Gerald Noble Territory.
The two counts had met more often recently than they had in the past ten years combined.
Because both of them could see that Ryan wanted Kemon Gerald to become the next master of this land—and its only master. Kemon was Ryan's student and the Dark-Eyed Count's child, so to the Golden-Eyed Count, this was naturally not good news.
"We were once children beneath the same title."
"Gerald has no nobles who cling to life in secret. The future Gerald will surely return to our homeland and establish a kingdom."
"You think Kemon can lead Gerald to establish a kingdom?"
"At the very least, compared to my brother—your child—my child has a greater chance. Gerald no longer has any resources to spare. We need to create them anew, and on that path, Kemon has an enormous advantage."
Facing the Dark-Eyed Count, facing the words of this nephew of his, even the unruly Golden-Eyed Count fell silent.
Only after a long while did he sigh.
"I'm old."
"Uncle, you are not old. It's just... the times have changed."
"But rest assured, the future Golden-Eyed line will surely be the Regent of the kingdom."
The Golden-Eyed Count looked at the Dark-Eyed Count and said, frustrated by his failure to live up to expectations:
"Do you truly believe we need to depend on Ryan? That only by relying on him can we rebuild the kingdom?"
"At least for now, we cannot break free of him."
"But I don't believe a Baron like him can accomplish anything. He is only a Baron!"
"This Baron controls three kingdoms and a stretch of land no smaller than an empire. Even if the Northlands remain frozen in the future, he will never hand over the land of the South to anyone."
"We can all