Main World
"Out buying New Year's goods again? Your youngest son who went out with the caravan came home a few days ago, didn't he?"
"Yes, the New Year is almost here. My youngest is back already, and he's painting the walls at home now. This year's harvest was good, so we're all planning to have a lively New Year at home. What about your family? I heard you've had several happy events this year. Not only did both your sons marry new wives, but the harvest from your fields was several tenths better than last year's. You'll definitely be celebrating properly this New Year, right? Tell me, how are your New Year's goods preparations coming along?"
"The New Year's goods are mostly ready, but I still need to buy some fruit wine. It's New Year's—everyone ought to have a few drinks. That's the only way to get into the festive spirit. Looking at your cart, you're loading flour, aren't you? So many sacks of flour—there are only a few people in your family. Can you finish it all?"
It was morning. The sun shone brightly, and though the weather was cold, the sky was blue and the ground felt warm, carrying something of the feeling that spring was just around the corner.
Two acquaintances were chatting on a street in the commercial district.
Both were ordinary residents of Tatshaw Territory. With the New Year approaching, they had driven ox carts to the commercial district of the inner city to buy New Year's goods.
Behind them stood two ox carts being loaded with merchandise. The small shops where they had bought their goods happened to be next to each other, allowing the two men to stand by the roadside and chat.
"This flour isn't just for my family. Several of