Inside the Granary

The words "Eagle Nest Cavalry" were like a boulder hurled into a calm lake, stirring invisible ripples through the room.

Friedrich, who had kept his composure all along, felt his gaze chill almost imperceptibly the instant he heard that name, and the corner of his mouth even curved in a faint arc mingled with mockery and disgust.

Eagle's Nest Fortress, the territory of Earl Eisenberg—that place had left him with memories full of oppression and displeasure.

Back then, it was precisely because he had disdained to wallow in the same mire as Earl Eisenberg's conservative, cowardly methods, and even his secret collusion with certain forces, that Friedrich had clashed with him again and again, until in the end he was squeezed out, practically "exiled" to this chaotic tri-border region.

But even without that conflict, he had long since grown sick of serving in that lifeless, bureaucratic environment.

Duke Boles took in every one of Friedrich's subtle yet distinct emotional changes. Before coming here, he had already examined Friedrich's record in detail, and he knew perfectly well about the old grudge between him and Eagle's Nest.

He sighed inwardly. This was exactly the thorniest part of this appointment, but it was also something that had to be overcome.

He did not expose it. Instead, he continued in a tone that was understanding yet allowed no doubt, his words carrying a strong weight of practical consideration: "This old man knows well that between you and Eagle's Nest, there were some... less than pleasant entanglements in the past."

He deftly brushed it aside with the word "entanglements," then changed tack, his tone turning incomparably solemn. "However, Friedrich, I hope you—no, I require you—to set aside personal grudges for the time being, and put the kingdom's greater situation first, put the safety of the