Duke Windsor left his estate with little ceremony, taking only his steward. Dressed in very ordinary cotton clothes, he boarded a shabby-looking carriage at the back gate and rode slowly toward Canberra City.
The sights along the way were not much different from usual, but a closer look revealed that the streets were noticeably quieter.
There were far fewer cries from vendors hawking their wares, and naturally, far fewer people stopping to browse.
Along either side of the street, many of the once densely packed shops had closed. Some even seemed to have been abandoned in a hurry, their doors left ajar. Inside, they stood empty except for a few vagrants lying there, using them as temporary shelters.
Duke Windsor could not help frowning slightly at the sight.
"Riken, why do you think this is happening? Even if that damned Xinfei Merchant Guild has created business opportunities elsewhere, that doesn't mean there's no money to be made in our Southern Province. Why would these merchants simply close their shops and leave?"
The middle-aged man dressed as a steward was the Riken Duke Windsor had addressed. Unlike the other people who treated the duke with deference or even trembling fear, Riken remained composed in his presence. Though respectful, he showed little sign of awe.
At Duke Windsor's question, Riken fell silent for a moment, then flicked his whip and turned the carriage in another direction.
Duke Windsor had grown up with Riken and knew he had always been like this, so he did not mind the lack of an answer.
But when Riken changed direction, Duke Windsor knew he must have an answer in mind. He fell silent as well, observing the streets on either side while the carriage slowly made its way out of the city.
The carriage carried Duke