Strangely enough, Governor De Sousa, who had fallen rather quiet after the dispute at the banquet, inexplicably regained his enthusiasm after exchanging a few words with Renato, who had approached him first. He suddenly insisted on introducing the noble swordsman he had only recently met to the merchant from Marispan Main Island.
Perhaps the governor felt that using his connections to answer Renato's questions might help conceal the embarrassing lack of scholarly expertise on White Harbor.
Renato, however, did not mind. If the former newspaper editor-in-chief truly possessed extensive knowledge of the societies and cultures of marine races, he would be quite happy to make her acquaintance.
After all, he did need an expert's help to determine which faction the marine race behind Selina belonged to, which deity they worshipped, and what their fighting styles and weaknesses were...
As they spoke, De Sousa led him along a lengthy corridor and up to the fourth floor of the Governor's Mansion.
The stone steps spiraled upward beneath their feet. Rows of unlit candle sconces and old trophies hung on the walls on either side, their outlines indistinct in the dim light.
In theory, with magic lamps available, there was no need to use candles that required frequent replacement. Yet, perhaps as a display of wealth and status, nobles everywhere-from the Borealia Empire to the Southern Principalities and the Thousand Island Archipelago in the Storm Sea-seemed to favor these expensive, impractical sources of light. Renato truly could not understand how these Eryl thought...
The governor stopped every few steps to catch his breath, yet never forgot to turn toward Renato and tell him more about the trading company director's past.
From what he said, this director seemed to have a considerable background. She was clearly far more than a wealthy merchant; even De