The New Count

When Victor woke again, it was already afternoon.

Brando had woken long ago. Seeing that Victor was still asleep, he had not disturbed him, and James and his personal servant had taken him out to see the sea.

For the young count, who had long been restricted to moving about within the city, this was his first time sailing out to sea, even though the city he lived in was by the coast.

Sure enough, by the time Victor had tidied himself up and stepped onto the deck, he saw Brando running around like mad, drenched in sweat and clearly having a wonderful time. His anxious personal servant trailed behind him.

Brando quickly spotted his godfather on the deck and hurried over to greet him. "Godfather, you're awake!

"You were sleeping earlier, so I didn't disturb you. The sea here is incredible—there isn't even any wind, and the surface is as flat as a mirror!"

Victor gently patted Brando on the head, gave a slight nod to the servant following behind Brando who bowed to him, and then said to Brando, "Slow down when you run. You're on a ship now, so you must be careful!"

Brando nodded. Victor gave him a gentle push on the back and let him go on playing.

Only then did Victor have time to observe the situation on deck. Because the Lombardy had a broad hull, its decks were practically connected together. With no wind or waves at the moment, many of the nobles traveling with them were on deck getting some air and admiring the seascape.

Victor exchanged greetings with several Northern Frontier counts he saw and chatted with them on deck for a while. The Northern Frontier nobles had gained the most from this civil war. One marquis and six counts had