By the end, Oscar's voice had grown quieter. He waved a hand, looked at Richard, and said seriously, "All right, enough of that. Let's talk business. You were in such a hurry to find me because you wanted to confirm how the promise we made back then would be fulfilled, right?"
"Yes." Richard did not deny it. "We agreed that if I helped you win the war, you would give me what I wanted. Now that the war has been won..."
"Then you'll get what you want very soon," Oscar cut in, speaking seriously.
"Very soon?" Richard raised an eyebrow slightly. "Specifically?"
"Of course, at the Victory Celebration." Oscar shot Richard a displeased look. "Don't tell me you don't even intend to attend the Victory Celebration. It was fine if you skipped the Entry Ceremony, but the Victory Celebration is a special ceremony His Majesty has arranged to reward those who distinguished themselves in the war.
General Soren remained at Reef Rock Fortress to guard against the Sika Kingdom, just in case, which is understandable. Other than him, you, the Command Consultant, hold the highest status in the army. If you don't attend either, what would that look like? What kind of Victory Celebration would it be? So you must attend. The rest of what was promised to you will be openly given to you at the ceremony in the name of rewarding your merits. Besides, you may have heard that, barring any surprises, you will receive a special Garrison Area in Xika as your Fief. That is a reward for your additional contributions during the war—the Alliance has always rewarded merit and punished wrongdoing."
Richard listened, raising his brows. His first thought was to refuse. After all, he had no interest in managing some Fief—politics, personnel, social dealings, all