Yarra’s Adventure Notes -
Chapter 641 - 5: The Town That Was Like a Festival_1
Chapter 641: Chapter 5: The Town That Was Like a Festival_1
The sharp, cold wind whirled the large patches of accumulated snow around, slicing through the dim void, causing the earth to transition into a blank white world. Without a glimpse of the sun, all that was visible was the fist-sized snowflakes whirling around in the sky, assisted by the bitter wind. The howling winds and blizzard obscured the sun, robbing the sky of its visibility.
The architecture of Icebound Town typified the southern style of Neville. Triangular roofs maintained the sturdiest structure, capable of withstanding the pressure of snow accumulation and violent winds to the fullest extent. The exterior of the houses appeared to be constructed with a single layer of wooden panels, but the interior was far more complex. Each house in the town was made up of five layers. Three of these were solid wood panels, and between each layer, there was a layer of Daimlye needle tree leaves processed through a special technique. After special treatment, these needle-shaped leaves solidified into a soft, paste-like mass. After smearing this paste between the two wooden boards and solidifying it, it not only provided excellent insulation but was also extremely fire-resistant. Living in this five-layered structure, residents could feel both warm and safe. This was the greatest support for those living in this Snowfield.
Pure white snow accumulated layer by layer on the roofs of each wooden house. Semi-transparent icicles hung down from the eaves of the roofs. Under the steam from the warmth inside the houses, frozen water droplets dripped slowly from the icicles. Before they hit the ground, they would freeze again into tiny round pearls of ice, glinting brilliantly under the eaves.
Another morning arrived in the small town with the long sound of deer calls mixing with the noisy barking of dogs, breaking the stillness of the early morning. Soon, the townspeople woke up to the sound of barking dogs and deer calls, lighting the lanterns in their rooms. From one house to the next, various sounds gradually emerged - children’s cries, mothers’ scolding, men’s shouts during work, the sound of moving furniture, and even the friction sound of opening and closing doors. The increasing array of noises signified the start of a new day, monotonous but full of vitality, like the countless winter mornings over hundreds or even thousands of years.
In Icebound Town, people were already accustomed to such early mornings, peaceful and serene. Yet today, the town broke from tradition, the atmosphere no more tranquil than a festival. Every household overflowed with an atmosphere of joy. Sensitive children seemed to sense the joy in the adult’s hearts. After enduring more than tens, even twenty days indoors due to the weather, these children shouted with joy as they ran outside. In the icy world outside, they played happily, not caring that their little faces were frozen red or that icicles hung from their noses. For a moment, the town was filled with children’s laughter. In the past, such behavior from the children would undoubtedly have resulted in a beating. But today, the adults’ mood was exceptionally good. Even if the children were caught by their parents, the most they received were random slaps on their bottoms. Then, a piece of hot freshly-baked bread was stuffed into their hands. The bread was even smeared with a thick layer of jam, it was unclear whether this was a punishment or a reward.
After some time, the town became even noisier. Many families dressed up beautifully, in their best clothes. Underneath the thick coats, they braved the wind and snow, leaving their warm homes. They headed toward the Town Hall, typically used for assemblies. Whenever they encountered other people, the two groups would join, and the merging families, full of smiles, would continue the journey together.
Some families had a harder time; they were the true protagonists of today. Despite the small size of the town, these families had to ride their sledge deers or sled dogs, carrying their ill family members on the sleds to the town hall. However, the faces of the bedridden patients, usually full of sorrow, were now filled with joy. It seemed like they had seen the first light of hope. Once these families with sick persons met other people on the road, kind-hearted neighbors would rush over to help, either handling the sled or taking care of the patients. Even with such simple gestures, the strong sense of community in the town was evident.
Soon, the area near the town hall was crowded with people. A careful count would reveal that almost all the residents of the small town had gathered here. The excited atmosphere seemed to delay the falling snow, as the snowflakes in the sky lessened. The Mayor, however, wasn’t as pleased. Gazing at the ever-growing crowd of townsfolk outside the town hall with a bitter smile, he had only informed families with severely ill members. Unexpectedly, this message was delivered from ear to ear. In just one night, the whole town was informed. The dull winter life made a small event a reason for the townsfolk to celebrate. The townsfolk’s attitudes seemed to treat the day like a festival, leaving the Mayor both amused and piqued.
The Mayor sighed, hastening into a small door behind the town hall. That was a special small lounge inside the town hall where four young ladies now idled. But everyone was silent, as those who needed to daze off did so, and those who needed to fiddle with machinery did the same. As for the main character of the day, the silver-haired priestess, she had already changed from her thick coat into a clean white priest’s robe in the warm room, flipping through a thick novel with a purple cover, looking bored.
"Miss Priestess." The Mayor, rubbing his hands uneasily, stuttered embarrassment, "We seem to have a little problem."
"Little problem?" Lina, looking down, flipped her eyelid, giving the mayor a fierce sideways glance, snorting, "Don’t tell me, everyone came?"
"Uh, uh-huh," The Mayor scratched his head with an awkward laugh, "How did you know?"
"I guessed as much," Lina snapped the novel shut, her face revealed no emotions, "Besides, when the four of us arrived, we already noticed large crowds of people coming here."
"We apologize, Miss Priestess." The Mayor said helplessly, "Originally, I only notified less than twenty households, but I didn’t expect... What if I go send them away now, only allowing the families needing treatment to remain?"
"You’ve come this far, what’s the use of turning back now?" Lina huffed, holding her book and rising to her feet, smoothing out the creases in her priestess robe and adjusting her hair. "Yesterday, I had a hunch things would turn out like this. Just let them all in. They’ll only get sick standing out in the cold. I’ll have to exert more effort in healing them."
"Alright, alright." The village head was now used to the priestess’s grumpy attitude. He happily ran out of the door leading to his rest quarters and the central hall, throwing open the grand doors of the hall. As he let the villagers in, he shouted out instructions and reprimands: "Slow down, slow down. What’s the rush? Little Ston who are you shoving, take care of your father, the ground is slippery, what if he falls? Walker, where’s your wife? I saw her not too long ago. Ahh, scolding your son, rightly so. Who knows what trouble he’ll get into if you leave him unchecked? Old Dak, your daughter isn’t here today. Haha, young girls will be young girls. Alright, alright, you all better quiet down. This time our priestess is a formidable adventurer. She’s kindly helping us, followers of the Goddess, to cure our illnesses. If you keep making noise and upsetting her, what will you do if she refuses to help us? Now, everyone hold your tongues. Let the sick ones come up front. Liz, Karen, where are your tables that you were going to use as beds? And the chairs, pick up the pace you pair of scamps."
Soon, the seven or eight individuals who were most seriously ill were already helped onto the long tables. Most of these individuals were elderly, with just one middle-aged. In the midst of the flurry of activity, four young girls quietly appeared within the hall. When they stepped forward, especially when Lina did, a hush fell over the hall. Many of the village’s young men blushed as they stole glances at the silver-haired girl, only to be reprimanded by their wives through well-practiced pinches and tweaks.
Clutching her book, Lina drew strength from her faith, dismissing the stares of the villagers as she walked around the tables. Her gaze scanned roughly over each patient before she pointed at an elderly man: "This one, take him home directly."
The man’s family immediately was thrown into disarray, especially his son, a forty-something man, who burst into tears before the hundreds of onlookers. He fell at the table where his father lay, pleading, "Priestess, please, take another look at my father. Please, find a way, I, I..."
"If I’m telling you to take him home, then get to it." Lina interrupted with a cold snort, glaring at the son. "Have him quit drinking once he’s home. In three days, he’ll be able to get up and walk. In ten days, he’ll be up and about."
"What?" The son froze, dumbfounded as he stared at Lina. "So you mean my father..."
"Hmph, he clearly doesn’t value his own body. He gets drunk and simply passes out in the snow. It’s no wonder things have turned out this way," Lina declared angrily. "I don’t care who you worship, but you at least receive the Earth Goddess’s grace. You people have no regard for your own lives and health, which I find most irritating. You—yes, you, remember this: don’t let him touch a single drop of alcohol from now on. He could live another twenty years if he can do that."
"Priestess, you can’t do that..." The old man groaned from the table. "Can I drink less instead? Just one cup a day, no, no, not even a cup. One small glass?"
"Sure," Lina responded, her tone laced with irony. "Drink as much as you like, as long as you’re prepared to spend your remaining years writhing in pain on a bed. I have no objections."
Finishing her sarcastic remark, Lina ignored the old man whimpering mournfully and walked to the first table. A frown crossed her face as she leaned over and pressed around an elderly man’s waist. Her voice softened, "Does it hurt badly? Is this an old hunting injury?"
"Yes." The contrasting attitudes Lina had shown threw the sick man completely off guard. All he could do was nod dumbly in response. "It happened over ten years ago."
"Don’t worry, it’s alright." Softly grasping the old man’s hand, Lina reassured him, "It can be treated quickly. Trust me." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
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