Translator: Cinder Translations
...
The residents of Lion's Port spent a sleepless and nerve-wracking night.
Their slumber was abruptly shattered by deafening cannon fire, with blazing flames illuminating the harbor—an alarming sight indeed.
Faced with such chaos, no one could sleep. Women huddled in their homes, trembling in prayer, while men stepped outside to exchange information with neighbors.
Soon, messengers from City Hall took to the streets with loudspeakers, announcing that a small group of pirates had infiltrated the harbor, causing damage but were now cornered by the military. Citizens were ordered to return home immediately and avoid spreading rumors.
Simultaneously, a large contingent of police began cordoning off key intersections, restricting movement and gatherings.
The flames in the harbor caused widespread anxiety among merchants with warehouses full of stock. Many cursed the audacity of these pirates, praying for them to be damned to the depths of hell.
This tense atmosphere lasted until dawn. With the arrival of sunlight, City Hall lifted the curfew, and people finally breathed a sigh of relief, reassured that the situation was under control.
The streets, once eerily quiet, suddenly buzzed with activity as residents sought more information. Most in Lion's Port were tied to maritime trade, and the appearance of such daring pirates was unnerving.
---
Inside the City Hall, Liszt gazed out of the meeting room window at the bustling central square, his expression heavy with concern.
"This is the first time this city has faced an invasion, and it's clearly shaken the public's confidence," he said.
In front of City Hall's gates, crowds were pressing for news, but the guards could only assure them that investigations were ongoing and offer no other details. Even the city's leadership had only just begun to piece together the puzzle.
Turning back, Liszt's eyes settled on Martin, the merchant kneeling on the floor, tied up tightly.
"Duke Giles is one of the kingdom's most prominent lords. If he hears you've implicated him, he'll have you flayed alive."
Martin, trembling uncontrollably, stammered, "I swear on my life, Lord Liszt, I wouldn't dare deceive you. It was Duke Giles who forced me to assist in this attack on Lion's Port! My entire family is under his control. I had no choice! How could a mere merchant like me dare provoke Lord Grayman… I mean, touch a tiger's tail?"
Liszt frowned deeply, turning to Navy Commander Quik for confirmation.
Quik shook his head. "The main combatants in the invasion were bizarrely resilient, fighting to their last breath despite severe injuries. We couldn't capture a single one alive. The regular sailors, on the other hand, claim to know nothing. They were simply following orders."
Liszt was troubled—Martin's testimony alone wasn't enough.
Although Giles was notorious for his rebellious streak, the current fragile peace between him and the kingdom made it hard to determine whether this was a deliberate escalation.
A whispering aide approached Liszt, delivering a brief message.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Liszt announced to the room, "I need to step away. Continue the interrogation."
---
Hurrying to his office, Liszt found Sevya waiting for him.
"Where have you been all night?!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with relief as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
Sevya, who had volunteered to investigate the harbor, had been missing all night, leaving Liszt distraught, though he had hidden it well as the city's administrator.
After a moment, she gently freed herself. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I was tracking a spellcaster among the invaders but, unfortunately, he escaped."
"A spellcaster?!" Liszt's face darkened. "You mean…"
"Yes," Sevya confirmed grimly. "One of the invaders was a spellcaster—and he serves Giles!"
Liszt's mind raced, connecting the dots with Martin's earlier confession. "How do you know?"
"I recognized him," Sevya said with disdain. "Dirk Doyle—an unscrupulous, spineless mage who would sell his soul to a devil for profit. He used to spread messages in our circle, recruiting spellcasters for his master, Giles."
"That aligns perfectly with what we've uncovered!" Liszt said, equal parts alarmed and vindicated.
"While escaping, he dropped this," Sevya added, handing over an object.
Liszt examined it closely, exclaiming in surprise, "Collins' crest?"
Sevya's expression soured further. "So, he's working for Collins now? That lapdog of the Church of the Bay? He's responsible for the deaths of countless of our kind. I underestimated Doyle's lack of principles."
Liszt pondered aloud, "Could it be that Giles and the Bay Church are in league? This crest might be a tool to distinguish friend from foe. Those warriors certainly looked like southern Aldorian residents."
"This must be reported to Alden Town immediately," he concluded.
---
At Alden Town, Paul sat in his study, staring at the urgent report on his desk, his expression pained.
"Why does trouble always find its way to me?" he muttered.
The report detailed the failed invasion. While the threat had been neutralized, Paul felt as though he had been blindsided. He couldn't fathom why Giles, with whom he had no enmity, would launch such an attack.
Hensel, seated nearby, offered a wry smile. "Marquis, to some people, the world is black and white—you're either a friend or an enemy. Since you refused Giles' overtures, he likely sees you as the latter."
Paul nodded, quickly refocusing on the practical. "Lion's Port is isolated. If they keep harassing us, we'll be in trouble. We could blockade his ports, but is there another way to retaliate?"
Hensel, as if prepared for this, immediately suggested, "We may be far from Giles, but the royal domain is much closer. Perhaps the warm southern climate has made him complacent. A little stimulation might be in order."
(End of the Chapter)
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