I returned to my office and was writing a letter to report the discovery of the hot spring to my father and request permission to send engineers.
I double-checked to ensure there were no issues with the contents, sealed it, and affixed the wax seal.
“Take this to my father.”
I called out to a nearby knight and handed the letter. The knight looked at me as though he wanted to say something after receiving the letter.
“I understand. Also… Lord Wolf is requesting an audience.”
Ah, so Wolf has finally returned… I mustn’t burden him too much.
“Bring him here.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Before long, Wolf arrived, seemingly in sync with the knight leaving.
Wolf kneeled before me and handed over the report. I took it and sat down in a chair.
“Thank you for your hard work. Would you like to sit down?”
“No, please, do not worry about me.”
No… I can’t help but feel guilty. After all, I had forced him to stay behind in enemy territory to gather information.
“Won’t you sit down?”
“No.”
Wolf is quite stubborn. I understand he may want to maintain his standing as a beastman, but I had no intention of accepting that. I stood up from my chair and sat down on the floor in front of him.
The floor was a bit cold, and I reflexively reacted. Wolf looked at me, surprised.
“What on earth…?”
I gave him a playful smile in response.
“If you won’t sit, then I’ll come to you.”
Having learned about the relationship between the Arieist religion and the beastmen, and their history, I didn’t want to waste their contributions. As much as possible, I wanted to treat them equally… though, due to the master-servant relationship, that might be difficult.
Now, with this gesture, our perspectives were on equal footing… well, I was still looking up at him because of the difference in our physiques.
In Wolf’s eyes, I could see a mixture of surprise and joy.
And somewhere in his expression, there was a hint of exasperation.
“I concede. I have lost. I will sit, and Duke, please return to your seat.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll go back.”
We sat facing each other across the desk once more, intending to get back to business as we reviewed Wolf’s report.
“An example made by executing a few villagers…”
The report mentioned that Count Castaren, after retreating, discovered a village where farmers had fled, leaving it empty, and became enraged. He then executed the farmers as a warning to prevent further escape.
The executed farmers were from villages that had experienced desertion or were those whose families had fled after they had been conscripted.
“They’re likely being cautious, and winter will be upon us soon. Escaping will become more difficult.”
“Yes, I believe so.”
The report also stated that Castaren Count had been frequently exchanging letters with surrounding nobles. Within his sphere of influence, letters could certainly reach their destinations without relying on religious channels.
“What were the contents of the letters?”
Upon asking, Wolf made a somewhat troubled expression.
“The knights were carrying them, so I don’t know the details.”
“Ah, I see. That can’t be helped.”
Well, it’s a tall order to steal the contents from a knight skilled in aura manipulation.
As for the letters… I had a rough idea of their contents. Given Count Castaren’s cowardly nature, he was likely trying to check the cohesion among the remaining nobles. After fighting against us and the nobles who had tried to pin the blame on the royal faction, these nobles had no choice but to rely on Castaren. Still, he would likely feel anxious, wondering if they would betray him again, just like after the first defeat.
He might even be asking them to offer hostages, such as their heirs or wives.
But one thing was clear: there would be no more battles this year.
The troops had been disbanded, and they seemed to be engrossed in their letter exchanges.
Huff… I couldn’t help but sigh.
Finally, I could feel some relief that the war had ended. Well, who knows what will happen after the winter… Ah.
“Sorry, Wolf… Can I ask you to gather more information?”
“Leave it to me.”
I asked apologetically, but Wolf didn’t seem to mind at all.
“What should I look into?”
“…The Gustav Warriors of the North, before winter comes.”
