Resettling Retired Soldiers (Taking a Temporary Day Off on the 11th)

That afternoon, several regimental commanders and Lodan from the logistics troops arrived at Victor's office.

Aside from James, who had needed to return to his territory to oversee matters, the other regimental commanders and Lodan had only just received their titles. They were still handling their regular duties, though, and had done little more than choose family names and coats of arms. They were not especially busy.

Their territories had been confirmed, but immigrants had only just begun arriving. The land was still effectively wilderness, with no work that required the new lords' personal attention, so most of them remained at the Main Camp in Wood Fort Town.

James happened to have returned to Wood Fort Town on other business and received Victor's summons.

Once inside the office, they gathered to discuss what becoming nobles entailed. As the most experienced among them, James naturally became the center of the conversation.

"I'm telling you, being a noble isn't all that great. There's all kinds of nonsense to deal with. Look at me—I'm a viscount, and I still have to run around handling affairs in my territory. Being a regimental commander was much more satisfying!"

Victor shook his head with a wry smile as James went on and on, putting on the air of a seasoned noble. He left his territory to his steward year after year, and even its towns and villages had been built with help from Two Rivers Territory. What work had the man done? Still, Victor had no intention of exposing him here.

Victor coughed twice. Everyone immediately fell silent and sat up straight. They had served under him for years and knew his ways all too well, so their reactions were quick.

Victor surveyed them with satisfaction. There were only seven others in the room: James,