There was only one reason that could make Reiner frown so deeply: the matter had left him facing an extremely difficult choice.
The letter read as follows:
"Greetings, respected ruler of Morland Castle, Baron Moreland Reiner. As your cousin, I offer you my sincerest regards!"
Reiner found this claim of being cousins quite strange. He did not remember having any familial connection with the other party, and even the memories of his predecessor contained no trace of such a relationship.
Reiner took two genealogical records from beside the bed in his room. They detailed the lineages of the Kahn Family and the Moreland Family. If he truly had any connection to Ryan, these two records would surely mention it.
After looking through them, Reiner finally understood why the other party called himself his cousin.
It turned out that his great-aunt had married Reiner's grandfather. In other words, Reiner's grandmother was Baron Kahn's great-aunt. Since the other man was older than Reiner, he called himself Reiner's cousin.
The letter further said:
"During the winter that has just passed, the Krad People ravaged the entire North in a brutal and inhumane campaign. I learned that you had led your army north to resist them, and I thought that, as one who shares the same bloodline, I too should make a brave decision like yours."
"Thus, I also led my army north to resist the Krad invasion. Yet unlike your exhilarating victory, I suffered a crushing defeat before the Krad People. My army was routed, and many knights died upon the battlefield!"
"And when spring arrived, the other lords learned of my weakness and began eyeing me hungrily. Now, Baron Runef and Baron Barry, Count Zebo's two lapdogs, have led their armies into my territory. Perhaps they are attacking me on Count Zebo's