On April 15, 1991, by the Holy Calendar, a fast rider galloped into Franklin Harbor like the wind and headed straight for City Hall.
After reaching the entrance to City Hall, the rider tumbled from the saddle onto the ground. The Inner Guard Soldiers on duty hurried over and helped him up.
The man's chest heaved violently. Clearly, he had ridden there without stopping. Gasping for breath, he said, "They've rebelled! They've rebelled! Those damned commoners have risen up. I want to see the mayor! I want to see the mayor!"
Hearing the word "rebellion," the soldiers on guard dared not be careless. After searching him from head to toe, they hurriedly helped him into City Hall.
Half an hour later, the Internal Guard Unit and militia in Franklin Harbor hastily assembled and rushed toward the city gate. To their surprise, they found that Franklin Harbor's city gate was actually closed. Ever since the lord had eradicated the pirates and launched a major crackdown, the gate had never been closed during the day.
Something major must have happened. Many people thought so.
"That's my preliminary idea..."
At Franklin Harbor's Navy Base, Austin was discussing the navy's recent battle plans with its senior officers.
Not long ago, the Staff Department in Lakeheart Town had decided to launch attacks on two fronts. After the army occupied half of Emden's territory, it hoped the navy could also make a name for itself in the war. Austin naturally supported the idea with both hands.
What displeased him was that the Staff Department's expectations for them were still far too conservative. It merely wanted the navy to sail upstream along the Ves River and blockade the various inland docks in Maltz Kent's sphere of influence in the east.
They were looking down on the