After dusk in Red Tide City, snow whispered past, and golden firelight lit the upper hall of Tulou Castle.
The fireplace burned, its flames reflected on the stone walls. Stewed mushrooms and fragrant roasted cod sat on silver platters, filling the air with warm aromas.
Attendants quietly served the dishes nearby, glasses clinking softly.
Louis sat at the head of the table, his cloak draped over his chair, gazing up at the ceiling with thoughts no one could guess.
He rarely hosted banquets. Administrative duties, meetings, and paperwork filled almost every hour of his day.
Tonight, he had made an exception for one person.
The door opened, letting in a gust of cold air.
"I hear there's fish tonight? Boss, you finally remembered your old pal!" Yorn Harvey's voice was louder than the wind.
Bits of snow clung to his coat, the cold wind had tousled his hair, and his face was red from the chill, but his grin was exuberant.
Louis looked up and couldn't help laughing. "All you think about is food."
"I wouldn't bother with ordinary fish. But if the boss is treating me, it has to be something special." Yorn strode inside and pulled off his gloves.
In truth, Louis hadn't invited him to Red Tide City. He had already been staying there for some time.
His reason was simple. Silver Ridge Hill's affairs had long since been incorporated into the Red Tide Council Hall's system, leaving him only documents to sign. With mining suspended for the winter, he was bored out of his mind.
Besides, compared with freezing Silver Ridge Hill, Red Tide City was the Northern Frontier's true entertainment hub. He claimed he had come to report on his work, but he was really there to escape the cold and enjoy the winter.
In