Know

At that moment, with Ulf publicly reopening Ivar's wounds during such an important meeting, Ivar's face instantly darkened, then turned livid. His fists clenched beneath the table until his knuckles went white, his nails digging deep into his palms. But he forcibly held back, not erupting at once. He merely glared at Ulf with eyes that seemed ready to spit fire.

Ulf, however, acted as though he hadn't noticed Ivar's fury. He even deliberately cast another glance at Harald, who sat in the seat of honor.

Harald remained as expressionless as a stone carving. His deep gaze calmly rested on Ulf, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

"So," Ulf withdrew his gaze and finally revealed his true intentions, his voice carrying a deliberately profound speculation. "I was wondering—are Lord Karl and the Rochfort family perhaps a little too close?"

"Rochfort of Fran City is a renowned old fox. He never rises early without profit. Yet he's willing to support Carnford without regard for the cost, even daring to send a large force to a strategic location like Tyrol to aid in its defense."

"Maybe our young Lord Karl became Rochfort's son-in-law long ago. That Count's daughter who made Thorsten suffer such a great loss at Icewater Creek might have been secretly involved with Karl for quite some time!"

"Only then would Rochfort, with the two families joined as one, feel confident enough to stake his precious daughter and elite troops on Carnford!"

His bold, even somewhat malicious speculation caused many of the generals in the hall to fall into thought. Some even nodded slightly, finding it quite reasonable.

Marriage alliances were indeed the most common and effective means for nobles to consolidate their alliances.

"Corps Commander Ulf!" A deep voice filled with restrained fury suddenly rang out, breaking the