Details

Virut and Sergei knew each other.

Of course, that was after Virut joined Derek's command.

Before that, although they were both Northland Nobles, they truly had not known each other.

The circle of Northland Nobles was small, but transportation had been even worse in those days, and social circles were relatively closed off.

They were both in the Northern Lands, but their families were at opposite ends, with an entire province between them.

One was a Baron's legitimate son, while the other was a Baron's second son. It was perfectly normal for them not to know each other.

But after Virut joined Derek's command, he naturally came to know Sergei.

However, their statuses differed, so their relationship was no different from that of ordinary acquaintances.

Sergei had spent most of these years serving elsewhere, so they had not become particularly familiar.

Strictly speaking, Sergei was still Virut's subordinate.

Before he stepped down as Legion Commander, he had happened to fall under the Ministry of Army's jurisdiction.

Of course, someone at the level of Legion Commander was already a military heavyweight, a faction unto himself. There was no absolute gap in status between them, especially since Sergei was the emperor's own elder brother.

Virut naturally had no grounds to put on airs before him.

Ever since receiving Sergei's request for assistance, Virut had been pondering what political signal might be hidden behind this man taking up the position of Guard Commander.

He was different from Simon. Or rather, he was more like Count Little Jefferies—far more politically mature.

That was the result of family education. Although he had acted impulsively in political immaturity when he was young, once he grew older, the education he had received in his youth allowed him to transition seamlessly and quickly into the role of a