"Ice-cold northern beer for sale!"
"Try the roasted giant boar meat!"
"Northern specialty fire liquor and red wine available too!"

Winterer was alive with a warmth that defied its icy reputation.

Stalls lined the streets, their vibrant displays offering everything from food to trinkets. Children laughed as they cheered for street performers in the bustling square, while melodies from musicians mingled with the crowd’s lively chatter.

Drinking, dancing, and revelry filled the air, a grand celebration in honor of the succession ceremony.

For the first time in decades, Winterer was hosting such an event. And this wasn’t just any succession—it was the formal ascension of Theo Ragnar, the heir to the legendary Kyle Ragnar.

This historic moment drew caravans of nobles and their retinues from every corner of Winterer, each laden with treasures. The steady stream of arrivals kept the castle gates busy as carriages and wagons poured in.

But as the crowd approached closer to the lord's castle, the atmosphere shifted.