In early October, on the day distant Breeze City received its first snowfall, Annan stepped through the Portal and arrived in his loyal Starer City.
"So this is Starer City..."
The faint stench that hit him took Annan aback. Free City had floated in the sky for so long that he had nearly forgotten this "familiar" smell.
Starer City still looked both new and old. Nearly every Town in the Rikaner Kingdom was much the same.
The Town had been built less than two years ago, after its people migrated here. The City Lord's Mansion and its surrounding buildings looked almost as new as those in Free City, but the drafty wooden shacks scattered across the outer city made him wonder whether anyone could survive the winter in them.
Annan drew his gaze back from his surroundings and looked at the nobles and officials gathered around the Portal. His breath misted as he said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Lord Annan, I'm Daler, Deputy City Lord of Starer City." Daler stepped forward and greeted him humbly.
"Hello."
Annan greeted the others in turn. He was as gentle as the rumors said, putting everyone at ease.
Once Annan had made the rounds, Francois came over and sat beside him. "There's a banquet later. All the nobles on our side will attend."
"Got it..." Annan looked up a beat later. "Whose name is it being held under?"
"The City Lord's Mansion's, of course."
"Good."
Annan's heart settled.
His title of Banquet Killer was like the women at the Spinning Mill praying to their machines before starting work. It was a little strange, but what if it actually helped...
"Where's Miss Olmedo?"
"She's at the City Lord's Mansion. What do you need her for?"
"I want to ask about Starer City."
"You