After yesterday's day-long downpour, Vesta Woodland looked even more desolate than usual on this Friday at the end of autumn and beginning of winter. Most of the trees had shed all their leaves, and the bare forest was quite different from when Shade had arrived in early autumn.
It was no longer raining today, but the temperature had dropped sharply. When Shade pushed open the door and entered Miss Danist's room at the inn, he found that not only had the red-haired girl and Miss Bell changed into thicker dresses, but the room even had heating now.
"Vesta City has begun centralized heating. If you ask me, steam pipes and citywide heating are truly the greatest inventions of this era."
The Owl flapped her wings and transformed back into the gray-black-haired witch. She too had changed into early-winter attire, retaining her usual dark style.
"Did you see the newspaper on your way here just now? Director Kant and his family have been arrested. The paper says he is suspected of treason and of secretly cooperating with the Delin Orr Restorationists."
Shade had not brought Mia with him today, nor had he read the newspaper on his way over. But after entering the city, he had discussed the matter with the coachman.
"Compared with the other crimes he committed, treason is practically the lightest one."
The red-haired girl, who had heard some news from the Academy, explained.
"Just last week, the Bronte Family was arrested for that very reason. If another major local family were arrested a week later for demon worship, The Church fears it would cause panic among the citizens of Vesta City.
"More importantly, Vesta City's government might be considered untrustworthy. That is why they are only publicizing the treason charge, but the other accusations certainly will not