For the first time since the Northern War, Winterer was abuzz with excitement.

• "Did you hear? The Young Patriarch is coming today!"
• "Really? How long has it been? Almost two years, right?"
• "I can’t wait to see how much stronger he’s become!"
• "He must have far surpassed the level of a Laurel Knight by now."
• "Of course! That’s a given!"

The news of Theo’s return had brought countless citizens of Winterer out, eager to catch even a distant glimpse of him. By now, no one in Winterer doubted the equation: Theo = Young Patriarch.

While there had initially …