Reasonable and Understanding

Throughout the night, Blackwater City grew lively once more. Large numbers of troops moved back and forth through the city, the curfew that had only just been lifted was imposed again, and shouts and the pounding footsteps of marching formations echoed everywhere.

Such large-scale changes within Blackwater City left its residents deeply uneasy. They wondered whether another army had attacked and whether Blackwater City was about to be plunged into another siege!

They had only just endured a siege. Though it had not lasted long, those days had been difficult, and many feared that the fighting which had only recently subsided would engulf them again. They planned to leave the city at first light the next morning!

However, the leaders of the major merchant guilds did not think much of it. They had already received notice from the Interim Management Committee and the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce that Viscount Victor would be leading part of the army north, but that it would not affect the city's defenses. The main force of the Southern Marching Legion would remain in Blackwater City.

In the name of the Governor's Mansion, Victor also expressed his gratitude to these merchant guilds. After all, without their assistance, the Interim Management Committee could not have gathered so many mules and horses in such a short time.

Of course, these merchant guilds had not helped for nothing. A large portion of the mules and horses collected by the Interim Management Committee had been rented from them, and rent would be paid at twenty percent above market price.

At the same time, Gaita of the Interim Management Committee assured the merchant guilds that if these mules or other livestock suffered losses due to injury or illness, the Interim Management Committee would compensate them at market price. The merchant