Five years later...
Mistveil City.
Mistveil City was no longer the same as it had been ten years ago.
The streets were still packed with people, the craftsmen's businesses were still thriving, and cries of hawking still rang without end...
But the "craftsmen" who had once lurked in the streets were gone, replaced by public security officers patrolling everywhere.
The arena in the city center was still packed with people, but this time it was not hosting a tournament. It was holding a public address.
"I am Andrew Brandon, my dear friends. I am deeply grateful that you have nominated me as a candidate for mayor once again, but regrettably, I have decided to retire... Today is my final day as mayor, and also the last time I will speak to you all here..."
A fat man weighing at least three hundred jin was delivering a speech to the citizens from the high platform in Mistveil City's arena.
"You can all see that climbing onto this platform is truly difficult for me now... and dangerous as well—I am not sure when this platform might collapse under my weight. I can already hear it creaking... So, farewell, my dear friends."
This fat man named Andrew was an old acquaintance of Li Ang's.
The owner of Mistveil City Arena.
Four years ago, in March of Pendor Calendar Year 360, Andrew had been chosen by the merchants and citizens of Mistveil City as their representative to conduct friendly negotiations with King Vidis.
No one knew the details of the negotiations, but everyone knew the outcome—after that, King Vidis left Mistveil City, and Andrew became the first "mayor" on the Pande Continent to be elected by the people.
Not long afterward, King Vidis announced that he recognized the New Pendor Empire as his suzerain