The third-floor terrace of the governor's residence, Blackstone Harbor.
Baron Robelio held a piece of velvet and carefully polished a gold wine goblet inset with rubies. Sunlight struck its surface, refracting into shimmering halos.
"My lord, the news from the front isn't good."
His adjutant stood behind him, clutching a sweat-soaked sheet of parchment, his voice trembling slightly.
"Marquis Hector's main fleet seems to have run into trouble at sea... Should we increase security?"
Robelio paused, breathed onto the goblet, and continued polishing.
"Trouble? What trouble could there possibly be?"
He glanced at his adjutant, a disdainful smile tugging at his lips.
"The marquis only left for the provincial capital the day before yesterday to deal with some material supply shortage and coordinate the next phase of the 'territory-wide blockade.' The reason he could return inland without worry and leave Blackstone Harbor to me is that this is an absolutely secure rear base. If you make a fuss over a few sea rats and disrupt his political plans in the provincial capital, can you bear the consequences?"
He raised the goblet and looked at the sun through its base.
"Affairs at sea are the navy's business. This is Blackstone Harbor. We're on land. What, are those pirates going to sail their ships ashore? Don't forget the magic tower above us. As long as that giant lightbulb stays lit, not even a fly can get in."
"But..."
"No buts. Go take this goblet to the wine cellar to chill. This damned weather keeps getting hotter. I want to use it for that bottle of aged Bordeaux tonight."
Robelio handed over the goblet, then turned and leaned on the railing, surveying the bustling harbor below.
Crane booms hoisted crate after crate of supplies, dockworkers' chants rang out one after another, and merchant