Chapter 77

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At the same moment that Shirley's laughter echoed through the Baron Elardin's mansion.

In the eastern border of the Kingdom of Zain, in the town of Oburt, which lies to the north of Ulfin.

In this town, which is part of the territory of the Oigist Viscount, a man was holding his head in anguish.

"...Ulfin has fallen. Too soon."

The one who groaned, holding his white hair, was Benjamin Oigist, the Viscount who governed this town.

The middle-aged nobleman, who was over 50, scratched his prematurely white hair nervously as he lamented the injustice.

"I never thought Ulfin would be defeated so quickly... No, if I had to say it was unexpected, it started when the kingdom's army managed to drive back the empire's army..."

The rumor that Bobalt Ulfin had been defeated and the town of Ulfin had been occupied had already reached the Oigist Viscount.

While the Oigist Viscount did not cry out in shock like Baron Elardin, his face still wore a grim expression.

He thought he had escaped destruction by riding the winning horse, but it turned out to be a horse heading for the abyss. It was only natural for him to lament the injustice.

(Did I make a mistake? Should I have fought the empire without surrendering, like the Earl of Arbeil?)

This was a question he had asked himself many times.

And each time, the answer was the same—'It wouldn't have made a difference.'

(No... Even if I had fought the empire to the end, I would have been destroyed by the overwhelming force, just like the Earl of Arbeil. If that happened, it wouldn't just be my life and my family's. The fate of my vassals and subjects would also be in danger.)

The viscount had not betrayed the empire out of self-preservation or fear.

He had weighed the ancestral favors he had received from the Zain royal family against the safety of his territory and subjects, and after much deliberation, he had chosen the latter.

He had reluctantly taken on the stigma of a 'traitor' for the sake of his territory and subjects, but as a result, the empire had been defeated, and the Oigist Viscount's territory was once again facing the threat of destruction.

The viscount racked his brain, trying to think of a way to avoid destruction, but no answer came to him.

(Master... How pitiful.)

In the viscount's office, there was one other person besides him. It was the captain of the soldiers serving the Oigist Viscount.

The captain looked at his lord, who was holding his head in anguish, with a pained expression and, as if making a decision, spoke up.

"Master... Perhaps we should seek the wisdom of the young master?"

"That's... "

"If the young master were here, he might come up with a brilliant plan to avoid this situation."

"You're right, but..."

The viscount's face darkened even more at the captain's suggestion.

He had thought about this many times, and he had rejected it for 'a certain reason.'

"But... I have done something I cannot face Jace. Will he forgive me?"

The viscount murmured in a voice filled with uncertainty.

The Oigist Viscount had broken ties with his eldest son a few months ago and had hardly spoken to him since.

His face was clearly marked with guilt, and he hesitated to consult his son about the crisis.

"The young master is not the type to hold grudges. Besides, he understands your struggles. It might be worse if you don't consult him in this situation and he resents you later."

"..."

After hearing the captain's suggestion, the viscount closed his eyes for a moment.

A heavy silence fell over the viscount's office.

After a while, the viscount, who had been silently deep in thought, opened his mouth solemnly.

"...I will go see Jace. Prepare an escort."

"Yes! Understood!"

The captain straightened his back with a smile at the viscount's response.

While the viscount chuckled at his subordinate's visibly brightened expression, he stood up from his chair with a look of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.