Blurred Intelligence

Victor needed to discuss a few more details before taking Count Brando away from his territory. Since it was getting late, he had Brando follow a servant to his room and rest.

After Brando left, the others continued their discussion in the room.

Victor was also interested in the current situation in Suffolk County. The Intelligence Department had gathered reports, but the Eastern Region was not its focus. Its information could hardly be as detailed as what came from Great Oak Territory. For one thing, the pirates from the south had not appeared in Orlando's intelligence summary.

"How are things in Suffolk County now? Are there any other problems? Those loyalist nobles have been behaving themselves, I take it?"

The other three exchanged glances at Victor's question. In the end, Baron Magnus answered. "Suffolk County is doing fairly well. The main fighting in the Eastern Region took place here, but it began early and ended quickly, so the noble territories suffered no serious damage.

"After that battle, their private armies were wiped out. The Silver Maple Ducal House is gone, and the former loyalist nobles had land and people confiscated. Of course they wouldn't dare cause trouble.

"According to Great Oak Territory's surveillance, they're all busy preparing the goods and people they have to hand over. They have neither the means nor the energy to stir anything up.

"But these small bands of pirates from the south have exposed a problem. They keep their movements hidden and only attack small fishing villages along the coast.

"They use small boats and fast boats. Vessels that size shouldn't be able to stay at sea for long, and the poor fishing villages they attack can't provide enough supplies.

"Normally, they'd need larger ships waiting offshore where they could rest and resupply. But we