Free Web NovelChapter 169: Cultures
The city of Klento, on the east coast of the Kingdom of Athína, was an economic and maritime center, so it was transformed into a true spectacle during the New Year’s festivities. The streets, usually busy and crowded with merchants and sailors, were decorated with sparkling lights and ornaments of all colors and shapes. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Just like Christmas on Earth, the rich developed the custom of lighting and decorating their homes to make them even more conspicuous. Over time, the poor, trying to look a little richer, began to do the same, and so it became the custom for most houses in Klento to be decorated with lights and ornaments.
From the most opulent mansions to the humblest fishermen’s cottages, they shone under the cover of night.
The festivities culminated in a splendid feast that attracted visitors from all the nearby towns and even from overseas, such as the three large islands.
The event was usually organized by the influential Selvarum family, whose former patriarch, Lord Peter Selvarum, had created the festival and made it an annual tradition to promote Klento’s trade and prosperity.
The current head of the family, matriarch Luísa Selvarum, known for her wit and charisma, has been instrumental in organizing and running the event. In the last few days, the hectic pace of preparations had taken its toll, and Victor hadn’t even been able to see her properly, even during breakfast, which she always had in her office.
Besides, Bel wasn’t present at the breakfasts either, because he was a knight now, and it didn’t matter if he was a Selvarum or how good he was, he had to fulfill his knightly duties. This included the basic training of the Order of the Knights of Athína, which was necessary for a knight to act as a city guard, a noble guard, or to receive direct orders from his superiors.
So Victor, unable to train Bel and only having his blood taken daily by Mari for research, got a little bored at the mansion and started going out every day to complete some missions as a hunter. Winter was a good time to make money. There were fewer hunters working and the rewards for completion were higher.
One day, Victor Shieldman was walking through the streets of Klento, returning from a hunt and heading to the local branch of the Hunters’ Association. He noticed how quickly the city was being decorated, and he felt a little nostalgic.
It had been ages since he had seen such a bright celebration, for Serenity Village was too quiet even for that.
These year-end festivals reminded him of his years on Earth. He had lived very little on Earth compared to what he had experienced in this brutal world, but he always found himself remembering home, his parents, and his older sister.
In the end, he wanted to know what happened after he and everyone in his living room were teleported to that other world. He wondered what the news in the local paper was like, or what his mother’s reaction was when she received the news of his disappearance. Whenever he found himself in these melancholy, reflective thoughts, Victor shook his head and shook them off. There was no point in wondering, he would never get the answers.
As far as Victor knew, organizing these big, glittering year-end festivals was an idea and a request from one hero. He just didn’t know who.
In any case, it was impossible not to be infected by the vibrant energy that pulsated in every corner of the city.
Children were laughing and playing, and the central square, usually full of sailors and hunters, was filled with stalls and stages where musicians and artists performed for the civilians of the city.
Victor was hungry and made his way to one of the stalls, where a middle-aged woman was selling bread with cream. He bought one, thanking her with a nod before moving to a quieter corner. Just as he was about to bite into the bread, he spotted Frugeon, Luísa’s bodyguard, standing alone near the square’s central fountain.
Curious that he never saw Frugeon very far away from Luísa, he decided to approach. He stowed his bread in his coat pocket and did so.
"Frugeon," he called, causing the burly man to turn his attention to him.
"Victor?"
"What are you doing here alone?"
"Just killing time. Luísa is in an important meeting at the city council, and since I can’t stay in the room, I have about two hours free."
"I see. And how is she? She seems to have been quite busy lately."
Frugeon sighed and relaxed his posture a bit. His gaze softened, showing genuine concern.
"Luísa has always been dedicated to Klento’s welfare and the success of the annual festival since she took over as a matriarch. This year, however, her responsibilities seem to have multiplied. She wants to keep the festival more traditional, but the Merchants’ Association wants something more flashy than in previous years."
Victor frowned, worried. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Frugeon gave a slight smile, a rare gesture on his serious face.
"Your concern is a good start. You know her, Luísa is stubborn. She won’t accept help easily, even if she needs it. Believe me, I’ve tried. Maybe if you find a way to relieve her stress without it seeming like direct help, she’ll accept it."
Victor nodded, determined to find a solution. He knew that the success of the festival was vital not only for Klento’s economy, but for the Selvarum as well. So he decided to look for ways to contribute without attracting too much attention.
On his way back to the mansion that evening, Victor strolled through the streets, thinking of a way to ease Luísa’s burden.
A massage? No, that would be very... nice. But she hasn’t come to me since we kissed, and maybe I just messed things up. I need to relieve her stress with something less... physical. He hammered out ideas.
Soon, he concluded that a gift wouldn’t be a bad thing. Even though the people of this world had a very Christmas-like year-end culture, they didn’t exchange Christmas gifts. This might be a good opportunity. So he decided to go to the city market.
If he could find something to take the weight off Luísa’s shoulders, maybe she could enjoy a little more of the festival she was so dedicated to organizing.
