On the morning after the festival, wisps of smoke still rose from the remains of the bonfires in the valley of Wheatwave Fief.
There were a few days off after the autumn harvest, and most people were still asleep. Only a handful of cleaners were out in the square, picking up scattered decorations and carrying away festival equipment, quietly restoring the square to its original state.
Green was already standing beside the road leading into the mountains, his back straight as he awaited his lord.
Louis sat astride his warhorse, his sword at his waist and his cloak stirring in the breeze.
His gaze swept over the valley. Though he felt reluctant to leave this scene of abundance, he had to set out today.
He had promised Emily that he would return to Red Tide City early.
After all, she was far along in her pregnancy, and her father had only recently passed away. She needed someone by her side now more than ever.
Now that the autumn harvest, the most important task of all, had been settled, the territory's less pressing affairs could be set aside so he could focus on keeping Emily company.
Besides, according to the Daily Intelligence System, an envoy from the Imperial Capital would soon arrive in Red Tide City to convey the decisions of the Dragon Throne Conference and announce his elevation in rank.
He therefore had to return to show the Empire that he took the visit seriously, even though the intelligence system had already told him the gist of the envoy's message.
Of course, before leaving, Louis still had to personally give instructions for several tasks needed to wrap up the autumn harvest.
He trusted Green, but with a territory as important as Wheatwave, a few extra reminders were better than discovering