The origins of the Winter Food Festival could be traced back to the days before the Empire was founded, when Emperor Andre led humanity through campaigns north and south.
It was said that just as they were about to endure the entire winter, the army's provisions had nearly run out.
Yet under Emperor Andre's lead, as he dug up grass roots and ate tree bark alongside them, the human army still struggled through that darkest period.
Thus, after the founding of the Empire, the last day of winter—January 31—was established as the Winter Food Festival, to commemorate those martyrs of old.
Every year on this day, grand memorial ceremonies were held throughout the Empire, and people ate only vegetarian food to offer solace to the departed spirits.
Later, as time passed, the Northern Frontier fought the orcs year-round, and the end of each year's war usually fell around the Winter Food Festival.
Over time, the Winter Food Festival also became a day to commemorate the soldiers who had fallen along the northern border.
At the Winter Food Festival banquet held in the palace, aside from famous nobles, officials, and wealthy merchants, military officers and soldiers who had distinguished themselves in that year's winter war were also invited, in recognition of their contributions to the Empire.
Carriage after carriage stopped at the palace gates, quietly waiting for the guards' inspection before being allowed through.
Luo Wei'er, grandson of the Eastern Frontier Duke, sat inside one carriage, chatting gently with Leticia, granddaughter of the Northern Frontier Duke.
Under the careful treatment of the nuns from the Church of the God of Healing, Luo Wei'er had quickly recovered from being beaten into a pig's head. Then, during the week Wodesen was confined by his father, he successfully won over Leticia, the flower of