Matching Cloaks...

"Mmm, disperse and head back. We set out now!"

"Yes, my lord!" The nobles promptly scattered, preparing to have their troops break camp.

"Nalant!" Just as Nalant was about to turn away, Bernard suddenly called out to him.

"My lord!" Nalant had no idea why Bernard had stopped him.

"Bring your troops to the front shortly and stay by my side!" Bernard instructed blandly.

"Yes, my lord!" Nalant nodded obediently.

"Go on!" Bernard waved him away.

Nalant then returned to camp amid the envious gazes of the nobles.

The Tulip Family had dispatched three thousand direct troops this time: five hundred Tulip Knights, two thousand elite guards, and five hundred logistical laborers.

On top of that, there were nearly eight thousand men from the vassals' forces.

With so many people, the length of the marching column went without saying.

And when marching, nobles—who cared greatly about appearances—had certain unspoken rules to follow.

For example, stronger nobles naturally ranked closer to the front, while weaker ones would consciously keep farther back.

As for the noble contingents arranged beside the count, they were the most prestigious among the vassals—either particularly favored or especially powerful.

For instance, the viscount lords of Tulip Territory, or vassals like Andrew, renowned for their bravery in battle.

For an obscure little knight like Nalant to march at the head of the column was truly unprecedented.

That was why everyone looked at Nalant with such envy.

"My lord!" By the time Nalant returned to camp, his tent had already been packed away and loaded onto a cart.

"Mmm. Is everything packed up? We're about to leave!"

"My lord, everything has been loaded. We can depart at any time!" Vivian replied.

Woo! Woo! Woo!

At that very moment, several resounding horn blasts came from the city gate ahead.

This