Chapter 232: The Upcoming New Year’s Event (Please Subscribe!)
After stating their purpose, the blacksmith of the Gubernue Familia led Refia and the others into a room filled with weapon samples.
Inside, many rapiers were either hanging or meticulously placed, and there were even design blueprints for weapons yet to be forged.
While Refia conversed with the blacksmith and Ais provided advice nearby, Tiona and Tione curiously wandered around the room.
“At this point, we can only decide on the design. If you want the actual item delivered, it’ll likely take until after the New Year.”
As Refia struggled with choosing the weapon design, the blacksmith suddenly interjected with a reminder.
“Eh—? Why?” Tiona looked over in surprise, her face showing confusion.
Refia, Ais, and Tione reacted similarly, all looking at the blacksmith with questioning gazes.
“It’s not like I can do anything just by you staring at me! We’re all swamped preparing for the ‘Year-Opening Market’! There’s simply no time to forge your equipment, so we’ll have to decide on the design now and delay the forging.”
The blacksmith sighed and explained the situation.
“‘Year-Opening Market’? What’s that?” Tione tilted her head, seemingly hearing this term for the first time?
“Huh? You don’t know?” It was now the blacksmith’s turn to look surprised at her.
It was unimaginable that the first-class adventurer who had made a name for herself in Orario for several years didn’t even know what the “Year-Opening Market” was.
How out of touch could she be?
In response, Tione only gave him a silent gaze, clearly indicating she really didn’t know.
Realizing this fact, the blacksmith slumped his shoulders slightly as if saying “I give up on you,” then reluctantly began explaining.
…
Afterward, although they had decided on the weapon design and estimated price, the girls still felt somewhat disheartened as they returned to the Twilight Manor.
Since Refia’s weapon wouldn’t start being forged until after the New Year, and there was still some time before the year-end, they couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Back inside the reception room of the Twilight Manor,
“So, it’s already nearing the period of the Year-Opening Market?”
“Eh? Riviria, you know about this?”
“I’ve been in Orario for quite some time now, so why would it be strange that I know?”
Upon returning home, the girls met Riviria reading a book in the reception room and informed her of the matter.
The elegant elven princess gently closed her book: “Though I say that, truthfully, I’ve never actually attended one myself; I’ve only heard about it from others.”
“Ohhh…”
It seemed everyone present knew equally little about this special custom of Orario.
This was partly due to the nature of the event itself.
The “Year-Opening Market” is a festival aimed at lower-ranked adventurers, specifically those of the third tier. For adventurers ranked second tier and above, it holds little significance.
“I think it’s a ‘Festival’ held in the Central Square… and also the ‘First Forging Ceremony,’ right? The Year-Opening Market seems to consist of these two events.”
Riviria tapped her chin, recalling what she remembered.
“…A festival?”
Haruhi, who had been quietly studying a book on magic incantations nearby, couldn’t help but overhear their conversation and glanced over.
Her thick tail swung back and forth, her emerald eyes gleaming with anticipation.
She placed her hands over her slightly protruding chest through her kimono.
“Is it the kind of festival where everyone gathers together to celebrate the New Year, Riviria-sama?”
Unlike Refia, Haruhi had already handled her staff-related matters with Izay yesterday, leaving her to wait for its completion. Now, the fox girl was studying magical knowledge—essentially learning what Refia had studied previously.
But her attention had shifted, drawn to something else.
Riviria didn’t scold her for losing focus but instead smiled wryly.
“The Year-Opening Market isn’t the kind of festival you’re imagining, Haruhi. In reality, it’s an annual high-grade weapon clearance sale. Only on this day can many adventurers buy their desired high-grade weapons at low prices. The First Forging Ceremony is similar.”
“What’s the First Forging Ceremony?” Ais furrowed her delicate eyebrows, unable to comprehend these terms.
Although the blacksmith from the Gubernue Familia had explained once before, it seemed he wasn’t able to convey the meaning accurately enough, leaving them confused.
They felt like they almost understood, but not quite.
“A ceremony for blacksmiths, celebrating the arrival of the new year by forging a fine weapon in front of the crowd. It’s said to carry blessings for peace in the coming year. Every year, it’s hosted primarily by forging factions such as the Gubernue Familia and the Hephaestus Familia.”
And thus, the reason for the delay in Refia’s weapon became clear.
In short, if you wanted to buy a new weapon, you could attend the Year-Opening Market in the Central Square.
If you weren’t interested in purchasing weapons, there were regular New Year celebration activities near the Central Square where you could stroll around and relax.
“Our past New Year celebrations missed out on such events, it feels so regrettable…” Tiona’s face was full of disappointment.
Every year during the New Year, the Loki Familia would hold a banquet at the Twilight Manor, and everyone, including the officers like Ais, would be busy preparing.
From purchasing ingredients from the Demeter Familia, running to the Soma Familial Group for alcohol, to setting up the banquet at the Twilight Manor… the schedule was packed.
For example, if you took a week as an example, it would be three days of work, three days of wild fun, and one day cleaning up the mess.
Afterward, they’d dive straight back into the dungeon.
Since they were an exploration faction, and the largest one in Orario at that.
Compared to Tiona’s regret, Tione was more laid-back about it.
“There’s nothing we can do. We need to prepare the banquet at home anyway, missing such events is normal… Besides, you always have fun every New Year, Tiona. It’s just a festival, if we can’t go, then we don’t.”
However, at this moment, Riviria shook her head slightly: “Not really, Tione. The timing of the Year-Opening Market and the grand banquet of Loki doesn’t conflict. If Loki noticed, she might have gone to join the festivities.”
“—!? ”
“It’s just that every year she prepares a bunch of weird costumes, trying to push our limits and indulging in it, so she overlooks these things.”
“…”
For a moment, understanding the reason, Ais, Refia, and the sisters all fell silent.
Indeed, that was how it was.
“Weird costumes?” Haruhi tilted her head, puzzled.
She was the only one who temporarily didn’t understand the implication of Riviria’s words.
Yes, temporarily.
