Rewinding to the first day of the port battle, Verus and Sora quietly departed the Academy of Magic. The pair rode out of Toristine's borders and crossed into Gallia, the vast nation southeast of Toristine.
With Toristine and Albion at war, sailing from La Rochelle would be folly. Other countries, however, maintained ties with Albion. Gallia's western coast boasted three major ports. Verus and Sora boarded a civilian airship from the northernmost, Hirutni, bound for Albion.
The journey took two days. Shortly after La Rochelle's battle began, the disguised duo set foot on Albion's floating islands.
Verus dropped to his knees, arms outstretched, shouting skyward: "I'm home, Albion!"
Fellow passengers stared, muttering. Neurotic. Better steer clear. Is the other one crazy too?
Yes, she. Verus, already handsome, had disguised himself as a woman: long blonde wig, light blue dress, softened features and rounded eyes.
Sora refused such theatrics. Verus transformed him into a hulking brute — sallow skin, towering frame, burly and intimidating. Their cover: a noble lady and her bodyguard, returning home to visit friends.
"Ruth," Sora said, clapping her shoulder, "I get you're excited, but let's find lodging first."
Verus composed himself and nodded. They left the port, securing a mid-tier inn for the night.
At check-in: Ruth and Skye.
The next day, they departed for the neighboring Grunt family territory.
Post-civil war, Albion's original lords retained power. Five dominated: Grunts (minerals), Megans (forging), Houses (shipbuilding), Paces (foreign affairs), and Manis (finance). Their patriarchs steered Albion as permanent Republic Council members.
Houses held primacy. Even under monarchy, kings deferred to them. Airships were Albion's lifeline — without trade to the mainland, starvation loomed.
Grunts and Megans were inseparable: mines fed forges, producing elite arms. Their private forces rivaled Houses'.
Paces and Manis were weakest. Without their diplomatic and fiscal sway, only three permanents would sit.
"These families won't welcome your return — yet you seek them?" Sora asked skeptically.
Verus explained: "Grunts are a royal branch. Minerals are vital; they'd never yield to outsiders. Only royals and their direct Nilent line know this bond. They won't betray us."
Sora harbored doubts but trusted Verus's read.
Albion's former royal capital now housed Parliament. The day after La Rochelle.
In the hall, the throne gone, seats ringed a central table.
Innermost: five larger chairs for permanents.
Outer ring: thirty for lesser nobles and members.
The five permanents scowled. Reports confirmed: vanguard annihilated, La Rochelle port still Toristine-held.
Rich-faced House slapped his cheeks: "Situation's clear. Next steps? Suggestions?"
Outer members buzzed without committing, eyes on the center.
"Ahem," Nilent coughed, kindly smiling. "Port uncaptured — reinforcements would bleed us dry. Best to halt."
His faction nodded; squat Megan stayed silent, likely agreeing with Grunt.
"Absurd!" Finance Mani barked. "We start the war, now quit? Toristine might counterinvade. Mobilization's cost millions in gold — plus pensions for five thousand vanguard dead. I've sunk thirty million already. No gains, no stop!"
Sympathizers — those funding troops, some losing kin in the vanguard — agreed. Truce meant losses, no returns.
Factions clashed noisily; permanents exchanged glances, silent.
House coughed softly, frowning.
Noise died; all turned.
"My view: fight on. Those crude airships cost forty million gold. Port solution ready — Pace, explain."
Pace glowered, resentful. Weak or not, I'm permanent like you, House. Treating me as underling? Power tilted to Houses, though.
Pace drawled: "Gallia's envoy visited two days ago."
Murmurs erupted in surprise.
"King Joseph leases Hirutni port for one hundred million gold. One gold per soldier transit toll. We bypass via Gallia to hit Toristine."
"What!!" Rear exploded: hawks grinned, doves despaired.
Grunt and Megan frowned — conditions steeper than expected.
"No objections, then. Troops? My Houses offer two hundred thousand-capacity airships — value four hundred million. Dividends owed." House's thumb flicked casually.
Two hundred thousand-capacity ships: one hundred thousand troops.
"One million rental, hundred thousand tolls — Manis pay. Plus ten thousand soldiers," Mani said.
"Five thousand troops, five mages," Pace added — heavy investment.
Grunt and Megan met stares, wry smiles.
"Grunts: twenty thousand soldiers, ten thousand enchanted armors."
"Megans: twenty thousand troops, plus two thousand field smiths for arms repair."
Lesser nobles chimed: five hundred, one thousand — totaling seven thousand.
House frowned slightly — seven from tens shamed him.
"Not enthusiastic? Houses add thirty thousand. Total seventy thousand land at Gallia's Hirutni, strike Toristine via Gallia. Ships ready in two days; depart in three. Dismissed." House rose, exiting.
Members dispersed to territories, mustering forces. Mani reps hauled one hundred ten million gold via thousand-strong airship escort to Gallia's capital for passage.
Soon after Albion's council resolved, Verus and Sora reached the Grunt estate.
Gate guards eyed "Miss Ruth," friend of Miss Grunt, puzzled.
"Deliver this letter to Asiya or Aaliyah Grunt — they'll know me." Ruth slipped two gold into the soldier's palm.
He eyed the coins, nodded: "Right away."
Half an hour later, a girl dashed up.
Cyan ponytail, silver armor gleaming, delicate features.
Joy lit her face as she scanned — spotting only Ruth and Skye.
"Who sent this? Take me!" She seized Ruth's hand, urgent.
Sora's lips twitched — amusement stirring.
Ruth beamed, whispering in her ear.
The girl flushed crimson, wheeled stiffly.
"She's my friend. Come, Will, Ruth." She released Ruth, striding back rigidly.
Verus followed. Sora moved to enter — blocked.
"Miss Ruth, this brute your friend?" the soldier asked.
Sora's mouth twitched. Vicious? This makeup's the horror.
Verus glanced: "My guard. Let him pass."
"Yes — enter." Spear lifted; soldier straightened, ignoring Sora.
"Tch." Sora, irked, trailed Verus into the Grunt mansion.