The earliest master of Gravel City was Zircode, the nephew of King Willem. As a member of the royal house, he was expected to serve as a paragon for the subjects; thus, he was the first to accept the King’s heavy mandate and journeyed to the distant Pilater Highlands. This royal lord possessed a passion for music, and his upbringing, coupled with a deep reverence for the law, cultivated in him a character of temperance and prudence, with every gesture reflecting his noble stature.

　　While the city’s primary structures consisted of earthen huts and tents, the lord’s manor was constructed of exceptionally sturdy timber. Such wood was easily obtained in the south but was exceedingly rare in Pilater, and thus served to manifest the lord’s exalted status. As always, the plaza remained the hallmark of a Limidian city, with administrative offices and temples distributed around its perimeter according to their respective orientations.

　　The administrative buildings were constructed of local materials in the native style, yet the pillars before their gates no longer bore the totems of nomadic tribes. Instead, they were replaced by the symbols and motifs of Limidian deities, aristocratic crests, or legionary standards. The abodes of the gods, however, required timber and marble transported from the south to reflect their sanctity.

　　The Frontier Alliance entered the city without shedding a drop of blood. Though the interior of the city was somewhat dilapidated, it remained bustling. People of diverse countenances, professions, and even languages gathered in the streets, watching this disciplined army with curious gazes.

　　The municipal plaza, once a vital arena for political activity, had been transformed into a lively marketplace. The people felt no anxiety or panic at the arrival of the Limidian army; on the contrary, they enthusiastically introduced their wares to the soldiers.

　　Within the city, there existed a folk organization known as the "Exiles." Initially, they provided paid security and protection for local residents and travelers. They were nearly wiped out in a battle to defend the city, later assuming the role and name of collaborators, though in reality, they operated under the authority of Edward Hank.

　　The ruined Temple of Lahbeda had once served as the quarters for these men. Due to the limited funds of that era, the marble columns of the portico were replaced with thick trunks of pine. The smooth, full grain of these wooden pillars served as a natural decoration and symbolized that nothing could be hidden before the eyes of the gods. The steppe barbarians had once intended to seize the temple's wooden pillars for themselves, but they met with defeat before they could execute the plan, losing their lives in a wretched flight. Subsequent conquerors, driven by superstition, plundered the city's wealth to their heart's content yet left the temple entirely untouched.

　　The membership of the "Exiles" was complex, comprising merchants, deserters, monks, and shepherds. Their leader, however, was either a ranger or a powerful brigand who operated under the banner of robbing the rich to aid the poor, becoming a wanted criminal of the steppe tribes. It is said that this individual lost his family, status, and estate due to tribal feuds; after gathering his remaining followers, he sustained them by raiding caravans, yet he would also extend a helping hand to refugees who had lost all means of survival.

　　He would seize only a portion of the cargo, never driving his victims to total ruin. He possessed many names and even many faces, though these were but fabrications spun in advance to facilitate his crimes and evade capture. To gather intelligence in secret, he could blend into any crowd in any role—appearing as a monk, a peddler, a shepherd, a refugee, or a drunkard. Only a rare few knew his true identity.

　　As the Limidian banners once again ascended over Gravel City, the frontier army pressed onward. Once they perceived that the greatest threats in this region were nothing more than common brigands, they quickened their pace.

　　Yet, this land now lay in a state of utter decay. Dilapidated settlements stood where thriving cities once flourished. Locals scavenged for usable materials among the urban ruins, building their dwellings directly against the remains of ancient structures; driven by safety concerns, they lived in isolation or bartered their meager harvests for an unreliable peace from bandits. The colonnades and plazas of yesteryear were now home only to wandering livestock and idle herdsmen, while small animals nested undisturbed within the rubble.

　　The members of the Frontier Alliance, however, remained steadfast in their conviction and hope. They were determined to breathe life back into this defenseless land, believing that the frontier threat would only truly be extinguished when the people here could once again lead secure, settled lives.

　　Reasserting their ancient authority, the Limidians pushed their forces as far as the Dumerian borders, prompting the chieftains of the steppe tribes to bring gifts to the capital of the Limidian lord as a sign of submission. In return, the conquerors granted them trade concessions and conveniences, while welcoming them to settle in the south.

　　Ferne earned widespread acclaim for his diligence in state affairs and his discernment in appointing capable men. Through intermarriage and shared interests, the members of the Alliance maintained close cooperation and ensured unity of action. Ultimately, however, the lords concluded that the most stable approach was to allow local chieftains or headmen to become vassals under Limidian suzerainty.

　　The true identity of the leader of the "Exiles" remained unknown. Nevertheless, the remnants of the organization, led by a man known as "Veteran Dils," maintained order within the city and guarded the Limidian flag. In a simple ceremony, Dils received a formal document from an envoy sent from the south, becoming a governor subordinate to the southern conquerors. For those barbarians who sincerely pledged their allegiance to the south, the Frontier Lord generously partitioned lands and forests as settlements, allowing them to thrive through their own hard labor.

　　With the passage of time, some have laid down their swords in favor of hoes, offering devotions to the Limidian gods in hopes of a bountiful harvest. They appear at local markets, driving livestock, carrying shoulder poles, or pushing small carts, haggling with the townsfolk. The next generation is no longer born into a fierce life of mounted archery and violent strife; instead, they are raised amidst the courtesy and measured restraint of a civilized people.

　　To realize personal value or higher goals, they can—much like the Limidians—join the military or pursue an education, whether they languish in obscurity or showcase their brilliance. Yet, there remain those who harbor disdain and arrogance. Far from being grateful for the grace they have received, they make increasingly outrageous demands. Though they contribute nothing to society, they imagine themselves superior; to the Lord and his subjects, such behavior is a profound insult.

　　Such conduct touches the very baseline of civilized society, and to resort merely to moralizing would be an act of indulgence and partiality. Since they have enjoyed extraordinary favors, they must naturally endure extraordinary punishment. In Mimir and Nerdavic, aside from facing the penalties of the domain's laws, such offenders are stripped of all property and banished from the territory.

　　Glader, the successor to Ferne, realized amidst his military victories over the barbarians that transforming this vast steppe into a stable fief or administrative district for his liege would be an impossible task.

　　Governance is always intimately tied to the environment. Officials of an agrarian society cannot effectively restrain groups that migrate constantly across vast territories. Moreover, most of these people are accustomed to a dissolute life and will not submit to the discipline and constraints of a civilized society. They sneer at a refined and meticulous lifestyle; some would even rather plunder than rely on labor to earn their bread and salt.

　　Thus, the security of the Limidian borders always rests upon their own military triumphs and the internecine slaughter among the barbarians.

　　In Nerdavic, a major defensive project is underway to strengthen border protection and deter the barbarians. Artisans, responding to their sovereign’s command, have gathered around the Boundless City to construct a complex of watchtower fortresses.

　　A circular layout was chosen to encompass the maximum geometric area. Depending on their orientation, these fortresses serve as outposts, defensive works, or depots for troops and grain. In emergencies, they can transmit distress signals via beacons and flags. The Lord places great importance on national defense; to balance quality and speed, every skilled artisan is assisted by five laborers, with trusted courtiers dispatched to oversee the construction.

　　Ferne and his frontier partners exhausted every means to restore order in Pilater and guard against barbarian incursions, allowing their descendants to pluck the fruits of success and turn their attention south toward Scoro. Upon Ferne’s passing, his eldest son, Glader, calmly ascended the throne of power.

　　The grand ceremony was attended not only by submissive subjects but also by the collaborative members of the Alliance, friendly lords from Pilater, and submissive barbarian chieftains. His two brothers, who had held posts in Bidrit and served in the frontier legions, returned early to stand respectfully behind their sovereign as members of the family.

　　Glader faithfully inherited his predecessor's strategies while carefully examining and correcting their inadequacies. He possessed a mild and benevolent temperament that made him approachable, yet he did not lack the capacity for decisive action and ruthless judgment. While the elder generation seized upon the chaos in the east to raise banners of victory in the Pilater Highlands and the barbarian steppes, this ambitious successor intended to use that rich legacy to carve out his own achievements in the turmoil of Scoro.

　　During this time, the people of Scoro were swept up in the waves of rebellion. While the lords' defiance of the King brought them private gain, it also invited ambitious subordinates to follow suit. These men were cold and ruthless in their pursuit of power, yet once they stood at the pinnacle of the tower, they discovered they had gained no security; instead, they found themselves in a landscape fraught with peril.

　　To establish order, one must first stabilize the hearts of the people. Thus, they squandered the riches of the treasury, and though they bought the obedience of their subordinates, they earned neither respect nor loyalty. Others used every means to strip the people of their property or even their lives, imagining that leaving them with nothing would eliminate the threat of revolt—unaware that this only incited more violent resistance.

　　Furthermore, these usurpers were entirely beholden to the whispers of informants. To cater to their masters' whims, these sycophants were masters of grasping at shadows and inventing lies out of thin air. This caused their masters to view their true followers with suspicion, ignoring wise strategies or even treating them as evidence of treason.

　　Subordinates who had been bought maintained a facade of obedience and fear—until they believed that safety could only be found by ousting those above them. They would betray their masters in the same fashion, making these usurpers first objects of hatred and then laughingstocks. Before a new order emerges, it is inevitable that the people yearn for the beauty of the past.

　　Even the descendants of the loyal and virtuous were not spared. Bodrigal, the Earl of Colibia in the east, could trace his ancestry back to Demoro Mim of the Willem Dynasty. A merchant by origin and a man of meticulous calculation, Demoro had been entrusted with vital duties by his patron, Brill Willem, responsible for gathering ample grain and armor for the King's far-reaching armies.

　　By the time the earldom passed to the generation of Inzi, though the tradition of frugality remained, he was a lord of mediocre ability. His greatest interest was wandering the streets of the capital in commoner’s clothing. "The Birenst Brothers" was the tavern Inzi frequented most; the foreign music, dances, and the banter of comedians there delighted the lord beyond measure.

　　Inzi’s grandson, Bodrigal, however, displayed an enterprising spirit, wishing to revitalize Colibia and secure a firm footing in the dangerous land of Scoro. But he did not expect that his brother, Heberus, would be so audaciously ambitious and skilled in deception, coveting his elder brother’s seat and plotting to oust the heir apparent, his nephew Laria. Laria had been named the heir by his father upon reaching adulthood; he had spent his years befriending the virtuous and disciplining himself with rigorous standards.

　　Heberus’s ambitious plot was ultimately betrayed by his own confidant. Upon receiving the news, Laria and his retainers led an armed band to attack Heberus’s manor. Soldiers struck the gates with a battering ram, the midnight thumping waking Heberus’s squires. After a brief resistance, they were unable to withstand the well-prepared Laria. Under the cover of a few squires, Heberus was forced to don a groom's clothes and flee his perilous estate; the others were either put to the sword or arrested.

　　Yet Heberus failed to escape the capital, Nisul. The general of the garrison had long maintained secret contact with Laria and detained Heberus under the pretext of "protection." Once all was settled, Laria changed his attire and went to his father’s manor. The place was now guarded by his own men, and the Lord was left with only two attendants by his side.

　　He informed his father that audacious outlaws had attempted to kidnap Heberus and launch a rebellion in his uncle's name. Now, the rebels were executed, and his uncle's family was safe. Heberus and his kin were shielded and preserved to save the family’s face, but his followers and friends bore the guilt for them; judges appointed by Laria sentenced them all to various forms of death.

　　Heberus remained in his manor, where a family of slaves was dispatched by Laria to oversee his daily life and monitor his every move.

　　However, among those slated for execution, a man named Kalad received the full protection of Sibis, a trusted retainer. This tutor to the heir apparent used earnest words to persuade Laria to grant a legal reprieve. This greatly surprised Laria:

　　"Sibis, my teacher, you do not hesitate to beg for forgiveness and mercy for a man of such heinous crimes. I am not sure whether I should punish your presumption or reward your courage."

　　"Respectable Excellency, if I fail in my duty to recommend virtuous talents to govern society and help you achieve great deeds, that too would be a failure of my office, and I would still be unable to escape your just punishment."

　　Just as the executioner was placing the noose around Kalad's neck, bright music rang out across the execution grounds. Kalad was pardoned and taken to a comfortable house, with a servant assigned to attend to his daily needs. On the morning of his meeting with Laria, torches were lit around the house. A priest held a bundle of Puying grass, dipping it in water and flicking it toward the ground in rhythm with his prayers.

　　Kalad had washed and changed into clean clothes. When Laria appeared before him, Kalad bared his arm and knelt on one knee, bowing his head in a posture of submission, as a servant stood behind him with a wooden staff. Laria signaled the servant to withdraw and then, in a mild tone, told him to rise.

　　The subject's repentance was met with the sovereign's pardon. However, in the ensuing conversation, Kalad’s grandiloquence provoked Laria’s distaste, leading him to believe the man was merely a master of words without true talent.

　　At Sibis's repeated insistence, Laria agreed to one more meeting with Kalad and took the initiative to ask him:

　　"Mr. Gerberi (Kalad), how can I shoulder the heavy responsibility my Lord has bestowed upon me and make Colibia strong?"

　　"Respectable Excellency, that requires a decision of your own. Do you wish to satisfy immediate interests, protecting your subjects to maintain the ancestral name, or do you wish to rebuild the order of Scoro?"

　　"My subjects should be grateful for my grace, and my enemies should harbor fear of me."

　　"Those who are grateful admire your virtue; those who harbor fear submit to your authority."

　　Laria smiled in respect and hoped Kalad would offer further guidance.

　　"Respectable Excellency, to act for the public welfare is based on virtue; to act for oneself is born of primal instinct. Both barbarian and civilized societies establish their existence based on the latter. Yet the former is the boundary between a civilized society and the barbarians.

　　Because of this, people of a civilized society can correctly weigh the present against the future, planning ahead rather than being blinded by greed. This allows them to remain united in times of both peace and war, rather than quarreling over immediate gains or forming loose alliances for temporary benefits. Thus, these people can pass their legacy from generation to generation, never leaving this beautiful ancestral land.

　　Therefore, if Your Excellency wishes to achieve great deeds and a lasting name, you must secure the loyalty of both types of men. To do this, the former must feel the extension of justice within your rewards, while the latter must feel the sovereign's generosity. Administer education so the former feels shame in the face of error; execute the law so the latter feels pain in the face of error. And the clarity of education and the majesty of the law depend first upon the integrity of the sovereign.

　　But even so, this is not enough for Your Excellency to achieve a legacy that lasts for ages. Your army must be battle-hardened, requiring strict discipline and constant training—which demands brave generals and loyal subjects. Your treasury must be full and prepared, requiring meticulous planning by officials and the labor of the subjects. And if Your Excellency wishes to earn the following of your subjects, you must provide them with stable property and an undisturbed life."