A week had passed since Trafalgar arrived in Carac.
A week since the battle that shook the neutral territories.
It was enough time for the world to react.
Enough time for fear to spread.
Enough time for the truth to blur into rumor.
Now, everyone knew.
Not just nobles or merchants, not just scholars or soldiers—everyone. From the poorest districts to the highest balconies, the same topic lingered in every conversation. Whispers carried through streets, arguments erupted in taverns, and rumors twisted from mouth to mouth until no one could tell where facts ended and exaggerations began.
Blame was being assigned. Sides were being chosen.
And fear sat beneath it all.
