Chapter 152 - Winter Traditions
When it comes to winter in Exembra, what comes to mind?
There are some seasonal treats in this city, but they are limited. The naturally sweet ice harvested from the depths of the Northeast Forest is a winter tradition in Exembra. It has a simple, unforgettable taste and is quite popular.
As a city of artisans, Exembra doesn’t focus much on agriculture or fishing, so there’s a lack of seasonal enjoyment beyond the ice, which is a bit disappointing. There aren’t many clear attractions, either.
There are no significant events or festivities either.
Given the season, outdoor activities naturally decrease, and there’s no real need to hold special events during the snowy season.
However, it’s still a bit sad that such a rapidly growing and internationally recognized major city lacks any notable winter events. The usual hustle and bustle of the city tends to quiet down, and the long season makes it feel even longer.
For the general residents, quietly enduring the winter is the norm in this city.
So, how about the Kikyo Society?
Apart from whether it’s enjoyable or not, we have a traditional hellish winter training session. It’s a great time to toughen up the enthusiastic new recruits.
Other than that, there’s the occasional snowball fight, which is fun but not enough. I might consider organizing a mochi-pounding event. It could strengthen our ties with the neighborhood.
Winter is a relatively slow period due to the reduced travel of travelers and merchants. It’s a good time to build strength. This applies to other organizations as well, making it a fair season.
However, there’s an important event we can’t forget. Despite the city’s calm and quiet, it’s a significant event for the underworld and closely related to the Kikyo Society.
It’s a biannual event, held in summer and winter, where the leaders of the Five Great Families and other major organizations gather. It’s a major event that draws attention from various factions and is simply called the General Assembly.
I attended my first one a year ago, hosted by the Clad Family. It was memorable.
It started with the unveiling of the Bloomstar Galaxy, followed by meeting the Grand Master of the Anastasia Union and her younger sister, and witnessing Siegrune’s impressive combat skills. We also received a significant amount of rewards from the leaders.
This time, the host is the McDallian Family. Given that, it’s unlikely they’ll invite us, as they didn’t in the summer.
It’s a cloudy afternoon. While working on a prototype in my office, a visitor arrives.
A nearby junior member greets them and quickly returns with a package.
"I wonder what this is. It seems to be a gift from some young master from a merchant house."
"Another gift?"
"Sweets would be nice, wouldn’t they?"
The junior members, with free time, gather and excitedly open the package.
With the Kikyo Society’s growing influence, such gifts have become more frequent. The reputation from handling the delinquent adventurers is significant.
Since it’s winter and people have more free time, the upper class holds more social events. We receive many invitations, but we often decline or ignore them as they are troublesome.
Of course, we accept invitations from close acquaintances or regular clients who are easy to get along with. In such cases, we bring a few more people to gain experience, which isn’t entirely bad.
However, we avoid invitations from unfamiliar people.
It’s easy to imagine a scenario where someone tries to flirt, leading to an altercation. We’re not keen on attending parties hosted by strangers, especially those in politics and finance.
While there might be opportunities to build connections in these circles, we don’t feel the need to go out of our way to do so.
Despite this, the Kikyo Society continues to receive gifts, suggesting a desire to establish connections, however modest.
While parties are frequent, we might attend one on a whim.
Late in the afternoon, as the sun sets, Frederica returns to the headquarters with a letter.
She had gone shopping but must have received the letter on her way back. The way she holds it suggests it’s not addressed to her.
"Welcome back. It looks cold outside."
"...Yukari, this letter is from the McDallian Family."
Frederica cuts straight to the point without small talk.
That’s surprising. I wasn’t expecting to hear that name.
"Wait a minute. McDallian? Not a challenge, I hope?"
I can’t imagine them sending a polite inquiry.
"It’s curious. Let’s read it and see what it’s about."
That’s a good point.
We read the letter together and immediately prepare for an executive meeting.
Once the executives gather after dinner, I start the meeting, taking the lead since Siegrune usually facilitates it.
"Yukari, what’s going on today?"
"I’ll explain now. There’s a significant event in the underworld during winter, right?"
The room buzzes with curiosity.
I cut to the chase before the conversation veers off.
"Listen up. The big event where underworld leaders gather. The General Assembly."
"Are we invited again?"
"Yes, and this time it’s hosted by the McDallian Family."
They finally grasp the significance and become more serious.
"So, we received an invitation letter?"
"What’s the deal? The Gandrault Gang ignored us in the summer, right?"
"The Gandraults are a particularly unpleasant bunch."
Just as the conversation threatens to drift, Frederica interjects with her insight.
"Considering the reasons for inviting the Kikyo Society, it’s likely related to the mutual non-aggression pact. If there’s a significant decision to terminate the pact, they need to inform the relevant parties."
As hosts, they can’t exclude participants from important decisions based on personal preferences; it would affect their reputation. In that sense, they’re quite principled.
Clearly, there’s some significant movement or change.
"If the pact is terminated, does that mean a conflict might start immediately?"
"That’s unlikely. There would be a set period before any conflict begins. The invitation states that only the top leaders and their deputies can attend, with minimal security allowed, and others must wait outside."
The hosts wouldn’t want a sudden outbreak of violence on their turf. It’s a delicate time, and everyone needs to be cautious.
We also need to be careful. Starting unnecessary provocations that lead to immediate conflict is something we want to avoid. We’re focusing on strengthening our organization.
Even if a fight is inevitable, I’d prefer to delay it until spring, preferably summer. By then, I’m confident the Kikyo Society will be at least one or two levels stronger.
However, we need to prepare for the worst. Immediate termination of the pact is a possibility, though I doubt it will happen. Still, we need to be prepared.
We need to ensure the security of our territory. I don’t want to move Gradena, the Combat Unit, or the newly established Security Unit from their posts. The same goes for other members.
Frederica continues with the plan.
"Besides Yukari and Siegrune, it would be best if the rest of us stay to secure the territory."
"So, we should just wait here. And with Yukari and Siegrune, we don’t need any security."
"Onee-sama, I’m coming. Someone needs to guard the Bloomstar Galaxy."
That’s true. We won’t be walking, and if the weather is bad, we won’t use the motorcycle, but we’ll use the jeep. The McDallian Family’s security should prevent theft or vandalism, but it’s not wise to leave it unattended.
I can’t leave Valeria alone, either.
"Yes, Valeria will act as a guard. Can we also count on Shelby?"
"Understood. It’s probably unnecessary, but I can handle the base’s defense."
Even in an emergency, Valeria and Shelby can manage. Shelby, the head of the Combat Support Unit, has a defensive magical artifact, so they should be fine.
That’s about it.
"We can make some guesses, but we don’t know how things will turn out. Be ready to act on the day."
While Josephine and others are gathering information, the Intelligence Unit hasn’t found anything significant yet. There’s not much we can do in advance.
The Five Great Families might conduct preliminary negotiations, but such information wouldn’t reach the Kikyo Society. We might get some intel from the Anastasia Union, but the Grand Master is absent, and we don’t want to owe them too much.
"Shall we start preparing the gifts for the McDallian Family, Yukari-dono?"
"Right, I forgot about that."
A simple gift like a basket of sweets might be fine, but bringing something cheap would be insulting. I’ll think about it.
"It’s a good opportunity to remind the new members to toughen up. If the pact is terminated, we don’t know when the next conflict might start."
"That’s true. The President and Vice-Commander are busy, so let’s focus on rigorous winter training."
Charlotte is also enthusiastic.
We discuss the winter training plan and then adjourn the meeting.
Time flies when you’re busy.
On a snowy afternoon, I set out for the McDallian Family’s estate. It’s not a raid, so I’m not particularly tense.
"We’re allowed to bring equipment, so we’ll be fully prepared."
"I’ve taken physical enhancement potions and brought backup equipment. We’re ready for anything."
I’m fully equipped and have taken magical potions. I’m ready for any enemy. Not that we’re here to raid.
"The gifts are loaded, Onee-sama."
"Alright, let’s get going."
I’m going with Siegrune, and Valeria and Shelby will wait outside. We’re keeping the number of attendees minimal, so we won’t bring any junior members.
We set off in the jeep, driven by Shelby, and the rest of the members see us off from the headquarters.
We arrive a bit later than planned at a mansion similar to the Clad Family’s, but on a much larger scale.
The mansion is so vast that from the parking area, it’s hard to see where the main building is. It’s an enormous property.
The parking area is filled with numerous black luxury cars and armored vehicles, with stern-faced security personnel standing silently. They must be cold.
"...The atmosphere is unsettling."
"Yeah. It’s tense, with everyone trying to intimidate each other while pretending to ignore one another. It’s a tense and unpleasant atmosphere."
The security personnel are giving each other the silent treatment, creating a palpable tension. It’s unlikely this atmosphere will last for the hours of the assembly.
I tell Valeria and Shelby to ignore the tension. They can stay in the jeep, where they have heating magic tools and plenty of food.
Evaluating the security personnel, they are competent, better than I expected.
Some are on par with our Combat Unit members, and others are unknown. Such adversaries can be troublesome, but nothing that requires my special attention. Siegrune and the others seem to agree, showing little interest after their initial assessment.
We shouldn’t dawdle. It’s still within the scheduled time, but we shouldn’t be late and give them a reason to criticize us.
"I’ll leave the bat here, but if anything happens, Valeria, come and get it."
"Understood, Onee-sama."
I don’t expect to need it, but I brought the silver super-hard bat just in case. It’s overkill, so it’s better to keep it as a trump card. I’d rather not reveal too much. The only weapons I need are my special gloves and throwing knives.
"In the worst case, Shelby, use your judgment to defend the area or evacuate. I leave the decision to you."
"Understood."
In an emergency, it’s impossible to predict what will happen. I trust Shelby’s judgment, regardless of her decision.
"I’ll carry the gifts. Yukari-dono, please lead the way."
"Sure, thanks for carrying them."
The gifts I brought are quite bulky. Carrying them will obstruct my view, so Siegrune will use her magical senses to follow me.
"Let’s go."
We pass through the security checkpoint at the entrance and head towards the distant mansion.