Months of Demons

**Months of Demons** (邪月 xieyue, lit. Evil Months) is an annual irregular period of year when magic power reaches its peak. Usually it occurs during winter but its longevity varies from 3 to almost 5 months.[*Citation needed*]

## Background

They were just ordinary animals in the forest, but through the influence of the evil miasma they become manic and ferocious, but they can still be killed. Every Months of the Demons in the past, Longsong Stronghold would sent cavalry, cleansing the land from the stronghold to Border Town of the remnants of the demon monsters.

Brian says it last 2-3 months, depending on the sun. In this Border town, once the snow begins to fall it will not stop, until the sun shines again, then the snow will be gone. The longest Brian personally experienced was 2 years ago when it lasted 4 months. Many people starved because Longsong's municipal administrator Reynolds withheld the grain supply, demanding more ore and minerals.

They had enough grain to support the whole town. But Reynolds the municipal administrator who is responsible for managing such things declared that the amount of ore and minerals mined was only enough to buy food for three months, for the fourth month we had to deliver a new shipment of ore. But the Months of the Demons had not ended, so the Border town people couldn’t leave the fortress.

## Witches

For the Witch Federation this time of year is a period of celebrations, since new witches were awakened and that allowed the Witch Federation to replenish their losses, while their families were generously rewarded. On top of that, due to the Demonic Beasts, Devils had to cease their attacks which gave the Witch Federation some respite.

## Witch awakening

It's noted that most of witches are awaken during Months of Demons; they are more powerful than witches who awoke in another times of year.

## Influence

While southern lands almost don't feel impact of the Months on their lives, in regions closest to Impassable Mountain Range sun hides behind clouds after first snow and appears again at spring. Entire regions are covered by snow which would melt whole month after the Months of Demons end, leaving them isolated by land routes. Only river traffic allows some trade until roads show up from under snow.

During Months of Demons various Demonic beasts and Demonic hybrids overrun lands and seas, attacking border villages and careless travelers. Most ferocious attacks fall on the Holy city of Hermes, and Church regularly gathered Four Kingdoms' armies to help repelling beasts' assaults.

Due to threat of nautic Demonic beasts sea traffic, trade and travels ceased as well.

## Anecdotes

Of course Petrov remembered the Evil Months from 2 years ago. The cold lasted for four months and in Border Town nearly one out of every two people starved to death. The cause of this was municipal Administrative Governor Reynold’s avaricious and insatiable greed. Between the aristocracy there was naturally internal opposition, some nobles even wanted to punish governor Reynold afterwards. But at the end of this incident nothing happened, only because he was the husband of the Duke’s second daughter.

## Trivia

* Roland and Anna's experiences with the months of demons have had varies positives things happen.
	+ Year One: witches are no longer feared thanks to Anna risking herself to burn the Demonic Beasts.
	+ Year Two: Roland and Anna get engaged and consummate their relationship.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 7 (novel)
2. ↑ Chapter 8 (novel)
3. ↑ Chapter 18 (novel)