Welcome Ceremony and Honored Guests

October 21, 1635. Autumn was in full swing, and the air carried a biting chill. Yet Silver Maple City was a striking contrast to the cold: everywhere, people bustled with excitement.

More than half a month had passed since Silver Maple City fell to the Northern Alliance Army.

The scars left by the fighting had all but vanished, as though the city had never known war.

Victor had hurried to the docks outside the city's north gate early that morning, unable to wait any longer.

The Northern Alliance Army's senior commanders and key allies followed, along with the independent nobles from the eastern and Southern Regions who had submitted of their own accord. They formed orderly ranks on the docks.

Victor had received word that Alex Iron Birch, the new Count Iron Birch and guardian of the northern territories, would arrive in Silver Maple City today. An envoy from the Raine Kingdom would arrive with him.

Victor had racked his brains over the preparations. He wanted Alex to make a splendid impression on the unruly independent nobles of the eastern and Southern Regions and swiftly establish unassailable authority.

He had instructed Gaita to find a supply of vivid red cloth dyed with Crimson Blood Grass, then ordered it laid along the entire road from the city gate to the docks.

He had also selected a large contingent of battle-hardened elite soldiers from the Northern Alliance Army and stationed them on both sides of the road as an honor guard for the grand ceremony.

Their weapons and armor had been carefully polished and even coated with clear varnish mixed with tung oil. Gleaming in the sunlight, the soldiers looked all the more imposing and gallant.

Drawing on the experience and ingenuity of his former life while making clever use of local