Li waited by the main road, next to the herb making stall he had started out with. It was empty now, with Iona's absence, but its equipment had gone to his shrine where the priests learned the elixir making methods from Iona, so in a way, it had stayed with her.

He did not alert anyone about the knights' incoming presence. Only Tia and Jeanne accompanied him outside as he had wanted the adventurers to stay with Old Thane and make sure nothing was amiss in the cooking. Sylvie had sent Jeanne out because Jeanne was not actually useful in the kitchen and she felt that the hero with her popularity could ameliorate any tensions if they arose.

He did not want to break the mood of happiness that had started up in the festival, and he was confident he was going to be able to handle this on his own. In the first place, he doubted this would amount to much of anything. The knights were probably out here just to check up on the situation after the fireworks and rain of golden light, which was understandable.

A simple explanation would keep them happy and on their way.

Li waited, and eventually, the knights appeared on the main road. A fair amount of them, half a squadron, perhaps fifty or so men, and though they were armored, they were helmetless and did not ride on horseback, none of them with unsheathed weapons nor carrying the cumbersome and heavy standard of Lys.

Tia was used to seeing knights here and there due to their patrols, so she remained relatively calm, staying close by Li's side. Li made his way down the road and waved at the knights, recognizing at the head the same young captain that he had been seeing quite often lately.

The captain nodded and waved too, and Li knew then that there would be no real issues here. Behind the captain emerged the slight figure of Swift who also waved.

"Goodness, a dragon, is it?" said Swift as he pointed to Tia with a gloved hand.

"Soon to be dragon," said Li. Swift bent down to try and pet Tia, but she reacted savagely, snapping at his hand.

Swift's hand retracted at a speed so fast that the human eye could not have possibly perceived it. It was there one moment, and in another, it was not. The speed was not impressive to Li, but he noted that it was exceptional compared to what he usually saw in this world.

"She doesn't take kindly to strangers," said Li simply.

"Oh, well dear me, I should apologize."

"You don't have to. Just tell me why you're here."

"Like I said before, I'd like us to work together. No conflict, all peace," said Swift as he flashed a smile. He turned slightly towards the group of knights behind them. "These here folk were drummed up by the temple priests. Thought the new faith was calling down literal hellfire. Almost screamed their heads off telling me to mobilize some huge army, like that would do anything.

I calmed them down, so no worries on that end."

Li raised a brow. "Then why are they still here?"

"Ah, law's still the law. If there's a complaint, then knights have to be sent out to check it out. But, as you can see, everyone here's just on the end of their shifts and are barely armed. I've led them here mostly to sate their curiosity with how the festival's been doing, not to police anything."

"Well, you can certainly see for yourselves," said Li as he gestured to the sound of talk, food, and drinks resounding from the crowd in the distance. "Nothing out of the norm. Just people enjoying the end of the summer. And food, drink, and populace all accounted for under the paperwork we filed."

"Ehrm," said the captain to get attention, and Li looked at him to give him the okay to speak.

"The lights in the sky, we'd like an explanation for," said the captain. "Not to suspect you of anything, good sir, but merely to understand."

"Understandable." Li pointed to the Everfortune tree, at its glistening red petals shining like ruby gems in the night. "That is a tree infused with divine blessing and meant only to bring fortune and goodwill upon this land. The lights you saw were merely a result of its planting, and I can assure you that no harm has or will come from it."

The captain nodded as he and his men stared at the tree, awed at its jewel-like brilliance. "Certainly, we believe you, it is simply a matter of regulation that we must investigate the tree. Would you mayhaps be fine with an Arcanist ascertaining the nature of the tree?"

"I would be fine with that," said Li. "So long as it grants you and the denizens of this city peace of mind. An official declaration from you or lord Lys, someone familiar, would do better than my own words."

Li did not mind anyone attempting to divine the tree's effects. The hidden effects of Celestial-tier items – the effects that truly mattered – did not show up under divination, and he did not particularly care that the knights knew that the tree would truly give them good fortune. In fact, he would encourage it to start building trust between the Rivierans and his new faith.

"Most certainly," the captain nodded. "I have nothing against your faith, good sir, but the people are still wary of it. But truly, I hope that we may stand together under the Light's good graces."

"Why only the Light's graces?" said Li. "You and your men are ending your shift, no? How about taking some time to join in on our festivities? It would do well for this city's defenders to take a break now and then."

"Why, that is a blessed idea!" said Jeanne with a beaming smile. "The more the merrier, as it is said."

"Well, um, would we not be imposing upon you?" said the captain as he put a hand to his curled hair. "There is the matter of provisions, certainly, we would overbear on the food you have brought, and it would be truly not do to enjoy your hospitality without bearing gifts of our own."

"I'd be game," murmured one of the captain's men from behind him.

"Aye, and the hero's there, too. Mighty fine reason to take a break. Mighty good sight for sore eyes, too."

"Like she'd take a look at you and your crooked old nose."

The captain sighed. "I must apologize for my men." He coughed into his hand before raising his voice. "Men! There is nothing wrong afoot here. March back to the barracks and rest yourselves well!"

A general murmur of disgruntlement spread throughout the knights, prompting the captain to pause for a few seconds. With a shrug, he relayed a new order, "You owe me for this one, lads! Shift ends early now. Do as you wish with your newfound time, but do not do anything that may cause dishonor to fall upon the dove of peace that we have pledged our service to."

A cheer went through the knights as many of them began to unclasp their armor.

"Are you sure about this?" said the captain to Li.

"Why the hells not, Louis," said Swift as he put a friendly arm around the captain. "You should take a break, too. Especially after listening to that hour-long rant from the priests."

"I will second that suggestion," said Li. "Consider it some measure of thanks for your service in taking down Chevrette. And as for food and drink, do not worry much. We have enough surplus to manage."

"I am honored by the offer, but alas, I cannot," said Louis with a shake of his head. "My wife is with child, and my ears will be left ringing should I return home late or, gods forbid, drunk."

"Then that is simply too bad. Family comes first, after all." Li nodded to the captain.

"The men are a handful, but they are all good natured. If any mischief arises from their conduct, please let me know," said Louis with a short bow before he turned to leave. His men saluted him as he took a lonesome path down the main road, back to the city.

Evidently, they understood the familial duties that bound him.