[Monta Republic, Steel Fortress City]
[Two days before the blacksmith guild's election ceremony]
In the afternoon, two carriages bearing the White Eagle crest arrived one after the other at the lakeside hotel, stopping outside a detached building reserved by Baron Granashi.
An elegantly dressed elderly man alighted from the carriage and walked into the building without a sideways glance.
The head waiter recognized from afar that the elderly man was a partner from Navarre Commerce, Carlo Aide, and greeted him eagerly. However, the head waiter still did not get to see Mr. Ed; the Baron's guards sent him away.
Mr. Ed had specifically come to escort Winters and Anna.
Although the White Eagle's gathering did not start until the evening, the hospitable host, worried that the Baron visiting Steel Fortress for the first time might get lost, specially asked Mr. Ed to guide him and had sent Este family's carriage.
"Am I also supposed to go?" Anna asked uneasily.
