Behind the Strife (Taking Tomorrow Off)

After Count Colt had sent the Northern Frontier nobles away with those words, Alex accompanied him back to his quarters.

"Father, you were too polite to those people. You and the Legion Commanders had already made your decision, so why care what they think? None of them stands out in rank or territorial strength. Why explain yourself to them?"

There was a hint of complaint in Alex's voice.

Count Colt was silent for a moment before he spoke. "You're right. Even the strongest among them, Viscount Zigfei Azalea, only serves as a Legion Deputy Commander. His private army is just one regiment, and their combined forces amount to less than a legion.

"Judging by strength alone, there's no need to give them much weight.

"But you must understand, Alex: they may not be as powerful as great noble territories like Crimson Maple Territory, Pumpkin Territory, and Sage Territory, but they represent the vast majority of Northern Frontier nobles. Their support has strengthened our voice.

"Without their help, we could never have called ourselves the Northern Alliance Army. We could never have raised the banner of rebellion against the Grand Duchy in the name of Northern Frontier nobles resisting injustice. That is what gives our cause legitimacy!"

Alex felt ashamed after hearing his father's words. He had not thought that far ahead.

"Father, I'm sorry. I..."

Count Colt cut him off. "Besides, what makes you think they came to question me of their own accord?"

Alex froze. "If they didn't come on their own, who sent them?

"The only great nobles in the Northern Alliance Army with that kind of influence are Crimson Maple Territory, Golden Pear Territory, Pumpkin Territory, and Sage Territory. Perhaps Victor's Two Rivers Territory, too.

"Victor and Uncle aren't here, while Viscount Edmund, Viscount Hawke, and Viscount