Order gradually returned after yesterday's chaos as squads of guards appeared on the streets.
But the streets were deserted, and every shop had closed, which made Renato even more uneasy.
Fortunately, Perly had bought plenty of food. And as a luxury inn near the city center, Fragrant Words was protected by the inner city wall, making it much safer by comparison.
The Security Department had been completely taken over by Speaker Albert-news of his younger brother's rebellion had already spread throughout the city.
It seemed the information controls had failed. After all, even if they could keep the commoners in the dark, the nobles each had their own sources.
Renato had heard quite a few rumors himself. The most outlandish claimed that Sir Eric had already summoned his vassals and assembled an army, ready to march into the city and make his elder brother see reason.
In the private conversations of several noble-born bureaucrats, the title of Baron Atwood clearly belonged to someone else already, and Albert could only be called the acting Speaker.
Perez, the head of the Security Department, had disappeared. The official explanation was that he was "unwell and needed to recuperate."
The Security Department's main hall was crowded. A squad of fully armed soldiers had gathered there, their armor immaculate and their bearing disciplined. They were the Speaker's Personal Guard.
The man surrounded by these noble soldiers was Albert himself. He, too, wore plate armor, but over it he wore a cloak adorned with magnificent feathers, a symbol of his rank and status.
Every constable, guard captain, and Security Department bureaucrat had been summoned to hear the Speaker's instructions.
"Gentlemen, I am Albert Atwood, Baron Atwood and the sole legitimate Speaker of Fried City." He paused, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. "I'm sure you've all