"I have to apologize for having you see us like this. We initially prepared and made our village look more presentable last week..." The village chief walked with his cane, his steps slow and deliberate, as if each one weighed on him more than the last.
Florian frowned slightly as they ventured deeper into the crumbling village. "It's fine... if anything, we should be the ones apologizing."
"What for? At the end of the day, you only follow the king." The village chief's voice was steady, but there was something beneath his tone—resignation, perhaps. Florian fell silent at his words, and so did Heinz. The weight of unspoken truths pressed between them. Noticing their silence, the village chief spoke again. "What did you say your names were? I almost forgot we haven't properly introduced ourselves. I am the chief of this village. You can call me Augustus."
