Sabina left Azureocean Castle at dawn. There was no grand farewell ceremony. She simply grabbed the reins of her horse and set off for the North Sea. As she left, however, she said a brief goodbye to her family.0

"I'll be waiting for you at the North Sea. Take your time getting there. Since that place is like my home, I'll have some good liquor ready for you." 0

It was a farewell truly befitting Sabina. Though she had been Caron's steadfast support for the past three years and was now leaving, there was no reason to worry. 0

"Two boys from the great ducal house cleared out bandits that sullied neighboring lands... Isn't this headline a bit weak for the empire's top morning newspaper, Leo?" Caron asked.0

"... Well, it's still on the front page. I like it," Leo replied.1

During those three years, Caron had solidified his position at Azureocean Castle. 0

He walked through a corridor, smirking as he read the morning newspaper. The front page was filled with the previous day's events at the Belrus Barony. It covered everything, from the way they had eradicated the bandits to the emperor summoning them to commend their deeds. True to its reputation as the Imperial Daily, the newspaper emphasized the emperor's summons.0

"With this, our story will probably spread throughout the capital's social circles," Leo muttered with a slightly flushed face.0

Caron looked at Leo with a hint of disdain and asked, "Leo, do you remember the promise we made when we first met?"0

"What promise?" Leo asked, confused.0

"You promised to grow up as a good and respectable young man," Caron answered.0

"O-Of course...0