After the banquet ended, the elven nobles departed from the castle in the Verdant Crystal Domain.
Charles, too, packed up his belongings and prepared to leave.
Before leaving, Charles and Elendil discussed Charles's upcoming work in his territory.
Elendil said, "Why won't you accept the fief I offered you?"
Elendil had originally intended to grant Charles a piece of land as his fief, to serve as his foundation.
But Charles had refused.
The reason was simple. Although he had accepted Elendil's investiture, Charles still wanted to keep his distance from the Silverleaf Lord.
The elves knew too much. And within such established territory, whatever Charles did, he might not be able to keep even the slightest secret.
It would be better to go out and carve out a territory of his own.
Charles said, "Since I wish to follow in Lord Felenlos's footsteps, then naturally I must reclaim old lands and make them my territory."
Elendil nodded, but still said worriedly, "But reclaiming old lands will not be easy."
Charles nodded. "It certainly won't be easy, but that is precisely what makes it challenging for me."
"I came to the Land of Chaos for this."
"If I were satisfied with obtaining a fief under your command, then there would have been no need for me to come to the Land of Chaos. The Sea of Trees would have been enough."
"Reclaiming old lands carries danger, but with you as my backing, I believe I will achieve results."
At that, Elendil burst into laughter.
He praised, "Worthy of a Sun Elf!"
Then he asked, "Since you do not need the fief I offered, tell me: what sort of support do you need from me?"
Charles thought for a moment and said, "Whether opening up land or reclaiming old territory, soldiers and