The information provided by the black market still sounded vague, but Shade felt it was necessary to investigate:
"That renowned Mid-Ring Arcanist is...?"
The man behind the counter nodded:
"I can help you contact someone in the know. The intelligence is definitely real, but how much of it is true is for you to judge. We're only brokers."
"No problem. Then what is the third major recent event of note?"
"This one isn't dangerous. Although City of Time Wheels is the largest city on Fatumonst Island, it isn't the island's only settlement. Scattered fishing villages and towns line the coast, while at the foot of the Snow Mountain live this island's true indigenous people."
Shade knew about that:
"The tribesmen whose way of life is relatively primitive?"
"Yes. Although they have gradually begun adopting the lifestyle of the Steam Epoch, they still retain relatively traditional villages and customs. The Year-End Festival has just passed, and the tribesmen at the foot of the Snow Mountain will soon celebrate the 'Ten Thousand Spirits Festival,' also known as the 'Ten Thousand Spirits Ceremony.'"
Shade had never heard of this festival:
"Tell me exactly what this festival is for."
"The local indigenous people are called the 'Fatumonst People,' or simply the 'Fatu People.' Traditional Fatu People tribes believe that Fatumonst Snow Mountain is sacred, and that all things upon it possess spirits.
Thus, during the Ten Thousand Spirits Ceremony of every Newborn Moon, they offer sacrifices to the Snow Mountain. The general process involves lighting fires at the mountain's foot for a grand celebration, then having young people carry the flames to the summit. Over the past few decades, it has developed into a fairly famous local tourist attraction. The duchy's nobles are quite fond of this primitive and peculiar sort of thing."
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