Karnak, Monarch of Death

While Karnak and his party wandered across the continent, the seasons had quietly turned to early summer. On the fifth day since they left Sellas Temple, the group finally arrived at the Zestrad Barony.

Riding along the road, they spotted serfs scattered across the green barley fields, working hard at their farming.

"Oh? It’s the lord!"

"And there’s Varos, back as well."

"Say Sir Varos, will you? He’s a knight now."

"Right, right. Still can’t get used to that."

For a land that had once fallen under the occupation of a cult, the barony looked surprisingly peaceful. Well, considering even Maloka hadn’t done much harm to the common folk, it made sense that recovery hadn’t been too difficult. The Zestrad manor itself looked just as it always had.

The elderly butler, Tafel, greeted Karnak with his usual calm composure. "Welcome home, my lord."

"Everything’s been well?"

It had been a long time since they’d returned home. Everyone took the chance to rest and shake off their travel fatigue.

The very next day, Karnak wasted no time in assessing the state of his domain. "Looks like the crops are doing fine."

Thanks to quickly injecting funds to replenish livestock, they’d managed to meet the sowing season in time. The harvest seemed well on track.