Setting Sail

Victor was curious, though. Who had suggested the canal project to Alex?

When Victor asked, Alex answered at once. "An engineer from the Raine Kingdom mainland suggested it. Victor, do you remember Baron Rossi?"

Victor did. He nodded. That unlucky minor noble from the Raine Kingdom had left quite an impression on him. But after Alex brought Rossi back to the Northlands, Count Colt had met him once and placed him under supervision.

Victor hadn't seen Baron Rossi since the Civil War began. He had probably remained in the Northlands all this time.

"Baron Rossi was a great help. As a noble from within the Raine Kingdom, he gave us a lot of useful information and helped us understand the kingdom's nobility much better.

"So my father granted Baron Rossi a new fief and asked the Kingdom Navy to find his family.

"What I didn't expect was that, early this year, the Kingdom Navy brought not only Baron Rossi's family but also several people from the Raine Kingdom. They were his friends and relatives, including that engineer.

"The engineer's name is Casimian. Like Baron Rossi, he comes from a minor border noble family, though he holds no title himself. He's extremely capable, though, and studied for years in the royal capital, Golden Tree City.

"When he heard what had happened back home, he rushed back, found Baron Rossi's family, and looked after them for a while. When the Kingdom Navy came for them, he was still worried, so he accompanied them to the Vela Region.

"After I received the navy's people, I had my subordinates escort Baron Rossi's family to the Northlands. Casimian went with them.

"During that trip, he surveyed the transport routes between the Central Region and the Northlands. He concluded that a canal could be built here