Brando and Charles appeared to be wandering aimlessly along Fragrant Street. This was the Imperial Capital's most prosperous commercial district, and the tall buildings on both sides of the street had already hung up the draperies symbolizing the celebration. Artisans were building platforms piled with flowers and fine wine brought in from suburban estates.
The entire district seemed immersed in the atmosphere of the approaching celebration, but a closer look revealed details that did not fit. Few pedestrians had smiles on their faces. Apart from carefree children, almost everyone wore an expression of worry, more or less.
The heated discussion surrounding Countess Valachi's marriage had apparently not made people truly forget the war at the front. To those with some assets, the war meant the money in their accounts was dwindling. But to the people at the very bottom living in the Imperial Capital—or even across the entire region from Bankel to Cloak Bay—the war had made their already difficult lives even harder.
Prices soared, supplies dwindled, and the men were forcibly conscripted. Those left behind could barely survive.
The cost of the war was inevitably passed on to these people. Only a few could profit from it—or, rather, realize their ambitions.
"It seems Her Majesty the Queen of the Cruzian people isn't having such an easy time either," Charles remarked after looking around.
Brando nodded silently.
However, they had not come here merely to assess Silver Queen's current situation.
At his suggestion, everyone began acting separately. Faina, Delphine, and Roman disguised themselves as merchants. The Mehotofen Family still had considerable influence in the Imperial Capital, and their remaining underground forces had spent the past few months trying to rescue the Grand Duke of Flowers and Leaves. Faina's task was to contact them. Delphine's situation was much the same. The