That same night, Baltasar came back with the information.
Pedro was at his desk, looking over the supplies the King had granted him. Compared to what had been given to Ezpeleta, they were… noticeably lacking. For the first time, he truly felt how expensive war was—not in theory, but in practice.
Upon seeing his most trusted man enter, he set the document aside and looked at him with a faint smile.
"Tell me you bring some good news," Pedro said. "Looking at the money the King has given me is enough to give me a headache. I need something better than numbers."
Baltasar smiled, though there was a trace of bitterness in it.
"Well… I'm afraid they are not exactly good news, sir."
He stepped closer, placing the documents on the desk.
"The war in New Granada is not simply a rebellion between factions. At least—not entirely."
He paused briefly before continuing.
