1. Hey.
  2. What kind of greeting is that? I gave you my title, [cdb]not free license for insolence.
  3. Spare me the lecture. I have a question about the [cdb]lords of southern Fraldarius territory.
  4. So you're having trouble with them as well, are you?
  5. Let me guess, they're withholding provisions? Or perhaps they refuse to send troops they [cdb]promised.
  6. How did you know?
  7. Because I've been through the same thing with [cdb]them any number of times.
  8. Southern soldiers are unskilled, but they make up for [cdb]it with sheer numbers.
  9. I need their cooperation, yet they refuse to negotiate. And I have no idea how to convince them.
  10. Yes, I imagine they're dealing with their own issues.
  11. And what issues would those be?
  12. When they refused to send reinforcements for the [cdb]invasion of Sreng, it was because the lords were [cdb]embroiled in a succession dispute.
  13. If one house sent soldiers, the others would pounce [cdb]on the opportunity to move against them.
  14. But mere letters could never have told you something [cdb]like that.
  15. So you went around to each territory personally?
  16. Yes—though considering we're presently on war [cdb]footing, doing so now would be unwise.
  17. Well, that's hardly helpful, but I'll take it into [cdb]consideration and see what I can do.
  18. Hahaha.
  19. Something funny?
  20. Just thinking that you've grown into a fine duke.
  21. Were you expecting me to fail? You're the one who [cdb]gave me the title, after all.
  22. True, but I inherited the role when I was much older [cdb]than you.
  23. You're doing extremely well for your age—it seems I [cdb]raised two very capable sons.
  24. Don't tell me you're glorifying Glenn's death again.
  25. Felix.
  26. I've been walking in your footsteps, serving our king [cdb]and leading an army of knights.
  27. After all that, I thought maybe I'd come to [cdb]understand you a bit better.
  28. But I still can't stomach what you said that day.
  29. Looks like I overstepped yet again. Perhaps the two of [cdb]us will never see eye to eye.
  30. If Glenn were alive, I half suspect he'd say I was [cdb]being childish...