CH 34.1

“Your Grace, are you with us?”

The Marquis asked if he had seen that the Grand Duke was immersed in other thoughts.

“I don’t know if a report has been made, but we are completely behind. If we do not find the right solution quickly . . .”

“Last year, didn’t they move as well . . . Why are you fussing over this every year?”

When the Grand Duke raised an eyebrow, the vassals trembled at pressure the Grand Duke, who was younger than their son, exuded. They had heard till their ears grew calluses from their ancestors that facing the Cromund bloodline would lead to an inexplicable fear. And today, they were fully experiencing what their ancestors had said.

Among them, the Marquis, who had been trained by age, gradually opened his mouth.

“As I said, the number of monsters increased significantly while Your Grace was living in the castle. We lost a lot of troops last year. If you could spare us a little . . .”

“Haa . . .” The Grand Duke made a whistling sound.

“You have to speak properly. I have delivered supplies to you every winter . . . Was my memory distorted?”

In the North every winter, regular subjugation of monsters was conducted. This was a deal made between the Imperial family and the ancestors of the Cromund. As they dealt with the monsters that could be a threat to the capital, they were recognized for their merits for the stability of the empire, and the benefits the Grand Duchy and the North received were power and fame that even the Emperor could not treat them lightly.

Marquis Brussels looked perplexed following the Grand Duke’s cool sigh.

“But this winter has been unprecedentedly cold. Most of the materials were also frozen in the cold and became useless or thrown away without being used.”

“Therefore . . . What exactly do you want me to do?”

“I request that Your Grace and the Grand Duchy’s knights also participate in this subjugation.”

“I should also participate . . .?”

The Grand Duke’s lips twitched. He only thought to support them with troops and supplies, but they responded that it was not enough.

At that moment, a young nobleman sitting in the farthest seat suddenly interrupted.

“The monsters cannot use much power in front of those who inherited the Grand Duchy’s lineage . . . I heard that.”

“A nobleman believes in absurd and vain words.”

The Grand Duke openly clicked his tongue. The nobleman, who had been dismissed, turned red with embarrassment. When he brought out his words, it too sounded vain.

“If you participate directly, the soldiers’ morale will increase and so will their loyalty.”

“Then . . . You are saying I should empty this castle.”

The Grand Duke replied as if he knew it, and looked out the window.

The large falling snowflakes were blocking the view. It was so quiet that people wouldn’t even notice it until they turned their heads.

“How long will it take?”

“It usually lasts throughout the winter, but if Your Grace acts, it will be finished within three months.”

“No. I can’t leave the castle for so long.”

“Is there any other reason to protect the castle?”

The Grand Duke’s face hardened. There was no reason. He just didn’t feel like leaving this place.

More precisely, he just didn’t want to leave Anne here alone. If she ran away while he wasn’t there . . . Even a premonition of some kind struck him with uneasiness. She wouldn’t break the deal, but he himself couldn’t understand his heart.

“Anyway, I have no intention of leaving this place for such a long time.”

The Marquis expressed his displeasure after seeing the Grand Duke who kept his strong will. But he could not return empty-handed after he had come this far. The Marquis did not lose and offered a compromise.

“Then . . . How about a month? If we fail, they will come down here.”

The Grand Duke thought for a moment. The possibility was slim, but if all of the troops were annihilated, it was only a matter of time before they could get here. If that happens, he himself wouldn’t experience any harm, but she was a human being so weak that she could die clumsily if he looked away for a moment.

A cold sigh escaped the Grand Duke’s lips.

“I will finish everything within two weeks. That’s the limit for me to accept your suggestions.”

Two weeks was impossible. The destined border area was the Sylbur Mountains. It could be reached in half a day by horseback, but it would take a week just to move supplies and troops. It would take a whole day just to gather all the available people.

However, they knew that it would be difficult to break the Grand Duke’s stubbornness, so there was no reason not to follow his will.

“This is over now. The schedule will be announced through my aide.”

When the Grand Duke had finished speaking, he stood up, and the vassals, who were compelled to say that they were satisfied with this, followed the Grand Duke.