Red Tide City, Grand Council Hall.
The morning light spills down from the dome's crevice, illuminating the entire hall supported by Cold Iron beams.
On the walls, one after another, the Red Tide flags hang down, the flag corners gently swaying, as if rising and falling with each breath.
Unlike any past year, this place has become the heart of the entire Northern Territory.
On the main seat, Louis sits quietly; his daughter was born only a few days ago, yet on the third morning, he still stands before this long table without any hesitation.
His gaze falls on the giant map of the Northern Territory behind him, the latest surveyed version.
On the map, the red of Red Tide has spread from the Southeast like ink bleeding, nearly making the entire Northern Territory the same color.
Those once scattered territories are now tightly clasped by this piece of red.
The tiered seats in the hall are already fully occupied.
