Roderia lay on the coast two hundred li south of the royal capital. The sea near the town was broad and deep enough, while two peninsulas curved around a vast stretch of water like arms, sheltering it from the nearby winds and waves. Coupled with the mild Altus climate, where the sea never froze year-round, it possessed every condition of a natural harbor.
Thus, Roderia's history as a major port could be traced back to the lost ancient age. After Queen Marika defeated the mighty foes of the War of the Gods and established the royal capital of Leyndell in the heart of the Altus Plateau, it became the Golden Dynasty's largest port town. It would later serve as the starting point for King Godfrey's southern campaign into Limgrave and his subsequent eastern expedition into Caelid.
If one had to point out a geographical disadvantage, it was probably that it lay far too close to the royal capital.
Leyndell was simply too important to the Golden Dynasty and indeed the entire continent. Compared to Roderia, people were always more willing to flock to the royal capital. Thus, in the decades since the Golden Dynasty was founded, this town blessed with exceptional natural conditions had never taken the next step into the ranks of major cities.
Yet over the past two days, Roderia had been far livelier than usual. Queen Marika had personally attended the annual memorial ceremony for the Eastern Expedition Legion. Accompanying her were Lansseax, priestess of the Ancient Dragon Temple; Prince Godwyn's two children; and nearly a hundred nobles of every rank from the royal capital. The scale of the occasion far exceeded the customary practice of having only a single duke attend in previous years.
One had to know that Queen Eternal was not merely the supreme