Lion Harbor

Lister stood beside the enormous window of his office, gazing out at the bustling scene beyond.

Many buildings were under construction outside. Some were still laying their foundations, some had begun putting up walls, and others were already being decorated and finished.

He was currently on a small peninsula jutting into the sea from the southern territory of the Horn Bay Alliance. It was not far from the alliance's capital, Niceburg; riding a fast horse, one could reach Niceburg in less than half a day.

After receiving his appointment from Paul Greiman, the Arda Earl, Lister quickly began fulfilling his duties.

Using his official status, he approached Marcus, the Chairman of the Horn Bay Alliance's council, as well as Joe Foster, who wielded considerable influence within the council. He requested permission to purchase a small plot of land where merchants from Northwest Bay could stay, replenish their supplies, and dry their goods.

The Horn Bay Alliance was busy with war, which had dealt a heavy blow to trade. Merchants from other countries had been affected to varying degrees, so the council was not surprised when Earl Greiman sent someone to make this request.

But they still refused.

The Horn Bay Alliance was quite wealthy. Even after a year of war with the Horn Bay Church, its finances had not yet been exhausted, so the council was not short of money.

But under the current circumstances, there was one thing the Horn Bay Alliance could never have too much of—military equipment.

Lister seized upon this weakness. After repeated negotiations, he represented Earl Greiman in promising the council a supply of military equipment worth roughly five hundred thousand Aldo Silver Shields. At last, he secured a small corner of land called Lion Cape, covering approximately fifty mu.

There was one imperfection: the