At the Castle Main Gate, the officer on duty atop the outer wall saw the gaunt old man arrive and immediately ordered the soldiers to lower the drawbridge. At the same time, he sent someone to inform the lord.
In the study, Locke Abner stared at the symbols on the paper, deep in thought.
"Danger is coming from the sea. That can only mean pirates."
"The timing of their arrival is vague. It seems there's an insider, but it probably isn't that cult controlled by Count Naviki in Deda Ji Town. So who is it?"
At that thought, a sharp glint flashed through Locke's eyes.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the study door. Locke came back to his senses and set the paper in his hand alight.
Once it had burned to ashes, Locke said coldly, "Come in."
Outside the study, a middle-aged man in plain cloth robes pushed open the door and entered. Reaching the desk, he lowered his head in salute. "My lord, your guest has arrived."
Locke rose to his feet. As he passed the middle-aged man, he ordered, "Clean this place up."
"Yes, my lord," the middle-aged man replied with his head lowered.
After leaving the study, Locke did not change clothes. He went to receive his guest in the same gray cloth robes he was wearing.
At the castle gate, Velin examined the outer wall. The damaged areas had received only simple repairs, and everything looked impoverished.
Truly poor, or merely pretending to be poor?
Given his earlier suspicions, Velin could not tell whether Locke had deliberately arranged this display for his arrival, or whether the Abner Territory had always been like this.
"Lord Velin, welcome!"
The sudden voice pulled Velin back to reality. Looking up, he saw Locke walking toward him with an