Gun of Ashes

The deeper one ventures into the Viking countries, the worse the weather becomes. Initially, some sunlight can still be seen, but now the entire sky is covered by gray and white clouds; the sun tries to pierce through them, but ultimately is blocked out, only able to faintly illuminate the clouds, making their gray tone a bit brighter.

Lorenzo rubbed his hands and shook his body; these Viking lands are much colder than Old Dunling. By the season’s calculation, it is gradually entering late autumn now, and it’s hard to imagine how cold it will be during the winter solstice.

”In winter, most of the harbors in the Viking countries freeze over, making travel by ship impossible. One of the reasons Ice Bay is so important is that it is one of the few large ports that don’t freeze in winter.”

Notar, wearing gloves, lightly held the helm, with his gaze piercing through the frost-covered glass, looking towards the sea blocked by the cold wind.

”I start to understand the Vikings’ looting; merely surviving in this damned place takes all your effort.”

Lorenzo muttered, even the Demon Hunter feels terrible at this temperature, let alone those Vikings who have lived here their whole lives.

”In winter, some waterways will freeze, and the passable ones mostly go through Ice Bay. Under various conditions, it can be said that this place is the heart of Viking countries.” Hebdo explained to the group.

”But this heart does not belong to the King of the Ice Sea,” Lorenzo stated.

”The lords wouldn’t allow the King of the Ice Sea to control it; even if Lord Willgardson himself wanted to offer up Ice Bay, other lords wouldn’t agree, and would even ’help’ him make the right choice.”

Hebdo felt troubled by these matters; though the civil war had ended, every lord thought they were more suited to be king.

”Everybody is waiting for the day Froki sails out and never returns; he is entirely obsessed with navigation, has no wife, nor any heirs, and most of his relatives lack influence. Once he dies, this place will turn into a battlefield for power struggle.”

”But as long as he is alive, everyone will abide by the rules of the game.”

Bola seemed to understand these power struggles a lot. He sat on one side, breathing out white mist while speaking.

”It’s just like fighting for territory in the Lower City District; no matter how strong I become, I can’t monopolize the dock business as it would be akin to monopolizing the entire Lower City District. Those gangs would fight to the death with me.”

”But now that you’re here with us, what about the Lower City District? Won’t it be leaderless?” Lorenzo asked.

”How could it be? I’m merely the one who sets the rules. Rules are a good thing; they prevent people from fighting and instead make them argue at the negotiating table, unless those guys go crazy and target me.” Bola spoke of these insidious tricks. ”Of course, if someone actually does that, it indicates they truly want to become the boss of the entire Lower City District.”

”And what would you do?”

”What else can I do? Report to the higher-ups! Within ten minutes, the Cleaners can sink them into the Thames River, and their bodies would be thrown into the Furnace Pillar, burnt to ash.”

Bola seemed accustomed to these actions, having done them countless times.

”The Lower City District is essentially like a small yard, with cats and dogs fighting inside. As long as it doesn’t get turned upside down, nobody cares. But when someone attempts to overturn the yard, it’s time for a higher existence to act.”

While speaking, Bola’s expression slightly grew more solemn as he sighed intentionally or unintentionally.

”Our world is also a small yard.”

Lorenzo understood his meaning, but worrying over these things wouldn’t change anything. He then turned to Hebdo.

”What’s going on with Galron?”

”Galron Jessilo, Froki’s subordinate in shipbuilding; he is responsible for all affairs of Ice Bay.”

The Morning Glow Advance was soon to arrive at Ice Bay, and it was time to organize the existing intelligence. Hebdo explained to Lorenzo and the others.

”Like you have heard, Froki the shipbuilder hardly counts as a lord. He spends most of his time drifting at sea and rarely sets foot on land, but indeed, he is a lord, and a territory needs his management.

Therefore, he delegates most of his power to his confidant, Galron Jessilo, who manages all Ice Bay affairs during Froki’s voyages. Even when Froki returns, he has little interest in administering the territory and leaves it mostly to Galron.”

”A mascot?”

Blue Jade remarked, which reminded her of Queen Victoria, though there were some differences.

”Pretty much, but he still holds power, and Galron is loyal to him.”

”That’s strange; don’t other lords have their eyes on him? If so, this territory is practically ownerless.” Lorenzo said.

”On the contrary, the lords are actually happy to see such a situation. Ice Bay is so crucial that handing it to any ambitious person would have a significant impact, making other lords feel threatened.”

Listening to Hebdo’s words, Lorenzo continued, ”Froki is obsessed with exploring the Silent Sea, so having such an unambitious person in charge here is what everyone is happy to see.”

”Indeed, this territory cannot be distributed; everyone wants to seize it. Given that, Ice Bay, in a way, is a neutral territory within the Viking countries.”

Thinking along these lines, Hebdo somewhat understood Froki’s behavior.