Chapter 65
Three hundred people, my ass.
He’d never liked having anyone hovering around, pestering him.
So of course, he always entered the conference room alone.
“So what, you’re saying this is somehow my fault now?”
“That’s not what I meant! I’m saying this is the situation we’re in!”
“What was that? Calling me greedy? Say that again!”
“Am I wrong, though?!”
The meeting room was already in chaos.
People sitting on either side of the long table were pointing fingers and shouting at each other.
Some things never change, huh.
Even after all these years.
Kind of nostalgic, actually.
“Our region took the brunt of the damage because you didn’t defend your borders properly!”
“How the hell was I supposed to predict things would go that way?! What’s next, you gonna blame me for the rain, too?!”
“Ah, finally, he understands plain speech.”
“You son of a—!”
Step.
“Ah—! Th-that’s…!”
“Ahh…”
“Ahem… khm.”
The noisy hall fell completely silent in an instant.
All because of Kainel’s arrival.
‘This part hasn’t changed either.’
Yeah, it was always like this.
The moment that guy showed up, everyone clammed up like they’d swallowed their tongues.
‘If nothing else, he sure knows how to fill a room with his presence.’
A few who had been shouting on their feet just moments ago froze mid-motion, then hastily sat down again under Kainel’s calm gaze.
“……”
But Kainel didn’t so much as glance at them.
Passing by, he sat down in his chair as if none of them existed.
Then, without another word—or even opening his eyes—he folded his hands and seemed to rest.
Apparently, he had no intention of speaking until the Emperor or the Crown Prince arrived.
“So what are we supposed to do, then?”
“You still don’t get it, do you? With comprehension skills that low… no wonder your territory’s in shambles and dragging the rest of us down with it.”
“You little bastard, you done talking?”
“You think I’m done? Maybe try understanding it the first time. How many times do I have to repeat that your troops need to reinforce our borders, not just your own?”
Since Kainel remained silent, voices gradually rose again.
Those who had been cautious moments ago started yelling at full volume once more.
The words themselves weren’t hard to guess—
The same old self-serving squabbling, everyone desperate to protect what was theirs.
Watching quietly from behind Kainel, Ceres couldn’t help but smirk in amusement.
“If we don’t come up with a proper defense plan this time, I won’t stay quiet either!”
Yeah, sure.
“And what if you don’t stay quiet? Your defense is your problem—why do you always dump it on the rest of us?”
Pathetic.
“You get more support from the Imperial Treasury than we do! Obviously, you should contribute more!”
What a bunch of clowns.
Their rice bowls must be massive, considering how much they whine about not being full enough.
‘Not like they’re beggars or anything.’
Why the hell were they always screaming for more?
‘Hm?’
All of a sudden, the nobles’ attention shifted one by one—toward where Ceres was standing.
‘Wait… did I just say that last part out loud?’
Even if I did, it wasn’t that loud.
Feeling a little awkward, Ceres let out a sheepish smile—
but then realized their eyes weren’t on him at all. They were looking past him—at Kainel.
‘Huh?’
Wasn’t he asleep just now?
Ceres couldn’t see anything unusual from behind; Kainel was still resting his chin on one hand.
But for the nobles sitting across from him, the view was very different—
enough to make them doubt their own eyes.
‘Wait a second…’
‘Is he… smiling?’
With his eyes still closed, Kainel sat there—
his lips curved into a faint, serene smile.
