Chapter 37
"Trying to pass his duties onto others... it seems he doesn't have any shame!" Uslin, who was basking in the warmth of the bonfire, exclaimed in contempt. "Making a big deal out of the honor of marrying his daughter and offering such an arrogant proposal. Arrogant son of a..."
"The Duke is old, so he must have been intending to have a son-in-law take over his duties." Gabel Laxion, who was sitting next to him while sipping wine, let out a sigh. "But why would he not have his vassals be his option and make such a proposal to Sir Calypse?"
"He wanted to avoid being despised by his vassals." Ruth, who was gazing at the bonfire silently with a thoughtful face, spoke. "The absolute loyalty of vassal knights is vital to protect the vast territories of the east. There will be no good in drawing out their backlash. Moreover, there are still several lords in western Dristan who are eyeing the territory of the Duke. It would bring a disadvantage for the Duke's military forces to weaken."
"So... he'll make the Remdragon Knights solve it for him?" Hebaron growled like an angry bear. "There's a limit to making fun of people."
"What do you think he will do now?" Elliot asked, looking at Riftan who sat frighteningly quiet. "Now that the commander has rejected the offer, do you think he'll try and offer the proposal to another lord?"
"Tell him to scour all the lands in Whedon and see! What kind of fool would gladly go and lose a limb for him?" Hebaron snorted audibly.
Riftan's lips hardened. That fool will be Maximillian Croix's husband. The mere thought of having another man stand beside her made his heart ache like it had been stabbed with a knife. Riftan muttered out his words coldly.
"He has no other option so he will probably pass his duties onto one of his vassal knights." No one thought that any man would embark himself in fighting the dragon and Riftan thought the same. He continued to speak as he poked the bonfire with a long branch. "Then, the Duke of Croix will have no other choice but to depend on the royal military more than ever, this will cause the Duke's power in the east to weaken just as the king wishes to happen."
King Ruben had already been pressuring the nobles of the west and north. No lord would desire to go on an expedition on behalf of Duke Croix, even if they did not favor the king. Riftan smiled wryly. The Duke of Croix was clearly aware of that fact, that was the reason why he opted to make such an offer to Riftan, but he flat out rejected it. The man must have thought that a knight from a humble background would have been enticed by his generous offer and risked his life.
I almost took his offer... Riftan scoffed at himself and stood from his seat.
"Enough of this talk. Whatever the Duke is planning for, we must just continue to do what we were tasked to do."
"You want us to shut our mouths after all that humiliation?" Hebaron asked in a burst of rage. "He made such a ridiculous proposal and threatened you as if he was the one insulted! You want us to just put up with it?"
"So, what if I just put up with it?" Riftan glared fiercely at him. "What am I to do, gather an army and launch an attack against the Duke?"
Everyone became silent at his reaction. Only then that he realized that it was him who held the most anger out of them. Riftan got up and went away before any of them spoke further. The dark night sky scattered a faint light from the stars over him.
Looking up at the pale full moon, Riftan trudged towards the barracks. An ominous premonition ran through his thoughts, thinking that he would not be able to sleep soundly for a while. However, one day, the feelings he was currently feeling would probably fade away. Anyway, he had no other choice but to believe that they would.
