The origins of the Winter Food Festival can be traced back to the time before the founding of the Empire, during the era when Emperor André III led humanity in campaigns across the land.
It is said that just as they were about to endure the end of a harsh winter, the army's provisions had nearly run out.
However, under Emperor André III's leadership—digging up roots and eating tree bark—the human army managed to survive that most difficult period.
Thus, after the founding of the Empire, January 31st, the last day of winter, was established as the Winter Food Festival to commemorate those early pioneers.
Every year on this day, grand memorial ceremonies are held across the Empire, and only vegetarian food is consumed to honor the departed spirits.
Later, as time passed, the northern regions remained locked in constant war with the beastfolk. Each year, the wars would end around the time of the Winter Food Festival.
Gradually, the festival also evolved into a day to commemorate the soldiers who fell on the northern frontier.
At the royal palace, the Winter Food Festival banquet not only invites renowned nobles, officials, and wealthy merchants but also soldiers who have achieved great merit in the winter wars, honoring their contributions to the Empire.
Carriages arrived one after another at the palace gates, quietly waiting for inspection by the guards before being allowed through.
Rowell, the grandson of the Duke of the East, sat inside a carriage, chatting warmly with Leticia, the granddaughter of the Duke of the North.
Thanks to the careful treatment of a nun from the Church of the God of Healing, Rowell—who had once been beaten into a swollen mess—quickly recovered. During the week Wardson was confined by his father, Rowell successfully won over Leticia, the "Flower of the North."
Their relationship wasn't interfered with by their families.
After all, Rowell's father was merely the sixth son of a duke and not particularly favored.
Leticia's father also held an average position within his family.
So the budding romance between the two youngsters wasn't taken seriously by their elders.
"Leticia, I prepared a gift for you today. You're definitely going to like it," Rowell said with a mysterious smile, taking out a rectangular gift box from his storage space and handing it to her.
Leticia accepted it with delight. After getting his permission, she carefully opened the lid.
Inside lay a fire-element Element Card titled "Blazing Sky Inferno", quietly radiating a strange glow visible only to devoted players of Elemental Magic dueling.
If this were a gift for an ordinary girl, no matter how rare or valuable the card was, it would probably only earn an eye roll.
It was like giving your girlfriend your favorite game skin as a birthday present—completely missing the point.
But Leticia was different.
"Blazing Sky Inferno!" Leticia pulled out the card, pressed it happily against her cheek, and even kissed it. "Rowell, you're amazing! I love this gift!"
"As long as you like it." Rowell chuckled, taking her hand and gently kissing it before not letting go.
Leticia didn't pull her hand back. Instead, she moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder.
Everything was going exactly according to Rowell's plan.
Back when he proposed settling the dispute with Wardson through Elemental Magic dueling, it had all been carefully calculated.
He had already learned that Leticia had recently become obsessed with Element Cards and was deeply into Elemental Magic duels.
So Rowell spent time studying the game's strategies, then deliberately provoked a conflict with Wardson and proposed a duel using Element Cards.
Everything had unfolded just as he intended.
Aside from being unexpectedly beaten up, there were no major issues.
And after that beating, Wardson was confined, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Rowell.
From then on, Rowell actively used Elemental Magic dueling to gradually win Leticia's heart, ultimately securing the affection of this noble lady from the North.
It had taken quite a bit of effort.
The carriage arrived at a side hall of the palace. The two stepped down and, guided by maids, entered a spacious hall.
Inside, long tables were neatly arranged. Maids continuously walked out from the direction of the kitchen, placing dishes one by one onto the tables.
The banquet would be held in a buffet style.
Guests were free to take whatever food they liked.
By now, all kinds of people had gathered in the hall, dressed in elegant attire.
After entering, Rowell and Leticia quickly found their own circle.
A group of noble youths, around fifteen or sixteen, had gathered in a corner, avoiding competing with the adults in the center of the hall.
Wardson, the son of General Moen, was also there.
The moment he saw Leticia entering the hall arm in arm with Rowell and walking toward them, his expression immediately darkened.
Still, he wasn't reckless enough to lose control in such a formal setting.
After the two greeted everyone in the circle, Wardson stepped forward and once again issued a solemn challenge:
"Rowell, if you're a man, fight me again. This time, we'll still use Element Cards—Elemental Magic dueling—to decide the winner."
"Why should I fight you again?" Rowell looked at him in confusion, then lightly stroked the back of Leticia's hand with a smile. "There's no need for that anymore, is there? You should focus on the Spring Martial Tournament instead."
"The Spring Martial Tournament isn't your concern. There's no way our team will lose."
As the captain of the Royal Capital First Military Academy's top team, Wardson had every right to say that. After shaking his head, he continued:
"In direct combat, you're not my opponent. Now you don't even dare to face me in Elemental Magic dueling after winning once?"
"It's not that I don't dare—it's just unnecessary," Rowell said helplessly. "What, are you trying to take Leticia away? Relationships are a matter of personal choice. I'm not going to use that as a wager."
Leticia laughed happily, leaning even closer to Rowell, completely indifferent to Wardson's attitude.
Wardson snorted coldly. "I never lose to the same person over and over in anything related to duels. This has nothing to do with Leticia. If you refuse, I don't mind pestering you until you agree."
"…," Rowell suddenly felt a headache coming on.
He suddenly recalled that Wardson had been exactly like this at the military academy.
Although he hadn't been the strongest at first, he had surpassed his former opponents again and again through repeated defeats, eventually becoming the captain of this year's Spring Martial Tournament team.
But Rowell hadn't expected Wardson to apply that same relentless attitude to a card game.
It's just a card game… do you really have to take it this seriously?
I'm just using it to flirt, and you're treating it like a life goal?
Afraid that Wardson would keep bothering him, Rowell waved his hand. "Alright, alright, I agree. But I'll decide the time and place. I'll notify you when it's set. Deal?"
"Deal."