Hey, Alms. I won't be able to come here the night of the next full moon. I'm too busy preparing for the New Year.
　'What!　Well, New Year's. Of course there is.

　I was disappointed.
　After all, the only things that tell the time are the height of the sun, the temperature and the growth of the plants.
　That's right. Of course there's a New Year, right?

　By the way, the fact that there is a New Year in winter means that we are in the northern hemisphere. It's a bit of a relief.

　No, wait. From a cultural level, it is slightly doubtful that there is a calendar.
　Is it a solar calendar or a lunar calendar to begin with?

　"Hey, what do you use to determine the calendar?
　'Well, was it the movement of the sun?　I don't know the details either. It was imported from abroad.

　Well, that makes sense.
　It makes sense. It's a mystery how astronomy has developed at this cultural level.

　But it's still a foreign country...
　I guess the foreign country here is not the countries of this region, but the country beyond the sea.
　As I recall, you said something about the Cilician people.

　There is a huge difference in development between the regions.
　I'll keep that in mind.

　　Hey, you know what?　What are you doing to celebrate the New Year?
　I think we should kill a whole fat pig that we made fat just for this day, dedicate it to the gods and eat it together. After that, we could purify it, or put up the wards again. It's something we can do anytime, so there's no need to do it in the New Year. These preparations are a pain in the ass.

　Well......
　Julia is a sorcerer, so it's extra hard for her.

　I see. A pig.
　Hate to say we don't have any pigs. We've got cows, but they're a valuable workforce, so....
　We could substitute a deer.
　Then we'll all have to find a deer.

　You don't have any priestesses in the village of Almus, do you?
　'Hmm, I don't know. They're abandoned children, you know. A miko wouldn't be abandoned. Probably not here.
　I refrain from prying into my kids' pasts.
　So I don't know what skills they have.

　The one I'm most interested in is Tetra, but....
　Maybe he could do some kind of shamanistic thing. Somehow.

　Then it can't be helped. I'll go to her.
　You don't need to force yourself to be busy, do you?
　I can vaguely guess that Julia is a good-for-nothing person.
　The fact that he prepares salt for me every month shows that he is quite rich. I don't know why he's here, though.

　And he's a sorcerer.
　It's going to be a tough start to the year. In a world where this skill of witchcraft exists, New Year's is probably busier than for Japanese religious people.
　I don't feel the need to force you to do anything if it's not particularly meaningful.

　'No. Even if you're good, the other kids will be worried. That's what faith is all about.
　Huh, is that right?
　I'm not so sure.

　But you're so indifferent for a miko.
　Usually they are more devout than that. Priestesses and sorcerers.

　Maybe sorcerers are just that kind of thing. Of course they're religious. If you don't have a prayer of thanksgiving to God, you can't use warding. In fact, I think they respect God more than most people do. But I don't have a delusional belief in him. Surprisingly, God is inflexible. Even if you believe in him, whether he saves you or not depends on your mood and the price you pay. So I'm inevitably pale in comparison.

　Depends on your mood and the price...
　He's like a griffon. No, is he like a god, too?

　'Why are griffons so respected?'
　"Put a semblance. Put a semblance. That man is one of the gods, a divine beast. He can't do anything for me, he can't do anything wrong but he's a mighty force to be reckoned with. Apparently, a long time ago, he once fought a dragon with a blessing to control storms and lightning and won. In the aftermath of that battle, a number of forests were blown away, mountains disappeared and seas were split open.
　That's a monster.

　I mean, it's an amazing destruction of nature.
　The way I see it.
　God said, "Take better care of nature. Heavenly punishment is needed for those who destroy nature. The Great Flood!
　That's what it feels like.

　I knew it was an illusion.
　It's true, isn't it? I don't see how a creature that doesn't care about people can show interest in grass and trees.
　I don't know if God would be in the creature.

　"Oh, but can I see you in a week?
　I don't mind. We'll have you here.
　Now I can introduce Julia to everyone.　

　'By the way, though, would you mind coming to my village from now on?　I'll drop you off and pick you up. I need you to teach him some spellcraft.　
　
　'So how would you feel about me teaching you maths?'
　I'm good at that, okay?
　So, what about 1555 plus 20,000?
　'Well ... so many numbers ...'
　The answer is 21555, but I can't do it. The boy I'm teaching, Tetra, can already do the division.
　'G-Nuh-nuh-nuh.............................Okay. We have a deal.

　They seemed to be convinced.
　By the way, the only one who can do it exceptionally well is Tetra, and the other kids, not so much.　
　I was able to fool them well.

_______________________________.


　Yes, gentlemen. My name is Yulia, and I'm always indebted to Mr. Armes.　
　Julia was cheerful and greeted them in front of the children.

　Today Yulia was dressed differently than usual.
　It was pure white, with purple embroidery in places.
　Somehow it resembled a Japanese maiden's outfit.
　Dyes are very expensive in this world. This means that the clothes are quite expensive.


　Can I ask you something?
　'Okay!　Uh ... Ron, was it you?
　Ron stood up and asked Julia.

　'What is your relationship with your leader?'
　Lover!
　Julia hugged my arm.
　Hey, don't be so selfish!

　Seriously?
　Wow!
　'I envy you ... with such a beautiful person!
　No....I couldn't possibly compete with a beautiful person like that...
　It's so frustrating...

　The kids start buzzing.

　"Hey, Alms is it true what you said?
　Ugh, scary!
　'Tetra, how can you sound so scary?

　'It's just a prank on Julia. Hey, you don't sound so weird either!　
　Ha-ha-ha. I'm just trying to make fun of you. But I'm willing to be in a relationship, okay?
　Julia winked at me and moved away.　
　Tetra stomps her foot as she glares at me.

　'You're hurting me don't get so mad at me.
　Hmph.
　Tetra turned away.

　'Then let's get back on track and do the ritual. Preferably a pig but we don't have one, do we?
　I got a deer for you. It was bled out.
　'Hmmm, I'd actually kill a live one, but oh well. Alms then. Recite what I'm about to say, and then cut off my head with your sword.

　Copy that.
　I raise the iron sword.

　Then I'll go. To the many gods and spirits of the heavens, the earth, and the sea, I offer an offering to you to thank you for being able to live this year. I offer an offering to you in gratitude for having been able to live this year. Hopefully, you will continue to watch over us...

　I said following Yulia's words and cut off the deer's head with my sword.
　It's already bled out, so not much blood comes out.

　''So that concludes the offering ceremony. Next we'll move on to the exorcism ceremony!''
　What do you want me to do?
　I'm gonna wash up now. I've got the stain of death on me now.
　I see.
　It's certainly not a good omen to perform a ritual after killing a beast.

　''Well, let's start with the girls first, then.
　'Alms. Don't peek.
　Am I good?
　I ain't peeking. I don't look at a ten-year-old's body and it's not even remotely erotic.

　I'm quite normal.
　Huh?　But isn't it hilarious to get off on the body of a girl your own age...


_______________________________________________________________.


　Then we'll perform the purification ritual right away.
　"...make it quick. It's too cold for me.
　It's too cold from being in the river in the middle of winter.
　According to Julia, hot water is not good enough.
　It's irrational.

　"Then I'll get right on it.
　Julia held up her hand.

　Muttering, Julia muttered, and Julia's hand glowed pale and white.

　After a while, her body became warm.
　''This is........''
　It's a form of thermotherapy to raise your body temperature. It's only temporary.

　I didn't know there was such a trick.
　But it's simple, like just raising your body temperature.
　Or do you have other advanced techniques?

　Julia applies the same jutsu to everyone after I'm done.
　I don't see the slightest hint of fatigue. That's as good as it gets.

　''Then we'll do the dance ceremony next.
　What does that mean?
　Warding the field. We'll only do it lightly.
　Julia said and stood in front of the field.

　'Then watch quietly. It won't take long.'
　Julia said and took a fan and a bell-like object in her hand and began to dance.

　''Lin, Lin, Lin.

　The bell rings.

　Julia sings and dances to the bell.

　Sometimes boldly, sometimes delicately.
　A beautiful fan and a white priestess' outfit swayed and swayed.

　The bell creates a beautiful sound as it moves, and Yuria's throat trembles.

　Her voice is more beautiful than any bird or insect.
　It reminds me of the quiet, pure surface of a lake.

　Yulia's purple-red (lavender) hair sways.
　My gaze is naturally drawn to Julia.

　Is there some kind of mesmerizing magic at work here?
　No, Julia is just beautiful. Too beautiful.

　It felt as if nothing could be more beautiful than this.

　Time would pass for what felt like an eternity.
　The next thing you know, Julia had finished her dance.

　There was a moment of silence, then cracking applause.

　'Well?　Have you reviewed it?
　Julia stuffed me.

　Beautiful......

　I saw that in Julia's face.
　It was despicable. I had assured myself that I wasn't a pedophile that much.
　Now I feel a s*xual attraction to Yulia.

　'She was so beautiful. Like, another time,
　When I said that, Yulia blushed.
　''That's so direct........''

　Both of us blush and turn over.

　It's Seo-yeon who breaks the silence.
　''Hey?　Come back next time!　I want to see you dance again!
　Me too, me too!
　Rosward agrees.

　'Of course!　I can teach you if you want. After all, I have been asked by Almus to teach you all some spellcraft. And if you guys will call me, I will dance at the wheat harvest, because I have another dance to do than this one!
　A crowd of people gathered around Julia.
　It seems to have fit in.
　That's good, that's good.

　Julia.
　Tetra called out to Julia.
　'Naturally, the children will make way for you.

　'I'll let you win this time. ........but I won't give up on the math.
　"Hmm. Good. I'll catch up with you soon enough.
　We stared at each other.

　Then we start laughing.
　All of a sudden, both the kids and I are dazzled.

　'Nice to meet you.'
　You're welcome.
　They shook each other's hands.

　...I don't know, but it seems a friendship has been established.