Hobart Playing Both Sides

Hobart's intention in bringing Audrey along was obvious. Longtail Island and South Colson were Fors's "private preserve," while the entire Earl's Light would be placed under Audrey's command in the future.

But the South Baylam Duchy was different. It would certainly become a kingdom in the future, his absolute stronghold.

Hobart wanted Conrad and the rest of his trusted followers to understand that this kingdom would have Two Queens in the future.

He knew that those from South Colson, like Conrad, would certainly favor Fors more, but as long as they did not oppose Audrey becoming the other queen, that was enough.

Hobart introduced Audrey to the duchy's senior officials one by one. Her upbringing as a young noblewoman allowed her to handle them with poised grace.

She was delighted to attend such a meeting. It meant Hobart was bringing her into the South Baylam Duchy's inner circle.

Once everyone had taken their seats in the war room, the meeting officially began.

Audrey sat beside Hobart, but she knew perfectly well that she was still merely an observer. She only needed to listen carefully.

The first topic of discussion was the takeover of the Saint Norsay Basin.

The situation here differed from Longtail Island. The entire basin was essentially made up of Loen People's farms. They had bought the land from the Governor's Office back then, which meant they were the legal owners of those lands.

The colonization of this basin also differed from that of Longtail Island. Most of the farm owners were Loen immigrants, including fugitives, former pirates, and adventurers.

Of course, the largest group consisted of Loen's poor. Unable to survive in that country, they had come here and spent very little money to buy huge tracts of land, herding livestock or growing crops in freedom and