At the end of June, below Chess Mountain, goods flowed along a Flying Shuttle Imperial Road, and supplies from every region poured steadily into the area. The Market District seethed with voices as crowds of laborers unloaded and hauled cargo using tools resembling exoskeletal Mechanical Arms.
They carried crates away from the Flying Shuttle landing field, then cleared the space and loaded the goods bound for departure.
Several Puppeteer Apprentices who looked like stewards stood in the forecourt, watching the bustling scene and sighing.
"Over the past six months, trade shipments have dwindled. The masters of the Blessed Lands at resource sites everywhere are entertaining other ambitions!"
"Those Blessed Land masters are shortsighted. All they want is to loot a burning house and gorge themselves while they have the chance. They have no decency at all!"
"Ah, when will these days finally end? Our Chess Mountain still has a few loyal allies who can ensure our basic supplies, but by now, many precious spirit materials and high-grade goods are out of stock, and trade is obstructed. Merchants and buyers everywhere are voicing their grievances..."
"This is all Grand Artisan Li's doing! He pulled this stunt for no reason at all. Just leaving the threat hanging over us has caused devastating losses!"
"If he came and fought us outright, that would be one thing. But declaring war without fighting-how long does he intend to drag this out?"
"Perhaps this is his true objective: cut off Chess Mountain's funding first, then do whatever he pleases."
"How insidious!"
The recent developments had become increasingly difficult to conceal, until even those in the middle and lower ranks began to learn of them.
Yet even knowing where the pressure came from, the people of Chess Mountain could think of no good solution.
They had admitted