Adriano smiles, and leads you off toward the Contessa.
As you and Adriano reach the stage, the Contessa is just finishing a speech.
"…And that's why we need to stand strong as a people, and why I will stand strong for Joju," she concludes. People clap and cheer, but one man clearly isn't convinced. He looks like a local shopkeeper.
"The capital stands on its own. Go back to the countryside!" he yells.
The Contessa looks unfazed. "Yes, it is technically true that Joju County only includes the area surrounding the capital city, but the capital is the heart of the kingdom. I work hand in hand with the Queen, for the best of all of Jubai's subjects."
"What about the witches?! Do you work for them, too?" an angry woman shouts. You're shocked to hear such open anger against witches. But then again, she's just one old lady.
The smile still doesn't fade from the Contessa's face. "Magic-users must follow the same laws as everyone else. And if any laws are broken under my watch, the penalty will be swift and just."
"What about the border?" a young man shouts.
"The border?" the Contessa asks.
"There are people, soldiers, disappearing on the border. They say the dead are rising in their place! It's the witches!"
The pure anger with which he says it particularly catches your attention. He's talking about you, after all.