Corpse Mountain Settlement had collated the last remnants of their crops, resources, and denizens from around their territory.
The tilled fields were barren and left behind. The houses are no longer full of life. The wealth of the Settlement was stripped.
A large group of people were gathered around. There were carriages pulled by horses and Oxen, a myriad of tarps wrapped over a myriad of bundled crops and packaged resources.
Intertwined with the groups of the ordinary denizens were the mortal Warriors and Cultivators, guarding the large group should any potential threats arise.
Of course, the strongest of the Cultivators were held at the frontmost, middledmost, and backmost sections of the group.
Warrior of Spring and the Settlement Lord were at the front. Both of them were conversing with Call of Winter, who would take the middle-centre of the group.
"We are in the final moments of our preparations before we leave, Lord. Our departure will be made at your call."
"Yes, friend Spring. When all the people have settled into their accommodations and roles, we begin our departure."
"Lord, I will maintain the snowy veil for another night after we leave. I hope that the obscuration will allow us to continue moving forward unprovoked."
"I am grateful for the aid of the Four Seasons' Cultivators."
With a polite nod, Call of Winter left a few words behind before she left.
"Upon reaching the general area of Union Settlement's ruins, I will return to Veiled Forest Settlement with company. I will prepare our Settlement to convene with yours, and soon, the rest of the subsidiary Mortal Settlements."
Saying so, Call of Winter stepped into the orderly group and headed to the middle-centre.
Also taking up the middledmost alignments, to the left and right of Call of Winterv were Golden Eagle and Axe-Wielding Fiend, respectively.
Guarding the back of the large group was Sun and Shade of Autumn.
He was only dressed in his brown robes, but fashioned a new set of silver armour from the Settlement Lord. Also, the bubble which withholds Immersion still surrounds Sun's head.
"This could be a terrible journey full of strife and hardships, or one of ease... I can only hope for the latter, for the sake of these people."
Yet, even as he said this, Sun lost his gaze in the people before him.
Reminiscing on the bygone time when he lost his people. Evacuating his people from the Demons who attacked Star Gazing Settlement.
It was very similar to that time.
Except...
'I have the strength to fight. I have a new role to prove here... I have a chance for redemption.'
And so... even though he wished for the people's safety, he, too, wished for conflict to arise. For if conflict were to arise, he would be given a chance for redemption.
Sun gripped his halberd tightly and lost himself to his twisted thoughts.
Booming through the air was an authoritative tone, a command that stiffened everyone.
"Departure is due in twenty minutes. Address the last of your preparations, any hinderances implicate all, so please, do not withhold your accompanying denizens!"
"The Evacuation Group is finally being put into motion."
That last voice was quieter, unlike the one of booming authority.
It came from behind him.
Shade of Autumn idled nearby; she was also responsible for this backmost position.
"Sen—... Autumn..."
"Sun, you are prepared, yes?"
"Yes, I believe so. Though I must say, I was caught in a reminisce at the moment."
"Is that so? Ease up, we will have a long time ahead of us..."
The gentle reassurance was not unwelcome, but it bred an awkward tension between the two.
Sun certainly did not forget being slapped to the ground, but he let that go. However, considering his new circumstance, there should be a deeper bond between the two of them.
Not only with Autumn, but Spring and Winter, too.
"Autumn, should I become Herald of Summer, what exactly am i to do...?"
"Well... Sister Winter and Brother Spring want you to support Veiled Forest Settlement. That will be most of your duties. You simply must keep your support on our side."
Sun nodded in response, but there was another meaning he had in mind. Unsatisfied with this answer, he changed his question.
"As Herald of Summer, how much freedom am I granted?"
"What do you mean, Sun?"
"If I become Herald, will I leave for battle? Will I stay within the Settlement and handle political affairs? Will I become a mere icon of the Four Seasons' Cultivators...?"
"..."
"What is Herald of Summer to the Four Seasons' Cultivators, what is he to Veiled Forest Settlement, or to the world itself? I am unfamiliar with him... but I wish to fulfil my role properly."
Sun wanted to become strong, but to do so, he had to uphold the image of the previous Herald of Summer.
If he could not accomplish that... then he would have no right to maintain the position.
Shade of Autumn went silent, thinking of how to explain Sun's situation to him.
"Well... first, for your debut, you should start addressing your Seniors as Sister Winter and Brother Spring, not simply as Seniors."
"So, I am to call you Sister Autumn, too?"
"No. Just call me Autumn."
Walking closer to Sun, Shade of Autumn reached out a hand.
The bubble that withholds Immersion strengthened, expanding from around Sun's head to roughly five meters in diameter.
"Next, you should be more cautious when speaking aloud about this subject. I have increased the bubble radius to only surround us two, so we can speak privately from Immersion."
"I see... Forgive me, that was my fault."
Sun cast his gaze down sheepishly. This small mistake dampened his emotions a little, but Shade of Autumn reassured him.
"Do not worry too much about your behaviour. As long as you are there for the people, then your role as Herald will be fulfilled."
"There for the people...?"
"Indeed. The previous Herald of Summer was a guardian of the Settlement; he protected the Settlement time and time again, before even I became the heir of Autumn."
"So, a guardian, or a warrior, is the role I have to fulfil?"
"Not quite. You must remember that the people need aid beyond battle strength. When a person is injured, you must be there, to catch them or help them in any way possible."