Astraea lick her lips.
Astraea, completely unaware of the impact of her action on the men around her, looked at Charlie and Kei with a serious expression.
"That sounds very unhealthy. From now on, don't consume food like that anymore."
"Yes, Goddess Astraea." Charlie answered politely but without promise in his heart.
After all, if later there was an opportunity to explore Planar Worlds with modern civilization, it would be impossible for him to pass up the chance to taste fast food or junk food.
"Understood, Astraea-sama." Kei answered obediently. However, a little sadness lingered in her heart.
Unlike Charlie who had the ability to travel between worlds, Kei was now trapped in this world. Her chances of tasting modern flavors were almost zero, unless she tried experimenting herself.
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