229 The Weight of Defeat

If they still couldn’t understand, then it was no longer his problem.

“I’ll say this one last time. This is your final chance. His Highness has no intention of offering mercy again. Remember that.”

With that, Lesta strode out of the chamber.

The silence lingered long after he had gone.

Finally, Hermann cleared his throat and looked around the room.

“Gentlemen,” he began, “surely none of you are actually taking that brat’s words seriously.”

But then—he froze.

Because one by one, the other lords were getting up from their seats.

“…Ahem. Let’s conclude today’s meeting here.”

“There’s no point in discussing this any further.”

“If we think of a better alternative, we’ll reconvene.”

Empty excuses.

Hermann squeezed his eyes shut.

He knew what this meant.

They weren’t rejecting William’s offer.

They were going home to think about it.

It’s over.

He had hoped to resist.

But now, he could feel that last shred of defiance slipping away.

The moment his allies left this room, they would begin considering surrender.

They would choose self-preservation over loyalty.

Hermann inhaled deeply.

“…Since that seems to be the consensus, this meeting is officially adjourned.”

And then—he turned and left the room before anyone else.

Because if resistance was futile, then it was better to be the first to offer sincerity.

“…I don’t think I’ve ever seen people switch sides this quickly.”

William let out a soft chuckle, staring at the towering stack of letters on his desk.

He had expected some lords to respond favorably.

But for every single one of them to send a letter offering their sincerity?

“That was faster than I anticipated.”

“I’m not surprised,” Lesta said. “After all, His Highness generously offered to clear their treason with a mere show of sincerity. Anyone stupid enough to refuse at this point deserves to die.”

William smirked.

To him, this was nothing more than a formality.

But to them, it was a matter of survival.

No matter how much they resented him, if they had any sense at all, they had no choice but to kneel.

“…Good work,” William said. “By the way, when are you planning to return? Shouldn’t you be handling affairs in your own domain?”

William’s gaze shifted to Lesta, who had been chiming in from the side.

Lesta had been summoned to persuade the lords who had allied with Calix.

Yet, even after the task was finished, he showed no signs of returning home.

“No matter how busy my territory may be, Your Highness’s requests take priority,” Lesta replied smoothly, bowing his head.

It was an evasive answer.

A clear sign that he intended to stay longer.

William chuckled and casually pushed the pile of letters aside.

“Speak honestly. What do you need from me?”

“Your Highness, I would never—”

“This is your chance. Speak while I’m willing to listen.”

William’s voice remained calm but firm.

“I give exactly as much as I receive. No matter how long you stay by my side, I won’t grant you more than what you’ve earned.”

Lesta flinched, like a child whose schemes had been uncovered.

After a brief hesitation, he finally admitted the truth.

“My territory is stable—that much is true. My family knows Your Highness trusts me. My father’s attempts at regaining influence have completely failed.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“The other lords.”

Lesta’s voice turned grim.

“There are those who don’t yet understand Your Highness’s position. They believe they can swallow up my land and align themselves with someone new once they do.”

William nodded.

Lesta had sided with him.

But he had never publicly announced it.

Not out of hesitation—but because he had never gotten the chance.

He had missed the banquet.

And before he could make a proper declaration, Calix’s assassination attempt had taken center stage.

Later, when William entrusted him with escort duties, Aizen’s name had completely overshadowed his.

Because of that, the other lords remained ignorant of their relationship.

To them, Lesta was merely name-dropping William, not someone he actually supported.

Naturally, they assumed there was no need to fear William’s retaliation.

“They’re using my past against me,” Lesta admitted. “Claiming they’re delivering justice by purging a ‘patricidal disgrace’ from the North. But all they truly want is to take my land before the chaos settles.”

William tapped his fingers on the desk.

So that was why Lesta had been sticking so closely to him.

It wasn’t just loyalty—It was a silent yet calculated way of proving his connection to William.

If he couldn’t declare it outright, he needed proof.

Something so undeniable that even the boldest of opportunists wouldn’t dare touch his land.

“Your Highness… if you could say just a few words on the matter, they would—”

“I’ll send Felicia.”

“…What?”

“She’ll visit your territory and stay for two days. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?”

Lesta blinked in dumbfounded shock.

Felicia.

The adopted daughter and protege of Aizen Brightner, the Sword Saint.

William’s most trusted knight.

Her mere presence in his domain would be enough to broadcast William’s trust in Lesta to everyone.

“I—Your Highness, I can’t thank you enough!”

“Thank me by offering her a proper welcome,” William said with a smirk.

“And don’t go assuming you can treat her lightly just because she’s a woman.”

“If anyone dares disrespect Sir Felicia, I’ll personally cut off their heads and salt the wounds!” Lesta declared fiercely.

“That’s reassuring.”

Satisfied, William returned to sorting through his letters, a silent dismissal.

Lesta bowed so deeply that his forehead nearly touched the floor, then hurried out with excitement written all over his face.

Once he was gone, William carefully selected a few of the letters and rose from his seat.

His destination was the underground prison.

Unlike before, when it had been full of gaps and weaknesses, the security was now airtight.

William walked in and stopped in front of the last cell.

“How’s the sanctuary of the North treating you?”

“…You bastard.”

From inside, Norbeck spat out his response.

His voice still carried hatred, but unlike before, there was an undeniable sense of resignation.

“…What do you want? Come to mock me?”

“No.”

William tossed a few letters through the bars.

“I came to deliver news.”

Norbeck hesitated before picking them up.

As his eyes skimmed the contents, his hands began to tremble.