Free City had become a construction site again.
Workers felled trees with feverish energy and hauled them back to build houses, as though no army were bearing down on them from the North.
A wave of new residents was coming to Free City. Even if only half the Civilians from the North were rescued, its population would leap from that of a large town to a small city of twenty thousand.
At present, Free City could hold ten thousand people at most. Everyone else would have to crowd together or sleep in the streets.
Annan's confidence rubbed off on Girardi. Knowing Annan was the only person he could trust, the rightful Grand Duke sold the ring his grandfather had left him and gave Annan the hundred gold coins it fetched.
Annan didn't need the money, but he couldn't bring himself to return it. Instead, he gave Girardi three buildings on Commercial Street in return.
There would be far more shops on Commercial Street in the future, and Free City had few shops now. It worked out well for both of them.
Annan hadn't told Girardi about the operation. Most people knew nothing about it; even the Musketeer Corps learned of it only thirty minutes beforehand.
Night fell, and the Elite Soldiers stood in grim ranks before the Square.
The Blue Dragon glided silently over Camp. When magical fireworks suddenly rose from distant Free City, Illymoyas tucked in her wings, plunged like a shadow, and struck the ground with a heavy crash.
The blast of wind and thunderous impact woke the nearby civilians. They stared in confusion as four brilliant Teleportation portals opened and Elite Soldiers marched out with steady, forceful steps.
Another Teleportation portal opened, and Annan and Dean Breichim appeared in Camp.
"We're Soldiers from Free City, here to