“…Emilio. What do you want me to do?”

Luciano was at a loss for a moment about telling this black-haired young man about Serrat, but in the end, he decided not to. If he knew what was going on, Alana would automatically know. If she found out about Serrat, it would spur her to want to die. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

“I have something to tell you, Calisto,” Luciano said after Calisto had offered him a chair.

“I am not a hereditary nobleman. I was made a baron for my military exploits in Nogueira. Do you know that?”

Callisto poured the wine into two cups and placed one in front of Luciano.

“I know, but to be clear, I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t want you to trust me.”

“You’re a researcher of the wise Emperor Lorenzo. And that you were made a baron for your military prowess. What kind of military feats did you accomplish with your slender body?”

Luciano removed the cloak he was wearing, then took off his shirt. He exposed his muscular, moderately fitted naked torso to Callisto.

“Even if I’m slender, I’m a knight. I train every day like this. You can spar me if you want.”

“No, I’m a knight myself; I can see it in your scars and body.”

Luciano spoke after putting on his clothes roughly. “I’ll tell you what. I was born in Allesus, not Nogueira. In other words, I have a network of information in both countries. So, I heard something that has been bothering me lately. It’s about the country of Teges. Do you know about Serrat, the country that Armenia and Teges destroyed?”

Callisto paused at the mention of Serrat.

“I know about it. It is my personal opinion that that country is very unfortunate. I can’t say this publicly, but the fall of Serrat is the greatest crime of our previous king. It is seen as one of his achievements, but I do not think so. I don’t even think that the deceased king deserved the mausoleum, the Tower of Almodóvar. I can’t bear the thought of Alana resting next to him after his death. When I become the minister, I definitely want to change the law.”

Luciano wanted to hear the story in detail, but he stopped himself because he was here as Baron Barcelo. He grabbed the cup and took a sip of the wine, which tasted like honey wine. It was unpleasant.

“The extinct land of Serrat is divided between Armenia and Teges, controlled separately, but Teges is targeting Armenia’s territory and chipping away at it day by day. It is an account that my subordinates witness to be true.”

”Teges? You’re targeting Rivas?”

Luciano lifted one eyebrow. It was unnatural. He wasn’t sure why Callisto would be the first to mention the name of the barren land of Rivas. There were other lands that Armenia had divided with Teges.

“That’s right.”

“Rivas should be in the wilderness, so what are you fighting for?”

“We’re not fighting. We’re protecting.”

──Protect? What?

The words came out of his throat, but now the situation had nothing to do with it. Luciano held back.

“Then you can’t leave the country of Teges all the more. Both my country of origin, Allesus and Nogueira, are threatened by Teges every day. In addition, Serrat was a neighbour of Allesus. I know the land better than the knights of Armenia. So I would like to propose a plan. I want to go directly to war and lead my men. Can you provide me troops with your power?”

“You are talking about deploying troops, but it is not a given.”

“But will you accept?”

“I can’t think of sending the king to the battlefield. Armenia won’t allow it.”

“If I have Armenia’s permission, can you support me?” Callisto nodded over a drink.

“Yes, I guess… but why are you going to go?”

It was a task – a perilous one that should be left to those on the front line—the fodder, not someone like Luciano.

“I’m a knight. You may not understand this, but sometimes I miss the battlefield. And the subordinates who gave me information also wanted to participate. Please let them have some merit.”

”It can’t be helped then. I’ll talk to Baron Gusman for your escort.”

── Baron Gusman? He’s a man of large stature, like a bear. It’s bad.

Luciano’s hair was long now, so one would not notice it right away, but four years ago, he had spoken directly with the Baron at the castle of Serrat.