Several months flashed by, and the Western Continent had entered late spring.
Within Port Vias, flowers bloomed in riotous splendor. As though they knew that the lush spring of blossoms was about to depart, they were bursting into bloom with mad abandon. Swarms of bees and butterflies flitted among the flowers, reveling in the final stretch of spring's feast.
Ships still came and went within the harbor, while the statue of the Goddess of Wealth continued to hold aloft that enormous gold coin, glittering brilliantly beneath the sun.
Yet every face in Port Vias bore an unspoken shadow of worry and gravity. The events of the past year had shaken the entire Vias Commercial Federation to its core, and Port Vias, where the Federation's capital stood, was undoubtedly at the heart of every storm.
First, those great aristocratic houses that had once enjoyed immense renown within the Federation had collapsed and been wiped out in barely two months. Their clansmen scattered like fireflies bursting apart, fleeing to every corner of the continent. Taking their place were a dozen or so newly risen families of wealthy merchants.
Second, just as great upheaval erupted within the Federation's powerful families, the Dragon Wing Legion under the Governor of Caesar Empire's southern frontier had suddenly crossed the towering mountain ranges between the two nations. Advancing three hundred miles south through Vicoe Pass, it captured Vicoe Fortress of the Vias Commercial Federation and invaded Federation territory.
Turmoil within, powerful enemies without—attacked from both sides, the Vias Commercial Federation instantly fell into utter chaos.
Several of the Federation's consuls had even vanished along with the collapse of the families behind them. The newly appointed consuls were busy fighting for power and profit, while the Dragon Wing Legion had occupied most of the Federation's two northern provinces.