The Angel of Fortune Was Coming

Another heavy snowfall had quietly arrived last night, blanketing Budweis City and its surroundings in white. Only the dark stone road cleared along the main street stood out, winding ahead like newly formed veins on a giant's body when viewed from above.

Icicles still hung from some of the freshly painted shop signs lining the street, glinting faintly in the thin winter sunlight.

Holáček sat in his office in the municipal government building, which overlooked part of the main street, and gazed worriedly at the thick snow.

There had been recent reports that the Duchy of Weissen would soon send over a large shipment of grain for a relief program that would provide work in exchange for food. Budweis City's task was to extend the railway farther out.

Although the weather was bitterly cold and the soil had frozen as hard as stone, the Cattle and Horse Mages could still clear vegetation, rocks, and other obstacles along the route.

The pace of construction wasn't the main concern. The priority was making sure people didn't freeze or starve to death that winter.

For a moment, Holáček didn't know what to make of it. In the past, whether it was the Osmagar Empire or the Piaster Kingdom, the first thing they did after a poor harvest was intensify their grain seizures. Who cared whether ordinary people lived or died?

All he could say was that the Grand Duke of Weissen's kindness was immeasurable.

Just then, a Post Office van came racing down the main road. A bell beneath its rearview mirror rang out brightly, warning people to get out of the way.

The dark green vehicle stopped at the side entrance of the government building, and its crew unloaded official documents and private letters from all over.

Before long, a letter was