Satisfied with the rapid (and somewhat unconventional) progress of the territory's development, Ghislain moved on to reviewing his next plans.

"Development is an ongoing task, after all… and the tension between the Royal Faction and the Ducal Faction is bound to escalate."

While Marquis Branford might not have wished for it, he would have realized that Ghislain's actions were hastening the onset of civil war. Count Desmond’s maneuvers alone served as sufficient proof.

Ghislain had heard that Desmond’s forces had been held back by the 2nd Legion. He’d anticipated this move from the start, and Branford had acted precisely as …