The Conversation Between a Son-in-Law and His Father-in-Law

Victor had known for some time that Benjamin would be traveling to Silver Maple City with the Iron Birch fleet on his return trip, so he had sent people to keep an eye on the Blackwater River route early on, hoping to meet Benjamin. After all, it had been a long time since they had last seen each other, and there were a few things he wanted to discuss with his father-in-law.

Victor and Count Benjamin, who had just been promoted from viscount to count, sat in a spacious, brightly lit cabin. They sampled the fruit wine Benjamin had brought from his territory while chatting about the promotion ceremony that had just ended.

"Father-in-law, first of all, congratulations on your promotion to count!"

"You rascal, are you hoping I'll congratulate you on becoming a marquis?"

"No, no, I wouldn't dare. Veronica would give me trouble!"

"Edmund must have looked awfully pleased with himself after being promoted to count!"

"Yes, Viscount Edmund was indeed very happy!"

As time passed, their conversation unknowingly shifted to the extraordinarily brutal war of attrition Benjamin had fought against the Duchy Army in Durham County in the Northlands.

When Victor heard that Durham County had suffered heavy losses yet no detailed battle report had appeared, he could not help asking Benjamin about it. "While I was fighting in the Grand Duchy's interior, I kept receiving battle reports from various places through the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce.

"But regarding the fighting in Durham County, although I was always able to learn how the battle was progressing, the descriptions of both sides' casualties were vague. In particular, I still haven't learned the exact number of dead and wounded."

Benjamin let out a long sigh when he heard this. His face was filled with guilt as he