Today, Sedona City welcomed yet another influx of visitors. Among them were Viscount Gini of Mar City, a middle-aged man with a prominent bald spot, and Viscount Isaac of Michelle City, a lean, wizened old man.
These two renowned city lords of the Western Lands arrived just as their ships docked at the harbor. As they disembarked, their respective parties merged on the pier.
"This port is truly something else," Gini remarked, his eyes sweeping across the bustling docks. "If only my Mar City had a harbor like this."
"Keep dreaming," Isaac's raspy voice cut in. He stomped his foot against the solid ground and added helplessly, "Look at this paving. To cover an area this size in stone bricks would cost no less than ten thousand gold pieces."
Every lord wanted such a port, but the sheer individual cost was enough to make one cough up blood.
"I'm just saying," Viscount Gini sighed. "Who could afford to build this? If Mar City were half as prosperous as this place, I'd grit my teeth and build it, knowing I'd make the money back eventually."
But with Mar City's lackluster markets, building a port like this would be a death sentence—no merchants would bother coming, and he'd go bankrupt in a heartbeat.
"Isn't this visit our big chance?" Isaac asked with a faint, testing smile. "You didn't come here just for the scenery; you're here to partner with Lucas."
"Tch... Viscount Isaac, save the posturing. We both want the same thing." Gini took a hat from his guard and placed it over his bald head.
"Heh, then let's see who manages to secure Lord Lucas's friendship," Isaac replied, his smile not reaching his eyes.
"Let's move," Gini commanded, waving his hand to signal his two guards. Having done his research on Sedona City's regulations, he had left the majority of his knights back on the ships.
"The competition has begun," Isaac murmured. His Michelle City was currently in a state of depression. In fact, most cities in the Western Lands were stagnant—lifeless pools with no development and no merchant traffic. Coming to Sedona City was their attempt to break that stillness by partnering with Lucas.
After clearing customs and boarding a rented carriage, they headed toward the heart of the city.
"This place is unique. So many novelties," Gini marveled. Even the customs checkpoint had been turned into a sophisticated operation by Lucas, making Gini burn with envy. They all had brains—why was this man's so much sharper?
"Why are you sitting in my carriage? Can't you rent your own?" Isaac frowned at the thick-skinned Gini, who had squeezed in beside him.
"Don't be so stingy. We arrived together; sitting together makes it easier to communicate," Gini replied, completely ignoring the look of disdain.
"You're the one who insisted on tagging along! Who wanted to come with you?" Isaac was still fuming. He had planned this trip in secret, only for Gini to find out and force his way into the party.
"Oh? Look over there. Why are they transporting so much wool?" Gini quickly changed the subject, pointing out the window.
On the road, a dozen carriages were hauling square bales of wool secured by rope nets.
"What is Lucas planning? Bringing this much wool into the city," Isaac mused, his attention successfully diverted as he tried to decipher Lucas's intent.
"Who knows? Maybe he's making wool blankets?" Gini suggested. To him, that was the only logical use for wool.
"Possible. With so many merchants here, he wouldn't have trouble selling them," Isaac agreed.
"Should we form a temporary alliance?" Gini asked, his expression turning serious. "I hear quite a few city lords have already arrived in Sedona City."
"We'll see," Isaac replied curtly.
"Fine by me." Gini shrugged. For them, as long as the other nobles didn't unite against them, they weren't particularly worried about individual competition.
Soon, the carriage arrived in Sedona City. As they stepped out, they were immediately stunned by the sheer level of prosperity. The streets were teeming with people, and countless wagons were piled high with goods.
"They say Sedona City is prosperous, but seeing it today... it truly lives up to its reputation," Gini whispered.
"Wait, why is that shop surrounded by so many people?" Isaac noticed a crowd nearby. Judging by their clothes, they were either wealthy or influential.
"Let's go take a look." Gini led the way.
As they reached the edge of the crowd, they heard shouts of excitement: "Princess Lucy is really here! It's unbelievable!"
"Heavens! I actually saw a real princess! This is amazing!"
Gini and Isaac looked at each other in shock. A princess of the realm... here?
If they had seen the leaflets distributed in Liberty City, they might have known why. But Lucas hadn't targeted the surrounding cities with the flyers yet, and since they had been traveling, they were completely in the dark. Had they known the Fourth Prince was launching an invasion, they might not have dared to come at all.
"This Lucas is something else. Even a princess is staying here?" Gini gasped.
"It seems we've all underestimated him," Isaac shook his head. He had already held a high opinion of Lucas, but the reality was far exceeding his expectations.
"Gold Coin Supermarket... What a strange name for a shop." Gini stood on his tiptoes to read the plaque above the store, which bore shimmering gold characters: Gold Coin Supermarket.
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