Iriya looked around the tent for a moment without saying anything.

Only a small desk and a cot decorated the tent. It was so unbelievably simple and frugal. It was hard to believe that it was the residence of a duke. Only the silver-white armor and the long sword arranged by the beside betrayed the identity of the tent’s resident.

But…

‘The man himself is everything…’

Iriya turned towards Raven and nodded inwardly. The brightest thing in the lamp-lit tent was not the armor, nor the sword, but the Duke of Pendragon himself.

Iriya took a light breath and opened her lips.

“Firstly, I want to talk to you regarding the supply problem.”

“Hm, go ahead.”

Raven leaned back on his chair comfortably.

“The food we brought from El Pasa is enough to feed 3,000 for around 10 days. Even if we can replenish the water at any location before arriving at the Great Forest, we cannot procure enough food to feed the soldiers from a local source.”

“That was already addressed, was it not? That is why we are securing a supply route to the Great Forest. The 2

nd

 and the 3

rd

 supply units will be replenishing our stocks afterwards.”

“Yes, but after some contemplation, I have come to realize. We will run into a problem before the 2

nd

 supply unit departs.”

“Hm?’

Raven’s eyes filled with interest at her words.

She seemed to have touched upon the same issue he had deliberated with Viscount Moraine before departure.

“Keep talking.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Firstly, the number of nobles and landlords who joined the coalition force is 14 in total. Five of them brought in about 100 men, and the total number of men, including the knights and soldiers, is 821.”

“You know it well.”

She truly was the daughter of a tycoon. Raven grinned. She was quite competent for her age, considering that she was only 19 this year.

Iriya flinched.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Raven tilted his head in confusion, and Iriya lowered her startled eyes before shaking her head.

“I, it is nothing.”

‘Does that man even know what kind of expression he makes when he smiles…?’

Thinking as such, Iriya paced her breathing before looking up and continuing.

“The problem lies with those who only brought forty or fifty men, or even as little as three or four. By the time we arrive at the Great Forest, the total number of troops will increase by at least 30 percent, possibly up to 50 percent. Personally, I think it will reach 5,000.”

“I suppose so.”

The nobles and the landlords who joined the coalition had not brought all of their troops to El Pasa. The coalition would set off for the Great Forest anyways, so they could have their troops join midway. This would rid them of the hassle of having to bring their entire forces back and forth.

Of course, they were also wary of the Arangis Duchy as well.

“But the food we have now is estimated to feed 4,000 people for a maximum of ten days. Even if we have raisins and dry rice as emergency rations, we will be out of food in fifteen days. But if more troops join in within the next ten days…”

“You do not have to worry about it.”

“…Yes?”

Raven interjected, and Iriya took on a curious expression.

“Soon, we will have fewer troops than we do now. 200, 300 people maybe. We will have more food too.”

“What do you mean by that, Your Excellency?”

Iriya involuntarily frowned at the incomprehensible remark.

They would have fewer troops, but more food?

Was he hinting at an upcoming major battle?

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. By the time we arrive at our destination, we will have around 5,000 soldiers, maybe more. Just as Lady Mandy said.”

“…..”

She briefly closed her mouth. His words were growing increasingly mysterious. She proceeded to ask with a calm expression.

“It is a bit hard for me to understand your words due to my insensitivity. I would appreciate it if you could rephrase it in a more simple way.”

“I cannot tell you the details because it is a secret within the coalition. But I can assure you that things will go down the way I described within the next few days.”

“But…”

Iriya attempted to continue, but Raven cut her off.

“What I am most curious about is why Lady Mandy has brought up this topic at this hour. Would it not be better to discuss your supply concerns with the commander-in-chief, and not me?”

“Ah…”

Iriya closed her lips.

Raven continued in a slightly cold voice.

“This also has to do with the command chain of the coalition force as well. The person in charge of supplies is bringing up possible issues concerning the food dissemination with the captain of a detached force and not the commander-in-chief? What do you think the other commanders and the nobles would think if they knew about this?”

“…..”

Iriya could not find the right words to say. She continued biting her lips.

“It is for the same reason that I did not answer Lady Mandy’s question. It is something that the commander-in-chief should decide, and I cannot answer in his stead. It will not do for me to violate the authority of the commander-in-chief.”

It was a mistake.

She had not thought it would turn out like this. She had come to him with the issue because she wanted to talk with Duke Pendragon, but bringing the issue itself had become another issue.

It was just as he said. If Duke Pendragon had given the answer to her question and the information ended up leaking, it could cause a huge problem.

In the future, everyone would be bringing their issues and problems to Duke Pendragon instead of Viscount Moraine, which would be tantamount to disregarding Viscount Moraine as the commander-in-chief of the coalition force. It could shake the very foundations of the coalition.

“I made a huge mistake. I apologize… Your Excellency.”

In the end, Iriya had no choice but to bow her head apologetically.

“You should be apologizing to Lord Moraine, not me. As the head of the supplies, Lady Mandy has violated the command chain of the coalition.”

He spoke in a quiet but stern voice.

“Yes…”

She could not make any excuses. It was obviously her mistake and she was at fault. However, Iriya felt a little wronged, and her eyes turned red.

‘Tsk…’

Raven stared down at her in silence for a moment, then spoke once more.

“I will settle this matter by having you formally report to the commander-in-chief. Lady Mandy, is there anything else you wanted to say?”

Raven spoke in a softer voice, and Iriya raised her head.

Her eyes were slightly moistened, and she was biting on her lips. Any other man would have felt a strange sensation rise from their chest, but Raven maintained a calm expression.

Iriya felt briefly conflicted at his gaze, but she quickly organized her thoughts. She had already made a big mistake and he certainly knew of her intentions.

She could not act shallow in front of such a man, so she made a determination.

“… I am sure you know why my father chose me to be the head of supply.”

“Well.”

Raven nodded with a heavy expression.

“My father wants to give me to Your Excellency.”

“…..”

Raven was taken back by the straightforward remark. She was certainly a southern lady, those who were famous for their candor.

“My father does not insist it to be a marriage. There is already a precedent for the daughter of Sisak’s High Lord, and I can also head over to the Pendragon Duchy to partake in the duchess’ lessons.”

She brought up the story of Sophia, the daughter of Sisak’s High Lord.

However, she seemed to be ignorant of the fact that Sophia was acting as a partial hostage and that she was doing very well with another man.

“Or I could become the head of the Mandy Association in York Town. It is the family’s rule to become independent and start a business after turning 20, unless you get married early, so…”

“I see. But what do 

you

 want to do, Lady Mandy?”

“…..”

Iriya’s eyes quivered.

“I think Lady Mandy can do well without having to rely on me and the duchy. And I am certain that numerous fine young men of good family origin will be lining up to become the son-in-law of the Gold King.”

“You are right. However, there is a bit of a catch in your words, Your Excellency. Thanks to a certain 

someone

, the families that were lining up to have their sons marry me have disappeared completely from some time ago.”

“…..”

Raven closed his mouth.

He was unsure as to whether she was referring to the successor of the Arangis Duchy, Arigo Arangis, or himself, the Duke of Pendragon.

“Let me be honest with you. Now, I cannot get married to anyone except His Grace Arigo Arangis or Your Excellency Pendragon. One is the heir to a family that holds supremacy in the South, and the other is a high-profile duke of the mainland. We must build a relationship with either of them.”

“We… Whose thoughts are those exactly? Is it your father’s, or is it yours, Lady Mandy?”

“It is both of ours. And I…”

She paused for a moment. Then after making up her mind, Iriya took a light breath and continued.

“I admire Your Excellency Pendragon more than His Grace Arigo. Both as the daughter of the Mandy family… and as a woman.”

“…..”

Raven could not find the words to say as he looked at her red-hot face. Even if she was an honest lady, he never expected her to talk so openly about her marriage.

After a brief silence, Raven spoke up.

“I already have a wife, and even if Lady Mandy comes to me, you will not be my official wife. Are you saying that you are fine with that?”

“Yes, neither my father nor I mind.”

“Even though you know I do not have any feelings for you?”

“…..!”

Iriya’s reddened eyes quivered for a moment. However, it was only for an instance. She nodded her head while firmly grasping her fists. He noticed that her hands were rather large for a woman.

“It is okay. You say you do not feel anything now, but men’s behavior and feelings can change by how women act.”

“Huh…!”

Raven was stupefied at her bold proclamation. Then he stared at her without saying a word. Many women, including Luna Seyrod and Ingrid Aragon, wanted to marry him.

If he announced his will to find a bride in the mainland, the ladies of noble families from all over the empire would line up in front of Conrad Castle’s gates.

But Raven had no desire, nor had he a reason to.

The current Pendragon Duchy did not need the power or backgrounds of other noble families, including the royal family. Elena Pendragon was well aware of this fact, and that was why she did not bring the topic of marriage as the senior of the family.

However, all of this was limited to the mainland.

It was necessary to have a helper to expand the Pendragon family’s influence in the South to keep his promise to Ian and the emperor. Having Count Cedric on his side was not enough.

He needed an ally, a collaborator with a strong, firm, trust that would not be shaken over time. The Pendragon Duchy had no connections in the South, so the best option was for him to create a relationship through marriage.

There was no guarantee in the noble society that was as certain or strong as blood ties. Of course, relationships could still be broken depending on the circumstance, but the best method to show trust between noble families was to tie the knot.

“…..”

Raven had mixed feelings as he looked at the young, beautiful lady. He knew she had no heart for him, but she still wanted to get married.

He did not know what made her come to the decision. However, Raven decided.

He had discussed it with Vincent before coming to the south. Regardless of whom it may be, he had decided to accept a marriage with a southern family that was independent from the Arangis Duchy and had a large influence.

If it was going to be the daughter of Gold King Karl Mandy, the richest man in the entirety of the south, there was no need to think twice…

Even so, Raven could not answer easily.

The face of a certain someone was occupying his mind.