"Nonsense!" Grand Duke Horton glared at Brutus.
At that moment, he did not think much of it.
Naturally, he knew about the relationship between Brutus and Viscount Ironwall.
But even if he openly intended to strip Viscount Ironwall of his military authority, Brutus would, at most, plead on his behalf. He would never dare to openly defy him.
Besides, Viscount Ironwall had indeed failed his mission this time, so punishing him was perfectly justified.
Brutus would not go so far as to do anything out of line over something like this.
Ultimately, the two men had been his trusted lieutenants through years of campaigns. Grand Duke Horton had never doubted their loyalty.
What he did not know, however, was that his greatest secret had already been exposed by a certain "spoiler bastard" named Nie...
"Brutus, you bastard, you're still as annoying as ever. Heh!"
A smile appeared on Viscount Ironwall's face. He spread his arms and approached Brutus, seemingly intending to give his long-unseen friend an affectionately bromantic hug.
Except, as the smiling Viscount Ironwall passed a certain spot, he casually swung his arm just a little too wide...
Crash!
With a sharp crash, Grand Duke Horton's beloved Janice with the Severed Arm, crafted by a renowned artist, shattered into pieces across the floor.
Brutus: "..."
Grand Duke Horton: "..."
The room fell silent for a full three seconds.
Brutus's mouth hung open.
Grand Duke Horton's expression, meanwhile, visibly darkened.
The follower behind Brutus, however, looked at the scattered fragments, his gaze sharpening slightly.
"Uh... I'm sorry, Your Grace. My hand slipped. This... this..." Viscount Ironwall rubbed his hands together, looking embarrassed as he seemingly tried to explain.
Brutus stared at Viscount Ironwall, speechless.
Your hand slipped?
*That statue must have weighed at least a few dozen kilograms. What kind