After Count Greywood sent his letter, the castle waited for two full days.
On the afternoon of the third day, news finally arrived from the northern post road, but only a squad of Tear Knight cavalry entered the territory.
Count Greywood immediately had the reception room opened and ordered the steward to keep everyone else outside for the time being.
But only a Recorder from the Southbound Legion came in.
The man removed his dust-covered gloves, took a parchment document bearing a military seal from his document pouch, and placed it on the table. "Count Greywood, a wartime notice from the Southbound Legion."
Count Greywood waited a few moments before asking, "Did Shien send me a letter?"
The Recorder shook his head. "No."
"A verbal message?"
"None either."
Count Greywood froze for a moment, then lowered his head and picked up the document.
Its contents were almost identical to the notices sent to the other territories.
Especially the final clause: once the deadline passed, the Southbound Legion would take direct control under wartime regulations.
Count Greywood read it from beginning to end, going over it twice. Not a single word mentioned the letter he had written.
Shien had said nothing beyond official business, and naturally, he had not answered the request to meet that the count had made as his father.
"When is the deadline?"
"The afternoon after tomorrow," the Recorder answered, then emphasized, "If the orders remain unfulfilled after the deadline, the relevant areas will automatically enter the compulsory takeover process."
Count Greywood nodded. "Understood."
The Recorder saluted and left.
The moment the door closed, the people outside could no longer wait. Family members and nobles close to them were all waiting for Shien's reply.
The countess came in first, followed by several members of Greywood's main branch and