"What a fine ship."
Annan stood at a third-floor window of the City Lord's Mansion, gazing at the enormous warship in the Harbor. He couldn't help admiring it.
The other ships looked like a swarm of ants beside a leech. It was astonishingly large.
If Free City had a warship like that, it would never have to worry about storms sweeping through Obiris Strait again.
But shipbuilding wasn't among Free City's top priorities. As for buying one from the Empire... Annan doubted he had that much influence.
He wondered why the Empire had sailed a warship so brazenly into Free City.
"...That warship is the Broken Laws, one of the Ten Dreadnoughts. There are Finance Department officials aboard."
Luoxi was reporting the news when Annan arrived at Olmedo's Office.
"A Dreadnought?"
"Yes. It's essentially a Mage Tower at sea... A single Dreadnought could destroy a country."
"I don't believe that."
Annan had his own view. "If Free Port hadn't been dredged so deep, it would've run aground the moment it entered the Bay. How would it destroy anything then?"
Olmedo didn't argue. "The Empire has sent a warship as a show of force, which is unlike them, and gave us no advance notice. I'm worried they're here to cause trouble."
After all, the Ceremonial Affairs Department officials had previously arrived either on an Imperial government ship or by Teleportation.
And sailing a warship right up to another Territory's doorstep was a provocation. Annan was simply too oblivious to notice.
"Could they have discovered that Joan's been posing as the Imperial Princess?" Annan mused.
"I don't think the Finance Department handles that," Olmedo replied.
"Fair point... Where are they now?"
"They've just disembarked at the Harbor and are on their way to the City Lord's Mansion."
Olmedo thought for a moment.