It was particularly cold that night. Paladians rarely slept with their shirts on, and such even applied to the colder season. They often explained that it wasn't healthy for their skin, but then again, Ranpa found himself wrapped up in multiple layers of thin sheets he dug out of the closet.

Danuta earlier complained about him not starting a fire in the fireplace and took most of what was left, so now the night was full of tossing and turning.

An hour passed, and eventually, the distant sounds of the bar moved elsewhere, treading along the streets. Ranpa's eyes were half-open, but his ear caught every single sound, although muffled, they further contributed to keeping him awake.

He rolled to the side again, stuffing the sheets in between his legs and covering his face for a few seconds.

He stared at the ceiling for a minute or so. It wasn't anything interesting, but he hoped it would wear him out.

Linno mentioned a certain plan to Ranpa, and with everything that occurred those past seasons, it only led to worries, further embraced by the temperatures.

He shivered, hugging himself, and huffing, turning to the window facing one of the main streets in Medulla. Blurred, warm lights passed through hastily, as they usually did, and with one rub of his tired eyes, Ranpa only kept one open.

"If I had to choose between this life and joining those Demonears, I'd choose..." he muttered, pushing his leg up to his stomach, and halting on his mind.

"I wouldn't want either. I just want a good night's rest, for once in my bloody life."

He stuffed a pillow over his head.

***

Morning rose uneventfully, sparing the few birds perched upon the branches of the trees growing in their garden.

Ranpa climbed out of bed and hastily dragged his bigger boots from the side of the closed-off room, stuffing his socked feet inside. With a swift turn, a few layers of the clothes he'd usually bear, such as the light linen shirts with a jacket appeared on his body, and with a quick tug on his belt, he left the room.

Danuta sat at the table, one hand on the open book she was reading, the other indecisively floating above three different pieces of bread on her plate, one with jam, the others with either cut fruit or vegetables atop. She turned her attention to Ranpa.

"Good morning..." he muttered, lifelessly, and in turn, she rolled her eyes.

"A few more minutes and you'd be late for work. That friend of yours is already waiting." Danuta promptly replied, closing her eyes and turning back to her breakfast.

Ranpa scratched his head, opening only one. Breakfast seemed like a good idea, but when his sister's words finally reached the inner mechanisms of his mind, he sniffed with his nose before asking. "Sam's here?"

"Waiting outside." Danuta continued.

"Well, couldn't you let him in?"

"Breakfast," she uttered.

"Jeez with you, woman." Ranpa took a weary step forward, shaking his head before his hand landed on the curtain and unearthed the silhouette standing in the doorway. Sam subtly trembled, and Ranpa stepped out.

A few minutes later, the sun came out from the heap of clouds above. Lots of people around the houses, instead of doing their usual morning bits, such as screaming at each other for no apparent reason or letting the dogs inside seemed quiet, but Ranpa didn't mind.

Last night even if it was a hush for the most part, was instead replaced with the coldness that if it could've been a sound, he'd describe it as someone continuously smashing pieces of glass against his ear. Even now he felt cold, and turning over to Sam who bore a warm smile didn't help.

"Why'd you come so early?" he asked, putting his gloved hands into his pockets.

"You know," Sam responded. "Younger sister woke up shaking and with a fever. We swore we closed all the windows for the night, but apparently, mama needed a breath of fresh air and forgot about the one closest to her child."

"Irresponsible," Ranpa commented.

"Everyone makes mistakes from time to time."

"You think it was only for getting a whiff of that cold air, eh?"

"What else, then?"

Ranpa rolled his eyes, thinking about all the strange seeds he found in Danuta's room when he searched for a blanket a few nights ago. She was out for a small party at the bar, and as Sam's mother's behaviour suggested, she also left that window a little ajar before leaving. "Forget about it." he quickly uttered, returning to Sam. "We could've just met at work instead."

"I don't mind." Sam nodded, brushing sweat off his forehead.

Ranpa snuck one more glance at him and then stared forward. He wanted to bring it up again, that he doesn't need any more help. Sam never necessarily could interfere with whatever ridiculous things Linno imagined, but tried to show his support in other ways. Both had bags under their eyes and a sleepless night behind, although, Sam could smile and Ranpa chose not to.

Either way, what was there to smile about? Coming back home after penning those sheep again means a minute of rest before coming to Linno's room and praying that the job doesn't involve going into those small caves in Colliyus again. It was always wet and always too cold, even if he did so in Dear.

"Dear..." Ranpa squinted his eyes. "Has it been that long?" he asked himself.

After all, the Demonears set out from Prope Portam when Gorro had barely begun. Since then, no news came back from the city of Saphrith. How long was he supposed to wait and play along until he couldn't care to lie any longer?

...and Sam? How would he react if he had to find out the truth?

Ranpa shook his head.

The two eventually arrived near the pen, and their eyes focused on the sign strung up on the swingy fences which would usually lead them to the premises. Usually, since today their movement was immobilized by a chain, pointing to the mentioned words.

"Closed for today, I'll take care of the sheep later." Sam read aloud. Of course, the two were supervised by an old man way past his shepherd days, but then again, what was up with this sudden change of mind?

Ranpa's hand landed on a paper, barely moved by the wind, hanging off the fence.

He furrowed his brows and focused on the text. "In the morning, a grand ceremony will be held at the Royal Square." he glanced at Sam, who raised his eyebrows. "All residents are asked to take some time out of their day to listen to the announcements and enjoy a little festivity afterwards. Signed, Linno Palski."

"Wow. Did he deliver this himself here?"

"No, Sam. I think it's just a copy amongst many. Look around." Ranpa leaned on the fence, pointing. The same papers quickly appeared around various houses, and some Paladians took the opportunity to read through them. "I thought they were just some flyers, but..." he shrugged. "Guess not."

Sam smiled awkwardly, putting a hand behind his head.

As soon as the information seeped in, there seemed to be some form of proof of whatever was written. Music sounded from the right, somewhere in the general vicinity of where the bar stood. Horns arose, laughs were heard and then further echoed elsewhere.

"High holy king of thou!" A song peeked its head out amongst the crowds, carried by a few lower voices, as the two spotted a small parade making their way from the bar, carrying tables and pints of beer. Of course, Paladians couldn't miss any occasion to excuse such with drinking. Case in point, yesterday's arrival, but Ranpa and Sam knew nothing about it, as of yet. "The fine line your sword will trace."

"Feast your eyes upon the art of him!" Another voice joined in, as a Paladian rushed past the two, pushing Ranpa to the ground for a second. "Embrace this feeling and hold it in!"

Ranpa looked at Sam, brushing excess things off his barely warm jacket. Well, there was no other thing to do, other than stand still and ponder. If Linno was going to be busy, he couldn't go and ask himself to get this Demonear searching thing already over with.

"Come on." Ranpa put the shepherd's crook on the side of the fence, and the two eventually trod the different streets of Medulla to reach the Royal Square.

A good chunk of time later, and with Sam leading Ranpa into one of the back alleys, Linno appeared from behind a dozen guards, stood atop a pedestal and bowed, deeply.

He held himself high over a simple decreet he managed to push out, which seemingly went overhead. With the general claim that it was a Demonear who killed another great of its kind, he managed to get the Mainland's general approval of banning such from every bigger town.

Since then, nothing happened, be it either Ranpa's futile search for the mentioned or Linno's law working in his favour. Either way, the former didn't care. Linno was just another pawn, with the only thing differentiating him from all the other Paladians being that he held authority over his life.

"What could it possibly be this time?" Ranpa asked, and Sam shook his head. When the bravos and "hip-hip-hoorays" or the earlier song went silent, Linno gazed at everyone, before clearing his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you all." he bowed. "We are gathered here today to celebrate a grand occasion! It is a time of great joy and happiness, and I am honoured to be here to share this wonderful moment with every one of you!"

More fists were raised in the crowd, and Ranpa crossed his arms, unsurely.

"But what celebration, you may ask? Among the strings of things continuously going well past these few months, my and all of our actions were greatly rewarded by the entire world." he extended his arms.

Such actions also involved coining the term "month". It used to describe thirty days back when old Manjuno was still in use but went forgotten all up until Linno thought that it'd be a great way to differentiate certain parts of a season.

Essentially "month" now means one-third of a season, so each season is three months, with a year being twelve. Stupid, isn't it?

"...and such rewards, came with glorious people visiting us. Before the final announcement, I'd like you to humbly, but loudly, welcome the Saphrithians who arrived in town yesterday!"

Hands were clapped, songs were sung, and beer was drunk. Ranpa wasn't thrilled, and Sam put a hand over his lip.

"That's right." Sam nodded.

"Hm?" Ranpa leaned to the side.

"They said a ship arrived yesterday."

"A ship in Yule? Man, do I hate these rich Saphrith brats." he shook his head. "Just take the mountain path like any normal person would."

The mayor stepped to the side of the pedestal, making way for the mentioned Saphrithians to find their way onto the stage. Among the well-dressed, nameless guards or a few faces that resembled a typical bar attendee, two caught the attention of virtually anyone in the vicinity, and even Ranpa who was careless took a longer glance. Maybe it was his hair, but Xard stood proudly, fixing his glasses.

"Royalty," Sam whispered.

"Not every person who wears glasses is royalty, Sam." Ranpa continued. "...and vice-versa."

"Aren't most people in Saphrith royals?"

"Probably."

The one who stood right by Xard's side was none other than Kania, bearing a big grin as well as an intense stare that Ranpa thought was rather unwelcoming, nevertheless, the Saphrithians bowed to the people of Prope Portam, and some returned the favour.

"It is, my pleasure, and one of my people, dear Saphrithians," Linno said, putting a hand over his heart.

"It is rude to us not to welcome you the same way you welcomed us," Xard explained.

Kania laughed out loud, and the people of Prope Portam, much like some puppets, joined in his laughter. This seemed to fuel Kania's ego, as a few lines in his raised voice suggested a drinking contest later.

Some people were dissatisfied with this behaviour, however. It seemed the crowd didn't want to choose between thinking of Saphrithians as some stuck-up pricks, but then again, weren't going to place them on the same pedestal they stood on.

It was now Xard who cleared his throat, and the sound managed to break Kania's intense peals of laughter.

"Welcome, dear people of Prope Portam, or as some should say, Paladian brethren." he smiled, bowing. Each of his words was met with awe-filled silence, but Sam and Ranpa couldn't stop staring at his forehead. "We come here bearing great news, changes to the country of Lignoria, as well as the entire Mainland," he spoke. "Changes which will shape the ground we proudly stand on, and help us overcome our greatest fears. Ones which will bring all Paladians together, hoping to rebuild what was once lost to the hands of demons." he shook his head.

"Starting with eliminating any worries you and I may have," Linno spoke, taking a few steps forward. His eyes met with Ranpa's before he stared forward and hit his people with a great beam, which eventually shifted into a mature, sophisticated expression.

Despite whatever bad things he could've done, no one necessarily denied that Linno Palski was an awful leader. Of course, much like any, he excused many of his actions to the likeliness of his position, but then again, knew when to choose to act a certain way.

"Bancho's death brought heaps of difference to this world. We lost a great comrade, a passionate friend, but the last beacon which held Demonears as high as they were once thought of."

Ranpa shook his head. Two seasons or six months ago. That's how much time has passed.

"With that gruesome time behind us, it's finally up to me to announce that any mention or worry connected with those vultures alike won't invade the hearts of anyone in Lignoria."

"Because the Demonear that killed Bancho has been captured!" Kania raised his voice.

Ranpa's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.

"What?!" Sam smiled, putting his hand on Ranpa's shoulder. "Ranpa, did you hear?!"

Loud and clear, it seemed, and so did everyone else on the Royal Square.