From Dietrich's perspective, the border regions of the West did not differ much from desolate lands outside the wall. He covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief to avoid the dusty wind, but he still felt as if his mouth were full of sand. Soldiers who met the shipment were well trained. They greeted him properly, and one of the officers offered to show the new arrivals to their rooms. Resting sounded like a good idea, but Dietrich asked to be led to the margrave first. The king's request had the highest priority.

The residence of the man in charge of the whole West territory's wall gave Dietrich a depressing impression. Instead of flowers, the yard was full of garden beds with herbs and vegetables. The new head of the Berg family winced as he looked at the tops of carrots and radishes. Part of the first floor was taken up by the infirmary. It felt more like a barracks, with soldiers coming in and out of the house, and even staying overnight according to doctor's prescription. At the same time, few servants they encountered had no time to properly clean the mansion. The floor was covered in a thin layer of mud and dust. Even though Dietrich's status was lower than that of the margrave, this garden and this mansion could not even come close to those of the Berg Family.

When they arrived at the second floor, the officer stopped in front of a door with cracks in its white paint. He knocked and announced the arrival of an important guest. After the gravelly voice allowed him to come in, the officer nodded at Dietrich and excused himself. The earl adjusted his suit and opened the door.

"Tea or coffee?" asked the margrave as the door closed behind Dietrich's back. The young man slowly looked around the study. The modest surroundings didn't appeal to him. He couldn't help but feel disappointed and thought the noble's dignity had left the margrave long before his wife did.

"I would rather have something stronger, Lord Nolden."

The man standing in front of the cupboard was wearing a loose shirt that still didn't hide his muscular body. After receiving an answer, he turned his head towards the earl and stated, "Not passed!"

With a loud clatter, Wenzel closed the cupboard. Dietrich's eyes widened. This whole situation was beyond his comprehension. His respect for the higher-ranking nobleman was fading relentlessly. Before he could let his emotions slip, the earl stepped forward and handed the king's message to Nolden. The margrave took the letter and sat at his desk. While he opened it with a letter opener and read, Dietrich used the opportunity to say, "I would like to propose an executor for this mission - the last Magic Snatcher that you received."

Wenzel quickly read through the letter, then lifted his gaze to a young earl. "I assume you are aware of the king's request. Then, are you seriously asking me to order the hybrid to capture a nymph alive?"

"I believe the order is written quite clearly in the letter. And this hybrid needs to redeem itself."

The margrave put down the paper and scratched his chin stubble. "As far as I know, he was sent here because he had revealed magic and his identity to several people who shouldn't have had this knowledge. Or are there any other mistakes on his part that I'm not aware of?"

"It doesn't matter," said the earl. He was annoyed by the need to explain obvious things. "He can't disobey royal orders."

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"I can disobey!" Dietrich flinched when the man's fist suddenly hit the table. "This is my land, and I am the one who rules over it. If His Majesty has a problem with that, he could very well pay us a visit and express his discontent."

Taken aback by such blatant insolence, the young earl gritted his teeth. Despite this behavior, he still carefully chose his words. "Margrave Nolden, I understand that you are irked since your wife has left you..."

"Oh, I'm irked all right. And I have a violent side, as they say. So, before I use my fists, Lord Berg, listen carefully. When we ask for hundred soldiers, the capital sends them. When we request for more guns and ammunition, we receive them. And when the capital demands resources outside the walls, we go and get them, and no one asks how we do it. Even the king doesn't interfere with our methods, as long as we deliver the required outcome. Now, if you get what I'm saying, please be so kind as to get out of my study. Happy stay here!"

Dietrich clenched his fists. This place and this man proved to be even worse than the rumors had suggested.

"No need, I'll leave right now. Stay well, Lord Nolden." Practically spitting out these words, Dietrich left the room. His mood was at its worst, and as if that wasn't enough, the earl ran into the one person he wished never to see again.

"Greetings, Sir Berg. It's good to see you in good health," Sieg bowed. His politeness was met with a stony face. The Earl's blue eyes looked colder than the ice outside the wall in winter. Still, there was something Sieg couldn't leave alone, "If I may be so bold as to ask, did your group bring anything for me?"

"I'm not a courier," snorted Dietrich, "but I've met with your superior. He said that they were running low on supplies and so there would be no more pills for you."

Dietrich walked past Sieg, pushing Magic Snatcher with his shoulder. Puzzled by the unusual instructions, Sieg looked at the irritated man. Then again, there weren't many options that could lead to breaking the rules here, at the wall, so it made sense that he and others dispatched at the border would be the first to be cut off from medication.

He asked as soon as he entered the study: "Why is Sir Berg so upset?"

To his surprise, the margrave was also in a bad mood.

"He is now an earl. Don't you read the papers?" asked Wenzel, lighting a cigarette.

"Alas, I missed that. All the more reason to be on good terms with him, Lord Nolden."

"I don't hold any hostility towards Earl Berg personally, or his family in general, but I won't let a youngster from the capital teach me how to do my job at the border. Anyway, I have a task for you," the margrave said, waving Sieg closer to the desk. When the young man had done so, Wenzel tapped on the map in front of him. "Gather a group; eight should be enough. Go outside the wall and move to the south-west. First, I want you to gather medical herbs. You can ask the herbalist David to help you with that. And secondly, go further and do reconnaissance. Update our current maps. If you can investigate new areas, that would be great. But if the situation gets out of hand, then come back to the wall. There's no need to risk your life for this mission, understood?"

"Yes, my lord." The explanation was clear, but the sudden haste was unlike that of the margrave. Sieg looked up from the map, expecting the usual grumbling, but Wenzel kept his speech short.

"Good. Now, go and arrange it. You will leave in two days."