After saying hello to the Doctor, Shade took a carriage to the city across the lake. Every time he passed the army camp near Crossroads Village by carriage, he saw something different. Arriving at the camp at sunset today, he was surprised to find that more than half of its expansion had already been completed, and there were clearly more soldiers inside.
Continuing inward, he was even more surprised to discover that outside the passage exit on the camp's Kasonlik side, another small camp had appeared.
"The southerners' camp."
Captain Rades, who had come over to greet Shade, said this as he stood with Shade beneath the sunset, watching soldiers on both the northern and southern sides busy reinforcing their camp fortifications.
Both camps had now erected simple watchtowers made of metal pipes and metal clamps, making it easier to keep watch from above. Shade also noticed that not only did people have to be inspected when leaving the Delarion side, but they also had to submit to inspection when entering the Kasonlik side.
"I remember the Kasonlik camp being a mile southeast of here, wasn't it?"
"Temporary reinforcements. We're the same. They say it was an order from the important people in the royal capitals, meant to show a tough negotiating stance."
The captain shook his head.
"Detective, the situation lately is very wrong. It looks calm on the surface, but even ordinary soldiers can see that this constantly escalating standoff is bound to cause trouble. Be more careful over in Mikella Blast Furnace City. I've heard that people who look Delarion are insulted and cursed at there."
Shade was not worried about that.
"Other than receiving new recruits and expanding the camp, have you received any other orders lately?"
Captain Rades did not hide it from Shade.
"Strengthen