Seon-Hyeok did not respond to the king’s question. Commander Mangsk spoke up instead.

“Your Majesty, there’s no way the timid ruler of Griffindor would send his prized griffin riders into war. Not only that, they wouldn’t do so for the Noctein Kingdom after losing in their war.”

[Yesterday’s enemy becomes today’s ally, and today’s ally once again becomes tomorrow’s enemy. Diplomacy is the willingness to hold hands with foes responsible for the deaths of your own parents when it becomes necessary.]

Commander Mangsk was an exceptional soldier, but he was not a skilled diplomat. Even in battle, Adenburg’s Shield preferred tactics that abided by the fundamentals of war rather than attempts to goad the enemy through trickery. It was inevitable that he would be a neophyte at the interactions and intrigue between kingdoms.

[We will find out in time what price Griffindor was promised, but what matters now is not the details of their secret agreement. What is important is the fact that the Knights of the Azure Sky will soon arrive on the front lines.]

The king was aware of the commander’s shortcomings, and as such, he refrained from reprimanding the soldier.

[Commander Mangsk.]

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

[Are you and your soldiers prepared to meet the griffin riders in battle?]

“I will do my best to stop them.”

[Dependable as always. I will put my faith in Adenburg’s Shi...