Steampunk Era: Mad Abield

The Festival of the Deity is a celebration in the world of Eastland. Originating at the beginning of the Third Era, it served as a means for humans to establish communication channels with the True Lord. Typically held once a year, humans offer gifts to the True Lord and the Deity, and upon accepting these gifts, the True Lord would provide protection to them for the following year.

This is a highly ceremonial rite where humans, the True Lord, and the Immortal establish a covenant. Additionally, it is governed by the Heavenly Way—a concept held by the Thanan people of Eastland. According to Malin’s perspective, it refers to a supreme True Lord who does not require offerings himself but instead oversees the covenants between humans, the True Lord, and the Deities.

Much like the Lord of Justice, but Malin believed the Lord of Justice wasn’t this figure. In the human world of the East, there would likely be another being equally powerful as him, perhaps even acquainted with him.

However, just as the Lord of Justice might know this figure, he would certainly not disclose their identity to Malin.

So, when Malin, accompanied by Meng Quyi, stepped through the city gates leading from the harbor district into the heart of the city, they were immediately engulfed by the festive atmosphere of the Day of Offerings. On both sides of the main avenue, countless stalls lined the streets, citizens adorned in brightly colored garments, and groups of children running through the neighborhoods. Malin had never seen such a bustling crowd.

Back when Malin had ventured deep into the city, it was ravaged by the God of Fire. But today, newly constructed small buildings dotted the landscape before Malin’s eyes. The blended architectural styles of East and West gave these structures a solid appearance. Particularly the taller buildings—those over four stories high—at the intersections seemed robust enough to function as fortifications.

As they walked across the bridge that had been fiercely defended in those days, Malin spotted a relief sculpture stationed atop the central pier of the bridge. The sculpture depicted a vaguely shaped small figure standing before ranks of soldiers. One hand held a raised sword, and the other a flag, pointing resolutely towards the North.

"Oh, come on! I’m not *that* short!"

Malin momentarily felt a surge of fury, then let it go, reasoning... Well, compared to the perpetual struggle with an unmanageable stubble, being shorter wasn’t exactly a terrible inconvenience.

But still, it’s *too* short. I’m at least 1.2 meters tall, right? When you calculate it, this statue shortens me by at least 0.721 centimeters!

"Eh, is that a hero?" Meng Quyi ran up to the relief sculpture and curiously began questioning the person who appeared to be its guide.

A short while later, the wooden-clog-wearing girl clattered back over. Her healthily tanned skin glowed, and she pointed at the small figure in the sculpture: "I asked the gentleman introducing the sculpture. He said that’s the True Lord, and apparently, the actual True Lord is said to be even more adorable than that little statue."