Earl Connor raised a hand and pointed to the seat before him. "Sit. I've felt a little unwell ever since returning from Viscount Derek's place, so I won't be getting up."
It was Sheriff's first time facing an earl at such close range. He secretly glanced around at the surroundings and felt a faint sense of pressure.
But when he thought of his third brother, a figure who had caused the earl devastating losses, he no longer felt quite so afraid.
Remembering Derek's instructions, Sheriff plopped down and stated his purpose directly. "Viscount Derek is my brother. He sent me to discuss a few matters with you, my lord."
"Oh? I'd like to hear Viscount Derek's brilliant insight. What advice does he have for a defeated subordinate like me?"
A seasoned negotiator would likely have begun explaining himself upon hearing the mockery in those words.
But Sheriff did not react. He stated his purpose outright. "We hope you can influence the Holy Cross Kingdom legion's route and have them bypass Birch Castle."
That was far too blunt as well.
Earl Connor found it difficult to respond directly, but his eldest son stepped forward at that moment. "Dream on. We are thoroughly prepared this time. An army of one hundred thousand will march on Birch Castle, and Derek can wait for death."
"Then you'll need to prepare another fifty thousand lives to fill the ground beneath Birch Castle."
"Heh. My father isn't the commander this time. If they die, they die."
"Then we'll surrender. I wonder whether the new commander will receive the praise of your King because of that."
With a single sentence, Sheriff struck at their weak point.
Compared to seeing Derek suffer misfortune, they were even less willing to see his successor rise through the ranks.
Seeing that