Chapter 58: The Unopened Letters and the Festival’s Promise

“I just came to look. If you wish to browse more, feel free.”

“I’ve had enough fun.”

Hilvyn had already shed the outer garment she tried on, donning her own clothes once more.

Stepping out of the shop, she took Elara’s hand. “Sister, let’s go.”

She then turned back, bidding farewell to the others.

Upon returning home, Elara retrieved a wooden box from a secluded corner.

Seeing this, Hilvyn leaned her head closer. Inside the box lay numerous, neatly stacked letters.

“There are so many letters in here. Aren’t you going to read them?”

She noticed that the wax seal on every single letter remained perfectly intact, never having been broken.

“No.”

Elara spoke, then pulled out another stack of letters, placing them inside to be neatly arranged.

“Are they from your family?”

“Yes.”

At this understated reply, Hilvyn wanted to say more, yet she feared dredging up unpleasant memories for Elara.

But then.

Just before the wooden box closed, she cast one last glance inside—all the envelopes were exquisitely decorated, their wax seals meticulously crafted.

Though she didn’t know how long these numerous envelopes had been stored, she could confirm that Elara’s family had consistently tried to contact her.

As for the purpose of their correspondence—whether it was a friendly greeting, an expression of longing, or an urging for her to return—that remained unknown.

Regardless of the content, Elara unilaterally chose not to connect, and Hilvyn, of course, offered her unconditional support.

“Whew, all done.”

Elara pushed the box back into the corner.

“Want to go out for a stroll?”

“Yes—!”

With some time remaining before dinner, a stroll seemed perfect. As the Harvest Festival drew near, even when she went to collect her mail, she had noticed some areas already beginning their decorations.

No sooner had the two descended to the ground floor than a great commotion erupted from the direction of the North City Gate.

A large crowd surged forward, comprising city guards, priests from the Wind God Temple, and individuals clad in Adventurer’s Guild uniforms.

“Residents, please clear the way! Residents, please clear the way!”

The city guards leading the procession bellowed at the top of their lungs.

“Sister, what’s happening?”

“I don’t know.”

As the throng swept past them, Elara spotted two adventurers being escorted by the crowd, each accompanied by a healing priest.

“Sister…”

Hilvyn gasped, for she saw that half of one person’s body was emitting intermittent green mist.

The wind stirred by the passing crowd carried the putrid stench of decaying flesh, drifting into their nostrils.

“It stinks!” Hilvyn covered her nose.

Elara silently held her breath as well. The surrounding residents were also in an uproar, offering various conjectures.

“This is too terrifying.”

“Are those two already rotting?”

“Don’t talk nonsense, I don’t think they’re dead.”

Elara surmised that their injuries were severe, and they were being transported to the Wind God Temple in the South City for treatment.

“Sister, that direction… are they going to the Wind God Temple?”

“Most likely.”

“Then what should we do?”

“What to do…?” Elara didn’t even hesitate. “Let’s keep shopping.”

It had nothing to do with them, and there was no way to get immediate information about a sudden incident. It would be better to simply ask Serene tomorrow.

****

The East City Market, where the Harvest Festival was held in previous years.

Part of the market grounds had already been prepared. Since it was still in daily use, the festive decorations had not yet been fully brought out.

Yet, the atmosphere was already building. Golden wheat stalks and woven red leaves adorned the wooden racks on either side of the entrance, rustling softly with every breeze.

Further inside, the surrounding houses and wooden frames were draped with yellow ropes, orange cloths, and red ribbons. The market’s main color scheme was yellow, red, and orange, accented with wheat stalks and wind chime flowers.

Some permanent shops had already begun selling Harvest Festival goods: jams, honey, and specialty woven baskets.

Hilvyn’s steps grew lighter and livelier as she gazed around.

“It’s so lively here!”

“It’s not even the main day yet,” Elara glanced at the partially erected wooden stalls. “Wait two more days, when these stalls are set up, and the bonfires are lit, you won’t want to leave.”

“If I can’t walk, then Sister can carry me.”

“No.” Elara feigned seriousness. “Hilvyn is too heavy, I can’t carry you—”

“I’m not heavy at all!” Hilvyn’s cheeks puffed out, and her fists clenched, indicating her displeasure.

Seeing Elara’s lack of reaction, she ‘hmphed’ and was then captivated by a wooden wind chime ornament nearby. As Elara was about to pull her along, her peripheral vision caught sight of a flag at the end of the street.

“Come, let’s go to the Merchant Station.”

****

Golden Road Merchant Station.

It offered services such as personal insurance, loans, and savings.

Inside, there was a large shopping mall where one could purchase specialty products or imported goods from other regions.

A new stall stood at the entrance of the station, displaying several seasonal items. Many people were inside, both residents and adventurers.

Elara headed straight for the meat products counter.

“Crimson Oak Ham, the best you have.”

“Right away!”

One of the shop assistants quickly retrieved a ham, unwrapping the oiled paper to reveal slices of dark red ham. Its texture was lustrous, gleaming amber under the light, with edges subtly translucent.

After inspecting it, Elara asked, “Do you have anything better?”

The assistant smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, our refined ham is already the best in this station. For higher quality, you’d have to visit the Wind’s Breath Port Merchant Guild or the place of origin.”

“Alright, I’ll take a whole one.”

“Excellent!” The assistant’s attitude instantly became three parts more polite.

“Sister.”

Hilvyn gently tugged Elara’s wrist from behind, leaning in to whisper, “When you said you wanted a whole one, you looked so cool—”

“Hehe, not really.” Yet, a smile already curved her lips.

“Hajime! Hajime! Fresh Hajime just arrived today!”

The adjacent animal products counter shouted through a megaphone.

It wasn’t long before several people gathered around.

“Is this Hajime honey?”

“That’s right, young man! This is honey produced by Hajime bees, sold in limited quantities every year! Today is the launch day, with limited free samples!”

Meanwhile, Elara’s ham was also packaged.

“That will be 3 gold in total.”

After paying, Elara turned to find Hilvyn’s eyes fixed intently on the Hajime honey.

“Want to try some?”

“It smells really good.”

A jar of honey had been opened, its aroma filling half the hall.

“It really does smell good.”

The two walked closer. A crowd had already gathered, and people were using sticks to dip and taste the fresh honey.

She performed an appraisal.

[Name: Hajime Honey]

[Effect: Nectar collected from Wind Chime Flowers by Hajime bees. A precious honey with mild detoxifying effects.]

One side of the bottle depicted a plump Hajime bee, the other a wind chime flower.

“I’ll buy a jar.”

Elara’s voice cut through the noisy crowd.

“No problem! One jar is 4 gold.”

The surrounding crowd gasped at the price.

*So expensive?*

Elara hadn’t expected a single jar of Hajime honey to be more expensive than an entire ham in her hands.

While she certainly wasn’t short on money now, it would be quite irritating if she were falling for a scam.

Ultimately, she paid for it. After wandering around with Hilvyn for a few more turns and buying some more snacks, they left.

Outside the merchant station, it was already nearing dinner time, and the pancake stalls had been set up.

Wind swept in from the street corner, carrying with it the sounds of people and the aroma of pancakes.

In two days, this street would be covered with long tables, laden with fresh wheat bread and various foods.

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