Ⅵ
In any major city in South County, the Harbor District was always the most crowded place.
From just before dawn until late at night, figures bustled about.
Sometimes, they even worked through the night.
Kilger Harbor in the Inner Bay was naturally no exception.
As the heart of South County, Kilger Harbor enjoyed prosperity on par with South Los Sisk Harbor-and that was precisely why the confrontation between the two had intensified.
The Golden Lion Family considered itself the heart of South County and believed it rightfully deserved first place.
And the South Los Family?
The Old Count had considered himself favored by fate, so taking first place was only natural.
Then, after the Seven-Year War ended, a bitter rivalry lasting thirty years had begun.
Although the Inner Bay had briefly gained the upper hand after the death of the Old Count of South Los.
Once the Countess of South Los came into her own, however, things returned to a stalemate.
As for killing the Countess before she could come into her own?
Arthur could guarantee that the Old Lion had considered it.
And certainly more than once.
But the Old Lion had feared the South Los Family's trump card.
And his decision to act now?
Something must have gone wrong with that trump card.
That was something Arthur wanted to know, too.
Still, he was in no hurry.
He believed that as their cooperation "deepened," he would learn everything he needed to know.
Instead, what concerned Arthur most right now was the Golden Lion Family's trump card.
It was fair to say that Arthur was bracing himself for a formidable enemy.
So-
He needed Pistrie Hamlet to test the waters.
Even the strongest fortress could be breached from within.
Of course, relying solely on Pistrie, the Old Lion's