Snow City.
This was a great city in the northern lands. It had once been the capital of the Shavigo Kingdom, but for certain reasons, the capital had later been moved. Yet the tradition of skiing that had endured for thousands of years had not shifted to the new capital along with it.
Instead, it had been passed down year after year in this former capital.
Over the millennia, Snow City's skiing events had only been suspended a few times, each because of an exceptionally severe war.
And whenever the skiing events resumed, in order to display the nation's might and help the people forget their suffering, they would be made even grander and more bustling than before.
This year was no exception. The Demon Calamity of the past few years had left everyone panic-stricken. Fortunately, the situation had turned around this year, and the demons were finally about to be driven out. The people were overjoyed; it could be called a nationwide celebration.
Queen Dailuanni was no foolish ruler, so naturally she understood the beneficial effects of holding the festival at such a time.
Several months ago, she had already dispatched people to prepare for it, determined to make this year's skiing event leave a profound impression.
Velvetflower Town was a small town, inhabited mainly by hunters and merchants. Its business came from travelers passing through, though there were usually not many guests. Only during the months before and after the annual skiing event did it reach its busiest season.
Fortunately, the houses all belonged to their owners, so leaving them vacant did not cost much. Once the weather turned cold and guests began arriving in numbers, what they earned in a single month would be enough to cover a family's expenses for an entire year. It was quite