Don't Speak, We're on the Same Side!

In Athens, before those Divine Blood Aristocrats still dreaming in their beds could figure out what was happening, heavily armored infantry and Divine Blood guards came knocking, dragged them from their blankets, and hauled them off to military camps or Mount of the God of War for "tea." The remaining small fry stared at the phalanxes of spears outside "guarding" their safety and behaved as meekly as startled quail.

After enduring the long night, the returning Saint King carried out a swift, decisive crackdown. The Fist of Justice uprooted most of the dead branches and rotten leaves parasitizing Athens's flourishing tree.

As the warm, gentle morning sunlight washed away the lingering darkness of night, the sky became bright and clear after its cleansing. Residents pushed open their doors, stepped onto the avenues and streets, and began another busy day.

Changes among the upper-class noble lords and political struggles had no impact whatsoever on the lives of the lower classes. Those who needed to eat still had to eat, and those who needed to earn money to support their families still had to do so.

Moreover, without those Divine Blood Aristocrats roaming about and extorting people every day, the order of the entire city became even more orderly, while the sounds of prosperity and bustle rose several notches above usual.

As for the Saint King's return, aside from giving the Athenians some gossip for after meals, it failed to stir up much of a storm.

Still, with warships gathering at the harbor and squads of heavily armored infantry making preparations, quite a few people caught the scent of unease.

War was probably coming.

Just then, a shabby little boat passed the inspections at the edge of the sea and quietly sailed into Icarus Port beneath the morning light.

The three passengers