In the Violet Oldlands, Count Ulmit—now a lord—watched Free City return after its brief absence.
"Why do I get the feeling..." He could not wait to board when Free City docked before his floating castle.
“Has your Floating City gotten bigger?”
With its brand-new streets and elegant buildings rising and falling across the landscape, it made his Floating City look like a dark, scrawny native standing beside a graceful, beautiful princess.
"You're not imagining it. I bought another Arcane Core." Annan sounded as smug as Leila after landing a big catch.
"How nice..." Lord Ulmit was full of envy. His next words made someone sneeze. "Where are you going now? Off to fight Reekan again?"
"Home for a visit."
Lord Ulmit remembered that Annan came from Breeze City.
Free City stopped in the Old Land for a short rest. Annan received a warm welcome, and Lord Ulmit spoke of his wish to reclaim the Old Land.
Annan could not help him. The Violet Oldlands were different from the Kingdom. This was the Wasteland now, with no population or resources. There was simply no way to deal with the Ratfolk sprouting from the ground in wave after wave.
Without his floating castle, Lord Ulmit would have had no choice but to flee to Middle Earth.
Still, he firmly declared that he could wait. Three years ago, Annan had been the chief of a small town with high walls. Now he had a vast Floating City and hundreds of thousands of subjects. Lord Ulmit had faith in his future.
After one night's rest, Free City left the Violet Oldlands the next day and headed for the New Royal Capital.
The most noticeable difference now that Free City had grown was the view into the distance. It no longer felt as though a