Moo's abilities were beyond doubt. Unlike his laid-back personality, he was incredibly serious and responsible when working.

Within a week, Moo had already mastered everything.

He understood Stanki's basic operations inside out.

Back then, it took me ages to get the hang of it. Relying on him like this made me feel weak.

A month later, Mentu and I planned to return to Baha Balm.

Barzak and Moo stayed behind at Stanki.

I trusted Moo's character—he wouldn't cause trouble. That's why I felt safe leaving Stanki in his hands.

Huh, is it really wise to trust someone this much?

Trust your people without doubt.

Honestly, I missed home terribly.

I wondered how Doria and Morana were getting along.

Morana stayed cold to outsiders. Keeping that stern face all day made it hard to connect with others.

Huh, let's go back.

Baha Balm had much to handle. Doria must be exhausted. I'd been so inconsiderate, dumping all this on her.

After settling everything, Mentu and I set off.

No troops or caravans accompanied us.

Mentu alone was enough to keep me safe. His strength was solid.

"Strategist."

"Oh, Mentu. Ready?"

"Yes."

Huh, he still spared words like gold.

"Let's go. I miss home."

"Mhm."

After a week's journey, we reached Baha Balm.

The slate-blue sky held not a trace of cloud.

Autumn had arrived. The crisp air cleared my head.

A year had slipped by unnoticed.

Entering Baha Balm's territory, golden rice fields surrounded me like an ocean.

Watching the waves ripple in the autumn breeze filled my heart with joy.

A bountiful harvest year.

Seeing people busy in the fields, I instinctively reached out, as if to touch it all.

I must preserve this happiness.

Thankfully, no floods had struck this year.

Irrigation systems were still under construction—a flood now would be disastrous.

"Sas."

A familiar voice.

"Huh, Alto."

Still the same familiar uncle.

"How long since we last met?"

"Don't exaggerate. Only a few months."

"Hahaha, yeah. Just months."

"You still dress so humbly."

"Habit, habit. Besides, I dislike luxurious clothes."

"Huh, same here. This outfit's fine."

I wore the clothes the old steward gave me a year ago. No new ones since.

Always fighting wars outside, my clothes often tore.

When they did, I got them patched or added fabric to cover the holes.

And so a year passed.

"How did you know I returned?"

"I didn't."

"Huh?"

"Came to check the fields. Ran into you by chance."

"Huhahahaha, what's this? Just like a year ago."

"Yeah. Just the same."

The wind danced around us.

Mentu watched, lost in thought.

Between Alto and me, perhaps a bond existed?

"Let's go, Mentu."

I snapped him out of his daze.

"Mhm."

Alto walked ahead. People warmly greeted him along the way.

This lord who constantly visited the fields.

They adored him.

Almost no one failed to recognize Alto.

In contrast, I was rarely noticed.

After all, I seldom showed my face.

Huh, a bit sad.

"Um... you... are you Strategist Sas?"

I felt a tug on my pants leg.

I turned.

Huh? No one?! Was I seeing ghosts in broad daylight?!

"Um... um... are you Strategist Sas, sir?"

I looked down. A five-year-old girl stared up with big, watery eyes.

She thought forgetting "sir" made me ignore her.

"Wah... sorry. I didn't use the honorific."

Her eyes welled up.

"No, no! Not at all! I was just spacing out!"

"Um... really?"

"Yeah! Skip the 'sir' stuff!"

"Oh! Then... Strategist, please take this!"

She happily handed me a piece of bread.

Bread... a luxury for most families.

"Keep it for yourself."

I patted her head.

"Wah... doesn't the Strategist like it?"

"I do! But you should eat it. You need good food to grow strong. So I'll leave it for you."

"Um... then I won't eat it. Mom and Dad said after the Strategist came, everyone got jobs and full bellies. They saw you and told me to give you this."

Huh... I had to accept it.

"Here. Eat."

Under her happy gaze, I slowly finished the bread.

Dry, but delicious...

My eyes grew a little moist without me noticing.

"Thank your parents for me."

"Mhm~ Bye, Strategist~"

She skipped away, beaming.

I was acknowledged.

An inexplicable warmth filled my heart.

"Sas? What are you doing?"

"You can't walk fast with a cane, Alto."

Wiping my eye, I slowly followed him.