Charles finished watching the segment and paused the footage at the instant the last ejection capsule was dragged back behind the defense line by the Flying Swallow Claws.
"Now that is my daughter."
The Royal Family's channel fell briefly silent.
Clovis had only been attending to report on Area 11's military readiness, but those words told him his father was not simply praising Cornelia.
Sure enough, Charles directed his next remark at him.
"I recall that Great Han Regent once said you were more like an Authorization Seal for your subordinates to use."
Clovis's expression froze on the spot.
Schneizel sat at the other end, his expression still mild, while Odysseus showed a trace of genuine concern, as though earnestly considering how to rescue his younger brother from this predicament. Euphemia had still been watching footage of wounded personnel being evacuated from Kashgar, but she quietly turned toward them when she heard that.
Charles continued, "I originally thought it was merely a young man's insolence. Now it seems he was right."
Mockery was exceedingly rare from Charles, and that made it all the more hurtful.
Clovis remained silent for a while, then decided he could not let those words stand in the Royal Family's records.
"Father, seals are only used on important documents."
Seeing that no one immediately objected, Clovis continued salvaging his dignity a little at a time.
"My subordinates borrowed my name twice. At the very least, that shows my status as a prince and my authority as governor-general still carry sufficient weight in their minds. If my name had no value, why would they not borrow someone else's?"
Schneizel finally smiled.
"I see. Your subordinates launched military operations without your orders because the governor-general's authority is so deeply ingrained that the governor-general himself no longer needs to