[Vernge County]
[Oak Town]
Old Majiya Milock woke up very early, but he just lay stiffly in bed, silently staring at the darkness of the ceiling.
His wife was the same.
In the spacious bedroom, only the soft breathing of the two could be heard.
After what seemed like a long time, finally, a sharp and loud rooster's crow broke through the oppressive silence.
Soon after, a series of sounds came from downstairs, and old Majiya listened in silence.
The morning noise that others heard drew vivid pictures in his mind:
The elderly personal valet, old Tasso, yawning and humming, pushed open the unlubricated door, pounded his equally unlubricated knees a few times, dragging his heavy steps, slowly moved towards the stable;
The live-in maid shuffled to put on her coat, tiptoed through the corridor, holding a milk jug, headed to the cowshed;
The hunting dog outside and the distant guard dogs seemed to be greeting each other, barking back and forth;
