The days bled together quickly after that
Nero wasted no time Each morning he could be seen crossing through the village, his cloak trailing behind him, his presence cutting a clean path through the crowd as though the villagers themselves parted instinctively He carried himself with the same poised arrogance as always, but now there was an added weight to his steps, urgency, purpose
He had made contact
Messengers were sent out down the precarious mountain routes, guided by Nero's precise instructions and backed by the church's authority It was the testament of the temple priest, stamped and sealed with the sigil of the goddess, that truly moved things forward Alone, Nero was just a noble, powerful, yes, but a single voice With the church vouching for him, and with Emmet confirming what had already shaken the students, that there was now another combatant of Rank 3 strength in the village, the caravan could no longer delay
