In a farm in Texas, Confederate States of America, thick smoke was billowing into the sky, clearly visible even dozens of miles away.
Watching the blaze, Odell, the farm's owner, was filled with mixed emotions.
Having lived most of his life, this was the first time he had encountered a buyer who, after purchasing grain, did not haul it away but burned it right where it lay.
Yet for Divine Shield's sake, no matter how bizarre the buyer's request was, Odell would not refuse.
Unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, Odell voiced the question in his heart. "Mr. Ulbert, our transaction is complete.
"But such fine grain is being burned just like this. Don't you think it's a pity?"
Ulbert replied helplessly, "There's no other way. The French are sharpening their knives, preparing to invade my homeland.
"As a merchant, I have no ability to return home and fight, but I still want to do what little I can.
"Not long ago, news came from Europe that Austria had finally intervened officially. They even issued a declaration ordering the French to cease their acts of war, or else they would call on all nations of the world to impose a material embargo on France.
"I hear thirteen countries have already announced their participation. This is the only chance to avert war.
"As long as the French cannot buy enough strategic supplies, they will lack the ability to launch a war of aggression, and my homeland can be spared the threat of war."
There had indeed been a declaration. In order to seize the moral high ground, Franz had issued quite a few proclamations lately, urging the French to rein in their horses at the cliff's edge.
The same words produced utterly different effects when they fell upon different ears.