As soon as the topic of the runestones was mentioned, everyone looked at Ghislain with eager expressions. Their eyes practically sparkled with anticipation, to the point where it made Ghislain feel slightly uncomfortable.

It was an embarrassing situation—to reach out and ask for something from the very person who deserved the most credit for their victory, rather than rewarding him. However, they needed the runestones to relieve the financial strain on the territory. It wasn’t something they could reject just because it was awkward.

But they couldn’t exactly demand the runestones either, as they were obtained solely through Ghislain’s efforts.

In the end, the retainers did what they could—using the old methods passed down through the generations. Some might call it flattery or sycophancy, but essentially, it was a relay of compliments.

Homeron was the first to speak up, loudly declaring, “Your Highness’ achievements will go down in history! The victory in the Battle of Ferdium was entirely thanks to you! Every bard across the continent will sing of your accomplishments! Count Dante Ferdium, the former lord of Ferdium, would…”

Before Homeron could continue with his lengthy speech, Albert cut him off.

“At your age, Your Highness, there are very few war heroes who have achieved as much as you. No one from any other territory can compare to you.”

“Ahem, well, the young lord certainly did something big. He fights well, too,” Randolph chimed in, though his praise sounded somewhat begrudging.

As Randolph's reluctant compliment joined the mix, the rest of the retainers quickly followed suit.

“It’s a truly astounding accomplishment.”

“The people of the territory can’t stop expressing their admiration.”

“There are rumors all over the land about you, Your Highness. Truly remarkable.”

The truth was that the rumors had been so exaggerated that the retainers who hadn’t witnessed Ghislain’s feats in person found it hard to believe everything. However, those who had been on the battlefield all praised him unanimously, saying that Ghislain had played a decisive role in their victory.

So, offering some praise wasn’t too difficult. After all, it didn’t cost anything.

The compliments continued to flow in the cheerful atmosphere.

With a smile, Ghislain listened to their praise, letting them continue until he felt satisfied. Then, finally, he spoke.

“I don’t have the runestones right now.”

His words were like cold water thrown on a fire. The flattery stopped abruptly.

Homeron, looking as if he’d misheard, asked, “What? What did you say isn’t here?”

“The runestones. I don’t have them.”

The retainers thought Ghislain was joking. Some even eyed him suspiciously, wondering if he was trying to keep them for himself.

Growing frustrated, Homeron pressed further, “What do you mean? You said you’d give them. How could there be none? Didn’t you secretly stash a bunch of them before the battle?”

“Ah, that? No, they’re gone.”

“…Why?”

“You didn’t know? They all exploded. Boom!”

Ghislain made an exaggerated gesture, spreading his arms wide.

“Exploded?”

How could all those runestones have been used up? What on earth had he done with them?

Albert, who was quicker on the uptake, asked in a trembling voice, “Wait, the fire you used as a trap… surely you didn’t… use the runestones for that?”

The magical fire Ghislain had unleashed was legendary in its destructive power. Many had been curious as to how he had managed such an immense spell.

At last, the truth was revealed.

“Yes, I laid a ton of runestones beneath the ground and then set them off.”

He spoke with the same casual tone as if he were describing throwing a few logs on a fire.

The retainers were stunned, their mouths agape, unable to say anything.

Ghislain explained the simple mechanics of the trap, leaving the retainers reeling.

Had anyone in history ever used such a vast quantity of runestones just to set a trap? Likely not.

And yet, Ghislain had used an enormous amount of them all at once.

It was akin to burning wagonloads of gold.

With that many runestones, a high lord could live comfortably for several years.

In Ferdium, it would have been enough to last a decade—maybe even twenty years if they were careful with it.

Even Zvalter, who had become somewhat accustomed to his son’s eccentricities, paled.

Homeron clutched his chest in frustration and exclaimed, “All that for a trap?! It would’ve been better to give half of it to Rayfold or Desmond and secure their help! That would’ve been more practical. If you’d offered that many runestones, the other lords would’ve come running!”

“It was Desmond who attacked us.”

“…What?”

Ghislain’s words, even more shocking than the runestone revelation, made everyone’s eyes widen in disbelief.

“Where would a poor territory like Digald get the resources to field such an army? It was Desmond’s support.”

“Why would a high lord like Desmond target us?”

“Probably for the runestones.”

Though there were other reasons, and it wasn’t just Desmond but Duke Delphine pulling the strings, Ghislain chose not to mention that for now. It would only cause unnecessary confusion.

Zvalter’s voice trembled as he asked, “Is that true? Was it really Desmond?”

“Yes. I’ll show you the proof.”

At Ghislain’s signal, Gillian brought in three knights bound tightly in chains.

They were the Desmond knights who had been captured infiltrating Ferdium. Ghislain had kept them alive on purpose, planning to use them later.

“These are the Desmond knights who infiltrated during the war.”

The knights had a defeated, weary look, showing just how exhausted they were.

The mana-suppressing cuffs made from runestones were barely effective, especially against powerful individuals.

To subdue the knights, they had to be restrained with multiple sets of cuffs and tightly bound with chains.

Even knights couldn’t endure such treatment unscathed.

“You can ask them yourselves.”

With a stern expression, Zvalter addressed the captives.

“Who are you?”

One of the knights, with cracked lips, answered, “We are knights of Desmond.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you attack our territory? Explain!”

At Zvalter’s enraged question, the knight slowly began to explain. While he didn’t know the exact reasons, he guessed it was for the runestones, as most lords hadn’t yet learned of Ferdium’s runestone supply, and Desmond likely wanted to claim it first.

The knight spoke freely, as he had been promised eventual release for his cooperation. That hope was all that sustained them. Plus, they were too terrified of Ghislain to even consider lying.

When the interrogation ended, Zvalter and the retainers were left in a heavy silence.

Though they had won the war, having made an enemy of a high lord like Desmond was a terrifying and burdensome prospect.

In fact, they were trembling with fear.

Ghislain, surveying the room, finally broke the tense silence.

“We’ll have to keep our distance from Desmond. We can’t afford to fight them. Officially, we’ll say it was Digald who attacked.”

It was little more than a band-aid solution.

Since Desmond had disguised their forces as Digald’s, they would have to let some details slide.

“The other lords aren’t fools. In time, they’ll figure out what really happened. They won’t side with Desmond, but they’re also unlikely to help us.”

Desmond was one of the most powerful high lords in the north, with only Rayfold being able to match them in strength.

But relations between Rayfold and Ferdium had already deteriorated to their lowest point.

The retainers remained silent, and Ghislain continued.

“If there were any guarantee that offering up the runestones would bring peace, I’d do it. But once we ask for help, they’ll only want more. Whether it’s Rayfold or Desmond, they’ll get greedy. It’ll be tough, but we’ll have to defend ourselves with our own strength.”

His calm voice led everyone to slowly nod in agreement.

It was a harsh reality, but his words weren’t wrong.

“I’ll bring new runestones soon. Everyone knows I have them, so they’ll wait for a while. If we announce aid for the people soon, we’ll quickly restore morale.”

Zvalter gazed at his son with a look of admiration.

It was disappointing not to get the runestones immediately, but seeing this new side of his son filled him with pride and joy.

He had always thought of Ghislain as just a child, but now, how reliable he seemed.

The retainers shared similar expressions to Zvalter’s, impressed by the young lord’s maturity.

However, Homeron felt a tinge of fear at Ghislain’s growth.

“No one can stop him now.”

Before, they could at least appeal to him for money. But now, after his war achievements and uncovering the hidden strings behind the conflict, the atmosphere in the council room had shifted. Everything seemed to revolve around Ghislain.

Even now, no one dared to contradict his words, merely nodding in agreement.

Homeron, too, remained silent this time, for Ghislain wasn’t wrong… but he feared the trend of blind obedience growing around the young lord.

He liked the change in Ghislain, but without knowing why he had changed, there was no telling if he might revert to his old self. After all, in Homeron’s view, people don’t change so easily.

“But… it’s no longer possible to stop him.”

Ghislain was no longer merely influential in the territory—his power had become absolute.

Gulp.

Homeron swallowed dryly.

He wanted to understand why the young lord had changed.

Was it the war that had shaped him so quickly? Or had this always been the kind of man Ghislain was?

Had he been hiding his true self all along? Or was there a catalyst for this transformation?

Not knowing why he had changed, or how to make sense of his thought process, left Homeron feeling frustrated.

In the suffocating silence, Ghislain raised his voice again.

“Send another messenger to Count Rogess and strengthen our alliance. With Desmond as an enemy, this won’t end easily.”

The retainers’ faces were clouded with anxiety at the thought of having a powerful high lord as an adversary.

But Ghislain, unbothered, continued.

With a clear enemy now in sight, it was time for the territory to adapt as well.

“And besides Desmond, there may be others. Ferdium can’t hold off everything on its own—we need allies.”

They couldn’t afford to focus solely on the north anymore, leaving their rear vulnerable. They needed to forge alliances.

Zvalter nodded heavily.

“Understood. I’ll send another messenger and discuss things in detail with Count Rogess.”

He paused, then added, “The rewards for those who remain will be delayed. Once Ghislain brings back more runestones, we’ll first aid the people, and then distribute the rewards.”

Some of the knights showed slight signs of disappointment, but most bowed their heads in agreement.

At this point, opposing the decision would only lead to disaster.

Besides, without Ghislain bringing in more runestones, there wasn’t any money to give out rewards anyway.

Once everyone had agreed, Zvalter turned to Ghislain.

“I promised you 2,000 gold, but it feels like I’m taking it back to give it to others. It doesn’t seem like you need much money yourself. Is there anything else you want?”

Ghislain nodded as if he had been waiting for this moment.

Of course, he had no intention of letting all his hard work go unrewarded, even if his father was the one asking.

A mercenary always collects what he’s owed, regardless of family ties.

Two thousand gold was hardly enough for all the trouble he’d gone through.

Besides, he needed plenty of resources for what was to come.

“First, may I ask: what do you intend to do with the lands of Count Digald?”

Zvalter stroked his chin in thought.

They had suddenly gained new territory, and there hadn’t been time to make detailed plans.

“Hmm. For now, I’ll send administrators to manage it as a direct territory. Eventually, I’ll divide the land among vassals who have earned merit. Of course, those who swear loyalty will be allowed to keep their land.”

“I understand. Then I’ll tell you what I want for my reward.”

“Ha, very well. Speak, my son. What do you desire?”

With a soft smile, Ghislain replied gently, “I’ll be taking half of that land.”

Everyone, including Zvalter, was struck with shock.