Side Story 99: The Two Strategists (6)

A heavy atmosphere enveloped the meeting for a while.

During that time, I kept my eye on King Aarsel's aides, who presumably did not think highly of Rudek or the Empire.

They had lowered their gazes to the table and wore solemn expressions, yet they also seemed to have faint smiles playing around their mouths.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the soldier who had gone to investigate returned and whispered something to King Aarsel.

"What?"

King Aarsel furrowed his brow. Bittegald urged him to tell everyone, asking, "What is it?"

"The neighboring country of Ing is conducting military exercises. They say they have no ulterior motive toward us."

"Military exercises, today of all days?"

Bittegald snorted dismissively.

"According to Ing, the exercises were scheduled all along. They claim they didn't even know I was in this city."...