"Alright, alright, the Lantern Festival is over. Where can we get a Red Lantern?"
When the ghost soldiers retreated, leaving behind a shockingly oppressive atmosphere, the townspeople of Shima Town, after bowing one last time, broke into jubilant cheers.
During the siege of the ghost soldiers, which coincided with the festival's end, they had felt the lingering oppression and shadow but had merely assumed it was the oppressive divine gaze typical of such events.
This was a good omen!
Now, having finished their bows and with the festival concluding, the pressure dissipated. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from everyone's hearts, which suddenly became light and carefree, like a stream gently flowing over rocky terrain.
"WHOOSH..."
The first to snap out of the reverent silence were the townspeople. After their bows, they felt as if the town's lights had instantly brightened.
