First Return to Southern Ridge, and the Territory Had Already Rebelled

The commercial and industrial district north of Nauman City had a gentle name—Gentle Breeze Harbor—but its reality was far worse than its name suggested. Ever since the Southern Ridge Legion built its first military factory here one hundred and fifty years ago, the gentle breeze of Gentle Breeze Harbor had often carried the reek of forged steel and molten metal.

A hundred and fifty years later, the military factories had gradually transformed into production parks manufacturing all kinds of light industrial goods, supplying the vast majority of Southern Ridge's newly developed towns and estates with the farm tools, weapons, lanterns, and alchemical raw materials they needed.

The smell of potions and the metallic stench filled this place. The mild breeze slowly dispersed them, but the ever-running workshops produced more without end.

No wild animal should have wanted to come near here, but that was the wonder of the Terra Continent—flocks upon flocks of Ironbeak Gulls loved this unnatural scent. Crying out, they darted through the gray haze above Gentle Breeze Harbor, occasionally shedding one or two gray feathers.

At the docks by the sea, an endless stream of merchant ships delivered the raw materials needed by the workshops and carried away finished goods. A tall gray watchtower stood upon the azure sea, its summit shining with conspicuous golden light even in daylight. The core of thunder flickered atop the tower, guiding passing vessels and serving as a weapon to drive away nearby Magic Beasts.

With a Steel-Pattern Sword hanging at his waist, the white-haired youth walked along the coastal street. The brown wooden breakwater technology had originated from the Elves of Canaanmore. Thinking carefully, the Empire's connection with Canaanmore had shown signs decades ago. People had merely assumed it was an ordinary technical exchange, never imagining it had been the