Gage City's teleportation square bustled with people, the crowd flowing endlessly. The moment Ang stepped out of the teleportation gate, he heard a familiar voice calling from afar, "Big Brother! Over here, over here!"
He looked up and saw Aida standing outside the crowd, waving high with an irrepressible smile on his face. Several sturdy guards stood beside Aida, their backs straight, clearly having waited for quite some time.
As Ang approached, he saw that Aida was full of energy and could not help but laugh. "Good lad, it's only been a little over a year, and you've matured so much. You've even grown a beard." His tone was full of gratification; his younger brother's changes filled him with pride.
Aida shyly touched his chin, seemingly not expecting his elder brother to notice such a detail. "Hehe, Big Brother, there's been so much to do in the territory that I couldn't be bothered shaving."
At that moment, Slock beside Aida bent slightly and respectfully said, "My lord, welcome home."
Ang patted his shoulder and spoke gently. "Slock, I've troubled you again this time."
"It is my duty, my lord. The carriages are all ready and can depart at any time." Slock pointed toward the neatly lined-up convoy of carriages, his voice carrying a trace of pride.
Ang nodded and looked around, only to find familiar smiles on the drivers' faces. They were all people from North Wind Territory. Somewhat surprised, he asked, "What's going on? Didn't I tell you to rent some carriages in the city? Why are even the drivers our own people?"
Aida scratched his head and said somewhat sheepishly, "Big Brother, you mentioned in your letter that quite a few people would be returning, so I thought it would be more reliable to use our own people.