"Permission?"

"Yes. I heard that even our Cavalry needed prior permission if we wanted to bring surprise gifts for the comrades who would join us here. The warning also came with the instruction not to casually exchange food, drinks, or other items with strangers, for both etiquette and safety reasons. So, we arrived here carrying nothing."

"Gakane."

Ignoring Yuder's gaze, which seemed to suggest he should withdraw his words immediately, Gakane continued in a very clear tone.

"The information we received in advance ends there. We are not aware of any unfortunate incidents occurring in the palace during the party preparation period. I suspect Yuderno, Baron Aile would have wanted to convey the same message. Perhaps it is a misunderstanding to call this an insult?"

Gakane pronounced the word 'misunderstanding' with particular emphasis. The expression on Baron Durmand changed. Instead of discussing the unfavorable facts, he quickly changed the subject.

"Is two people cornering one person an action worthy of those who are authorized to act in the name of His Majesty the Emperor? Baron Aile! Speak if you have something to say."

"I am the one who spoke, not Baron Aile. I stepped forward solely to clarify the facts. Would it not be hard to see a connection between Baron Aile and me?"

"What is your name?"

"I am Gakane Bolunwald."

"Bolunwald? That's an uncommon surname. Are you from the distinguished family of General Jureli Bolunwald from the South?"

"Yes."

"Not from the current generation, I presume."

"He is my great-great-great-great-grandfather."

"I see."

Yuder, who only remembered that Gakane's family was once illustrious but had since fallen into decline, heard this information for the first time. The expressions of Baron Durmand and those around him changed slightly upon learning that Gakane was not of common birth. Their eyes seemed partly impressed, yet increasingly malicious.

"So, a once-prestigious family from the South. I remember hearing the unfortunate rumors that all you have left is your name, and you're even knocking on the doors of wealthy patrons to sell your title."

Gakane's face turned pale for a moment.

"To think I'd see you here, and youre even standing up for an ennobled comrade! Quite the story within stories. Truly a delightful spectacle."

Though he phrased it as if it were a pity, his true intent was clear. He was mocking Gakane's family for its fallen glory and simultaneously scorning him for standing up for a friend of common birth.

The reaction was immediate.

"Your words are going too far!"

"Why bring up irrelevant matters? Apologize."

"Gakane! Yuder! Just come this way!"

The Cavalry members who had rushed in surrounded Yuder and Gakane en masse. Yuder didn't even get a chance to respond. With everyone voicing their anger, the hall was filled with such commotion that it was impossible to understand who was saying what.

Even the music and dancing stopped. As the situation grew increasingly tense, an unmistakable look of delight appeared on Baron Durmand's face.

"Am I overstepping by saying I'm relieved the rumor has been exaggerated? Gifts are too dangerous to accept, the celebratory intent is unrecognized, and now even a simple expression of concern demands an apology! Ha-ha."

"In my opinion, there was no need to say such a thing in this place. Please apologize to Sir Volunbalt."

The one who spoke this time was Pruelle. When the First Prince of the Tain family stepped forward, Baron Durmand glanced sideways, as if calculating something. Seeing that Duke Diarca remained calmly seated, he grew even bolder.

"Oh, the First Prince of the Tain family. You weren't present at Duke Tain's trial, so I can only imagine how surprised you must be to see me here. You looked sick, but you seem healthy now."

"..."

"Well, if everyone desires an apology, what more can I, Durmand, say? I came here with a joyful heart to serve the Empire in my old age, and this is what I encounter. It's truly heartbreaking, but what can be done?"

Durmand retorted sarcastically and then raised his voice toward everyone present.

"Let me say this: the Empire's most revered poet, Duke Mechis Da Diarca, once wrote, 'Just as the color of a trodden shadow never changes, clear water can never become the sea.'"

"..."

"A poem that is quite fitting for today's circumstances, don't you think?"

"What does that even mean?"

"What's he talking about, shadows and the sea?"

Yuder heard the whispers of the Cavalry members not far from him. He instinctively sensed that the words were not favorable, but the unfamiliar poetic language made it hard for him to grasp the underlying meaning immediately.

Meanwhile, the faces of the people around Baron Durmand were all smiling, as if they understood perfectly. And Yuder knew that poem too. It was one of the lines that Emperor Katchian had often mentioned to him during his reign.

'Yes... The essence is that one's innate qualities cannot be changed, no matter what one does.'

No matter what you do, the color of the shadow underfoot never changes. Fish from freshwater can never live in the sea. Even if circumstances seem to change, in the end, nothing really doesan icy and clear-eyed recognition of reality.

'Now I understand where he heard that.'

Yuder clenched his fist and looked back at Gakane, who was standing nearby. His face was still a bit pale. The look in his eyes was one of embarrassment, clearly unprepared for the individuals who had stood up to defend his honor.

Gakane probably hadn't anticipated that events would unfold in this manner. He likely had no idea that Baron Durmand knew so much about his family and circumstances, that he would humiliate him so publicly, and that the other members would react in this way.

Gakane looked as if he was about to say something but then closed his mouth. Seeing this, Yuder let out a small sigh.

'If it had been earlier, I would have asked why he did something so pointless.'

But now he understood why Gakane had stepped forward. It was his own way of worrying and expressing himself. And the other members felt the same; none of them would have stood idly by if one of their comrades was being insulted. Yuder knew this because he would have done the same.

Yuder thought of Gakane, who had never made a fuss about his origins or revealed any personal difficulties during his long tenure in the Cavalry. Despite knowing that there was no need to go to such lengths, he understood a bit of why Gakane had stepped forward.

He let out a deep sigh.

'...The one thing that's certain is...'

There was no need to indulge this nonsense any further. Thanks to the passionate camaraderie of his fellow members, the situation had taken a slightly different direction than expected. While this deviated from the original plan, he didn't particularly mind. So, what could be done?

"Very well. I will accept that gift."

"...What? Yuder!"

"If Baron Durmand doubts the intentions of the Cavalry and myself, and believes this to be harassment, then the reason must be simply because I haven't accepted the gift. Accepting it should provide the proof you require."

Yuder approached Baron Durmand and snatched the gift wrapped in red paper.