When the leading troops of the Northern Expeditionary Army's homecoming force sailed west along the Yeming River and reached Green Tooth Peak, many people were already waiting eagerly at the Demacian border.
Those waiting were not official greeters, but merchants who had invested in Yeming City's development. They showed the returning Northern Expeditionary Army astonishing enthusiasm. Though they weren't allowed aboard the ships, they still held up all kinds of banners along the riverbank, cheering and waving their flags.
The soldiers of the Northern Expeditionary Army were more than a little bewildered by the sight. Before they'd set out, construction of Yeming City had only just begun, so they had no idea why so many people had come to welcome them at Green Tooth Peak—and it didn't look like an official reception, either.
But Lux, who was aboard one of the ships, read a great deal of interesting information into the scene.
"Looks like construction in Yeming City is going smoothly." She smiled as she spoke to Karya. "Otherwise, so many merchants wouldn't have gathered here—and there are plenty of signs from companies I've never even heard of."
"They certainly have keen noses." Karya nodded. "Whether it's the stir caused by the Northern Expeditionary Army's return or the army itself, it's bound to influence Demacia's markets for a long time to come. Getting here first and making a good impression is a smart move."
"They're very well-informed." Lux paused thoughtfully. "I hope the information wasn't leaked, and that they heard it from Old Gate instead."
Karya nodded at that.
Lux had caught on quickly. That was indeed one of the more important issues at hand.
If the merchants had learned the news from Old Gate, from Nokmoche, then that was a good thing. It meant Demacian merchants in Yeming City