Frost Country, Stag Castle in White Frost Deer City.
"Your Majesty, the World Tree Leaf you assigned has been distributed to every soldier at Bastion Fortress. The taverns and alchemy shops within Bastion Fortress and White Frost Deer City have also been fitted with Magic Mechanical Devices called televisions."
An elderly man reported on the recent progress to Shael in front of an unfolded structural map of White Frost Deer City.
"How has the response been?"
Shael looked at the map on the table. White Frost Deer City was one of the largest cities in Frost Country, but despite its vast scale, its population was nowhere near that of Nolan.
It was a silent, tranquil city, like a Frost Deer chewing on grass roots beneath the snow.
But under the dual blows of the domain of the Gate and the blizzard, Shael felt that the city's silence had become terrifying, suffocating.
A few days ago, Shael had personally visited several households and discovered that they had all been affected by the Gate. Many residents had developed inexplicable panic and irritability.
To ease the situation, Shael had taken advantage of Aserkelo's arrival above the Frost Plains and purchased a large number of World Tree's Leaves and Source Crystal Stones capable of broadcasting television images from Joshua.
"Under your call, far more people have been going to taverns and alchemy shops. It reminds me of the Stag Festival at the end of every year, when everyone would celebrate in the streets with cups of wine in hand. Only now, the celebrations have moved into the taverns." The old man smiled with relief.
Shael did not answer. She walked straight toward the outside of the castle. The knight behind her tried to drape a warm cloak over her shoulders, but Shael refused it.