Louis raised his cup and called out, "Let the feast begin!"
The square erupted.
Braziers blazed at all four corners, and colorful lanterns hung overhead.
Musicians struck up a lively tune on shepherd's flutes and fiddles, while young serving women danced to the beat of the drums.
Craft ale foamed thickly, the aroma of Red Tide smoked fish filled the air, juices spilled from roast legs of lamb as they were sliced, and wild mushroom and venison bone soup bubbled in steaming cauldrons.
Soldiers raised their cups and laughed, while children chased one another at play...
Standing at the edge of the raised platform, Louis quietly watched it all.
His gaze softened a little.
The fief he had once watched over in silence was slowly becoming prosperous.
Those trusting eyes, those smiling faces brimming with tears of pride.
They all brought a faint warmth to Louis's heart.
It was not that he never felt exhausted. After all, the greater his responsibilities, the heavier his burden.
But on a night like this, he still felt a genuine sense of achievement.
Not the lofty vanity of a noble, but a more grounded kind of satisfaction.
Louis tightened his grip on his cup and murmured, "I'll let myself relax a little tonight."
After the revelry, there was still work to do the next day.
Louis sat up in bed and rubbed his temples.
This was his familiar, half-sunken dwelling. Even now, as the lord of a vast territory, he was still used to living here.
On his own turf, he could sleep soundly.
He stretched and casually opened the Daily Intelligence System. A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
``` [Daily intelligence update complete]
[1: Signs of Eagleclaw Vine growth have been discovered near Eagle Rock at the eastern entrance to Clearwind