Driving to Hitler's bunker, Martin and Renate encounter a strange parade.

“Obersalzberg. Bavarian Alps of Berchtesgaden.”

“It's now early March, but winter is holding out tenaciously! If it continues like this, once up there we'll be covered in snow.”

“Well, your car could be equipped with winter tires, or at least chains...”

“Yes, but they won't be needed. In this season the road to the Eagle's Nest is closed.”

“You don't want us to climb Mount Kehlstein on foot!” (Captain Steiner the Interpol agent has joined the expedition and sits beside Java in the back seat.)

“Don't worry, Captain. We have an alternative for transportation up there.”

“Ghrrr… Rgh!” (Java sees an odd group of figures on the roadside.)

“I think it's a procession linked to local folklore, Java.”

“That's right, professor. It's a procession typical of this area in the winter season. It's already been held in December. But sometimes they repeat it, when spring is slow to arrive.”

“The straw men are called buttnamndl. They represent the past harvest and are a good omen for the future ones.”

“And them? They look like Krampus.*”

*In the folklore of the German-speaking areas, Krampus are demons who are the protagonists of masked parades.

“Sort of. They are called Gankerl, diabolical beings who control the buttnmandl and wander around scaring anyone they encounter.”

“Of course, it's all a game. These are very popular events in these parts. They have purifying value and are considered good omens. The figures move between the remote farms and villages of the area. The inhabitants welcome them, and they put on a small performance.”

This story was originally supposed to be published in December. When it was pushed to March, additional dialogue was needed to explain why Martin sees a parade normally associated with Christmas. Renate is correct that Kehlsteinhaus would still be closed in March due to impassable mountain roads.

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