Roland said nothing more. He was Henry's Attendant, a part of the military system. He didn't need to ask questions, just execute orders.
Claude, on the other hand, was a bit dazed. 'Did so much really happen in the four or five days I was gone?'
"My lord, are we no longer defending against the Lizardmen here?"
"We don't have to. The great emperor has issued new orders. My mission is to depart from Gasil, cross the Inner Sea by boat to Vostrom, then travel west through Poros, Zeondika, Jarmarus, and Oerticia, finally arriving in Shalas."
Claude closed his eyes to picture the imperial map, then asked, "My lord, it would be faster if we took the route through Gasil, Sanara, and Ancient Yaz."
Henry shook his head. "These are the emperor's orders. I need only do as he requires."
Claude sighed and said worriedly, "My lord, you have been away for too long. You've spent less than a year in your fiefdom. Tommy is certainly trustworthy, but people change!
