Green had been in a good mood lately. New orders kept pouring in from the Divine Eagle Empire, while other customers drawn by his reputation brought him a steady stream of wealth. The Gemu Company he ran with Princess Mulesina was growing more famous by the day.
Black Claw had recently begun studying the Titan Colossus in earnest.
This pinnacle of ancient alchemical technology had him utterly entranced. He barely remembered to eat or sleep.
Things in the Lorenzo Kingdom were also taking a turn for the better. After the Blood Moon Coup, it had cut away its rotting flesh and shed a crushing burden. Its long-oppressed people had gained a rare chance to breathe, and the whole kingdom seemed ready to march with a lighter pack. No one in the old Lorenzo Kingdom, or even its neighboring countries, would have imagined it possible.
The Lorenzo Kingdom now bore some resemblance to the Rune Federation. The country was thriving, its government was efficient, and most officials and nobles had a vigor about them instead of thinking only of lining their pockets and oppressing the common people.
Green, for his part, had privately breathed a sigh of relief.
With Grand Duke Mora missing, no one left in the kingdom could reliably keep Green in check. Green had put Cyrabelle on the throne himself, Princess Mulesina was his partner, and Grand Duke Prady rarely involved himself in affairs, spending each day cultivating. The only one left, Marshal Santos, knew which way the wind blew.
If Grand Duke Mora had still been around, Green would have had to hand over a share of the Marine Armor profits, if nothing else.
Then, one day, an uninvited guest appeared...
After completing the resettlement work in the rebellious provinces, Green returned to his ducal residence in