The Young Count

At the docks outside Sunset City, a group stood on Number One pier, gazing into the distance. The pier had berths for ten large seagoing ships, but it had been cleared for them. The dockmaster had moved every ship that normally moored there to other berths.

Elite guards in armor and gray surcoats lined both sides of the pier, protecting the group at its center. Just then, several people emerged from beneath the nearby lighthouse. One of them headed toward the pier, and the guards immediately stepped aside for him.

Someone in the group spotted the newcomer and went straight over. "Viscount Sonanda, has Marquis Victor's ship arrived?"

The newcomer was Viscount Sonanda, the current commander of Suffolk County's Coastal Defense Fleet. He waved a hand. "Yellen, don't call me 'my lord.' You're a viscount now too. There's no need to be so formal with another viscount. If anyone hears you, it could hurt your reputation."

The man who had asked was Knight Yellen, who had once fought under Victor. After the Civil War ended, he had become a viscount with Victor's endorsement.

His fief lay beside Great Oak Territory, but he spent most of his time in Sunset City, commanding Great Oak Territory's troops.

Yellen had been a noble for more than half a year, but he still wasn't used to noble etiquette. He continued to address the older Viscount Sonanda with deference.

Just as Yellen was about to say something, a short figure stepped out of the crowd behind him. He pushed back his hood, revealing a youthful face. It was Brando Great Oak, the young count of Great Oak Territory. He asked the same question as Yellen: "Viscount Sonanda, has Teacher Victor's ship arrived?"

Yellen closed his mouth at once and looked to Viscount Sonanda too. He