The matter of going to war with the gods was being kept secret for the time being, but Castel and Blood Port's shift to a wartime footing could not be hidden.
Very soon, everyone from the military to ordinary civilians felt the change.
This massive industrial complex began operating at full capacity.
Factories that had once operated only during the day began rotating shifts. People rested, but the machines did not, running day and night without pause.
Many lower-priority factories had their production lines converted.
All kinds of arms and weapons were being mass-produced, while the shipyards at the port expanded by more than a dozen docks in one go, preparing to launch ships in rapid succession.
Castel was gradually transforming into an enormous war machine.
At the same time, an Imperial delegation took up permanent residence in Blood Port, handling daily exchanges of information. Naturally, they were kept under close surveillance.
"You're that... that nun who reads Nini's books?"
Little Gwen cried out in surprise.
Lynn, dressed in a nun's habit, shuddered. She turned her head with difficulty and forced out a smile uglier than a sob.
"L-Lady Gwen, y-you've mistaken me for someone else. I didn't read..."
"No! It was you! You even gathered people together to read them!"
Lynn hurriedly ran to Little Gwen's side, trying to cover her mouth.
After all, they were out on the street. It would be terrible if someone overheard!
"What's going on?" A companion beside them looked over in confusion. Lynn froze, then swiftly pulled Little Gwen into her arms and covered her mouth. "N-no, it's nothing. I ran into a friend."
"You... mmph, mmph!"
Only after sending her companion away did Lynn hurriedly crouch down and look directly at the dazed Little Gwen. "Lady Gwen... please keep your voice down.