Now that the Baron had formally pledged himself to Kroya, Kroya naturally treated him a little differently.
The mage had food brought over: bread, milk tea, and delicate pastries made with milk. Rob had taught the servants how to prepare all of these. As a former knight, he knew such things all too well.
Sweets lifted the spirits and replenished energy, making them perfect for a conversation like this.
Kroya sat casually to one side, picked up his milk tea, and took a gentle sip. Its sweet fragrance immediately filled his mouth.
The rich aroma of Rock Sheep milk mingled with lily-of-the-valley petals, creating a flavor both mellow and light. Nothing could have been more comforting than a sip of milk tea like this in cold weather.
He narrowed his eyes in pleasure, looked at the Baron, and asked, "What are your plans next?"
At Kroya's question, the Baron immediately put down his bread and sat up straight. "Under the laws of the Nolant Kingdom, someone of lower rank can challenge someone of higher rank to gain a promotion.
"I intend to challenge Viscount Bernal and take his territory and title."
Clearly, he had thought this through for a long time.
His eyes blazed with ambition, and excitement filled his voice. "I've spent a long time preparing to challenge him.
"With my followers, weapons, and my own strength, there should be no possibility of failure."
"Oh." Kroya took another sip of milk tea and continued, "What level is the Viscount himself? How many extraordinary fighters does he have?"
"The Viscount is a level-two Knight himself, and he has thirty level-one Knights under him."
Kermoyer had clearly investigated this long ago. Otherwise, he could never have answered so readily.
"A level-two Knight and thirty level-one Knights."
That was far fewer than