Even after organizing the workers, Elliot did not stop making preparations.
He had put considerable thought into dealing with the Theresia Festival.
First, he had built quite a few towers in the Hearthfire District in the name of the Reforging Flame.
Since he could not afford to be too conspicuous, the towers were not particularly tall, but they were extremely sturdy.
If fighting broke out, each would serve as a solid fortress.
After that, he bought some weapons in the factory's name.
Elliot could get his hands on small quantities of military-grade heavy weaponry. During the earlier incident with Eleanor, he had prepared several guns and hidden them in the canteen. But those could not be brought out into the open, so he only purchased ordinary hunting rifles and the like. They should be adequate for defense; after all, this was not an actual war.
Next, he began spreading word that an organization called the Rose Cross might cause trouble on the day of the festival, asking residents to stay indoors as much as possible. He did not know how much good it would do, since the festival traditionally included street parades, but at least it might save a few people.
As for the Rose Cross, they must have done plenty of bad things anyway. Blaming them for one more should not be much of a problem.
Most of these preparations were minor moves, and Elliot had explanations ready for all of them, so he was not afraid of being questioned.
But when the Old Butler asked him to go to the study, he still grew a little nervous.
"You mean my father wants to see me?"
"Yes. The Old Duke has something he wishes to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
Conrad hesitated.
He could simply say he did