Chapter 278: Diplomatic Corps (2/2)
It also appears that the old man was not a stubborn person-after thinking about it for a while, he nodded in agreement with the chocobo knight’s suggestion.
*
*
*
With the old man’s approval, the escorting knights including Monan appeared relieved. Unlike the old man in the carriage, they were all bombarded by the weather out there, and even if the weather was warmer with the passing of winter, the evening winds still chilled them to the bone. Bracing that over the whole night was no laughing matter.
Despite being a jungle in itself, there were actually flat landscapes on the fringes of the Seira Marshes. Soon enough, the carriages found wide even ground to make camp.
The skies went dark soon after the tents were raised. The moons-one red and one silverhung high above the skies, and yet didn’t offer too much radiance to the land.
Fortunately, the bonfire was ignited at the camp, chasing away the darkness and coldness of the night for the convoy.
Old Basil was seated by the bonfire, stretching his body which had gone stiff after staying in the carriage for the entire day. Even as he kept himself warm by the fire, he reminded Monan who was cooking broth, “You men should rest up after arranging for the night’s watch. Clean your armor and clothes to look lively if you could since we’re reaching Lancaster tomorrow
-everyone here will be representatives of the imperial military after all.”
“No problem, my lord. We definitely wouldn’t be mocked by those brutes.”
Monan replied confidently while stirring the wild herbs in the broth. “I’ve once visited Lancaster myself with General Mignolan. Their city watch is simply pathetic—they wouldn’t even beat imperial military conscripts.”
“Really?” The old man sounded skeptical.“Believe me, Lord Basil.” Sir Monan disregarded his impoliteness at that skeptical look and insisted seriously. “Lancaster may be a border town, but it’s actually also in the center of the North, meaning that they don’t have to worry about barbarian tribes or bandits. Their city watch are all softies who’ve never drawn blood too! On the other hand, even conscripts of the imperial military are often dragged off to take out bandits, making them more experienced and well-trained than Lancaster’s city watch.”
“Well, what about you?” The old man asked, although there was no telling if he was stoking the flames or asking casually.
“Honestly, they would never win against imperial knights.” Monan sneered, tapping his chest again. “I’m not boasting, but I could take ten men at once in Lancaster, bar knight Gerald of the McCobley family, who almost look the part!”
It wasn’t just Monan either—the other escorting knights who were listening in on the conversation as well showed looks of agreement.
In response, the old man nodded without refutation.
That way, the knights who had to deal with the indignance could put up a good performance in Lancaster tomorrow.
And when that time comes, all he had to do was enjoy the show-if all Lancaster had to offer were refuse like the knights had claimed, allowing them to make a major ruckus.
This diplomatic mission just might be a success to the new emperor’s liking.