Why was I suddenly being summoned in the middle of the reception? The crown prince was surrounded by nobles offering their congratulations, and Lily was surrounded by noble ladies, putting on a refined act.
I wanted to watch that entertaining scene to the end, but I couldn't ignore a summons from the grand duke, so in the end I followed the palace chamberlain. When I reached the grand duke's office, I found some unexpected guests with him.
The Marquis Offenburg, the Count of Essenbach, and Duke Altringen.
So the highest-ranking gentlemen in Beren were all gathered here. The marquis and the count were glaring at each other, openly showing their irritation, since they were in the thick of a fight over Strasbourg.
Out of nowhere, though, the sparks had flown my way. An unaffiliated mercenary band had crossed the border to raid Vintenheim, where large-scale investment was underway.
That raid had given the Streit Gunners their debut.
We'd put it to good use as live-combat training.
