The Biflten house jumped at its owner's sudden decision.
Since it was mid-April when the snowfalls were heavy, the three houses besides the Red Delrose house could not contact their respective elders.
Because of this, instead of the elders, it was one of the brave Elo knights who came to see Aden at the DelRose Knights' house in the large estate.
“I have something to say to the Delrose leader.”
Idith was guarding the office and hid his awkward expression as he relayed the message to those inside the office.
“Master, Elo is requesting a meeting.”
“Who of Elo?” Aden asked.
The elder of Elo was undoubtedly in the northwest of Elo, trying to find a way to avoid the cold.
“It’s Rosie, Elo’s knight,” Idith replied.
"I see."
Rosie was one of the few Elo knights Aden knew and he was not someone he interacted with as a Duke, but rather as the Grand Master of Delrose.
They had disagreements several times over the same topics.
Elo's knight, Rosie, was someone who looked after his subordinates as if his life depended on it and in other words, he didn't care much about the lives of knights from other houses.
“Let him in,” Aden said gruffly.
Den, the Grand Master of Delrose, was considered very difficult to deal with in general.
He often adopted aggressive tactics on the battlefield, but most believed this was because of his precise calculations and he was the Duke's agent, of course.
It was only seen in the Delrose Knights Order as people were not allowed to face the general in person.
“Elo Rosie.” Rosie had a simple greeting for a high-class person, and he greeted the Grand Master in the same way.
“What brings you here?” Aden had no intention of listening to a long lecture because the topic at hand was quite clear.
“I heard that Delrose’s general is traveling to the hot region.”
"It is clear." Den leaned back against the back of his chair.
"Then?"
Rosie stared into the face of the Grand Master of Delrose, whom he had seen a few times on the battlefields.
The Grand Master didn't bother hiding his displeasure.
“It’s April.” April in Biflten was the coldest season.
"The movement of the Ester Tribe should not be neglected.
They combined with the Mollies tribe recently as well.
As you know, the Ester Tribe in April is dangerous.
I think it will be better if we advise the general."
It was a textbook suggestion and Den tilted his head as he rubbed his chin:
“Are you saying that it is dangerous for the general to go to the hot region?”
“I'm not doubting the general's ability, of course, but,” Rosie knew she shouldn't continue.
If there was someone around who could control the temperature, then there was no reason to fear the Ester Tribe.
Because esters were sensitive to temperature, they were very active in cold weather and became lethargic if the temperature rose even a few degrees.”
“Just say it out loud.” Aden laughed.
He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward.
“The Elo property is very close to the Esters.”
There was a brief moment of silence in the office.
“I cannot fully represent Elo’s position.” Rosie was a cautious and sneaky rider too.
“Your Highness is not the leader of the Delroses, but also the guardian of Biflten.
The elder is not very happy with the Delroses’ actions recently.”
There was only one thing that had changed about Delrose's stock recently.
Long-distance warfare had lessened as Aden was home more often, so this wasn't the job for the Delroses.
It was an unusual situation as Aden did not like the mansion and the pressure from the three houses on the succession and an elder from one of the three houses had said so before the succession ceremony.
“We cannot accept someone who cannot even protect the people of the winter region, like the master of Biflten!” Aden raised his head and laughed.
When the succession ended and that was why Aden stayed at the mansion, he had no reason not to hang out with the Delrose knights.
“Then I will also convey a message from the general.” Honestly, it was Aden's thought, but the person who would laugh at the truth was Ilyin.
“The general expected Elo or Blue North to come to him the moment he decided on the campaign.”
The Blue North was always aware of what the Red Delroses were doing.
It was clear that Elo reacted sensitively, as they were close to the Ester Tribe army's terrain.
"He said he doesn't know when the Delroses became the sword of other houses.
If you don't like lifting your sword so much, why don't you throw it away?"
***
"Everything will be fine?" Ilyin opened the Biflten map on the table.
She forgot about the delicious cake and tea she was drinking.
Etra quickly brought two new cups of hot tea and the tea that got cold went to the maids.
“Is this alcohol from the hot region?” Aden asked.
"No, it's tea.
Be careful, it's hot." replied Ilyin.
“Is it okay if I try a little?”
The maids' voices whispering went away.
Tea was one of the many things brought from the hot region to Ilyin and she told the maids to drink tea whenever they wanted, but no maid dared to touch her things under Etra's watchful eye, but Etra didn't say anything about the leftovers, so the maids started drinking the cold tea outside in the hall.
"It is clear!" One of the freshly brewed cups of tea was for Aden.
He had never traveled to the hot region, so it was the first time he had a cup of tea.
He swirled it around in his mouth a few times, like he did with alcohol, and frowned a little.
The hot tea tasted bitter, which was not what he expected.
“It looks like you didn’t like it.” Ilyin chuckled as he watched her face wrinkle.
Etra was about to bring alcohol in a crystal glass, but Aden raised his hand and motioned for her to leave.