Claude had been through a lot recently.

The subjugation of the remnants of the Salvation Order wasn’t particularly difficult. The Ruthania army he commanded was far too powerful for that.

What made it challenging was Amelia, now the Queen of Norvagen.

When Claude first met Amelia after the war, he presented his thoughts on the subjugation efforts. At the same time, he pulled a pouch from his coat.

Amelia, who had been silently observing, asked, “What is that?”

“It’s 171 gold coins,” Claude replied.

“Why are you showing me that?”

“It’s the money I’ve embezzled so far.”

“...”

Claude had …