Ⅲ
Outside Dordot Harbor, on the Inner River.
Beneath the night sky, the river surged.
New-model Cork Sailing Ships sailed along the river in distinctly separate groups.
The twenty sailing ships belonged to three merchant companies.
The Duoyige Chamber of Commerce, the Rota Merchant Company, and the Feisier Chamber of Commerce.
All three enjoyed modest reputations within the Einhaas Fief and Bette Territory.
The lookouts atop every mast held torches high, making their companies' flags clearly visible.
At the same time, they watched one another warily.
In fact, the sailors of all three companies were staring at one another as though facing a formidable enemy.
They did not believe the others had also been delayed by trivial matters.
Although they occasionally moonlighted as river pirates, the others had even worse reputations.
They had to stay on guard!
Many sailors had already loaded their flintlocks and stood on deck, their muzzles angled toward the other ships!
When making a living on the Inner River, any carelessness could cost a man his life!
Meanwhile, in the captains' cabins aboard their respective flagships, the presidents of the three companies looked tense. One paced, another frowned in thought, and the third puffed away at his pipe.
They were different from their subordinates.
They all knew one another.
They knew they were allies.
Or rather...
They were colleagues.
They all served one powerful man: Greisa Hamlet!
The eldest son of the Golden Lion Family.
The first in line to inherit the Golden Lion Family.
And today, they had come to Dordot Harbor on that powerful man's orders-
Seize Dordot Harbor!
The three men had doubts about his orders, but they dared not disobey.
Besides, he had assured them that tonight's operation would go smoothly.
As long as they arrived on time, they would see the