Neither the Mad Dog Duke's probe nor Annan's counterattack was the sort of tactic anyone could be proud of.
Olmedo told Annan that if they won the war against the Mad Dog Duke, the glory would belong to Free City.
In the future, Annan would no longer face prejudice or contempt. The powerful and the heirs of great families would treat him as an equal.
"Wouldn't that take away my advantage?"
How was I supposed to charm noblewomen and young ladies then?
But Annan would turn seventeen in three months—old enough to be married with children. He could no longer count on people overlooking things because of his age. Some behavior was laughed off only when a child did it.
Olmedo studied Annan, who was a little shorter than her. "You haven't grown any taller, have you?"
It wasn't just his height. Annan still looked fifteen or sixteen, just as he had when he first arrived...
"Don't be nervous. It isn't a flaw," Olmedo said meaningfully. "Many Long-lived Races grow more slowly than humans."
"I am human."
"But you're a Sorcerer... a Sorcerer who creates miracles."
Sorcerer was a label broad enough to cover just about anything.
"Enough about me!"
Annan steered away from the subject that embarrassed him.
"Then let's get back to the Mad Dog Duke." Olmedo lowered her head to hide her smile. "The longer this war drags on, the worse he looks."
Annan thought so too. Every day the war continued, innocent civilians would die because of it.
"You think he'll launch a real attack in the next few days?"
"Most likely. Assassination is a disgraceful act wherever you go. If he doesn't want it exposed, he'll have to silence you before you can speak."
Annan pictured thousands upon thousands of civilians being driven onto the