Chapter 18 | The DragonHeart City Ryuken Part 2

The kitchen was a couple of hallways away from the main room, where everyone had slept. But the sounds of the sizzling pan, coupled with the succulent aroma from the faint smoke dispersing from that very room, were so noticeable, and everyone could smell the food Theresia was cooking. As the tantalizing scent wafted through the air, it stirred hunger in each person's stomach. They eagerly followed their noses, their anticipation growing with every step toward the kitchen. YoRoKo were all changing their attire in some other room in the ever-jumbo-sized mansion. There was a high probability that Tsubasa and the others wouldn't have any idea where they were changing. The many rooms that they've explored trying to hunt down the cindertaurs had many rooms with dress drawers; it seemed many of the rooms had a repeating purpose for ones that already filled the role. The kitchen and the main room were exceptions. But when it came to other things like bathrooms, storage, and guest rooms, There were too many rooms that had the same purpose. The layout of the mansion was perplexing, as it lacked clear organization or logic. Tsubasa and the others found themselves getting lost in the maze-like corridors, unsure of which room they had already searched. It became evident that the mansion's design prioritized aesthetic appeal over practicality, resulting in an abundance of redundant spaces. What Tsubasa found very strange is that the mansion itself is located in a very isolated area where not many people would be able to find it. "What was the point of investing so much in this ridiculously huge mansion where no one would even know about it?" Tsubasa couldn't help but wonder if there was a hidden purpose behind the mansion's seclusion. As they continued exploring, they stumbled upon a room filled with dusty old books, hinting at a possible hidden history or secret that the mansion held within its walls.

[Luna]: Well\, Theresia wasn't the one who came up with the idea of the mansion's location\, so there's no point in asking her\, Tsu. This mansion is really old\, so maybe one of her predecessors had a reason for this particular mansion?"

[Tsubasa]: "Does her family often use this one\, Luna?"

[Luna]: "Not that I know of. This is also my first time being in this one\, but why have you let me go?"

After hugging each other for almost an hour, Tsubasa finally decided to pull away from Luna and venture even more into the mansion, even though at least roughly more than a quarter of its property got destroyed by the feral cindertaurs. Luna looked a bit sad when Tsubasa did that; she was still sitting on the floor in a 'wariza' position. Wariza. Another casual sitting posture for women is wariza (literally "separate or split sitting", w-sitting," or "reverse tailor style sitting" in English), which is similar to seiza in that the buttocks are on the floor and the lower legs are bent off to the sides. Her eyes looked a bit droopy with a frown, and Tsubasa felt a bit guilty for catching such a look on her face. "We can do that later, but I want to check on Theresia since it's been almost an hour and I'm famished".

[Luna]: "Promise?"

[Tsubasa]: "I promise."

[Daphne]: "Sorry to join in on whatever this is\, but I am starving too!"

[YoRoKo]: "We shall escort you to the kitchen this way."

YoRoKo gestured towards a narrow hallway leading to the kitchen, and Tsubasa followed closely behind Luna and Daphne. As they walked, Tsubasa couldn't help but wonder what could have kept Theresia for so long.

I'm glad everything worked out. The maid sisters seem to be a tad more friendly compared to when we first arrived here a day ago. I do hope we can deepen that bond, but right now I need to have everything figured out in this world. This world may be more complicated than I first realized. Tsubasa's mind raced with questions about the mysterious world they had stumbled upon. The more time they spent here, the more it became apparent that there was much more to discover and understand. Tsubasa couldn't shake off the feeling that their journey was just beginning and that many challenges and surprises were awaiting them ahead. We followed the three to the kitchen; the last time I went there, it was a mess, with Ko's blood on the floor and the kitchen wall demolished with the mass of a beast. Maybe that's why Theresia is taking too long. Walking down hallway after hallway, there were numerous paintings hung on the walls. It's no surprise that Tsubasa didn't recognize anyone. But there was one painting among them that caught her attention. "Hey guys, what's this painting about?" Ko stepped forward and examined it.

[Ko]: "It's called 'The 13th Star Etched In History. There are no literal stars\, but this painting included 13 individuals who represented 'stars'\, but I don't recognize them. Maybe five of them were the Ruling Paragons? That would make more sense if it was more about them\, but I don't see them here." Tsubasa's curiosity was piqued as she listened to Ko's explanation. She couldn't help but wonder who these 13 individuals were and why they were considered "stars." As she studied the painting more closely\, she noticed intricate details that hinted at a deeper meaning behind their inclusion.

[Ro]: "We only know the physical features of the Five Ruling Paragons\, but they haven't been around for centuries\, so we may never know what they looked like. But what a strange painting! I've read many historical books\, but I've never heard of '13 Stars'. It's intriguing how the artist managed to capture the essence of these individuals through their intricate details. Perhaps the 13 Stars hold a significant role in history that has been overlooked or forgotten."

[Tsubasa]: "If there's 13\, then why do I only see 12? Where is the last one?"

[Ro]: "You're right! How come I've never noticed that before? It's so weird; nothing in history has ever mentioned these people; we don't even know who they were.

[Tsubasa]: "They all look prominent. Then why is this painting here?

[Ko]: "That's a really good question\, but we weren't the ones who put this up; I'm familiar with the other paintings\, which are more related to the Astrea family\, but this painting stands out quite a bit." [Tsubasa]: "I wonder if there's any significance to these mysterious figures. Maybe they were important in a different era or culture that we're not aware of?"

Tsubasa and Ro were both so intent on this painting; it was a really old painting that didn't portray clear definitions of each individual, but to make it out, none of them seemed to be related to the Astreas, as Ko and Ro's reactions showed. One of the stars was posing in a cross-legged fashion; it looked like a young girl with a giant magician's top hat with black and white squared patterns all over it and a blue feather hanging on it. She was the clearest of the rest, wearing a tuxedo and smirking like it was school photo day. Tsubasa's initial thought was that she could be the one who bore the name Seijuku Reia', but the description didn't fit. The magician's characteristics were blue eyes and black hair with two braids running down. Reia had scarlet hair and golden eyes, so she immediately neglected the thought of that theory. She seemed like an interesting person. But for the other 11 silhouettes, Tsubasa could not make out any of them; they were all so blurred out like someone used a smudge tool to misrepresent the painting. Ro and Tsubasa tried standing afar to see if the quality of the image would be better. Just like zooming out of a 360-degree video, the definition of the image would become sharper the more you zoomed out. No luck; in fact, it looked even worse; it looked like Pablo Picasso doodling with all the colors in the rainbow.

[Ro]: "Tsubasa\, maybe the 13th is the one who painted this? Could that be why he or she wasn't included?

[Tsubasa]: "That is a great theory\, Ro! But something still doesn't add up; it kind of looks like 12 separate portraits were just squished together in a horizontal landscape frame. The overall background looked like it was set in an open field."

[Ro]: "You're right\, Tsubasa. It seems like there's a disconnect between the individual portraits and the background. Maybe the artist wanted to convey a sense of unity but ended up creating a chaotic composition instead." [Tsubasa]: "Exactly\, Ro. It's as if they were trying to merge different styles and concepts into one piece\, but it didn't quite come together harmoniously. I wonder what message they were trying to convey with this unconventional approach."

It was very similar to a high school classroom photo with different heights of girls and boys divided; the tallest would be on the floor and vice versa. All 12 individuals were placed similarly, but it didn't look like they were together. The question beckoned Tsubasa: Why is this painting here?' If Ko and Ro didn't have the answers, then who would? I doubt Theresia would have any idea either; she wasn't the one who built this mansion in the first place, and there's a high possibility that this very infrastructure was constructed long before she was even born. That was how old Tsubasa thought the mansion was. Even with the delicate care of the YoRoKo sisters, the mansion itself was far older compared to most buildings in the Outer and Inner cities of Ryuken.

[Ro]: "It's a bit creepy that we only found out about this because you pointed it out; if you hadn't done that\, then I doubt I'd ever notice. After the other paintings we've passed\, this one stands out but also doesn't stand out\, if that makes sense."

[Tsubasa]: "I get what you mean\, Ro; I agree that the other paintings do seem a bit more polished and\, I guess\, interesting; for some reason\, my perception caught this one out of habit."

[Ro]: "In that case\, how about this painting over here?"

[Ro]: "This is the battle of young teenage Theresia against the Turbans of the eastern provinces that was led by the 'Taoist In Black. At the time\, she hadn't obtained the title of Sword Saint and had to rely on her abilities! Here she slays the spiritual dragon YingLong\, the dragon who got corrupted by the Taoist In Black. Originally\, it was contracted with Theresia\, but she somehow lost control of YingLong\, and to save the Uakren continent from being under threat\, she had to kill her dragon. This is one of her most memorable feats! Malica was there too\, but I'm a Theresia fan!" The painting portrayed a graphic battle between a younger-looking Theresia in a yellow and brown outfit\, drawing out a bronze saber\, and a red and black faceless dragon with no wings. The dragon's scales shimmered with an ominous glow\, reflecting the intensity of the impending clash. Theresia's determination was evident in her piercing gaze as she prepared to face her formidable adversary. The painting captured the pivotal moment when Theresia unleashed a powerful strike\, her saber cutting through the air with unmatched precision and strength.

[Ko]: "Malica is her master\, so of course she's the better fighter!"

[Ro]: "Theresia has an elegant aura\, while Malica is more vicious and scary!"

The two of them continued to argue, growling at each other. Tsubasa was enlightened by how casual these sisters are with each other; at first, they gave off a more serious and inhumane vibe, but seeing them like this made her happy. Tsubasa didn't mind the additional history lesson; overloading her brain with new information was normal for her. Back on earth, she once helped someone code a fighting game about a two-dimensional, pixelated samurai. She had only learned code in less than a week. Tsubasa's quick grasp of coding skills has always amazed those around her. As she observed the sisters arguing, she couldn't help but appreciate the complexity of their relationship. It reminded her of the intricate algorithms she had mastered in such a short span of time. Tsubasa's memory has never failed her, but there were faint cracks that hurt her brain at the thought of remembering someone she wasn't completely sure she even knew. Her brain felt a sudden vibrating sensation the longer she stared at the magician-looking girl. "I've never seen this person; why does my head hurt so much just by looking at her?" After some banter and dispute between Ko and Ro, who opposed each other over who was the better fighter of the Astreas, Daphne reminded everyone why they were in the hallway. But not with her words. *rumble

[Daphne]: "If yall are still here talking about paintings\, then I'm out beatin' my stomach and going ahead without you."

[Luna]: "I agree with Daphne; none of us had even had dinner last night because of..."

[Yo]: "YEAH!!!"

[Tsubasa]: "I guess there's a time and place for this later."

[Ro]: "There are more interesting paintings back in the capital\, Tsubasa; I'd like to tell you more stories."

Tsubasa stared at the ceiling. With all the chaos she's endured so far in this world that she still doesn't know the name of, sharing an interest with Ro was a great idea. "I'll gladly take your offer then!" Ro and Tsubasa shook hands like two children scheming something naughty. As they continued their conversation, Tsubasa couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the stories Ro had promised to share. She hoped that through these stories, she would gain a deeper understanding of the world she found herself in and perhaps even uncover some clues about how to navigate its chaos. There weren't many people Tsubasa knew that took an interest in history or anything that she liked, but she could see a potential friendship with Ro, hoping it would be the same with the other two sisters. The six of them finally made it to the kitchen, and YoRoKo was wearing traditional clothes. Ko was in red, Ro was in blue, and Yo was in yellow. The personifications of the primary colors matched them.

[Theresia]: Ah\, I see you three are preparing for the Dragon Festival; the kimono compliments you three nicely."

[Tsubasa]: "Kimono?"

[Theresia]: "Kimono is a traditional dress citizens wear during festivals about their culture."

Tsubasa was surprised to hear the word 'kimono. In Japan, it is a national dress with an ankle-length gown with long, sleeveless sleeves and a V-neck. It is lapped left over right across the chest and tied at the waist with a broad sash known as an obi. It has no buttons or fasteners. Essential YoRoKo was dressed with the same description. Something from Tsubasa's world made its way to this one, but it could either mean one was derived from the other or did it come from Tsubasa's original world? Or was it the opposite? "Could someone else also have been reincarnated here with me? That certainly is a possibility worth exploring".

[Luna]: "Did you say something\, Tsu?"

[Tsubasa]: Nothing\, just thinking to myself\, So what's cooking Theresia? It doesn't smell like a stew."

[Theresia]: Well\, we lack the ingredients to make stew. It's not something that's eaten for breakfast\, but I made tenderized pygmy prawns with some oven-baked pademelon. My assistant\, Gilbert\, is still steaming the pasta buns. Gilbert\, why don't you introduce yourself? I'll take over."

[Gilbert]: "Apologies for not introducing myself sooner; I am Gilbert Rowe\, who is Theresia-sensei's advisor. A pleasure to make an acquaintance."

[Tsubasa]: "I am Seijuku Tsubasa; the pleasures are all mine."

Gilbert bowed his head, and Tsubasa in turn did so as well. "You must be Daphne, I presume? I can never mistake your face on the wanted posters in the Outer City."

[Daphne]: "You must be talkin' about a different Daphne; we have the same name\, but I ain't no wanted person you hear."

Gilbert just chuckled to himself. No one was buying her bluff. He was a rather dwarfish-looking man; he was certainly older than everyone here. He must be of the same species as Chachi, who was also very petite. He had ginger hair and brown eyes, and he was very muscular with his biceps, which were almost the same size as his head. He wore a steel helmet with small spikes coming out, and he was in grey-clad armor. He doesn't look like an advisor in the slightest, but I wouldn't be so quick to judge someone. He seemed the type to flick open a hard-capped bottle of beer with ease. "Princess Luna I'm so glad you are safe and well.

[Theresia]: "Ahem"

[Gilbert]: "My deepest apologies\, sensei."

Tsubasa caught on quickly to hearing something so unexpected. "Princess Luna?" She turned to face Luna, who stared back, smiling happily. "I guess the cat's out of the bag; I'm a princess, you know." Her smile widened cheekily, pointing to herself. Would she expect Tsubasa to heed her special attention? Of course not. "Woah" was all Tsubasa could muster up. Daphne didn't care, and YoRoKo seemed to have known as well.

[Luna]: "I thought you would be even more shocked; you seem to be taking it well."

[Tsubasa]: "It wouldn't have been the craziest thing I've heard\, but I am a bit surprised. I always knew you weren't a normal citizen. Your beauty is quite captivating."

Without realizing what she had said, Luna crept closer and closer to Tsubasa's face. "Hm? Complimenting me already? We haven't even gone on a date yet, Tsu". "I didn't MEAN IT LIKE THAT". Attempting to hide herself by placing both her palms on her head, she took the phrase 'if I can't see them, they can't see me' literally, shutting her eyes. "I'm just teasing you, but I'm happy that you think I'm captivating". Just like that, she was laughing at Tsubasa's comment. "How irritating", she thought.

[Theresia]: "Enough chitchat\, let's dig in! We still have much to discuss later."

Everyone: Yes, ma'am!"

They all eagerly grabbed their plates and began to enjoy the meal. The atmosphere became more relaxed as they savored the delicious food.

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