Thinking of the recent unrest among the people of the valley, Mito felt a chill run up his spine.
If Nausicaä really did fall out with the villagers, and then those people with ulterior motives slipped in among the refugees and rallied them...
He did not dare imagine what would happen.
"Fortunately, with Lord Erdtree's help, we'll certainly be able to protect our home."
Mito's words drew repeated nods from the others.
"That's right, but what we're doing now still isn't enough. We have to spread the faith before we can gain enough power to resist our enemies."
"Only when enough villagers become golden believers can the Erdtree bestow more grace and power."
Nausicaä then briefly explained the plans for the celebration and the changes to the system of rewards and punishments.
She did not lay out Mu En's entire complex system, which would only have made it harder for them to understand. She simply explained the commendations.
None of them objected.
If the Erdtree had not appeared, the Valley of the Wind's food would probably have run out completely in a few days.
When that happened, no matter how capable a leader Nausicaä was, the Valley of the Wind would probably have faced destruction.
Besides, after the turmoil of recent days, they had long wanted to make changes to keep the same thing from happening again.
For example, they wanted the people to clearly understand what true honor was, and who the Valley of the Wind's true leader, worthy of following, was.
Nausicaä and Mu En's plan was just what they wanted.
Only Mito, who had assisted two generations of clan leaders, could not help wondering to himself.
If the old clan leader Jihl came back and discovered that the Valley of the Wind's traditions had been completely overturned, and that his daughter had gone from "clan leader" to "queen," what would he think?
"By the way, this is an important day of change for the Valley of the Wind, so shouldn't the celebration have an official name?" Gol interjected from beside them.
Hearing his suggestion, Mu En, who was listening in on the meeting through the blessing link, fell into thought.
"There really should be a dignified name... What should we call it? Oh, right, what do you think of 'Model Worker Commendation Conference'?"
He conveyed the idea to Nausicaä and the others through the link.
The two elders who had received blessings fell silent at once, their subtle expressions frozen on their faces.
Never mind how frightening it was to communicate through a voice suddenly sounding directly in their heads.
The important thing was, we know every one of those words, so why can't we understand them when they're put together?
"Lord Divine Tree, what exactly do you mean by 'model'?"
The outspoken Beruto voiced the question.
Because of the language barrier, they could not directly understand the terms Mu En used, but the spiritual link made up for it, letting them know what he meant.
"Models are those who continued to work diligently during the famine, as well as those who made important contributions to the Valley of the Wind. Commending them is meant to set an example, so that..."
"Ahem, Mr. Tree, I think what Uncle Beruto actually means is, isn't that name a little... strange?"
Hearing Nausicaä's explanation, Mu En fell silent for a moment.
Strange? He thought it was simple, direct, and catchy.
Besides, the inspiration for this celebration came from the annual parties companies in his previous life had been so fond of holding.
Though he had found them mind-numbingly dull every time-after all, those awards and honors had had little to do with an ordinary employee like him.
But he had to admit that, for those who actually received recognition and material rewards, occasions like that did bring an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.
However, seeing the others hesitate to speak and avert their gazes, Mu En belatedly realized that this was not the world of his previous life after all.
It really was asking a bit much to expect people living in a setting resembling Europe, with a small-farming economy and tribal system that had lasted for centuries, to understand terms bearing the marks of a particular era.
What was more, they had to consider that the celebration was meant to establish the faith and unite the people, and might even become an important traditional festival in the future.
"Hmm, it really isn't quite suitable. In that case, I'll leave you to decide on the celebration's name," Mu En replied.
Hearing that Mu En was not going to insist on his distinctive taste in names, Nausicaä and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon, after everyone pooled their ideas, they chose a name that would be easier for the villagers to understand and better suited to the Erdtree's style.
They designated tomorrow, September first, the first day of the Windless Season that symbolized the harvest, as a festival celebrating the grace bestowed by the Erdtree.
On this day each year, people who had made outstanding contributions to the territory would be commended at the celebration and given rewards that were difficult to obtain in ordinary times.
Such as food, blessings, money, and even "wishes."
The festival would also commemorate the day the Valley of the Wind came through its difficult times and gained new life.
And so, a festival destined to resound throughout countless worlds in the future was settled upon in a castle built of stone.
Its name was the "Festival of Grace."
"Now that we've decided on a name, the next thing is the actual arrangements," Yupa's voice came from beneath his bushy beard.
"When I traveled through the various nations, I saw quite a few similar celebrations. If we merely commend achievements, it'll be hard to leave a deep impression."
"Since the aim is to spread faith in the Erdtree, we can't do it halfheartedly."
Although Yupa had refused to become a Blessed, he also knew how important the Erdtree was to the Valley of the Wind now.
To keep his homeland from suffering the same fate as the Kingdom of Pejite, he had to help Mu En refine the plan.
Hearing this, Nausicaä nodded. "Actually, Mr. Tree and I have already discussed the general proceedings."
As the planner, and a transmigrator from modern society, Mu En naturally would not simply gather people together, hand out some food, and leave it at that.
That would not be a celebration; it would be a community outreach event.
"We plan to build a simple platform in the clearing before the Erdtree. When the time comes, I'll speak from it, commend those who have distinguished themselves, and distribute some food on the spot."
"Then Mr. Tree will bestow Erdtree Marks as a sign of honor. Future Blessed will be chosen from among these people first."
"The most crucial part is to ask Uncle Beruto to plant seeds in the ground beside the site beforehand. During the gathering, Mr. Tree will ripen the crops, so that every villager can witness the end of the famine with their own eyes."
The Grace Ripening Method required no complicated work such as turning the soil or making ridges. As long as the soil and water were suitable, it could grow food.
Named in the plan, Beruto scratched his head sheepishly. Why does this process sound oddly familiar?