Overgeared

“...Now I see.”

Earl Ashur realized as he watched Lauel execute all the prisoners of the Borneo army.

"The reason why the greedy and stupid Grid is able to solidify his position is due to this person.”

Lauel used the alliance with the Borneo army to not just occupy Patrian. He deserved to be accused, but it couldn’t be denied that he was excellent. Choosing the cruel means in order to achieve better results was especially great. Could Grid come up to his current position if it wasn’t for this person?

‘It wouldn’t have been possible.’

Earl Ashur denied it with certainty, making Bland speak.

"Father, with all due respect, Duke Grid isn’t incompetent. It’s true that Earl Lauel’s achievements are big, but his actions would be limited if Duke Grid was incompetent.”

“...?”

Earl Ashur felt that his son was strange after reuniting after two years. Bland had a bad relationship with Grid and was also held hostage by Grid, yet he acknowledged Grid?

‘Grid even took Irene from him. Now there are no grudges in his eyes...?’

Bland seemed to be brainwashed. How was he tortured? It was truly horrible. Earl Ashur made a heartbroken expression while Bland smiled brightly.

"Father, it’s nothing like you are imagining. I have been enjoying life in Reidan.”

“Bland?”

Earl Ashur was surprised. His son Bland could smile so brightly again after losing his mother and brother? After Irene married Grid, this kid definitely should be darker and more pained!

"What is life like in Reidan that you can make such a bright face?”

Bland told the truth to the confused Earl Ashur.

“Field work.”

"W-What?”

"I eat potatoes every day.”

“What?!!!”

Earl Ashur was furious. His precious son, a noble of Eternal, had to work in the fields like a serf? He was even eating potatoes like a pig! He had been living this hellish life!

“Ahh! Bland! You’ve gone mad at the end of your life!” Earl Ashur lamented and hugged Bland. “I’m sorry! Your life was ruined due to this foolish father!” Sob sob.

Bland handed a boiled potato to Earl Ashur who was weeping. A rainbow colored potato.

"I’m not going to speak any longer. Eat this potato. Your misunderstanding will be wiped out the moment you taste this.”

“This...”

the same pig food? Earl Ashur lamented. Bland determined there would be no

"Heok!"

Ashur’s eyes shone as the

‘W-What is this?’

in his mouth, it melted and the taste was sweet, salty, spicy, sour, and refreshing. It was as if

spoke excitedly to the shocked Earl Ashur. “Isn’t

was agitated. “How can you express this precious delicacy with just

"...”

thick. Bland and Earl Ashur even had the same taste

***

Duke Grid?” Lauel arranged

will become hostile to both Eternal

part you are overlooking. The countries we will become hostile to in this war aren’t just Eternal and Gauss, but the

“The empire?’

soldiers and the number of knights was close to 3,000. There were several great magicians as

be hostile to

Ashur with

is behind King

Empire. Lauel was convinced there

relationship with the empire is changing little by little. The policies have started to become favorable towards the empire? They seemed so trivial that I and the others were

It was murky.

after becoming hostile to the empire? Won’t I just die a dog death

to worry. The empire currently has their army scattered due to insurgents in the south. It’s hard to get involved in matters of the north. I’m certain that there will be no direct conflict with the

like Eternal. What if it was known that King Aslan borrowed the power of the empire in order to be crowned, and in return, implemented policies favorable

Aslan couldn’t announce his relationship with

who can read the situation

“Isn’t this the basics?”

isn’t something that anyone

thought about it for

too weak to build an independent force.

Ashur with a gentle expression. "Always remember that your only mission is to serve Duke Grid. It’s unacceptable if you hold

"I know."

much had Grid grown to be able to make talented people like this serve

to see

healthy and

is Duke Grid

Patrian was an important event that would determine Reidan’s future destiny. Yet Grid hadn’t been seen at all

Grid is

“...?”

doubted his ears for a moment before becoming

to defend his territory against those who

“Well... Something similar."