"F-friends?"
On the beach, every noble who had been about to speak stood with their mouth half-open, the words forgotten.
The short-mustached knight who had just stirred up trouble, hoping to have Roland put Veylin in his place, turned deathly pale.
But a moment later, his tense body relaxed again, as though a tremendous weight had lifted from his heart.
After all, the Sunyang family had taken a position. He could report back now.
Baron Kru halted mid-stride, his outstretched hand hanging awkwardly in the air.
Roland Riyang.
The brightest rising knight in the Duchy's Southern Border.
The first heir to the Sunyang family.
A man who valued the knightly code above his own life and never associated with schemers or opportunists.
And now, he was embracing an obscure frontier baron.
Diana froze as well.
My cousin? Veylin? Friends? Since when?
Roland released him.
He rested both hands on Veylin's shoulders, the hands of a Fifth-Rank Knight steady and strong.
Originally, he had not wanted to reveal his position yet. He had not wanted his words and actions to influence the nobles of Dawn Territory.
That would not have been honorable, and he could tell Veylin did not want him to do it either.
But now, everyone was waiting for his final judgment.
Roland turned his head and glanced once more at the long seawall standing out in the sea.
From hunting magical beasts to managing his domain, Veylin was like a rising sun. Under his influence, so many incredible things had emerged in this world.
It was just what one would expect of him.
Roland had no reason to oppose such a potential ally.
With that thought, he raised his head and looked at the Dawn vassals waiting eagerly around him.
"Veylin here is my friend!"
Roland's ringing voice