Night fog crept up the tower from the sea, its faintly salty dampness condensing into thin rivulets in the gaps around the window.
The study was slightly chilly. Candle flames flickered, constantly reshaping the shadows on the walls.
Duke Calvin sat behind his desk, which was covered with secret letters from the Imperial Capital and every corner of the Southeast Province.
He opened them one by one and replied to each. This was how the Southeast Province kept running.
The next letter came from Viro Harbor. He sliced through the wax seal; the ink on the paper had not quite dried.
"Nine warships of the Dawnlight Fleet have arrived safely at Viro Harbor. Their cargo includes qi vein stone, emberdeep iron, and demon marrow ore, with a total value equivalent to half a province's annual revenue..."
Duke Calvin's gaze stopped there.
Ships represented the power to move goods, and nine capital ships meant an independent shipping route was being established.
"Nine..." Duke Calvin repeated softly. "In just a few years, even the Barbarians' frozen earth has become a harbor."
He had known Louis was building a harbor in the Northern Frontier. The family had also funded craftsmen to help with its construction.
But he had never expected Louis to build on such a scale, and he was clearly concealing his strength.
Duke Calvin leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the sea fog outside.
Then he took a map of the Northern Frontier from a drawer. Red Tide, Wheatwave, and Dawnlight Harbor were marked on it-marks he had drawn himself.
Although none of the spies he had planted had infiltrated Red Tide's upper ranks, a few had become low-ranking officials, so he still knew something of its basic circumstances.
With Red Tide at its center, Louis's influence had