The tail end of autumn quietly slipped away.
With the first snowfall, the Duchy was instantly draped in shimmering white.
Today is the Winter Festival.
In the north, far from Centralis, there's a small village called 'Silverpine Village.'
It's famous for producing silver pine wood, which is how the village got its name.
"Hey! Zeke! Happy Winter Festival," greeted the Guard Knight stationed at the entrance of Silverpine Village.
"Yo! Justin, Happy Winter Festival. Haha, did you get the 'duty' draw this year?" said Zeke, dressed in Dark Secret Silver Armor with a Bloody Red Cloak.
Every year before the Winter Festival, the knights stationed locally would hold a 'drawing ceremony' with a tacit understanding.
Those who drew the red sign had to stay on duty, while the other knights could head to Kostanyn for the festival.
"Yeah, it's bad luck. When Commander Balk pushed the 'No-Duty Throughout All Territories' initiative last time, I should have voted in favor."
