Title: Bountiful Market! - An Easy Victory, Right?
Characters: Jade, Epel, Idia, Sebek, Grim, MC/Yuu, Marja
JP Proofreader: okaykei
Event Story Navigation
| Episode 1 | 1-1 ・ 1-2 ・ 1-3 ・ 1-4 |
| Episode 2 | 2-1 ・ 2-2 ・ 2-3 ・ 2-4 ・ 2-5 ・ 2-6 |
| Episode 3 | 3-1 ・ 3-2 ・ 3-3 ・ 3-4 ・ 3-5 ・ 3-6 ・ 3-7 ・ 3-8 ・ 3-9 ・ 3-10 ・ 3-11 |
| Episode 4 | 4-1 ・ 4-2 ・ 4-3 ・ 4-4 ・ 4-5 ・ 4-6 ・ 4-7 ・ 4-8 ・ 4-9 |
| Episode 5 | 5-1 ・ 5-2 ・ 5-3 ・ 5-4 ・ 5-5 ・ 5-6 ・ 5-7 ・ 5-8 ・ 5-9 ・ 5-10 |
An Easy Victory, Right?
Harveston - Kelkkarotu Venue
Epel
This is the event grounds for the sled race.
We begin from the start line here, and run all night through the Mount Moln race course.
Then, we return to the start line once again to finish.
Epel
You'll need to brush up your technique to a high level since the racecourse will also pass through forests and cliffs.
Jade
You mentioned that we race as a team, correct? How are the winners determined in the sled race?
Epel
It's based on the total time taken by all four members of the team.
Sebek
Oh? So that means all four of us have to cross the finish line to win…
Jade
There is that, and it also means that if even a single member lags behind, then it wouldn't be possible for the team to emerge victorious.
Sebek
Epel, roughly how many teams will be participating in the race?
Epel
It fluctuates every year, but there's usually about 30 teams on average.
There are teams of elderly men who are determined not to lose to the youngsters in the race, along with teams of kids who like playing in the snow…
As well as teams of sledding enthusiasts, and teams of sewing lovers. It attracts people from all walks of life.
There are even those who travel all the way here from faraway cities just to participate.
Jade
That is a lot more participants than I originally thought there would be.
I had thought that there would be far fewer people participating in the race since you had mentioned that Harveston's population is ageing.
Marja
During the height of its popularity, Kelkkarotu would easily attract more than 200 teams over to race.
As Harveston declined, however, its participants followed suit and fell dramatically in turn…
…WHICH IS WHY WE'LL BE DONE FOR IF YOU YOUNGLINGS DON'T BRING SOME MUCH-NEEDED ENERGY BACK TO THE RACE!
HEARD ME?! YOU WILL NOT BE LOSING HERE!!
Epel
W-We'll be sure to do our best.
Marja
SPEAK UP! WHAT'S WITH THAT AIRY-FAIRY RESPONSE OF YOURS?! WHAT ARE YOU, AN APPLE THAT'S GONE OFF BECAUSE SOMEONE FORGOT TO PICK YOU?!
YOU'LL DEFINITELY WIN!! GOT IT??!!
Epel
R-Roger…
Grim
…Man, good thing yours truly didn't join the race.
Marja
COME ON! HURRY UP AND START PRACTISING ALREADY!!
Epel
Everyone, please join your plushie and sled with the line.
Ah, by "line", I actually mean the reins that are attached to your plushies.
Sebek
The sled itself is pretty small, huh. It's only large enough to fit a seat for one person to ride.
Jade
Indeed, it is. Will we be standing on these to sled…? It seems difficult to balance on.
Epel
Yeah. You'll get thrown off the sled if you don't hold on tight to the handle bars in front of you.
Idia
…That's so scary.
Epel
All of your lines have been attached already, right? Then, first up, I'll be teaching you the commands used to direct your plushie.
Inject your magic into the plushie by passing it through the lines and handlebars.
Then, direct it using verbal commands.
Shout "Mush!" if you wish to start moving forward.
The command for turning right is "Gee", while "Haw" is for turning left. When you want to stop, say "Whoa".1
Sebek
Hm? I've heard of those three commands.
They're the same commands used to verbally direct horses.
Jade
Do the Equestrian Club members direct their horses using verbal commands as well?
Sebek
No. We use riding crops or the reins to command our horses at the competitions we participate in.
It's just that I read in a book once that verbal commands are also used in other types of equestrian events, such as cross-country.
Epel
You sure know your stuff, Sebek. Here, we use the same commands to direct our oxen.
Now then… I'll demonstrate how you make your plushies move first.
And… "Mush"!
*BSSSHH!!*
Epel
"Gee"! "Gee"! "Gee"!
*BSSSHH!!*
Sebek
He's moving so fluidly… Why, this looks far more simple than he made it sound!
Idia
I mean, using magic to move makes this an easy victory, right? We literally attend magic classes everyday.
Jade
Indeed, that is true. It looks far simpler compared to the broomsticks we use in Flight classes.
Marja
Why, how lively you lot are.
Go on, try using your plushies to pull your sleds now then.
Sebek
Easy peasy. Inject my magic, and… Here we go!
Jade, Sebek & Idia
"Mush"!
*BSSSHH!!*
Sebek
O-Oi! Why're you pulling back?! I ordered you to move forward!!
*BSSSHH!!*
Jade
Mine isn't obeying any of my instructions, either. My plush toy has just been stomping in the same spot endlessly.
*BSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!*
Idia
AAAAHHH!! It gets so scary whenever it speeds up!!
"Whoa"! "Whoa"! "Whoa"!! Please stoooooooooop!!!!!!!
*BSSHHHHH- CRASH!!*
Epel
Ahhh, he fell…
Looks like all of you can't really move properly. It is your first time trying this after all…
Unlike a broom which you only need to focus on getting off the ground with, plushies need their limb movements to be coordinated well so that they can move properly.
If you'd believed it would be simple, then I'll need you to think again. Flying and moving plushies are in entirely different leagues of their own.
Idia
Y-You should've said so earlier…
Marja
My goodness, I can't believe my eyes! Will you dearies really be alright at your current state, Epel?!
Epel
W-We'll definitely be okay! They're just not used to it yet!
I'm sure they'll improve in no time with some practice. We take magic lessons in school, after all.
Marja
I 'ope so… All of you will need to chow down and get plenty of nutrition tonight, otherwise you'll be out of the Kelkkarotu before it even starts.
I'm leaving the rest to you, Epel! Train them until they are sure to be able to run for the race!!
INVEST ALL THE NECESSARY TIME AND EFFORT INTO THEIR GROWTH JUST LIKE YOU WOULD WHEN PLANTING A NEW VARIETY OF APPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!
Select one of the choices to reveal the next dialogue
Epel
Thank you, I'm sure the rest will also be motivated knowing that.
Epel
Thank you, I'll be coaching the rest so I think you'll be able to help me out, I guess?
I can't monitor all three of them on my own, after all.
Epel
Alright guys! Let's get loads of practice in!
Notes
- Now I don’t do equestrian stuff, but Google tells me that the commands here are all used for directing sled dogs. As for horses, I only managed to find “Whoa” (Return to text)