At the Festival

Sean, clad in armor with a longsword at his waist, rode tall on horseback. Beside him were the equally fully armed Torr and Sergeant Donnie. Behind the three of them stood the entire company, heading toward the South City Dock, where the festival would be held.

"Thor, once we reach our destination, lead your squad and follow me," Sean ordered, turning to Thor beside him.

"Yes, Young Master." Thor had always addressed Sean as Young Master, and that had not changed even after entering the Barracks.

"Sergeant Donnie, you will be responsible for the specific deployment of the security detail. Assign three squads to guard duty, and have the remaining squads rotate their rest. Understood?" After considering it for a moment, Sean turned toward Sergeant Donnie and gave the order.

"Yes, sir!" Sergeant Donnie answered as loudly as ever. Sean had gradually grown accustomed to Donny's booming voice.

Sean nodded when he heard the reply and said nothing more. Before long, the unit arrived at their assigned post in the South District.

"Have them set up the barricades first. The soldiers on duty need to stay alert. Keep an eye on anyone who looks flustered or is carrying weapons. If necessary, detain them first..." Upon arriving at the post, Sean loudly gave his orders to the soldiers. After they answered in unison, he turned to Sergeant Donnie and said, "Sergeant Donnie, I'll leave this place under your command from here on..."

Sean watched as the soldiers got to work, quickly setting up the security checkpoints according to his orders. At that moment, Sergeant Donnie's distinctive booming voice rang out repeatedly as he roared instructions at the soldiers carrying out their guard duties.

"Thor, take your men and follow me. We'll inspect the surrounding terrain." Sean nodded in satisfaction. He greatly approved of Sergeant Donnie's abilities, then turned and instructed Thor, who was following behind him.

After saying that, Sean urged his horse forward. Behind him, Thor immediately directed his squad to follow closely. The South District of Linshui City was widely known as the city's commoner quarter, with roads crisscrossing everywhere and countless narrow alleys. The terrain was as complicated as one could imagine. Sean needed to ensure that no one could use those alleys and side streets to bypass the checkpoints they had established. It was an important but time-consuming task.

More than an hour later, Sean finally finished a rough inspection with Thor and the soldiers. Only then did they patrol toward the square where the festival was being held.

"Young Master, what festival is being held today?" Thor asked curiously as he followed beside Sean.

"Hehe, you've only just arrived in Linshui City, so naturally you wouldn't know." Sean smiled at Thor. After a pause, he continued with a smile, "Since ancient times, the Dorosun River has flooded badly every summer and autumn, washing away farmland. At the same time, many commoners in Linshui City make their living by fishing. So ever since Linshui City was founded, large numbers of commoners have spontaneously held sacrifices to the Dorosun River at the beginning of every March. It is their heartfelt wish that the river will bring favorable weather in the coming year. Later, the ceremony gradually grew larger and larger, with more and more participants, until it evolved into the grand festival it is today."

"It was only a few decades ago that the Linshui City authorities formally recognized the River Festival, and every year the city lord personally presides over the ceremony. The nobles of the city also attend, both because it is a formal social occasion for them and because it gives them a chance to get out and relax." Sean paused to give Thor time to think before continuing his explanation.

"Ah... so that's how it is." Thor scratched his head and replied with a foolish grin.

"Once the festival officially begins, you can go take a look up ahead yourself..." Sean said with a smile, then added, "There are usually acrobatic performances at the festival, along with plenty of activities for both nobles and commoners to enjoy. You can give them a try too."

"Thank you, Young Master," Thor said happily. Then his expression became somewhat dejected as he added, "Better not... Young Master, I should stay by your side. If anything happens, I might be able to help you..."

"Haha... it's fine. The city lord and all the important nobles are on the Main Viewing Platform. Security there is tight—who could possibly force their way in? And even if they did, there are plenty of noble guards there. Don't worry..." Sean laughed after hearing Thor's words.

Hearing Sean laugh, Thor patted his head somewhat sheepishly and laughed along with him.

Before long, Sean led Thor and the squad on a circuit of the surrounding area. After confirming there was nothing suspicious nearby and greeting the commanders of the neighboring checkpoints, they returned to the checkpoint under their own responsibility.

At this time, a passage had deliberately been left through the middle of the checkpoint for noble carriages, while soldiers stood on both sides of the road inspecting the passing commoners.

"Sergeant Donnie, you've done very well. Be sure not to let anyone carrying a bow and arrows pass..." Seeing that everything was in perfect order, Sean spoke to Sergeant Donnie with a satisfied smile. After a pause, he added, "Tell the soldiers that I'll personally pay for their lunch later..."

"Thank you, sir." Sergeant Donnie replied with a smile, then conveyed Sean's words to the other soldiers on duty. This immediately prompted a subdued cheer from the soldiers, all of whom smiled and nodded toward Sean.

Time slowly passed, and the pedestrians on the streets began to grow more numerous. Carriages carrying ingredients for the luncheon also passed through Sean's checkpoint one after another. They were supplies prepared by the city lord for the nobles attending the festival.

At that moment, a luxurious noble carriage entered Sean's field of vision. Four mounted guards rode before it, and another four followed behind it. In the blink of an eye, the carriage slowly arrived before the soldiers at the checkpoint, and one of the leading guards presented a Noble Emblem to Sergeant Donnie.

Sean looked over from afar as well and saw a metal shield-shaped emblem embedded on the outer wall of the carriage. Engraved upon it was the image of a rose and a sword. It was precisely the emblem of Sir Hall's family, whom Sean had met once at a banquet hosted by his uncle, Baron Horton.

Sean smiled and rode forward, while Thor immediately led his men after him. Sergeant Donnie, standing before the carriage, caught sight of Sean approaching and reported loudly, "Sir, it is the carriage and guards of Sir Hall's family."

Sean nodded to Donny, then looked toward the carriage and asked, "Is Sir Hall himself inside? I am Sean Winchester."

"Sean? Baron Horton's nephew?" A surprised voice immediately came from inside the carriage. Then the wooden carriage window was opened from within, revealing Sir Hall in splendid noble attire. He studied Sean, who had spoken first, with some surprise and uncertainty. Beside him sat a little girl in an exquisite one-piece dress, her wine-red hair tied with a bright yellow ribbon. Her large eyes blinked on an adorably innocent face. No more than ten years old, she looked at Sean with open curiosity.

"It is I, Sir Hall. It has been a long time." Sean smiled as he spoke. Then he winked at the little noble girl, who was staring at him with cute curiosity, frightening her into quickly turning her head away.

"Haha... it certainly has been a long time." Sir Hall recognized Sean as well and replied with a laugh. He then looked Sean over in his full armor, raised his brows, and asked in surprise, "You've taken a position in the Garrison? Aren't you still at the academy..."

"Honored Sir Hall, I received a recommendation from the academy... As you can see, I am now a Second Lieutenant Officer in the Garrison." Sean continued smiling, without the slightest trace of pride in his tone. After a pause, he asked, "Have you come to attend today's festival? Is this your daughter?" He smiled toward Sir Hall's side as he spoke.

Sir Hall nodded with a smile, his gaze tender as he looked at the girl beside him. "This is my youngest daughter, Amy Hall," he introduced. Then he pointed to Sean before introducing him to his daughter. "My dear little Amy, this is Sean Winchester of the Viscount Winchester family, and also Baron Horton's nephew."

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sean Winchester. You can call me Sean..." Sean smiled and greeted her first.

"It's nice to meet you, Brother Sean. I'm Amy Hall. My friends all call me Amy." Amy Hall greeted Sean in her distinctive childish voice, then wrinkled her little nose, looking especially adorable.

"Sir Hall, the festival grounds are just ahead. Please allow me to guide you there..." Sean smiled and nodded at Amy, then smiled at Sir Hall. He rode his horse to the side of the carriage and signaled Thor to lead the squad ahead to clear the way.

Sir Hall nodded with a smile, and his favorable impression of Sean increased by several degrees as the carriage slowly moved forward. He had been pleased to see Sean and his youngest daughter exchange polite greetings. At the moment, he had no other thoughts, after all, his daughter was still far too young.

"Sean, do you intend to develop your career in the military?" Sir Hall asked with a smile.

"Yes, Sir Hall. My dream is to become a glorious general of the Empire... and then command thousands upon thousands of troops in battle for the Empire." Sean's face revealed longing as he spoke slowly with anticipation. Then he smiled and explained, "After being promoted to Rookie Knight this time, the academy recommended that I enter the military for training. It made me very happy..."

"Oh... you are already a Rookie Knight... Congratulations indeed." Sir Hall was immediately moved.

"Thank you. It was merely luck... nothing more than luck," Sean said humbly, suddenly catching a curious gaze sweeping over him.

"Haha, Sean, becoming a Rookie Knight at such a young age means you have a boundless future ahead of you." Sir Hall was very pleased by Sean's humble and prudent attitude and praised him with a hearty laugh.

"You flatter me. The road ahead... is still long..." Sean replied humbly as ever, smiling at Amy, who was watching him curiously. Then he added with a smile, "But I still must thank you for your praise..."