Chapter 33: A Fragmented Peace

　　Terrified of finding himself in a precarious position, Dirvis dispatched envoys to the various lords, clamoring that the coalition must aid Korde in its hour of peril. Simultaneously, another messenger slipped into Trewell under the cover of secrecy. This agent whispered that his master harbored no ill will toward them—that as a mere vassal, he was bound to follow his sovereign’s decrees, and besides, the entire coalition was backing his brother. It was a masterpiece of double-dealing.　　However, swayed by the silver-tongued persuasion of mediators, Lord Medras and his brother Dirvis finally reconciled in the capital. They spent their days at their mother’s side, creating an atmosphere of warmth and harmony that had long been absent. For Delunsaya, who had endured years of heartache over her sons' estrangement, this reunion was a long-awaited balm.　　Softened by their mother’s tears and hardened by the looming external threat, the brothers set aside their grievances. Yet, they flatly refused to sign a formal peace treaty, insisting that their dispute was a private family matter rather than a conflict between states. After performing the sacred rites to honor the gods, the brothers united their banners and marched toward Ladesni, where a fierce struggle was already raging.　　At Ladesni, the situation had grown desperate. With reinforcements nowhere in sight, the local Castellan appeared before the Nor commander, Kade, clutching the city’s census rolls and land maps. He offered to surrender the city on one condition: if Nor would delay the final assault for a short time, he pledged to open the gates. He argued that if he waited until the legal military deadline had passed, his surrender would be considered honorable under martial law and