At the very beginning, the Forge Masters looked at the overly young and overly beautiful Baroness with eyes full of disdain, doubt, and distrust.
But as she started to speak eloquently, the atmosphere in the arbitration hall gradually became serious and heavy.
Anna first succinctly analyzed Steelburg's dilemma:
As long as the war in Paratu doesn't end, Steelburg will continue to decay day by day;
With one flourishing as the other dwindles, even if they can hold on until the end of the war, Steelburg's dominant position will be seized by other iron-producing places;
The city thrived because of the waterways and will perish with their severance.
