Expectation

Karl's chewing paused slightly. He knew he could not hide this from his shrewd mother, and the time had come to let his family know.

He swallowed his food, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and met his mother's gaze with a calm but exceptionally solemn expression. He answered, "Yes, Mother. We are preparing to launch an offensive against the Sauron-controlled territory to the north."

Although Lady Eileen had already guessed as much, hearing her son confirm it still startled her. The fork in her hand lightly struck the plate with a crisp clang.

She immediately pressed him, "A war? Then... who is leading the troops this time? Don't tell me... you're going personally again?"

"I am." Karl's answer held not a trace of hesitation. "It has to be me."

"Why!" Lady Eileen's emotions began to flare, and her voice rose several notches. "What about Brendan and Roland? Weren't they trained by you to lead troops and fight in your place? Can't you just send them!"

"You are the lord of this land, the backbone of Carnford. You should remain at the center and coordinate everything! What sense is there in the lord personally taking risks and charging at the front every time!"

Karl completely understood his mother's concern, but he had an unshakable reason that required him to go personally.

He took a deep breath, looked steadily at his mother, and explained in a firm tone, "Mother, I have complete faith in Brendan and Roland's courage and loyalty. As generals, they are impeccable in carrying out tactics. But this operation is entirely different!"

"This is Carnford's—and, one could even say, the entire Northern Territory of the Goldflower Kingdom's—first proactive field offensive against the Sauron people in decades, intended to reclaim lost territory! Its political and symbolic significance far exceeds