Chapter 141: Chapter 140: The Year-End Festival

In the blink of an eye, two weeks passed.

On this day, Colin got out of bed and looked out the window.

Overnight, the entirety of Thousand Masts City had been blanketed in white snow. Even now, large, goose-feather-sized snowflakes were drifting down.

’Maybe it’s because of the Winter Wolf Necklace,’ Colin thought. He hadn’t felt the temperature drop at all, and before he knew it, winter had arrived.

Come to think of it, today was also the Yule Festival.

There was still no news from Edwin about the Kais Tribe. All in all, it had been delayed for over half a month now...

Regardless, he’d celebrate the festival first and worry about it later.

Between memorizing books and training every day, Colin felt like he was going to be driven mad.

’I’ll go buy some gifts first,’ he thought, ’then I’ll invite Orelia and Kase. After all, I have no family in this world, and I couldn’t get along with the original owner’s friends.’

Thinking about it, a Half-Orc, a Tiefling, and a Transmigrator... the three of them were all people who had a hard time fitting into this society. It made sense that they’d flock together.

Colin got dressed, took his Hand Half Sword, and walked out onto the street.

It was a little strange not to be hit by the usual foul smells the moment he stepped outside. Additionally, the transport carriages on the street, which functioned like taxis, had all been converted into sleighs.

The snow on the ground was thick, making a CRUNCH CRUNCH sound with every step.

Colin trudged toward the nearest tavern, planning to buy a small keg of beer for the evening’s Yule Festival. Judging by the dispositions of the others, that was always a safe bet.

Although the taverns in the city were a bit more expensive, it was a festival, so he wouldn’t quibble over the cost. Besides, the roads were quite difficult to walk on.

He made his way to the Trade District and found a tavern called "Blue Dream." As the name suggested, many so-called civilized folk, like Mages, were fond of patronizing the establishment.

Colin shook the snowflakes off his clothes and walked into the tavern.

Due to the weather, the place was sparsely populated, with only a few people dressed as Mages standing at the counter.

"Two liters of ale."

"One Silver Coin."

"Isn’t that Colin?"

Just as Colin was taking out his money, a familiar female voice suddenly came from beside him. He turned his head and saw that it was Sela, the female Mage who had taught his predecessor the Flaming Arrow spell.

"Good morning, Sela," Colin said with a slight nod.

"Are you here to buy food for the Yule Festival today? The things at this shop are quite expensive, but it’s nice to have a little treat during the festival," Sela said with a smile, her gold-rimmed glasses glinting in the light.

The few other people dressed as Mages also looked over.

There were men and women among them, likely Mage Apprentices who knew each other.

"Good day, sir." "Colin? Is this the one you mentioned who’s learning Magic?"

The surrounding Mage Apprentices began to chatter, and one of them blurted out, "It’s so cold today, and you’re only wearing that?"

The moment he said that, the scene fell silent. The others all blinked at the one who had spoken, while the rest looked over at Colin, their eyes holding a hint of pity.

’They don’t think I’m too poor to afford winter clothes, do they...?’

Colin quickly tried to explain, "Uh, it’s because..."

"Your ale, one Silver Coin, sir." Since Colin hadn’t paid after a while, the tavern owner beside him was starting to look displeased. He was holding a small, corked pottery jug.

"I’ll get it, sir," Sela said, placing the money on the table.

"No, I..."

"Consider it a Yule Festival gift from your Mage Teacher."

Another male apprentice came over and put down a bag of roasted pork knuckle, and then a female classmate came over and added a bag of biscuits... and just like that, Colin was holding three or four bags of food.

"Happy Yule Festival, Mr. Colin!"

After shouting this, the group of Mage Apprentices rushed off, leaving a completely baffled Colin, who hadn’t had time to explain, staring at the food on the table.

This whole bizarre episode made him feel like he had tricked them into pitying him.

But they were already gone.

Carrying the large and small bags, Colin walked all the way to the Black Heart Tavern.

The tavern was closed for business today, making it feel rather empty.

Bob and Kase had already arrived. Each of them had a keg of beer in front of him, and it looked like they hadn’t bought anything else at all.

Colin went over and dumped everything onto the table.

Bob said smugly, "See? I told you Colin would bring other stuff."

"Tch. He probably just picked this stuff up on the way," Kase said, taking out a Silver Coin and handing it to Bob.

"You guys actually had the time to make a bet... Let’s go. We need to get Orelia."

’You were actually right,’ Colin complained inwardly as he spoke, pulling Kase along with him. He didn’t bother to see if their stupid bet was fair or not.

The two of them trudged through the snow to the Church of the Morninglord.

Even on the most relaxing festival of the year, this place was still incredibly busy, filled with the sounds of groans and sobs.

After showing their rings, the two of them walked into the garden at the back.

"Orelia, just leave it be."

As they were about to reach the Tiefling’s quarters, they could faintly hear someone nagging.

The two of them peeked forward stealthily.

Through a gap in the branches, they could see Orelia standing helplessly by a flowerbed, holding a long-handled ladle. The nagging voice belonged to an old nun standing in front of her.

Colin quickly grabbed the reckless Half-Orc, who was about to step forward and stand up for his friend.

"I know you are a capable Cultivator, and I have never doubted your piety. But the refugees don’t know that, my good Lady Orelia. If they see you in the kitchen, there will be trouble, do you understand?"

Orelia lowered her head and nodded.

’Put that way, there’s really no arguing with it,’ Colin thought. ’After all, the Tieflings of this world really are the descendants of Demons.’

Only then did he and Kase walk over.

"Orelia, it’s the Yule Festival. Old Black Heart told us to come over for a get-together," Colin said. Kase, standing beside him with his arms crossed, silently stared at the old nun.

"Alright, you go ahead with your friends," the old nun said, taking the long-handled ladle from Orelia’s hand.

Orelia blinked hard a few times, then nodded.

Now a group of three, they chatted and laughed all the way back to the Black Heart Tavern.

By this time, Bob and his friends had mostly arrived. A few dozen people were gathered in the tavern, drinking and chatting.

The moment the three of them opened the door, the tavern grew noticeably quiet.

Their combination left people a little uncertain of how to react.

"Let me introduce you! Those are my good brothers, Colin and Kase, the ones I’m always telling you about! And their new teammate, Orelia!" Bob shouted loudly, pretending to be drunk.

"Welcome, Mr. Colin!"

The two Guards they had met during the Carrion Insect incident were also there, and they raised their glasses and cheered together.

The rest of the crowd also gave Bob face, and after welcoming the newcomers, they went back to their boisterous chatter.

Colin took the opportunity to lead the other two into the crowd.

After a few rounds of beer, no one cared about who was a Tiefling and who wasn’t. Everyone took turns telling stories, drinking, and sharing the food they had brought.

Most of Bob’s friends were coachmen or tavern owners from the areas surrounding Thousand Masts City. These people had an endless supply of stories and anecdotes, and talking with them was never boring.

The fireplace in the tavern crackled and popped from time to time, accentuating the lively atmosphere inside.

Partway through, Kiran the cleaner and his wife also stopped by. They dropped off one of the meat pies like the ones they had given Colin’s group before, then hurried home to reunite with their own family.

As he ate and drank, Colin began to feel drowsy.

Before he knew it, evening had fallen.

"I came so late today. Tomorrow, I could come earlier... and I even forgot to bring food," Orelia said, looking wistfully at the window as it was slowly enveloped by darkness.

A drunk Kase laughed. "Tomorrow’s not the Yule Festival, Pointy-Tail. You’re drunk, aren’t you?"

"Oh, right..."

"There’s always next year’s Yule Festival. It’s not like we won’t live to see it," Colin said.

"Little brother Colin’s right! To next year!" Bob, who was beside them, raised his glass. "Come on, a toast!"