Reborn as an Extra Chapter 725: Pleased to see you again... Part-3.

Through their cheerful banter and lighthearted teasing, the group ascended the hill, eventually arriving before a timeworn shrine that appeared to be seldom visited by anyone.

"Actually, my parents first met at a festival just like this one when they came to watch the fireworks. I learned about this hidden spot from them!"

"For the past few years, I've secretly slipped away from home to come here and enjoy the fireworks alone!"

"While watching by myself is enjoyable, having friends to share the experience with is even better..."

Miki guided the company to the shrine's entrance. There, each individual offered a prayer for good fortune and the well-being of their loved ones. Afterward, they proceeded to a nearby stall to draw omikuji, seeking insight into who would be blessed with the best luck that day!

After purchasing their fortune slips, Lia remained entirely unconcerned!

She possessed the inherent ability to manipulate her own threads of fate; thus, favorable or unfavorable luck held no sway over her whatsoever, as she could simply alter it at a moment's notice!

Exercising her power, she directly influenced the outcome of the fortune slip. Upon unveiling it, the slip proclaimed the utmost good luck and fortune imaginable!

"Ugh, I'm so jealous of Lia; it's just not fair how she can so effortlessly sway the results of the draw..."

Riya sighed, shaking her head in resignation, having secured only an above-average luck draw.

Even Miki's fortune was average.

As for Link, he undeniably drew the most unfortunate slip available. And when it came time for Rio's turn,

The stall had run out of slips. He was once again unable to draw his fortune, a circumstance that seemed to underscore the notion that the 'rules' of this world did not apply to him.

Link tucked away his fortune slip, attempting to downplay the significance of his draw.

"Meh, I already figured I'd get bad luck; it's been this way since I was a kid. I've honestly never drawn a good luck charm before, not even once..."

Even though Link brushed the matter aside with an air of indifference, Rio's gaze sharpened slightly as he grasped the underlying implication of his words.

‘Well, it’s hardly surprising that a person who even draws the envy and resentment of the heavens wouldn’t have much good fortune in life…’

Fade had siphoned away all the luck that was rightfully Link’s. Therefore, in terms of sheer luck, Link was undoubtedly among the most unfortunate individuals.

Were it not for the fact that Rio had been directly or indirectly shaping the course of everyone's lives around him through his actions, Link's destiny would have unfolded quite differently than it had.

And it was highly probable that Link would have endured considerable hardship, much like in the original narrative.

Just as the group was immersed in conversation, the fireworks commenced, their resounding booms echoing far and wide as they ignited the night sky.

"It's starting! Let's go!"

With a look of pure excitement, Miki led the others to a quiet vantage point in the plaza situated behind the shrine.

A considerable crowd had already gathered, yet ample space remained for the group to position themselves comfortably and enjoy the spectacle.

"For the Bravery of the Beastkin! HURRAAY!!!"

Gazing at the stunning fireworks bursting vividly against the darkened sky, Miki and a multitude of other beastkin nearby bellowed a rallying cry, leaving Link and the rest of the group momentarily bewildered.

Noticing their confusion, Miki offered an explanation.

"This is the slogan our ancestors of the beast folk used to shout when charging into battle against demons during the thousand-year demon extinction war..."

"We continue to use it even now during festivals and traditional ceremonies..."

Only after Miki's clarification did the group apprehend that this slogan likely bore a resemblance to the primary battle cry and motto employed by the human army.

While the slogan might have seemed somewhat grandiose, it was, in fact, technically accurate.

The armies of the human empire, though they may have encountered dire circumstances and suffered minor defeats, had never been utterly vanquished in a full-scale war!

Even during the initial descent of mana, when humans had not yet been bestowed the gift of awakeners, humanity persevered through sheer determination and technological prowess.

This resilience was evident in the thousand-year war and the subsequent fifty-year orc war.

Humanity consistently emerged victorious in all these large-scale conflicts, despite the grievous losses of SS-rankers and other formidable awakeners.

The firecrackers exploded with thunderous force, and this time, Link and his companions joined in, echoing the beast folk's slogan to blend in with the jubilant crowd.

As the magnificent fireworks display reached its crescendo, Rio embraced Lia, whispering softly in her ear,

"I'm so glad we came here; I love you, Lia..."

Lia reciprocated his smile, nodding her head and responding,

"Me too, I love you too..."

Through this shared vacation, the subtle distance that had crept into their relationship during their year apart was mended, forging an even stronger bond between Rio and Lia than ever before.

Rio and Lia captured numerous photographs of their memorable moments, an activity that inspired Link and Riya to join in and take plenty of their own pictures.

In the end, the entire group posed for a collective photo, with the spectacular fireworks painting the sky behind them.

"Alright, alright, the spectacle has concluded; let's head off to eat and fully immerse ourselves in the festival! I'm absolutely famished, and you all are completely fixated on taking photos..."

Disregarding Link’s grumbling, Rio and Lia, hands clasped, rejoined the main festival area with the rest of their companions.

Before long, the group discovered a tempting skewer stall and proceeded to purchase a substantial quantity of skewers, compelling the stall owner to work at an accelerated pace.

Perceiving the time it would take for the stall owner to fulfill their extensive order, Rio scanned his surroundings and his gaze landed upon a nearby tea stall.

"Lia, please get my share; see that tea stall over there? Let me quickly grab a cup of tea..."

Lia, fully aware that Rio's affection for tea rivaled his devotion to her, could only offer a gentle shake of her head and permit him to go.

"Just be swift, though; the skewers are nearly ready..."

With a nod in agreement to Lia's words, Rio ambled over to the tea stall, settling onto one of the round wooden stools positioned before it as he placed his order.

"One cup of tea for myself."

It was not long before the stall owner poured him a steaming cup of hot tea, and upon taking a sip, Rio nodded appreciatively, remarking.

"This tea is quite good!"

Precisely as Rio uttered these words, the patron seated adjacent to him spoke simultaneously.

"This tea is dreadful!"

A displeased frown creased Rio's brow as he tilted his head sideways, intending to ascertain the identity of the discourteous individual.

However, the instant Rio’s gaze fell upon the person seated next to him, his pupils widened dramatically, and an expression of utter astonishment washed over his face as he found the individual astonishingly familiar!

Before Rio could utter a single sound, the person beside him offered a smile, met Rio's eyes directly with their peculiar, light greenish irises, and began to speak.