The Rikaner Kingdom had yet to make the transition from an inland nation to a coastal one. Put plainly, its people could not build ships and traded very little. The only use they had found for their vast coastline was gathering food without farming.
The Kingdom's largest cargo ships were a third smaller than Free City's, so when three five-masted sailing ships arrived at Noan Port, the defenders had almost no way to fight back.
Even an Archmage could not float several nautical miles out to sea to strike the enemy.
After enduring several days of leaflet drops, Noan Port's rulers sent two ships carrying mages to attack. Half a day later... the fleet offshore had gained two slightly smaller ships.
Some people volunteered to row out to sea. At first, Noan Port encouraged such sacrifice, but none of the boats returned. The great ships swallowed everyone who ventured out like a Dragon devouring its prey. Even the dullest rulers realized something was wrong.
With no reply to the messages they had sent to the New Royal Capital, they withdrew into their shells. No matter how brazenly the enemy acted at sea, they refused to come out.
Clang—clang—clang—
The church Bells rang over Noan Port. While nobles and merchants watched the sky nervously, the locals went about their business. Children ran into the streets, ready to pick up the falling leaflets.
Today was different. The moment the leaflets touched the ground, crowds of soldiers rushed into the streets to seize them.
An order had come from the New Royal Capital: execute everyone colluding with Free City, regardless of status.
They lacked the courage to confront Free City, but they had plenty to spare when it came to bullying their own people. On the surface, they were stopping enemy leaflets from