It wasn't the Ratfolk. It wasn't the Demons. It was civil unrest in the Montablinlock Duchy.
The Mad Dog Duke had been judged, but his influence was still poisoning the Montablinlock Duchy.
Farmers who could no longer make a living had started it, and the unrest kept growing.
The new Grand Duke, Girardi, loved peace. Of course, you could also say he wasn't up to the job. As soon as he issued an order in Watchhold, people twisted it to their own ends. Lords and nobles within his territory cared only about lining their pockets and exploiting others. Mercenaries and bandits came from outside to join in, while certain people with ulterior motives stirred things up behind the scenes. Somehow, the chaos was creeping ever closer to Watchhold.
Even Watchhold had become a breeding ground for chaos. Nobles, refugees, and thieves poured in, sleeping in the streets and on vacant land. The Mad Dog Duke, suffering in Hell, would have laughed even while being tortured.
Girardi had even asked Free City for help, hoping Annan would send an army to maintain order.
"What do you think?"
"As things stand, if the situation in Watchhold improves, it'll be like adding five Musketeer Corps units to our border. If the chaos gets worse, we'll need at least ten units to protect our ally. If Watchhold turns hostile, we'll only need three to hold them off," Olmedo said.
"You're saying Watchhold has become a burden?"
"I didn't say that. They still bring us plenty of work and money. We just don't have that many soldiers."
"What if we sell Girardi Magic Muskets?"
"Someone would still have to teach his people how to use them. Let's send a Musketeer Corps unit over too."
Every unit in Free City's Musketeer Corps was part of the