BWNAT 17

Chapter 17

Winter Will Return Again

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Long ago, there was a boy who grew up without a father.

The boy feared winter.

When the snow fell, the fields turned white, and he had to endure while clutching his starving stomach.

Even as a child, he thought:

“I’m suffering like this because I don’t have a father.”

So the boy made a vow to himself.

“When I grow up, I won’t let my family go hungry.”

The boy grew up.

He met a woman and married her.

Eventually, he had a child of his own.

Now, he had become a father.

But winter never changed.

Snow fell.

Cold winds blew.

And hunger returned.

The food they had gradually dwindled until nothing remained.

He resolved to protect his family.

“Wait for me. I’ll find something for us to eat.”

He wrapped himself in a thick coat and stepped out into the snow-covered world.

But every house he visited was the same.

“I’m sorry. We don’t have anything to eat either.”

“All we can do is wait for next year.”

He wandered through mountains and fields in search of food.

But there was nothing to be found in winter.

The bright sky darkened.

Snow fell without end.

As he walked, his legs grew heavier.

His fingertips went numb.

His eyelids began to close.

And then, he finally understood.

Why didn’t I have a father?

Only after becoming a father himself did he understand his own father.

His father had likely wandered through the winter night just as he had.

And in the end…

He had never made it home.

Even after he disappeared…

Winter would return again.

The family left behind would endure this winter.

Another child would grow up.

And someday, that child too would become a father.

Winter always returned to the same story.

Within endless snow.

Within endless hunger.

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Lucas had heard this story when he was young.

Its title was:

“Winter Will Return Again.”

It was a tale that taught both a father’s love and the terror of an unconquerable winter.

Because of that, in Elimis Territory, leaving one’s house during winter had become taboo.

If you went outside, you died.

Until spring arrived and the snow melted, the only way to avoid becoming another corpse buried beneath the snow was to endure.

That was why so many people died from smoke inhalation inside their homes.

They sealed every crack to keep out the freezing wind and kept their fires burning constantly.

Yeah… Last year, I thought we wouldn’t survive either.

Lucas remembered the previous winter.

Things had been terrible then.

Two households in the village had been wiped out inside their homes.

Several others had died.

Some, just like in the story, had collapsed on the road and disappeared beneath the snow.

Lucas sincerely hoped this winter would pass without such tragedies.

But something felt strange.

“…Has winter not really begun yet?”

It was certainly cold.

He wasn’t immune to the chill.

Could this be because of the effects of the Blackwood that Acting Lord Cliff approved?

Perhaps because his house was so warm, it didn’t feel unbearably cold.

As long as he stayed indoors, it was comfortable.

Even when he occasionally stepped outside…

Last winter, I remember the cold being far harsher than this…

People in Elimis Territory sometimes referred to cold and frost as the breath of death.

Winter’s chill, in particular, truly brought death.

But this time…

It didn’t.

“Hup.”

Lucas began clearing snow outside.

Carrying a ladder, he climbed onto the roof.

Little by little, he pushed the snow down.

If people neglected this work, roofs occasionally collapsed under the weight.

Even sloped roofs designed to let snow slide off weren’t enough.

The design helped.

But the snowfall was simply too heavy.

“Haa…”

Lucas steadied his breathing.

The winter air threatened to freeze his face.

Yet strangely…

It still doesn’t feel like winter.

Climate Resistance (Lv. 3): Grants resistance to heat and cold.

It was manageable.

And there was more good news.

A window opened, and his daughter’s voice called from below.

“Dad! Dinner’s ready!”

“Alright! I’ll be right down!”

Lucas climbed down the ladder once more.

The moment he stepped inside, warmth embraced him.

Despite heating the house, there was hardly any smoke compared to before.

Back then, our homes were a complete mess.

People couldn’t stop using fires.

As a result, many developed terrible coughs.

There were chimneys, but they weren’t enough.

Worse still, some people blocked their chimneys because they thought they let cold air in.

It was foolish.

Nine times out of ten, they died from smoke inhalation.

Then there was another thing that had made winter so terrifying.

“…Isn’t this too much food?”

Like any commoner’s meal, the table was modest.

Even this had often been impossible before.

As Lucas voiced his concern, his wife replied,

“It’s fine. We didn’t have to pay taxes this time. And when Acting Lord Cliff called everyone to prepare for winter, we earned quite a bit from that too…”

I wish every winter could be like today.

That was what Lucas thought.

Maybe winter wasn’t entirely terrible after all.

His children seemed to feel the same way.

Simply being able to eat without starving was tremendous progress.

“…I think our whole family can survive this winter.”

His wife seemed to sense the hopeful atmosphere as well.

Lucas nodded.

“I think so too. It hasn’t even been a year since Acting Lord Cliff arrived… but the territory is changing.”

A place where people couldn’t live…

Was becoming a place where people could.

A territory like this was worth living in.

Lucas wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Everyone in the village thought the same.

And because of it, they found hope.

This winter…

We can win.

“I just hope nothing unexpected happens. Then we can get through winter safely and welcome spring.”

Lucas spoke his wish aloud.

But this time…

That wish wasn’t granted.

Bang! Bang!

Someone pounded on his door.

“Lucas! The Lord… no, Acting Lord Cliff is gathering everyone!”

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Cliff had heard the story passed down through the territory.

“Winter Will Return Again.” What a romantic title.

He liked it.

Very much.

But he still hated it.

He disliked tragedies.

Happy endings.

Reality itself should have them whenever possible.

So he gave an order.

“…Pardon?”

Nigel stared at Cliff in disbelief.

Has Acting Lord Cliff not sobered up yet?

The butler knew Cliff and Priscilla had been drinking the previous night.

He also knew the two had finally become husband and wife in truth.

Perhaps because he had finally shed his innocence, Cliff had become even stranger.

He had always shattered common sense from the moment he appeared.

But this…

This was something else.

“Gather everyone. Tell them this.”

Cliff paused.

Then corrected himself.

“I, Cliff E… no, Cliff Elimis, hereby declare a Snow Festival.”

A festival.

Nigel’s expression twisted.

Even when he’d lived outside Elimis Territory, he had never heard of such a thing.

“We still have some food supplies left, don’t we?”

“We do, but…”

“If we run out, slaughter the geese.”

“…The geese?”

“Yeah. We’ll regret having fewer geese later, but we can just buy more. We expanded the charcoal kilns anyway. We can sell charcoal and earn it back.”

“…You’re really going to slaughter the geese?”

“Mhm. So everyone in the village can at least taste meat.”

Cliff grinned.

“Set up huge cauldrons and make soup. Not everyone will get chunks of meat, but at least they’ll get broth floating with rich goose fat.”

The people of the territory were still too thin.

At least, by Cliff’s standards.

I’d be lying if I said the geese weren’t precious…

But they could raise more later.

Buy more.

Keep a few breeding pairs.

Rebuild the flock.

“Leave three or four pairs behind and butcher the rest.”

“…!”

The more Nigel listened, the more astonished he became.

“If we’re holding a festival, then people need food.”

If it had only been for Cliff and Priscilla, Nigel could have understood.

But Cliff intended to feed the entire territory.

Of course, not everyone would get meat.

Even slaughtering all the geese wouldn’t be enough.

Which was why Cliff wanted everyone to at least have rich broth.

“If food runs short, feed the children first.”

“…Understood.”

“Then hurry and prepare everything.”

“Yes.”

And so…

Cliff’s plans spread throughout the territory.

A festival.

Everyone was bewildered.

More than anything, no one had ever imagined holding a festival during winter.

Even the soldiers became busy.

“What kind of chaos is this all of a sudden?”

Not just soldiers.

Villagers came out to clear snow.

They had to make a path for Cliff.

Snowbanks piled up on both sides.

Through that path…

Cliff walked with Priscilla.

Priscilla looked equally confused.

“Hmm.”

Cliff stared at one particularly large snowbank.

That should work perfectly.

His eyes sparkled.

“Eek!”

He suddenly swept Priscilla into his arms.

Held in front of everyone, she let out a cute cry and flushed bright red.

She looked completely lost.

He wanted to tease her.

But now, he had to maintain his dignity.

Using mana, Cliff climbed atop the snowbank.

It became a natural platform made of snow.

The two of them stood together upon it.

Cliff looked over the gathered people.

“At last, the most joyous day granted by the gods has arrived! The season of blessing, where those who worked diligently through the other three seasons may finally enjoy their rest!”

Naturally…

No one responded.

That was fine.

Winter will return again.

Maybe next year, people would actually look forward to it.

“I hereby declare a three-day festival throughout the territory!”

Still no reaction.

He had expected that too.

But now…

They had no choice but to respond.

“In celebration of this festival…”

Cliff shouted.

“Today, I will feed you meat!”

Meat!

The people’s expressions instantly changed.

“WOOOOOO!”

Amid their cheers, Cliff raised his voice.

“Nobles are entrusted by the gods with the duty to guide their people correctly. As Cliff, I shall teach you the blessings that the gods granted through winter!”

Faith held tremendous power in this world.

And the duty he mentioned truly existed.

The standard of “correct guidance” was theology.

Cliff himself had studied scripture.

Fortunately, one passage came to mind.

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

“Enjoy this winter with gratitude and happiness.”

He made another vow.

He would change how people viewed winter.

“Then surely, among you…”

“…there will be those who wait eagerly for next winter.”

And that beginning was—

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“Waaah!”

“Ow!”

“Hey! You actually threw that at me?!”

Children crying.

Children screaming.

Children shouting in anger.

These should have been negative emotions.

Yet—

“Nyeh nyeh! Then try hitting me back!”

“Oh dear, where shall I throw this one?”

“Hahaha!”

Teasing voices.

Mocking laughter.

But mixed among them…

Were unmistakable sounds of joy.

“…This is strange.”

Priscilla murmured.

She had never seen a winter like this.

Children ran through the snow.

Packing snow into balls.

Throwing them at one another.

Yes.

A snowball fight.

Some fell.

Some cried after being hit.

Others became annoyed.

Still…

It’s amazing.

Priscilla’s fingers twitched.

The cold had reddened her cheeks.

But her eyes shone brighter than ever.

She didn’t want to return to the mansion.

Winter had always carried a bleak atmosphere.

But winter…

Could be lively like this too.

Ah…

Nearby, people were boiling snow.

More accurately, melting it.

They used it to collect water.

Cloths were soaked in the hot water and wrapped around frozen hands.

Others filled jars and carried the water home.

Families used it to wash their hands and feet.

“Theobald, keep watch so no one leaves the village.”

Cliff instructed him.

“Especially the children. Some of them will definitely wander outside. If they do, restrain them if necessary and bring them back.”

Cliff smiled as he spoke.

It was a mischievous smile.

At first, Priscilla didn’t understand why.

But soon…

She realized.

“Take this!”

“Eat snow!”

At some point, the children had decided that Theobald was the common enemy.

They chased after him, pelting him with snowballs.

Theobald looked deeply troubled.

He couldn’t exactly get angry at children.

Especially while Cliff watched nearby with a grin.

He planned this…

Theobald understood Cliff’s intentions.

Dodging their attacks, he occasionally retaliated with just enough force.

The children chased him.

Theobald led them around.

“That guy…”

Cliff chuckled.

“He’s actually enjoying himself.”

Then Cliff crouched down.

He began gathering snow.

“…Are you going to have a snowball fight too?”

Priscilla asked, curiosity and expectation mingling in her voice.

Even she thought the children’s game looked fun.

“No.”

Cliff shook his head.

“I’m making something else.”

“…?”

He shaped the snow.

One small ball.

One larger, oval-shaped one.

He placed the smaller piece atop the larger body.

Then he sculpted something onto the smaller piece.

Long ears.

It was a tiny animal.

A rabbit.

Cliff held out the snow rabbit toward Priscilla.

“Hmm.”

He tilted his head.

“Turned out better than I expected. Maybe my skills work on this too.”

He muttered something she didn’t understand.

Then extended it toward her.

“Here.”

“A gift.”

“…What?”

“Happy birthday.”

A gift?

Priscilla accepted it.

It was cold.

But adorable.

She stared blankly at the little snow rabbit.

Snow…

Could become a gift.

“It’s so cute.”

She smiled softly.

“I wish I could keep it in my room and raise it forever.”

“Heh. Even if you wanted to, it’ll melt soon.”

“Ah…”

Disappointment crossed her face.

Cliff smiled.

“Don’t be sad.”

“Winter will return again, anyway.”

I’ll make you one every winter.

A faint smile blossomed on her face.

“…I hope next winter comes quickly too.”

“Right?”

There was already one person.

Someone waiting for winter.

Cliff grinned.

He had shared winter’s charm.

He had changed her perception.

And then something even more thrilling happened.

[Environment] Category Level has increased.

[Culture] Category Level has increased.

“Yeah.”

Cliff smirked.

“I had a feeling you two were about to level up.”