“What? Even the Nine Stars?” Duke Agnus burst into laughter.

Although... wasn’t this the same as what he had said to Babel?

Anyone with such ambition had to speak through actions, not words. They had to produce results. Another of his blood stood before him who could live up to such claims—because Joshua was indeed a child of talent.

‘But that weapon…’ Duke Agnus frowned, drumming his fingers against the desk.

Everything else Joshua said was fine, but what was with his choice of weapon? He didn’t even want a greatsword, which was nothing more than a form of bragging. Even if he’d said he wanted a dagger, the Duke would have nodded along—albeit reluctantly, because Duke Agnus firmly believed that the sword was the king of the battlefield. The spear, in contrast, was an insignificant weapon with more disadvantages than advantages.

A longer reach? The spear was unwieldy even...