In recent years, the workers requisitioned for the riverworks project came from both inside and outside the capital. The same group of workers and conscriptedborers for the riverworks project were employed for various tasks.


    Cameron was the head of the Waterworks Department, which was under the Ministry of Infrastructure. Under the guise of river repairs and irrigation drainage projects, the department had seized a considerable amount ofnd and resources.


    They scattered houses across these areas, but not in any organized way. Workers and some conscriptedborers for the riverworks project now lived in those ces.


    The river channel crisscrossed thend, and the areas they''d taken covered all directions-east, west, south, and north. Jacob marked these locations and connected them with lines, revealing that they encircled the pce district like an inescapable.


    If these workers were private soldiers of the true mastermind behind the rebellion, then guarding the city gates would have been useless. They had been right there inside the city, constantly surveying the terrain in their free time. In fact, they likely knew the capital''syout better than even the Garrison Unit and the Capital Guard.


    Carissa studied the map, a feeling of unease creeping over her.


    She then posed a question, "Given that they have requisitioned so muchnd, they must have received approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the king, right?"


    "That''s correct," Jeremiah confirmed. "But as part of the river and drainage project, they weren''t supposed to be building houses. Now, they''ve settled quite a few people in these areas. I went to the government office to check the household registrations, but none of those people are officially listed."


    "Are the conscriptedborers living there as well?" Carissa asked.


    "Most of them. The conscriptedborers requisitioned from outside the city are all housed in these locations. These are men who''ve spent years doing hardbor. They''re strong-lifting a heavy hammer or sword is a trivial task for them."


    Carissa furrowed her brow. Building the river channels and foundation dams sometimes required stone cutting. They had tools likerge hammers, axes, and knives, all of which were provided by the court. What they had uncovered was only part of the puzzle. There was still much to be investigated. Not wanting to waste any more time, Carissa set out early the next morning to report to Salvador. Upon hearing her report, Salvador couldn''t help but scoff. "That rabble are you suggesting they''re rebels?"


    "Your Majesty, they are not just rabble. These men have been working as conscriptedborers for years. They''re strong and capable of feats of great strength," Carissa replied, standing firm.


    Salvador shook his head slowly, his expression turning serious. "You''ve been in court for only a short while. You don''t know how the Ministry of Infrastructure has been using them for years to clear river silt, open irrigation channels, and even clear the mountains.


    "If they were truly rebels, they had their chance when the Mystic Army was at the Southern Frontier. That would have been their moment to strike. Even if you think Prince Nichs is behind Prince Yuvan, could he havemanded them from Nerovia? Or are you suggesting that Prince Hayden is the one pulling the strings in the capital?"


    Carissa pressed forward with her analysis, exining, "Your Majesty, during the war at the Southern Frontier, the treasury was running low and the riverworks were limited to basic dredging. The conscriptedborers involved were minimal.


    "But this time, it''s different. This is a massive operation-there''srge-scale construction of foundation dams, digging of river channels for irrigation, and building reservoirs. Together, the conscriptedborers and workers number nearly 20,000. Can you afford to take such a risk, Your Majesty?"


    A risk.


    Salvador loathed the thought of it. With both internal unrest and external threats looming, thest thing he wanted was for trouble to erupt in the capital.


    Yet, when it came to risks, Salvador couldn''t equate the riverworks project workers to the Mystic Army. He studied Carissa in silence for a long moment, weighing her words.


    On one hand, he trusted her loyalty. Hector''s principles were her guiding light, and she would never conspire against the crown. On the other hand, the full might of Starhaven''s forces was concentrated in her hands, and that alone was a dangerous prospect.


    If he ordered the riverworks to halt, there would be consequences. This year had already seen several bouts of heavy rain. If another storm came, the upleted works would lead to flooded fields and homes, and the people would be quick to voice their discontent.


    "Are you suggesting we halt construction?" Salvador finally asked.


    Carissa, undeterred by the weight of his gaze, answered resolutely, "Halt construction. Arrest and investigate the officials within the Waterworks Department."


    "If construction is halted now, do you understand the consequences if flooding urs?" Salvador countered, his tone sharp.


    "Your Majesty, do you understand the consequences if the conscriptedborers turn out to be rebels?" Carissa shot back, unwavering.


    Salvador fell silent, his expression darkening as he wrestled with the dilemma. Finally, after a long pause, he conceded partially.


    "No arrests. Investigate in secret."


    Carissa''s brow furrowed in frustration. "How can that work? Even with a secret investigation, there are too many officials in the Waterworks Department. It could take months-far too much time."


    Salvador no longer trusted either side, so he wouldn''t listen to only Carissa.


    "My decision is made. There''s no need for you to investigate. I will arrange for Commander Walker to look into it," he said resolutely.


    "So, in the end, you still don''t trust me, Your Majesty," Carissa replied, her tone tightening as her frustration deepened.


    Salvador''s expression hardened. "If you want me to believe you, bring me evidence. As of now, you cannot even prove Prince Nichs is a traitor, let alone implicate the riverworks project''s workers." "Your Majesty-"


    "Bring me proof," Salvador cut her off sharply, his voice rising. "Until then, you''re dismissed!"