Chapter 56: The Outbreak of War (Part II)

　　Koloway submitted a petition to the Duke, identifying the true cause of the eastern threat as the wanton arrogance of local officials. It was their mistreatment of the eastern populace, he argued, that had created the very grievances Nor was now exploiting.　　He urged the Duke to forgo military action, insisting that the immediate priority should be punishing corrupt officials and appointing competent leaders to oversee the frontier. A vigilant and well-prepared border guard, he maintained, would be enough to give the Nor army pause.　　The petition’s contents deeply displeased Wintmer. Acting on the Duke’s orders, inspectors launched an investigation into Koloway himself. This high-ranking courtier first endured a period of lightless misery in a dungeon on trumped-up charges of corruption, only to be later reinstated after being found innocent.　　Yet the investigation did not end there. Every official ever recommended or promoted by Koloway fell under the Duke’s suspicion. Investigating these men served as a public humiliation and a warning to Koloway; nevertheless, he continued to defend them, even at the cost of offending the Duke’s dignity.　　Koloway was greatly relieved to hear of Tille’s acquittal, unaware that it was only through secret bribes to the presiding officials that Tille’s life had been spared. Tille was not restored to his post; instead, he returned home to resume his humble trade as a carpenter.