The war seemed to have begun somewhere beyond Chris's knowledge, because he could already smell gunpowder smoke.
Chris wanted to work out what he needed to do, what he could do, and where the war had broken out. Since he could not figure it out alone, he wanted to gather a few people for a small meeting.
Chris wanted to summon people, but someone was even more anxious than he was.
The Clerk had just left the hall, only to turn around and return a minute later.
"Marquis Dirac requests an audience."
Chris frowned. Had something major happened?
"Send him in."
Marquis Dirac arrived in a hurry, visibly agitated. Rather than wait for the attendants outside to open the doors, he pushed them open himself and burst inside.
Dressed in military uniform, he made Chris's eyes widen with his very first words.
"The Minisians have sailed south!"
The moment Chris heard that, he understood where Charles's confidence came from... his navy!
The people of Raitelia were invincible on land, so instead of fighting them in the field, Charles would fight them at sea.
"What happened? How did you learn this?"
"Your Highness, it was the Tia Family."
Dirac explained.
"Charles has crushed the Tia Family and seized their fixed assets, including their fleet. They are now fleeing to Tavitsky Province. They sent a messenger ahead to find me, hoping to receive the Kingdom of Bagnia's protection."
"Is someone hunting them down?"
Chris ventured.
"Possibly."
Dirac explained.
"During the winter, the Tia Family engaged in a very complicated political struggle with Charles, and they lost. They were forced to trade their fleet and all their tangible business assets for the King's pardon. In theory, the Tia Family can relocate safely.
"But that is only in theory."
Chris understood. Any politician's credibility