BWNAT 18

The Spirit Spring Is Created

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It wasn’t as if Cliff had calculated everything beforehand.

He had merely considered the possibility.

The fact that his prediction had turned out to be correct pleased him.

More importantly, this time two categories had leveled up at once.

One from overcoming the environment… and one from the festival?

Judging from this, each category accumulated its own experience.

The disappointing part was the quests.

Back when they built the charcoal kilns, the category levels had risen automatically and rewarded him with quests—chain quests, no less.

But this time, there had been none.

It’s probably because of this.

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<Surviving Midwinter>

Description:
The first bitter winter you have faced as a lord.

This may be considered your first true trial.

Overcome this hardship together with your people and prove your ability as a lord.

Conditions:

• Survive the winter with 10 or fewer territorial deaths (3/10)

Rewards:

• Territory EXP +100

• Lord EXP +100

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Surviving Midwinter.

It had appeared immediately after completing Winter Preparations 2.

In a sense, this was also a chain quest.

Since an active quest was already underway, no new quests had been generated.

Setting that aside…

He now had six new skill points.

No point dwelling on disappointments. Better use what I’ve got.

He started with the Environment category.

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One point each into Fertile Land, Disease Prevention, and Climate Resistance.

Environment

• Fertile Land (Lv. 1)

• Resource Regeneration (Lv. 0)

• Disease Prevention (Lv. 2)

• Climate Resistance (Lv. 4)

That was enough there.

What truly interested him now was the new category.

The Culture category.

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Culture

• Happy Territory (Lv. 0): Increases the satisfaction of the territory’s residents.

• Artistic Sense (Lv. 0): Improves the artistic sensibilities of residents.

• Tourism Revenue (Lv. 0): Encourages spending from visitors to the territory.

• Increased Birth Rate (Lv. 0): Raises the likelihood of childbirth.

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Four choices.

And once again…

He had three skill points.

Artistic Sense would pair well with Artisan’s Touch.

Likewise, Tourism Revenue would synergize with Merchant Visitors.

His choices became obvious.

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Culture

• Happy Territory (Lv. 2)

• Artistic Sense (Lv. 1)

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The festival was still ongoing.

Skills that enhanced enjoyment were more important.

He wanted the residents’ satisfaction to rise.

Artistic Sense served a similar purpose.

The first day had been snowball fights.

The next day…

Cliff made snowmen.

“Anything is fine,” he announced.

“Decorate our territory into the cutest and most beautiful winter wonderland you can. The household that does the best job will receive one silver coin as a reward.”

Each family worked in front of their own homes.

Yesterday, children had played with their friends.

Today, families spent time together.

They built snowmen.

Those with skillful hands crafted other figures.

Everything was completed within the day.

The following day, everyone went around admiring the creations.

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“I never knew there were so many things you could do with snow…”

Priscilla’s breath turned white as she spoke.

It was freezing.

Yet she didn’t complain about the cold.

Though she was an adult now, in this moment she looked like a child.

“I didn’t expect the residents to be this talented either.”

Cliff smiled.

Snow houses.

Snowmen.

Castles.

Bears.

Rabbits.

There was something delightful around every corner.

Snowflowers blooming throughout the village added to the atmosphere.

Beside him, Priscilla’s eyes sparkled as she looked around.

It would be nice to have songs next time.

Strangely enough…

There wasn’t a music-related skill within the Culture category.

He had assumed there would be.

If there had been, we could’ve put on performances too.

Still…

The atmosphere throughout the territory was already wonderful.

Especially for the children.

All the more reason to make sure accidents don’t happen.

Theobald and the fifty soldiers couldn’t simply enjoy the festivities.

They remained vigilant.

Patrolling constantly.

Just in case, they never traveled alone.

At minimum, groups of ten.

Except for Theobald, they moved in squads.

Like military comrades.

Nigel, who was touring the territory alongside Cliff, chuckled.

“I never imagined we’d hold a festival in winter. I’ve seen autumn festivals before…”

“Mm. Autumn festivals are great.”

Cliff shrugged.

“But not for our territory yet. The harvests are too poor to celebrate.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Nigel could only laugh at Cliff’s blunt honesty.

Thinking about it…

So many events had occurred since Cliff arrived that he’d nearly forgotten.

That’s right. The territory’s fundamental problem still hasn’t been solved.

Agriculture remained unchanged.

Ironically…

Food had become the territory’s most abundant resource.

Nigel smiled.

“I never expected to hear those words from you, Acting Lord.”

“What? Did you think I ignored reality?”

“Heh heh heh.”

He couldn’t deny it.

The Cliff Nigel knew was an idealist.

Someone who lived by ideals.

Someone capable of hosting a festival during the season everyone called the season of death.

But that wasn’t because he was naïve.

“Reality is reality.”

Cliff had never once ignored problems.

He simply viewed them differently.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

“Nothing in this world is worthless.”

“I’ll prove it.”

“Just as winter and snow weren’t curses…”

“…this land isn’t cursed soil that only grows rotten weeds.”

Yes.

This was exactly why people placed their hopes in him.

Could he save even this territory’s dying agriculture?

“I’ll place my faith in you, Acting Lord.”

“You shouldn’t.”

Cliff grinned.

“Figuring that out is your job, old man.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Nigel laughed again.

Priscilla observed the two men curiously.

Was Teacher always this cheerful…?

To her, Nigel had always been strict and intimidating.

But recently…

Even Nigel laughed whenever Cliff was around.

He used to never smile at all.

People truly changed.

Then Cliff spoke.

“I won’t give you many years.”

“So find it.”

“The way to revive our farmland.”

“And…”

He turned toward Priscilla.

“You should look too.”

“Eh? I-I don’t know anything about farming, but I’ll try my best!”

She answered hurriedly.

Cliff chuckled.

“That would be nice.”

“But that’s not what I meant.”

“Then…?”

She had always been taught that women shouldn’t involve themselves in politics.

That was why she’d been startled.

Cliff continued.

“Among all these houses…”

“Choose the cutest one.”

“The best snow sculpture.”

“We need to reward them.”

“…I was the one supposed to choose?”

“Of course.”

“They’re all birthday presents for you.”

Birthday presents.

She had already received one.

The snow rabbit.

Looking around…

There were countless others.

These are all my gifts…?

Cliff had given her presents in ways she’d never imagined.

Because of that…

Snow no longer symbolized curses.

A faint smile appeared on Priscilla’s face.

Seeing that smile is enough for me.

Cliff smiled as well.

Life here was truly satisfying.

There were still many problems left.

But one by one…

They were changing.

Next came agriculture.

He had a rough idea.

Once this Midwinter Survival Quest ends, the territory level will probably rise again.

Then…

He would begin seriously investing in farming skills.

The Economy skill:

• Seed of Life

The Environment skill:

• Fertile Land

He still hadn’t decided which to prioritize.

He couldn’t raise both simultaneously.

After the snow melted…

He intended to conduct proper soil inspections.

First, I need to understand why farming fails here.

Only then can I determine which skill is appropriate.

And…

We’ll also need to find crops suited to this land.

Cliff believed the latter was even more important.

His skills and status window.

There was no guarantee they’d remain after his death.

I need to leave behind a way for people to survive in this environment.

He had to discover the most effective farming methods for Elimis Territory.

But for now…

He would enjoy the festival.

“Have you decided?”

Cliff asked Priscilla with a smile.

Priscilla nodded solemnly.

“Yes.”

“I’ve chosen.”

He looked toward where she pointed.

“A bear?”

“…Yes.”

“I always thought bears were fierce and terrifying beasts.”

Cliff nodded.

Someone had sculpted an adorable snow bear.

Apparently, teddy bear designs were beloved even in this world.

The bigger they were…

The more popular they became.

“That’s Lucas’s house.”

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* * *

The festival left a profound impression on Elimis Territory.

And gradually…

Spring approached.

Winter arrived late in Elimis Territory.

And ended just as late.

If anything, spring was unusually short.

“The fog is thick.”

“It always is around this time.”

Nigel nodded.

“You can feel winter beginning to leave.”

Cliff nodded as he listened.

It was his first spring in this territory.

Everything felt new and fascinating.

He looked at Nigel.

“So the next farming season begins now?”

“Yes.”

“Though even after spring arrives, it’ll still be too early to sow seeds.”

“Still…”

Nigel sighed with relief.

“We made it through winter without any major incidents.”

Cliff agreed.

“…You’re right.”

Because—

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Quest Complete.

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The quest had ended.

And they had succeeded.

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<Surviving Midwinter>

Description:
The first bitter winter you have faced as a lord.

This may be considered your first true trial.

Overcome this hardship together with your people and prove your ability as a lord.

Conditions:

• Survive the winter with 10 or fewer territorial deaths (3/10)

Rewards:

• Territory EXP +100

• Lord EXP +100

---

Thirteen people had died the previous winter.

Eleven the year before that.

Fourteen the year before that.

Every year…

More than ten residents died.

No wonder such cruel fairy tales existed.

Cliff’s eyes gleamed.

Regardless…

The quest was complete.

He was just savoring his satisfaction when—

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The Winter Festival has helped the residents overcome their fear of winter.

Additional rewards granted for exceeding expectations.

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Exceeded expectations.

Additional rewards.

All the disappointment he’d felt over not receiving a festival quest vanished instantly.

Another Skill Level-Up Ticket?

Then should I raise Fertile Land or Seed of Life…?

Every thought he had…

Became meaningless.

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A great achievement that revealed God’s love to mankind!

Divine authority is being exercised.

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…What?

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A Spirit Spring is being created.