Wisesa stepped out of the station into the vast white courtyard as the soldiers had just concluded their training regimen. His lips had already wisped smoke from his sembrani’s horn pipe, and his gaze canvassed the neighbourhood until it alighted upon a crimson-haired lass perched on the courtyard steps, ardently scribbling her thoughts onto pages with quill in hand.

"There you are," Wisesa began as he approached. "What do you write?"

Alicia raised her eyes to meet the lad's countenance. "Och, ye’ve finally caught me!" she rejoined with a gleeful lilt. "I half expected ye to lose yer path."

"I’ve lived in a rickety hut within the forest for years, but I ain't no hick."

The lass threw him a smile before returning her attention to the book. With the smoke wreathing his visage, Wisesa could not resist a quip, "I hope you ain't penning some steamy plot with those buff practitioners we just saw in action."

The orb in the bag shrieked. As did Alicia. "Certainly not!" she retorted sharply. "Hear, hear. I just had a short interview session with a Magisterium officer named Henge, and I’ve unearthed fresh insights into the Art of Ninshu!"

"Not again!"

"For instance, the magic encyclopaedia teaches that Seimei was the one who developed the Art of Ninshu, aye? But it was revealed that the Three Gods of Enlightenment imparted this knowledge to him! Quite reminiscent of Shamanism, would ye not agree?"

Wisesa messaged his temple as he sighed. "I mean, shamanism is the primal and age-old mystic art? All others evolved from that."

"One more thing! People say that the Ninshu Arts hinge on the tenets of perseverance and fortitude. But it's more than that, Wisesa! Perseverance training to open chakra points is also the core of the rituals and ceremonies of Rikaiha—the School of Enlightenment and Understanding—one of the ways to achieve enlightenment!"

Wisesa shook his head. "Enlightenment. I'm reminded of those paranoid people on the street. What kind of enlightenment are they yearning for?"

"Dinnae ken. I'm nae familiar with Kagatse's national religion. But Mister Henge says there are stages where one feels on the brink of enlightenment. More wisdom, then more strength, longevity, and so on. But how it feels to experience the ultimate enlightenment... an enigma."

"I bet becoming a god is one of them."

At the utterance of these words, Alicia's tongue stilled. Her face slowly shrank. "Becoming a god...," she echoed with a vacant stare. Memories of old came flooding.

With a pat on the shoulder, Wisesa pulled the lass’ consciousness back. "Hey, come on. It doesn't have to be just like your crazy aunt said. All faiths want to commune with gods, if not equal let alone become gods. That's one of the purposes of becoming a mage as well. Oh well, let's just go! Your children are already missing you."

At the mere mention of children, Alicia perked up instantly. "How fare Kaito and Tome? Are they still in tears?"

"Well, no, thankfully. Tamoanchanese parents and their children have put them at ease. Izel’s community welcomed them warmly. No pun intended."

"Oh, what a letdown!"

Alicia packed her writing implements and together they walked to the station.

"Do you really have to keep taking care of them?" Wisesa asked before taking another drag on his pipe.

"Who should I leave them to? Where would they live?"

"Alicia, there's an evacuation centre below us. And I guarantee you that orphanages are everywhere here."

Alicia's eyes began to take in the gable-roofed station tower with the pendulum clock on the wall, hard to read because Kagatseans love to put spirals on everything. She then contemplated the number of young men scattered in the alleys outside the station, vending bento boxes. "I have a nasty feeling that they'll be abandoned. It began when the gate guard offered to take charge of Kaito and Tome. Then tales surfaced of missing refugees, children and adults. Something truly amiss is afoot, Wisesa, and yon wee bairns shouldnae be brought into such danger again."

"You're overreacting," Wisesa said. "Do you want to be the saviour of the world based on a charlatan astrologer or do you want to be a mother?"

"Can I nae be both?"

"That means you're crazy... What danger, you yourself are a danger magnet.”

And again, Alicia reflected on that. Perhaps she erred on the side of excessive protectiveness towards the children. But what could she do, the environment they now inhabited was fraught. Alicia might have healed Kaito's arm in the past, but the spectre of his severed limbs lingered in her thoughts. What if she had not possessed the means to mend it? What if Kaito and Tome were left alone in the city? They might have been swept away along with other children to safeguard the nation, for no Kagatseans were left to be deployed.

Furthermore, Alicia resolved not to release them unless they fell into the arms of their parents. Their father and mother were missing. That kind of loss was a parasite that clung to her head, compelling her to be familiar. Losing, not knowing what had become of them, what their fate was, whether they were alive or not. Alicia did not want them to carry the same feeling for the rest of their lives. Even if their parents failed to return, Kaito and Tome deserved at least the closure of knowing.

When they had taken their seats facing each other on the train, Alicia opened her voice again, steady this time. "I will find their parents. I will put an end to this disaster and prevent more people from being bereaved by absurd monsters."

"Huh. The return of the heroine,” Wisesa remarked, flicking cigarette ash against the window as the train set into motion. "I thought if you found your imaginary children, the world would be saved from… whatever that is."

"But this is one way to save the world, Wisesa! And also to grant Tome and Kaito respite from being constantly in our company."

"Tell me this isn’t yet another consequence of the Magisterium’s poison."

"And the shogun’s too!" Alicia asserted. "Think now! The Blind Shogun and the Chief Priest of Rikaiha begged me for help. There was also the Kagatse defence minister, but he seemed to be the most unwilling to my presence. The Shogun will provide whatever it takes for me to help them. Starting tomorrow, I am invited to their strategy conclave at the palace!"

"And Orb's cool with the sudden schedule change?"

The orb in the Alicia’s bag emitted a high-pitched squeak.

"'Of course, I'm fine! My might is to be used to rendering assistance to people,'" Alicia translated directly, mirroring Orb's tone and cadence.

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"Well, whatever you say. I'll probably be lazing around tomorrow."

"No way, Wisesa. You have to come."

"Why do I have to come? No thanks—wait! Don't tell me it's not an offer!"

"Too late, Wisesa. I already told the shogun to include you too."

"What? Why in the name of the gods would you do that?" The commuters in the carriage cast glances at the lad. "What are you looking at? Mind your business!" stormed Wisesa, swatting the air with his hand. He turned to Alicia again. "Westerners never learn the basics of asking for permission, huh?"

"You are also a Child of Prophecy. You should assist me in fulfilling my duty!"

"Who are you? Not even my grandma! I told you I'm not your chosen one! I'm not coming!"

"Wisesa!" Alicia bent down to bring her frowning gaze closer to the man's face. "I asked you to come because the shogun is considering a proposal to communicate to the neighbouring countries, Sinsi and Chixian Shenzhou, to tackle this mujino plague together. Dinnae ye ken what that means?"

"Oh, I see!" a grumbling voice from inside Wisesa's stomach rang in his own ears. "Alicia's right. Maybe you can find a way to Banaspati if you go to that meeting, get close to the top brass!"

"Why would I do that?" Wisesa asked back. "We already know Banaspati's location. Might as well cross the border and meet it face to face!"

Alicia shook her head. "Who… are you talking to?" The next blink signalled an understanding. "Oh, Barong? See? I can guess that Barong seems to agree with my proposal!"

Kitten Barong's miniature form darted out, its fluffy, cloud-like fur causing it to bounce several times on the lad's back. "We may know Banaspati's whereabouts, but we can't approach it without an invitation to its loka. Not with me trapped in your body," Barong continued. "This is a golden opportunity. Do you want me out or not?"

Wisesa could only groan. After an audible click of his tongue, he regarded the bespectacled lass with frowning brows. "You'll discuss it with me next time, missy! I'm not your lackey!"

"If I discussed it directly with you, you wouldnae want to come," Alicia replied. "But fine, I'll consider it next time. Sorry, Wisesa."

Pushing himself against the backrest, Wisesa’s gaze fixated on the carriage ceiling. "Soul of Durga, you really are something else."

"Oh, one more thing, Wisesa!" exclaimed Alicia. "I need you to teach me how to meditate!"

A brief pause ensued, followed by Wisesa erupting into laughter. "Westerners want to learn meditation?" Tears even welled in the lad’s eyes. "You’ve managed to make me cry, Miss. Tell me, what prompts you to pursue meditation? Desperate to meet your god who you never worshipped because he’s just silent all this time? I'll give you one suggestion, missy: worship your god so that one day he will be called the Chattering Divine!" With that, Wisesa giggled again.

The joke was quite offensive, in Alicia's opinion, but she knew that was not why she had condescended to learn the ways of the non-Westerners.

"Orb said I need to align myself not only with it but also my subconscious. We believe that's the root of my uncontrollable powers," Alicia patiently elucidated.

"Then why should I teach you?"

"Do ye wish to instruct me once in yer lifetime or serve as my caretaker every time I embark on a rampage for the remainder of yer days?”

"I could just let you wreak havoc in the city and then leave you."

"Indeed, you could. But would you?"

"Don't test me, missy."

"I'm not testing you. That's just who you are."

"One condition!" Wisesa leaned towards Alicia. "Admit that your country is bland, lost, spiritless, and has only God for fear of being left behind by other nations!"

"Why would I do that?" Alicia was puzzled.

"One aspect for asceticism to bear fruit is to humble yourself and confess your vulnerabilities. Only then will your asceticism not be hindered by ego!"

Surely this was just a convenient statement to make her feel like a low-caste individual instead of a humble one.

"The country of Camelot has vapid ideas, is lost, spiritless, and only has god for fear of being left behind by other nations," Alicia indulged him. "I trust that satisfied yer demand."

But the look on Wisesa's face did not betray any sense of satisfaction. "Eh, you know, I was hoping you'd get angry and come up with a defence argument."

"Well, come to think of it, I was the victim of that thought, you remember?"

"Damn. That's right, too. Damn it! I gave the wrong conditions."

"The conditions stand fulfilled, and the covenant is sacred! You shall instruct me in the ways of meditation!" Alicia's toothy grin radiated satisfaction. Barong laughed at Wisesa's misstep, while the lad could only sigh and acquiesce.

The train brought them to the district of the Lower City known as Asanoha. A lone expansive street dissected the station from the city on the opposite side. The remainder consisted of narrow, winding streets, densly packed and interconnected to the point where, when viewed above, they resembled hemp leaves. On one street, alabaster fences refuged middle-class housing estates etched with swirling in their shade. On the other, food stalls, bars and boutiques clashed with glittering signboards.

Alicia and Wisesa strolled down the lane, and the former was immediately tempted to take a peek at each shop. Her mouth watered as the fragrant steaming smell of the gyoza stall wandered by, making her nose hot, even. The sweet aroma of the eel skewers at the tented cart with the eel sign sticking out of the sea invited her tongue to fantasise. The slurping of the locals at the soba stalls and the merry toasting of glass cups filled with momoshu at the izakaya were just the right tunes to fill the darkening Kagatsean sky.

Right in the centre of the four-way intersection, there was a street stage and above it, two people adorned in kimonos, unbridled wigs, and whitewashed faces with streaks of red, moving with fluid grace that turned wild, assertive, and intimidating. The atmosphere of the district here mirrored the annual festival celebrations on the streets of Trinketshore or Camelot. Alicia was relieved; at least there were no lines of half-naked people with spiral tattoos praying on this already quaint street.

Alicia's Kagatse bucket remained devoid of entries. This was certainly a golden opportunity to start filling it up.

Until her gaze fell on the display case of a bakery. An orange cake, topped with a cream cheese mixture, fruit pieces, marzipan and fondant, then coated with whipped icing. Alicia felt like she recognised this sort of cake. She had wanted that cake. No, she had eaten it as a child and it made her experience euphoria. The writing near the cake confirmed her recognition.

[Ninmenju Delight Cake]

"No way!" Alicia's hand was already stroking the glass display case. "Wisesa, what month is it?"

"Now... the last month of summer?"

"A few more weeks...." Alicia muttered to herself.

"A few weeks of what?"

"N-nothing!" her response stammered. "Um, can ye wait for a wee bit? I-I... want to buy something for Kaito and Tome!"

"Five minutes, and you're lost in this district forever."

"More than enough!" Alicia busted through the bakery door to find a muscular pastry chef, shirtless, his bald head blocked by a headband, just pulling out a tower-shaped cake. "E-excuse me!" Alicia's hand twitched as a gesture. "Can you... speak the common tongue?"

"Irasshaimase!" exclaimed the baker. "My common tongue is quite good. That's because many outsiders go back and forth for my cake. And now another sweet lady from a faraway land," the baker flirted. "How may I help you, Miss?"

Alicia pointed at the orange cake. "That! Is that really Ninmenju Cake?"

"The one and only in the Asanoha district!" the baker boasted. "The base layer is a persimmon sponge cake, moist and spicy, sweet and slightly tangy from the ripe persimmons! On top is a velvety smooth cheese mousse with a touch of mascarpone. A genuine Ninmenju fruit crowns it, rare and blessed by the tree itself—oh, the sweetness is truly divine! It marries the richness of the cream cheese. The final layer, premium whipped sugar, with a secret recipe!"

"Brilliant!" Alicia caught the baker's enthusiasm. "How much is it?"

"Five hundred thousand Yūgen!"

"Five hundred thousand Yūgen means..." Alicia counted on her fingers. Her eager expression suddenly shifted to a gaping disappointment. "Eighteen thousand King Tokens? That expensive? "

"Of course, the ingredients are not random, Miss. And again, it's just a display. The real cake must be preordered at least two weeks in advance, and it only lasts for three days."

"Oh," Her countenance took a dazed expression. She scratched her head in deep contemplation.

The baker inquired again, "Any special occasion for this cake, Miss?"

"Y-yes... It's... for me."

"I see!" the baker clapped his hands. "We accept payment at the end, only for the fair lady before me!"

The lass' face brightened again. "Really? Thank you for your kindness! B-but I tell you what." Alicia retrieved a small, owl-skeleton-painted drawstring pouch from her bag and took out most of the coins and bills. "I can provide a down payment of one hundred thousand Yūgen. After the next wave of mujinos is over, I'll come back and pay the rest!"

The baker, upon glimpsing the symbol on the drawstring pouch and hearing the lass’ words, was taken aback. "Are you from Kanri Kikan?"

"Kanri Kikan—oh, Magisterium? Nae an official member, no. Let's just say my services are required."

"Apprentice!"

"One might say that, aye."

The baker nodded with a smile. "Very well, then, Miss! I'll sign you up for reservations. Is there anything else? I'd be delighted to lead you to other delicious pastries."

Alicia affirmed. "Can you also prepare me a box of five-flavoured mochis and three dango skewers?" []