"M-Mr. Xia Nan, we... mmph... just came over from the registration desk..."
Seated across the dining table, the young noble from the Imperial Capital held a fork spearing a slice of smoked meat in one hand and clutched a roasted chicken leg in the other. His cheeks bulged as he answered indistinctly.
Clearly, after so many days traveling from Salt Rock Port to Blood-Cast Fortress, he had had quite enough of the dry rations along the way.
Now that he finally had a delicious feast in front of him, he paid no heed to his appearance and simply buried himself in his food.
By contrast, Wenser, the fisherman's son beside him, seemed uninterested in the expensive delicacies on the table-luxuries he might never have tasted more than once or twice in his life had he followed his original path.
He focused only on the few dishes closest to him, without even thinking of stretching out his arm, mechanically repeating the motions of putting food in his mouth, chewing, and swallowing.
Holding a cup of mead, Xia Nan watched them, their figures reflected in his dark eyes.
After listening to their introductions, he had gained a general understanding of their current situation.
The three had met in a recruitment squad and traveled to Blood-Cast Fortress together, heading straight to the registration desk upon arrival.
For some unknown reason-perhaps too many new recruits had arrived recently and the fortress was short-staffed, or perhaps because of the special circumstances the young officer at the supply warehouse had mentioned-they had waited outside the registration desk for ages without seeing the line move at all. Since it was getting late, they had decided to rest for the night and try again after daybreak.
Then... came what had just happened in the tavern.
"Mr. Xia Nan!"