After browsing several more stalls, the time for the Sea Dragon Procession drew near, and we made our way to the viewing area. Our tickets this time were for reserved seats. While there were cheaper standing-room options available within designated zones, we’d heard they were incredibly packed.
The reserved section provided chairs and a decent amount of personal space. It reminded me of the arrangement Kuro had secured for me back during the Harmonic Symphony.
"What a remarkable coincidence," Noin-san remarked. "I never imagined our seats would be right next to yours, Kaito-san... Though, since we can watch together, I suppose it’s a stroke of good luck."
"Ahaha, yeah. Coincidence is a funny thing," I replied, though I could feel my smile straining at the edges.
Realistically, this was no accident; Alice had clearly pulled some strings. With her influence, adjusting seat assignments would have been child's play. And considering Hapty-san was the one holding the tickets for Noin-san's group, the mystery was pretty much solved.
Still, it wasn't as if I was complaining. As Noin-san said, being able to watch the show together was a definite plus.
We presented our tickets to an usher and were led to our seats. As promised, the vantage point offered a superb view of the Main Street. We were positioned along a curve in the road, which was apparently a prime spot for witnessing the Sea Dragon's grandest movements.
"By the way, what are your plans after the procession, Noin-san? Alice and I were thinking of heading to the square for the ceremony."
"We’re heading to the square as well," Noin-san admitted. "It’s a little embarrassing, but since I donated a message for the event, I’m curious to see how it’s presented. Though, truly, I only wrote something quite ordinary..."
"In that case, we might as well stick together until the ceremony," Hapty-san chimed in. "Navigating the crowds on our own sounds like a nightmare, so we'll just leave that part to Alice-sama!"
"Sigh... No, well, that's fine, I guess."
If we moved to the Assembly Square after the Sea Dragon Procession, we would arrive just in time for the ceremony. I was curious to see the message Noin-san had donated, so we agreed to stay as a group until the ceremony was over, after which we would go our separate ways.
Alice shot an exasperated look at her clone as the latter badgered her to clear a path through the crowds. Their interactions were so seamless that I often forgot they were one and the same, even though I knew the secret.
My thoughts were interrupted by the distant roll of drums and the trill of flutes. The Sea Dragon Procession had begun. A massive structure mimicking the head and body of a great dragon appeared. Several people supported the frame with poles, while others inside the head and torso coordinated their movements to make the behemoth appear alive.
"Wow, that’s incredible. It’s even bigger than I imagined—the presence is overwhelming."
Visually, it was reminiscent of the Lion Dances Noin-san had mentioned, but since this one was modeled after Eingana-san, the scale was staggering. Nearly ten people were required just to manage the poles supporting the head section alone.
The festive rhythm of the music made my pulse quicken; it felt like a true celebration. Much like a mikoshi or a Lion Dance, the Sea Dragon Procession was a captivating spectacle. The performers’ synchronization spoke of countless hours of practice. Every movement was designed to engage the audience, with clever flourishes incorporated at every turn to keep us enthralled.
The dragon's passage through the curve felt all too brief, and soon only its retreating back was visible. Nevertheless, the excitement of the display lingered in my chest.
"By the way, here’s a little trivia for you," Alice said. "When the model herself, Eingana-san, saw that decoration, she apparently muttered, 'Don’t you think my face looks a bit... smaller than that?' despite the real thing being significantly larger. I guess even dragons worry about their proportions."
"...I really didn't need that image in my head right now," I sighed.
I mean, Eingana-san is a woman, so I suppose it’s natural for her to care about such things. I don't really understand dragon beauty standards, so that wasn't the issue. It was just that hearing it right then completely sucked the air out of the moment.
Serious-senpai: "Worrying about her own size, is she? Well, among the Four Great Magic Dragons, she’s second only to Grandireas in physical stature, so I suppose it makes sense. It seems Nizbel obsesses over being too small, while Eingana frets over being too large..."