"The young master only... sigh. All right, let's not talk about that. Actually, I came to you today to ask a small favor. It would be good for you, too."
"Go on. What is it?"
"Allen, word came from the family today that Marshal Lothar will return in three days. The young master will explain the defeat to the marshal himself then. I hope you'll remain silent no matter what you hear, and that includes your men. Once this is over, everything will settle down. No rumors, no ridicule, nothing."
Hearing Nethes say this, he keenly picked up on the information hidden in his words.
"Wait. You mean that if I keep quiet, you'll have a way to clear him of blame, right?"
"Allen, don't ask so many questions. Knowing too much won't do you any good. You only need to keep quiet. That's best for both of us. Believe me, I understand those nobles better than you do."
"Actually, that threat doesn't work on me, Nethes. I don't care about those rumors at all, because the marshal clearly trusts me more."
"Perhaps, but the marshal isn't the only person in the army. You can't imagine how complicated the nobles' network of connections is. I think someone as clever as you can foresee the consequences. Why insist on crossing them? Keeping quiet isn't hard for you, and you won't lose anything over it."
Nethes was right. His interests wouldn't suffer because of this, and it could even completely resolve his current problem. There was every reason to agree. But he still had a few small questions.
"I understand everything you're saying. I can agree, but only if you tell me what you plan to do."
"Allen, don't ask..." Hearing that Nethes still intended to conceal it, he simply stood up