New Harbor, the busiest port city on the Eastern Continent, is like a dazzling gem embedded in the map of Jonsenor. It never truly sleeps—bustling by day, it becomes even more lively at night. The port area is enveloped in the salty sea breeze and the fragrant scent of wood. The masts of the sailing ships rise like a forest, swaying in the wind, as though proclaiming the prosperity of this city.
The docks are paved with thick stone slabs, but years of dampness have made moss faintly visible. The sound of unloading bells echoes in the distance, while the hurried footsteps of dockworkers are heard as they sweat profusely, unloading crates of goods from the ships. Sweat and seawater mix, soaking their tattered linen clothes. Dark-skinned sailors argue loudly, haggling over unloading times or the storage fees for the cargo; shipowners and merchants stand on the decks, cloaked in fur capes, directing their servants to inventory the spoils.
The busy port is filled with all kinds of ships, from the broad merchant vessels of the Western Continent loaded with silk, spices, and transparent gemstones, to local small fishing boats with freshly caught fish and shrimp on their decks. Luxurious ships are adorned with brightly colored flags, while some dilapidated hulls show signs of long voyages.
On the other side of the harbor, beggars huddle in corners, their clothes ragged, their eyes full of both hunger for food and silent longing for wealth. They watch as heavily laden carts roll over the cobbled streets, the wheels splashing dirty water onto the road.
The streets of New Harbor are equally bustling. Beneath stone arcades, vendors display a variety of goods, from handcrafted leather to finely carved metalware and exotic treasures from distant lands. Traveling merchants shout loudly, using exaggerated tones to sell their rare goods to passing nobles and travelers, while black market deals take place quietly in dark alleys.
At a high vantage point, a towering cathedral stands in the heart of New Harbor, its majestic spire pointing toward the heavens. Stained glass windows reflect a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, seemingly guarding the city. In the square below, people gather to discuss the arrival of the fleet, children chase each other with laughter, and occasionally, a noble carriage drawn by horses passes over the cobbled streets, splashing rainwater into puddles that dampen the passersby's clothes.
The further one moves toward the city center, the more refined and prosperous the surroundings become. Russell Avenue is lined with jewelry shops, fabric stores, and tea houses, their windows displaying luxury items that reflect the sunlight. In the thriving districts, the wealthy stroll leisurely, dressed in fine clothes, their arms linked with elegant ladies. Their steps contrast sharply with the hurried delivery men and elderly beggars in the poor neighborhoods.
In the shadows of New Harbor, the influence of gangs like the "Razor Gang" and the "Night Tide Group" is deeply entrenched. They control underground gambling and smuggling operations, their watchful eyes peering from the broken alleyways, keeping a close watch on every stranger. In the tavern "Boiling Kettle," a group of drunken men argue over the division of stolen goods, the gleam of knives and swords on the gambling tables revealing another face of the city.
At this moment, Kane is sitting in a coastal tavern in New Harbor, surrounded by a noisy, vibrant atmosphere. He wears a simple yet elegant dark robe, with subtle gold embroidery at the cuffs, neither ostentatious nor lacking in distinction. He sits quietly in a corner, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the people in the tavern, seemingly observing everything around him.
The sound of footsteps approaches, and Altu Belva walks up to Kane's table, holding a list for the auction. He lowers his voice cautiously and says, "My lord, the preparations for tonight's auction are complete. The fire crystal and other lots will surely become the focus. This time, Raphael, a representative of the Jonsenor royal family, has also arrived at the venue."
Altu is a middle-aged man with a gray beard, steady in movement and sharp in his gaze. He is not only Kane's assistant but also the agent of the Solantis-Asteril Chamber of Commerce in New Harbor, with an intricate understanding of the subtle relationships between various forces.
Kane looks up, absentmindedly playing with the cup in his hand, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable weight. "Everything is proceeding as planned. Don't rush to act—let them come to us in their own time."
"Understood." Altu nods, his tone reflecting both caution and a hint of admiration.