The next morning, the inner courtyard of Re-Robel was more crowded than usual.

  Military units were still staying inside the city, partly because they needed rest after the battle, and partly because many lords had not yet decided whether to withdraw their troops. Groups of soldiers moved across the courtyard—some carrying water, others adjusting the reins of warhorses, while a few groups carried wounded men toward the temporary shelters behind the city wall.

  On the surface, the atmosphere seemed fairly calm.

  But if one stood near the nobles gathered in the stone courtyard at the center of the fortress, an underlying tension could easily be felt.

  They were not seated in rows like in a formal council. Instead, small groups stood talking with one another, like casual exchanges.

  Yet the content of those conversations was anything but light.

  Philip stood slightly apart, near the water trough where several warhorses were being given water. The position was close enough to hear most of the nobles’ conversation, yet far enough that he would not be drawn into it.

  A middle-aged noble was speaking, his voice clear.

  “Yesterday’s battle… I do not deny everyone’s contribution.”

  He paused briefly, as if choosing his words carefully.

  “But raising that banner without prior discussion… was that not somewhat hasty?”

  Several other nobles nodded slightly.

  Everyone knew he was referring to the Black Gate Banner.

  Another lord continued, his tone carrying a faint hint of sarcasm.

  “Not all of us are eager to place our entire armies in a position where there is no path of retreat.”

  That remark made several people nearby exchange glances.

  To be fair, the complaint was not entirely unreasonable.

  Roland was standing nearby as well.

  He heard most of the conversation but did not speak.

  That caught Philip’s attention.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  On the battlefield yesterday, Roland had been quite decisive. But in the current situation, he seemed to have chosen silence.

  The reason was not difficult to guess.

  Most of those speaking were mid-ranking nobles—lords with larger territories, larger armies, and in many cases… higher status than Roland.

  In the noble hierarchy of the Re-Estize Kingdom, such ranks were rarely ignored.

  For a young lord to openly argue with them in public could easily create more trouble than benefit.

  Philip realized that quickly.

  And it made him slightly uneasy.

  The noble alliance Roland had built during the march had always been fragile. It existed largely because of wartime necessity and temporary cooperation.

  If the mid-ranking nobles began to show such attitudes, the alliance’s position could weaken far faster than many people expected.

  The exchange continued for several more minutes.

  Another noble spoke more bluntly.

  “We fought, and the losses were not small.”

  He folded his arms and glanced toward the fortress.

  “So after all this, who will take responsibility for the remaining problems?”

  The question was not directed at anyone in particular, but the meaning was quite clear.

  Several pairs of eyes began turning toward the stone staircase leading up to the city wall.

  Not long after, Armand Valcere appeared.

  The count walked down into the courtyard with two knight escorts. He did not seem hurried, nor did he appear displeased to see the nobles gathered in discussion.

  Armand stopped near the group.

  “It seems you gentlemen are having quite a lively discussion.”

  His voice was calm, almost carrying a trace of light humor.

  No one answered immediately, but the silence itself conveyed enough meaning.

  Armand looked around once before continuing.

  “I understand your concerns.”

  He did not deny any of the complaints that had just been voiced.

  Instead, he began explaining the circumstances of the rebellion.

  Armand briefly mentioned the appearance of Zurrernorn.

  Several nobles looked surprised when they heard the name. Some frowned slightly, while others whispered quietly to the people beside them.

  Then Armand added another piece of information.

  He had already sent a report describing the entire incident to the capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom.

  In addition, information had also been delivered to the major temples in the region, as well as the Adventurer’s Guild.

  Several nobles exchanged glances when they heard that.

  If those organizations became involved, the situation would certainly grow more complicated.

  Armand seemed to notice their reaction.

  He shrugged slightly.

  “It was a necessary procedure.”

  Then he added, his tone calmer.

  “But that does not mean we must simply sit here and wait for reinforcements.”

  The count looked around at the nobles standing in the courtyard.

  “The resources of the noble families in this region are not insignificant.”

  “My city still has its army. So do all of you.”

  He paused for a moment.

  “If we coordinate properly, tracking down the remnants of that organization… is likely within our capabilities.”

  The courtyard became quieter.

  Some nobles nodded slowly. Others still wore thoughtful expressions.

  Philip stood at the edge and watched everything.

  To be honest, he was not entirely sure that everyone had been convinced.

  But at least the confrontational tone from earlier had diminished considerably.

  Perhaps, under the current circumstances, that alone was enough.

  After a battle like yesterday’s, what many nobles needed most… was simply the feeling that the situation had not yet completely slipped beyond their control.