Claustrine wakes up and after brushing her eyes for a bit, she see that Beatrice is still sleeping safe and sound. Claustrine do her best to move quietly as possible so she can't wake up Mateo's sister.

She noticed that the foam bed on the floor is empty with the blanket and pillow disorganized. Claustrine sighed.

"Sophia..."

Claustrine voluntered to organized everything except the ones used by the still sleeping Beatrice. She folds the foam bed and put it in the corner of the room, neatly fold the blanket and put it above the nearby plastic drawer alongside the pillows both her and Sophia used.

She combed her hair and then walks out of Beatrice's room, goes down to stairs and gets greeted by Mateo, Beltrand, Sophia and Shirna drinking coffee in the living room.

"Good morning Trinne." -Mateo.

"Morning." -Shirna.

"Got a very nice sleep?" - Beltrand.

Claustrine walk towards her friends. Take a mug and 3-in-1 coffee and prepares her own drink with the thermos already in the table. After taking a sip, Claustrine smiles.

"Yesterday was awesome." Shirna commented.

"For real. Visiting a completely different world is breathtaking!" Sophia also says her excitement.

"But we still have 3 days. What we should do next?" Beltrand asked.

Mateo thinks for a moment before answering the question.

"How about I give you a tour of the neighborhood?"

Shirna, Sophia, and Beltrand seems unimpressed on Mateo's proposal.

"Hey why the dissapointed stare?" Mateo asked.

"We're in vacation yet you choose such mundane objective?" Sophia bluntly said.

"It's not like I suggeted it for no reason guys. Think... You guys already know my secret and can travel in my world if you want to. So it's better if you all have an idea about my town." Mateo sincerly explained.

"Mateo is right. If we want to visit this world more often, we need to familiarized our selves on this town first as a stepping stone." Claustrine's agreement on Mateo's words.

"Thank you Trinne."

"You're welcome."

"Well... It does make sense. There's still have so many things I want to familiarize here." Beltrand's opinion.

"Fine fine. I understand now." -Sophia.

"Should we start exploring now?" Shirna asked.

"Yes but there's something I want to tell first.

"What is it?"

"As you can see... You can understand what people of this world says for some reason."

"Ah yeah about that..." Sophia ponders.

"What do you think is the reason?" Beltrand asked.

"I don't have any idea. Back on the topic. You guys might understand what they're saying due to auto translation but they don't understand you based on what I observed. On their eyes, all of you are just foreign tourist."

"For real? No wonder they didn't mind if we talk like crazy when we're in the mall." -Sophia.

"So... As much as possible. If they talk about you, don't react. And if they try to communicate with you guys, pretend that you don't know how to communicate."

"But why we need to have such strict rule to begin with?" Beltrand asked.

"Because it would look peculiar when you understand Tagalog but can't speak it. That's why I'm using Grimael language when talking to you guys so it look more sense on observers' point of view." Mateo explained.

"Got it." -Beltrand.

Shirna and Sophia nods.

"Your study of Grimael language surely pays off." Claustrine commented. Mateo sighed as he remember the past.

"But I wish there's an easier way though. It's so hard to study with this Auto-translation thing. If it doesn't exist, I might blend naturally by interacting to people of Natunnia."

After eating a simple breakfast of tapsilog. Grand Ecstasy embarks on another journey.

The party decides to explore by foot for the better experience. They first explore the small neighborhood on the side of a road consisting of well built house.

"I just realized. Your house is really huge. It's comperable to a rich merchant's residence." Beltrand commented.

"Not really. It's not comperable to really rich people's house." Mateo said as he points on a house far from the residence. It's a beautiful designed luxary house complete with garden and stone wall.

"Uhh... You're right." Beltrand says.

"Is the owner of that house a nobility?" Sophia asked.

"Not really. You see, my country is not ruled by nobility. Not even a king."

The four looked at Mateo with confusion.

"In a nutshell. The people votes for the people that they want to put in the positions of power."

"Thats... Absurd." Claustrine said.

"Absurd might it seen to you but thats pretty much the norm on this world. Used by majority of countries.

"But that means any morally corrupt person can abuse their power once they reached that position." Beltrand commented.

"Well... There's laws and countermeasures for that as its already happened in the past several times. But not gonna lie. Some politicians chosen by people are really scums that get away on corruption and live a life comperable to nobility." Mateo explained.

"How is that even possible? Isn't people also allowed to punish them?" Shirna asked.

"Thats the reason lying and money is a great tool. You can lie to people on why they should vote you, and you can use your accumilated wealth to escape public prosecution."

"I guess corruption have many shapes and forms on both worlds." Shirna commented.

"Anyway. I don't really want to talk about this world's politics as it's already confusing to begin with."

"Just one question, is the owner of that house also a what you called politician?" Beltrand asked.

"No. He's a renowned airplane pilot." Mateo answered?

"Airplayn pilot? What is that?" Shirna asked. Mateo looked on the sky, hoping to spot what he's looking and his wish is granted.

"People that piloting that thing up there."

The four looked at the sky, to the spot where Mateo us pointing. And everyone is amazed as they can see a cross shaped like object flying so high in the sky.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

Grand Ecstasy is now in a different area. Where unlike the residence before, the houses in the slums are more compact and chaotic in design, each house being unique to each other. And the area are more bustling with life as they can see different types of people.

Children running and playing everywhere.

Men lifting buckets of water.

Woman washing clothes near water pumps.

Stores selling different types of items.

Men playing basketball.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Music playing in some areas.

And many more.

"Guys. This is Riverside."

"Riverside? Where is the River?" Shirna asked.

Mateo just guide them and after walking in multiple alleyways. They finally found the river Shirna asked.

The party is greeted by the stench of fish. But Grand Ecstasy are already used on such smell.

There's no denying that the river looks unpleasant yet its still full of boats.

"This river looks polluted." Shirna commented. A frown forms on his face.

"It is. But its much worse years ago. In the past, people just dump their garbage and waste on there. If the local officials didn't put fines and punishment, this would become worst."

"So it's not polluted anymore?" Beltrand asked.

"No. It's still polluted. But when I was a kid, we used to swim here as this river is a lot cleaner in the past." Mateo is filled with nostalgia for a moment.

"But why there's still boats here? Not only these boats are large for this river but also fishing here is not a good idea right?" Shirna asked, confused on the implications of people eating fish on the polluted water.

"Because this river is connected to the sea and this its acts like some sort of port."

"Ohhh..."

Grand Ecstasy leaves the river and continues their exploration. As they walk, they can hear the words of the people that giving them curious stares.

"Isn't that Mateo? But who are the people besides him?"

"Are they mormons?"

"Maybe they're humanitarians."

"Look! That tall foreigner looks handsome!"

"You're right! Maybe he's a celebrity!"

"Pre chicks ohh!"

"Pare the blondie looks so beautiful."

"Gago the red hair looks more hot. She's ekalam osus."

"Tang ina nyo. The brown skinned babe is far more better. She looks so cute."

"Hey stop your carnal desires. Those are Mateo's friends. Have some respect."

Mateo just sighed.

"Sorry guys."

His friends just also gives a deep sigh.

After some time. Grand Ecstasy is now looking to a house made of hollow blocks, wood and roof made in sheets of metal. Mateo talks to the lady for a moment before returning to his friends.

"Guys. This is my family's former home. This is where I lived before I got transported to Grimael, I spend most of my time here."

After some stories. Grand Ecstasy leaves the Riverside. When an unknown man is surprised to see them.

"Mateo? Is that you?" A random man suddenly asked.

"Oy Ronnel long time no see!"

Ronnel walks to the group. Happy to see a friend.

"Indeed! You didn't message us that you're already here."

"Sorry pre. Its just... I'm busy."

Ronnel finally notices Claustrine, Sophia, Shirna and Beltrand. At first, he was surprised but he then gives a friendly wave at them who also waves back.

"I understand. But if you have time. Come to Kevin's house this friday."

"What's the occasion?"

"It's Derek's birthday."

"Ohhh I almost forgot! Ok then I would come there."

"You promised pre ha?"

"Trust me pre."

The two then parted ways.

"Who is that?" Beltrand asked.

"One of my friends."

"I see..."

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

Grand ecstasy continue their exploration. Visiting multiple key locations as Mateo gives a short explanation on each area.

The local market place.

The town hall.

The schools.

"This is where I spent most of my youth."

"What is these building?"

"This is a school. A high school to be exact."

"School? So it must be a prestigious institution like the Academia." Claustrine asked.

"So you're really a nobility?" Beltrand asked.

"C'mon guys. I'm just a normal citizen. Also, anyone of certain age can enter schools to learn regardless of their social status because it was free."

"Free? That's amazing?" Claustrine commented. Surprised and understands the benefits of such education program.

"But all schools are not equal to each other. There's still elite schools and colleges but you need to be rich to even maintain studying on such institutions." Mateo explained.

"But the fact that all children can learn is still a good thing. No wonder this world is so advance." Claustrine's opinion.

Mateo's friends wants to enter so he asked the guard who still the guard when he still studying. Giving them approval, Grand Ecstasy enters the school.

Claustrine, Sophia, Shirna and Beltrand sees the rooms full of teenagers. Some are busy studying on what the teachers teach but some seems distracted and just having fun.

But the student's focus gets disturbed as they notice Grand Ecstasy. The students feels like they just see a celebrity visit their school especially when they're foreigners so they go on windows, eager to see a glance of the the visitors to the teachers' dismay.

Grand Ecstasy decides to leave to not further distract the students. And takes a short break as they enjoy drinking milk tea on a local shop.

.

.

.

The party also visits a basketball court and there Mateo explains to Beltrand the basics how basketball works despite him not even playing the sports once.

As they explore, they can clearly feel the stares of the people near them. Some are curious, some are in awe, while some are swooning especially to Beltrand and Sophia.

Grand Ecstasy decides to make the final spot to be the church. Now, the five are sitting in the long chairs, the church seems empty with only few people inside as the party indulge in the calm silence.

"M-mateo..." Sophia whispers.

"Yes Sophia?"

"I don't know if this ok for me to say this."

"Go on. It's fine."

"I-it's just that... I don't feel any divine presence here."

At first, Mateo is mildly surprised but then he smiles.

"Perhaps the "God" in this world is completely different from your world's Gods that's why you can't detect him."

"But its still weird. When I pray to Vivvily. I can feel that she's listening to my prayers."

Mateo sighs which makes Sophia concerned. The other three are just carefully listening on the two's conversation.

"What's wrong Mateo?"

"To be honest. In this world, the existence of a God or gods is still a huge debate. Some people in the thousand years of human history believes that a God exist while the other side tries to prove that he doesn't exist at all."

"That's... Sad." Sophia said with a pained expression.

"Don't be sad Sophia. Their debate still doesn't have any conclusion to this day anyway. Who knows, maybe he or they really doesn't exist in this world and the universe is powered by natural laws. Or maybe a God or gods really exist but decides to just leave us on our own and go somewhere far away because he or they believe that humanity is old enough to stand on their own feet."

Sophia stays silent for a moment before looking at Mateo and gives a sweet smile.

"I don't really understand but if that's the case. Maybe its better that just let the people of this world decides on their own." Sophia's ultimatum to herself then she clasped her hands, bows her head then close her eyes.

"Are you going to pray?"

"Yes. Even though my Goddess doesn't have any power on this domain. I wish my prayer reach the God of this world. I hope that he still guide humanity at some ways."

Mateo smiles then also do the prayer pose of Sophia. Beltrand, Shirna and Claustrine also do the same and the five just stay in silent as Sophia whispers her prayers.

~~~~~~°~~~~~

Night time comes and the food stalls in the park finally opens. Grand Ecstasy endulges themselves on different variaties of food.

"This is a Takoyaki. A snack popular in Japan." Mateo explained as they watch the vendor skillfully flips the balls using two sticks with bells on each end. Making a sound that attracts customers. The smell alone makes the tourists hungry.

Mateo orders 5 dozens of takoyaki and the five endulge in the explosion of flavor.

As they enjoy the food, they can still feel that people around them are giving a glance.

"What are you looking huh?" One of the girl said as she proceeds the pinch the ear of her lover who looked at Sophia.

"Ouch ouch ouch... I'm sorry babeee!"

The next food they target is pizza partnered by cola. The five shares a small box of pizza. The Cola makes Shirna, Sophia and Beltrand surprised to the new flavor.

The party also eat other food. Siomai, assortments of Ihaw-ihaw, burgers and fries. Even the infamous balut is not safe on Grand Ecstasy's food adventure.

"Really?" Sophia looked at Mateo with disbelief then looked at the partially opened egg. She can clearly see the underdeveloped duck embryo.

Claustrine also have a look of uncertainty.

"Maybe people of this world are savages." Shirna said as she gives a concerned look on the balut.

"C'mon guys! Your food travels is not complete if you didn't try balut even for once!" Mateo said. There's a hint of smugness on his voice.

Beltrand looks at the old man enjoying his balut. He saw that he sprinkled salt on the opened top of the egg then he slurped the "soup" bottoms up. Without hesistation, Beltrand do the same.

"Guys... I think, it's not really that bad?" Beltrand commented.

"Are you nuts!?" Claustrine is shocked. Instead of answering, Beltrand instead peel the egg, sprays a sauce made of vinegar, chili, and garlic. Then he takes a bite. For each maw, Claustrine, Sophia and Shirna just looked with disbelief.

"Hmmmm.... Crunchy but delicious."

"Ohhh as you can see, Beltrand eat it. Now its your turn."

"Thanks. But I think I'm already full." Claustrine tries to dodge the challenge.

"Guys its not like that we didn't eat something worse in Grimael right?"

"If you call eating an orc meat worse, I prefer that more than this. Atleast, those meat are well cooked." Claustrine protest.

"Guys... Please? Just eat it for your friend?" Mateo tries to act pityful but a hint of smug smile slightly shows on her face.

"Aghhh! Whatever!" Claustrine angrily said then she followed what Beltrand did with hesistation and takes a bite. As she chew, Claustrine makes very miserable face.

"How about you guys?" Mateo asked the other two.

They can't stomach refusing Mateo so they decide to eat their balut. They also make the pained facial expression like what Claustrine did as they chew the duck embryo.

"You... Monster..." Claustrine said after finishing the balut. Mateo just laugh.

But to show that he's fair. Mateo also eat a balut. But he eat it with no problem at all which makes Claustrine, Shirna and Sophia annoyed.

In the back, Beltrand is asking the vendor for another balut using his hands.

.

.

.

Grand Ecstasy finishes their food travels in a small ramen shop. Sophia, Shirna, Beltrand and Clautrine looked at their bowl with excite and anticipation. The smell is very inticing and the presentation is so beautiful.

Mateo thanks the Japanese owner for giving their orders. Then he split the chopsticks and then proceeds to slurp some noodles.

"Wait... What is that eating method?" Shirna asked, confused on the way on how Mateo eats. Mateo swallows the food to answer Shirna.

"This is called a chopsticks. But for now, just used spoon and fork because it probably take a while before you can use it properly."

"Not gonna lie. It looks difficult to eat like that. But is it ok? I mean, the prefered method in this shop seems to be using that tool." Shirna asked as she see the other costumers eating with chopsticks.

"Ahh don't worry. The chef would understand. Diba Kuya Daisuke?"

The japanese chef just gives them a thumb-up, reassuring the four.

Seeing that. The four proceeds to take a slurp of the ramen. And in just first taste, they instantly liked the new taste and proceeds to continue to eat with ethusiasm. Slurping with loudness and vigor.

After resting for a bit, Grand Ecstasy decides to go home by riding a Tricycle. When they reach the front of the house, Mateo gives the tricycle driver 1,000 pesos as conpensation for overcrowding his tricycle.

"Keep the change boss."

"Ay. Thank you so much boss! This is a big help!"

The tricycle leaves with the driver having a smile on his face.

"Phew! That was awesome! So many new and amazing food!" Shirna happily says.

"Except the balut. Ughh..." Claustrine still remembers the texture she doesn't like. Sophia nods in agreement with her.

"In my opinion. Balut is not really that bad." -Beltrand.

"Well sorry if we're not like you." Sophia cries.

The party continues their chat as they walk home.

"Hey bro?"

"Yes bro?"

"Are we going to have another food adventures like this?" Beltrand asked which makes Shirna excited.

"Of course but maybe next time. I assure you that we going to try another sets of foods different on what we eat earlier." Mateo happily said.

"Niceeeeee!" -Beltrand.

"Thank you Mateo!" Shirna smiles happily.

"I can't wait to try new foods." Sophia says as she hums happily.

"I just wish that there's no more food similar to balut." Claustrine commented.

But Claustrine sees Mateo's sly smile which make her nervous.

"No more balut like foods, right?" Claustrine asked followed by a gulp.