Night had fallen. Old Kea personally came down carrying a brazier, took out a key to unlock the cell door, and set the brazier in front of Kallen.
Autumn in Vien was already equivalent to winter in many other places. Today's average temperature was around four degrees, and it was even colder at night. Coupled with this summer having been hotter than usual, climate experts had already published predictions in the Vien Daily that this winter would be longer and colder than in previous years.
The Vien Economic News had gone so far as to urge citizens to stockpile coal early. The war had affected shipping, so electricity and heating bills were certain to rise this winter.
At a public government briefing, York City's deputy mayor had even offered citizens little tips for getting through winter, such as washing only a few key areas when bathing.
However, changes in the secular world rarely affected the church world directly. Or rather, they took longer to filter through.
The brazier Old Kea had brought did not burn charcoal. He took out a large piece of fire crystal, placed it inside, and ignited it with a spell art. The heat surged almost immediately.
Although it was the lowest grade of fire crystal and was not particularly expensive, it was still a spell art material. Using it to keep warm was truly extravagant, like setting an entire barrel of gasoline alight just to light a cigarette.
Old Kea asked warmly, "How is the temperature? If it isn't enough, I'll add some more."
"It's perfect, thank you. Sorry to put you to the expense."
"Oh, don't say that. Use as much as you like. Those five Bishops-oh, no, six Bishops-have been held in another cell these past two weeks. The Logistics Minister approved the highest