Horace climbed out of his carriage and stood outside the Obsidian Castle. Taking a deep breath, his heart relaxed knowing he had finally returned home. Although he would return to work if ordered, Alfred gave him a small leave after the work he had done. Hearing rumours of what happened after his departure, Horace couldn't be sure if it was a success, but at least it weakened the Severian military. That was all that mattered, delaying any chance of war until the Empire made its advancement under Alfred's watch.