Synopsis

The chapter opens with Marquis Stigma's strange behavior, calling the protagonist "Junior" despite only just meeting, and attempting to get him drunk to reveal information. Stigma then arbitrates a conflict regarding a barbarian tribe that attacks both the Margrave's and another noble's territory, appearing to side with the second noble and dismissing the Margrave. Finally, Stigma manipulates the situation to continue talking to "Junior," expressing a strange level of familiarity despite only recently meeting him.