As the showdown with Alda's faction loomed, awareness of the impending war extended beyond Vandalieu’s Vidal Empire and the duchies bordering the Fazon Duchy, such as the Birgit and Hartner Duchies. It reached even the people of Morksi, a trading city in the Duchy of Alcrem.

"Do you think war is really coming? Michael... I mean, Miles, hasn’t been around much lately."

"Yeah, Vandalieu Street’s been eerily quiet."

In Morksi, a city distant from the Fazon Duchy, only a thousand elite troops, including the Alcrem Five Knights, had been dispatched. The rest of the Duchy's contribution was limited to supplies such as food and medicine, with no conscription enforced. However, prominent figures like Miles, head of the Hungry Wolf Security, and the poster girl of the new street food sensation "Egg on a Stick" had left the city. Even magical girl performances had become less frequent.

"I just want this war to end soon so they can come back," muttered Edmond, who once tried to exploit Darcia and was now gazing up at his newly constructed shop.

"If it doesn’t end soon, my plans to open a branch in the Vidal Empire will stall. And not having access to their takoyaki? That’s tough."

Though the war had already begun by this time, Edmond and the people of Morksi remained unaware of its reality.