New Support

When Catherine entered the tent, her fiancé was listening to Schroeder report the latest situation.

Many unfamiliar faces surrounded Paul. They all wore the standardized uniforms of the Arda Army, and judging from the insignia on their shoulders, they were all relatively high-ranking officers.

Hearing the disturbance, Paul raised his head, and his gaze met Catherine's.

I should be a little more proactive, Paul thought. He walked around the table, approached his fiancée, and took her hand.

Catherine instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but stopped herself in time.

"It's wonderful to see that you're safe and sound, darling."

Catherine had never been addressed that way in front of so many people. Her heart skipped a beat, and a blush spread across her fair face.

She glared at Paul with some embarrassment, reminding him to mind the occasion—though she did not object to him addressing her that way in private.

"Thank you for your support, Earl Greiman."

Paul realized he had been a little too forward. He smiled sheepishly, then greeted Ophina, Klein, and the others standing behind Catherine one by one.

Everyone took their seats around the conference table.

Paul introduced the people accompanying him. "Catherine, many of the people who went with me to Crystal Radiance are people you already know, but there are several new faces I need to introduce. This is my Artillery Director, Colonel Bryce Alder. He was originally a knight who had served the Greiman Family for generations. Since I brought almost all the cannons with me, he came along as well."

The burly Bryce immediately stood and paid his respects to the future mistress of the household.

"My head of the Logistics Department, Ron..." Paul finished introducing everyone qualified to attend the meeting.

Then he spoke about the support he had brought.