Chapter 10: The Arrival of the Winter Solstice Festival
"Slow down, slow down—no one's taking it from you…" Gerd said, handing Roy a Samla.
Roy accepted it, took a bite, and pointed at Linlin with his fork.
"Who said that?"
Linlin was already devouring Samla after Samla, her hands moving like blurs as the mountain of sweets vanished before everyone's eyes.
The two young giants nearby hurried forward to stop her, trying to hold her back—but Linlin's strength was monstrous. Her teeth bit through the pastries like iron, and with a single push, she sent the giants stumbling backward.
Completely consumed by excitement, she didn't even notice the chaos around her.
Raising her hands high, she shouted with pure joy,
"Samlaaa~!"
Then, before anyone could react, she reached over and grabbed the last few Samla from Gerd, Hajrudin, and the others' plates—stuffing them into her mouth one by one.
Finally, she extended her hand toward Roy—
but hesitated.
Her hand froze midair, her round eyes blinking as if remembering something. Then, with surprising restraint, she withdrew it.
Thankfully, this wasn't one of her craving fits.
Roy smirked and winked at Gerd. "See? What did I tell you?"
Linlin puffed out her cheeks, then shoved the Samla she was holding into Roy's hands as if compensating him.
Gerd blinked, utterly dumbfounded. Between these two, it was hard to say who was more terrifying when food was involved.
"Oh? Don't you want to eat it? Or… are you giving that to me?" Linlin asked between chews, her eyes locked on the Samla Roy was still holding.
Roy sighed, then offered it to her.
"Here. All yours."
After all, he had already taken her talent. What was one piece of dessert compared to that?
Linlin grinned, shoving the last piece of Samla into her mouth with childlike satisfaction. She leaned back, sighing happily, her expression the very picture of bliss.
The nun watched the scene with a gentle smile—though deep down, she couldn't help but sneer. That boy's value just went up again.
Roy stood up from the table and walked toward another group nearby—not for more sweets, but to see the newborns of Elbaf.
A beautiful giant woman sat cradling a baby in her arms, while beside her, a massive man proudly held his own newborn son.
Roy approached, sat down at the edge of their table, and picked up another Samla. He ate leisurely while peering curiously at the infants.
Wow… giant babies are actually kind of adorable.
The father handed his son back to his wife, then picked up a massive tankard and went off to drink with the other giants.
The woman noticed Roy's fascinated gaze and laughed softly.
"Cute, aren't they?"
Roy smiled. Despite his small size, the giants had come to like him—a human child who was strong, polite, and eager to learn.
He nodded toward the baby. "Prince Loki really is adorable."
He reached out and gently pinched the baby's round cheek.
Still, in the back of his mind, he couldn't help thinking—
How does a kid this cute grow up to fall for Lola of all people?
Truly, happiness never lasts long.
After playing with the newborn for a while, Roy returned to his seat just as Linlin finished licking the last crumbs of Samla from her fingers. Tomorrow, the joyful feast would end—and the grim Winter Solstice Festival would begin.
The next day.
The first day of the Twelve-Day Fasting.
Every year, the giants of Elbaf celebrated the Winter Solstice as the death and rebirth of the sun.
According to ancient tradition, they would fast for twelve full days—believing that enduring hardship made the sun's return all the more sacred.
Outside, heavy snow blanketed the ground, turning the village into a silver world. The rooftops glistened white under the pale morning light.
Inside one of the homes, soft voices could be heard—
Linlin and the nun, speaking quietly to one another.
Roy sat by the window, watching the snowfall outside.
Starting today, Master Redding had stopped training him and Hajrudin.
Everyone in the village was now observing the Winter Solstice fast—twelve long days without food to honor the sun's death and rebirth.
They had to conserve their strength.
The fireplace crackled softly, flames dancing and casting warm light across the room.
The children gathered around it, laughing and playing.
Roy tilted his head, studying them. Well… they're kids. The first few days are fun enough.
But once hunger sets in, the laughter fades.
By the third day, the cracks began to show.
"I'm starving, Mama…" Linlin's groan echoed from near the fire.
Roy turned his head slightly, and the sight made him pause.
Her expression was… dangerous.
A shadow of impatience flickered in her eyes.
Wait. What day did Linlin lose control in the original timeline again? he wondered, uneasily.
The nun tried to soothe her, speaking gently about Elbaf's sacred Winter Solstice traditions.
Roy frowned. Really? You're telling her legends when she's dying of hunger?
That's like lecturing your employees about "company dreams" while slashing their salaries.
Keep that up, and someone's going to explode.
And in this case… Linlin would be the one doing the exploding.
"I'm going out to get some fresh air," Roy said suddenly, standing up and pulling on his thick jacket.
"Alright," the nun replied kindly. "But don't go too far, and be careful."
"Got it."
He slipped his shoes on, grabbed his sword, and pushed open the door. A rush of cold wind swept in, carrying snowflakes that swirled into the room.
He quickly stepped outside and shut the door behind him.
Linlin's eyes followed him curiously.
She'd been starving for three days now. Could Roy be hiding food somewhere outside?
"Mama, I'll go see what he's up to," she said weakly.
Outside, the snow fell heavier, the wind sharp and cold.
Roy wrapped his coat tighter, trudging slowly down the snowy path.
He could hear footsteps following behind and smiled faintly.
Once they were far enough from the Sheep's House, he turned around.
Linlin was there, hugging her stomach, her breath visible in the cold air.
Roy reached into his pocket, pulled out a small cloth bag, and handed it to her.
"Here. Don't starve yourself."
Her eyes lit up instantly. "Wow!"
She snatched the bag and tore it open, saliva already forming at the corner of her mouth.
Brother Roy really is the best!
But then she hesitated for a moment, clutching the biscuits.
"Mama said this is part of Elbaf's tradition… Wouldn't it be wrong if we broke it?" she asked, her tone full of mock righteousness—though her hands had already opened the bag with a soft crinkle.
"Eat," Roy said with a grin. "Just remember to wipe your mouth before you go back. No evidence."
Linlin didn't need to be told twice.
Roy turned and walked away through the snow, chuckling to himself.
If he could keep her satisfied, maybe he could delay the outbreak of her hunger madness.
He had to try.
The giants had been nothing but kind to him—Master Redding even went out of his way to teach him their swordsmanship.
Roy owed them that much.
He wandered through Elbaf's snowy streets, his boots crunching softly beneath him.
Occasionally, he'd glance back toward the distant Sheep's House, thoughtful.
That should hold her off for now…
Still, as he opened his system interface, his brow furrowed.
Strange. I've been feeding her, but her intimacy value hasn't gone up at all…
The Fourth Day of Fasting.
Inside the house, everyone gathered by the fireplace again.
The nun told stories of old—tales of the sun, the gods, and Elbaf's warrior pride.
Linlin seemed calmer now, her expression soft, listening with childlike patience.
Roy, seated a little further away, watched her silently.
After all, he'd secretly fed her again today.
But even so—
Why hasn't her favorability increased?
Roy frowned, his gaze lingering on her profile as a quiet suspicion formed in his mind.
Something wasn't right.
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