Chapter 230: No, You Have to Go Back. (1)


    The young lords of various estates who received invitations from Fenris mostly attended the banquet.


    After all, the most prominent young noble in the northern region at present was undoubtedly Ghiin. No one would miss an opportunity to establish connections with him.


    Among them, the fourth son of Raypold, Daven, received a slightly more special invitation. Instead of merely sending a written invitation, someone was dispatched to deliver it personally.


    “So… your name is Lowell, correct?”


    “Yes, that’s right. I came on the orders of Count Fenris.”


    “Ahem, ahem, I knew that friend would seed. We used to get along well back in the day. Who was it again…? Ah, yes! Kane, his cousin! The three of us even got into some trouble together.”


    Daven repeatedly emphasized his supposed past rtionship with Ghiin, feigning familiarity with an exaggeratedly friendly expression.


    In truth, there was no such connection. Since Ghiin was Amelia’s fiancé, Daven had merely treated him with basic courtesy but had often looked down on him behind his back.


    Still, the fact that Ghiin had gone so far as to send someone to personally invite him made Daven feel rather proud, as if it were an acknowledgment of his worth.


    Just as he was about to write a reply indicating his attendance at the banquet, Lowell lowered his voice and added something unexpected.


    “The lord has requested that you visit the estate as discreetly as possible. We’ll make all the necessary arrangements.”


    “What? Why?”


    Daven frowned uneasily.


    Traveling in secret was inherently risky. If something went wrong—if the other party intended harm or detained him—it would be nearly impossible to seek help.


    Such actions were unthinkable unless the rtionship between the two parties was extremely close and trustworthy.


    In response, Lowell answered with an innocent expression.


    “Didn’t you say you were close? The lord is preparing a banquet that’s… difficult to publicize.”


    It wasn’t unheard of for certain nobles who indulged in hedonistic pleasures to secretly gather for private affairs. These were gatherings where unsavory behaviors urred, ones that could cause scandal if exposed.


    However, even in such cases, attendees typically disclosed their destination to trusted aides as a precaution against the worst oues.


    Moreover, Daven himself wasn’t actually on such friendly terms with Ghiin.


    “Ahem, ahem, well… It’s been a while, so I suppose we’re not as close as we used to be…”


    Just as Daven began voicing his reluctance, Lowell handed him another letter.


    As Daven read through its contents, hisplexion grew pale, and his hands began to tremble slightly.


    “H-How do you know about this?”


    “Our lord has been keeping an eye on you with great interest for some time now.”


    “C-Could it be… that he has such inclinations? Actually, I do too…”


    “Absolutely not.”


    Lowell’s firm denial made Daven awkwardly scratch his head.


    The letter contained detailed information about Daven’s current situation.


    Count Raypold had many children. Among them, the eldest son bore a striking resemnce to his father—greedy and unimaginably cruel.


    It was a widely known, albeit unspoken, truth that the eldest was trying to eliminate his younger siblings. After all, anyone with the count’s blood could potentially inherit the title.


    Because of this, the other sons formed factions to survive, constantly watching and scheming against one another.


    Daven, too, struggled desperately to survive in this harsh environment butcked any real power or backing.


    He was so frightened by the circumstances that he often found himself contemting escape, losing sleep, and even seeing his hair fall out from the stress. It was during this time that he received word from Ghiin.


    Setting aside the details of the situation, the message was simple and direct:


    [I will support you. I’ll help you be the master of Raypold.]


    Ghiin, now backed by the Marquis of Branford, wielded considerable influence throughout the northern region. He had risen to the rank of a high-ranking noble—a count.


    If Ghiin were to officially announce his support for Daven, even his brothers would hesitate to act against him.


    Moreover, Fenris Estate was abundant in resources like grain and iron ore. With Ghiin’s backing, Daven could quickly build a faction of his own.


    Yet, doubts and fears still lingered in his mind.


    “Ugh… What should I do? Can I trust him and go? What if this is a trap to hold me hostage?”


    As Daven wrestled with his thoughts, Lowell interjected at the perfect moment.


    “We wouldn’t gain anything from keeping you as a hostage. It would only increase the risk for us. You needn’t worry about such concerns.”


    Though Lowell’s words struck a nerve, Daven couldn’t refute him. Still, there was something he couldn’t quite understand.


    “Then why would he want to support me? My brothers are already here.”


    “They already have established factions, don’t they? People like that tend to be less grateful. Our lord wishes to forge a strong bond with the future master of Raypold.”


    Lowell’s exnation made sense. Investments had always been about maximizing gains, and the most substantial returns often came from risky but promising ventures.


    If Ghiin chose to support someone like him, who had no current power, the rewards would indeed be manifold.


    Understanding Ghiin’s intentions made Daven’s heart begin to pound.


    “Me… the master of Raypold?”


    Raypold had been one of the most prominent estates in the North for centuries. Until now, Daven had never dared to dream of iming it for himself, thanks to his brothers’ dominance.


    His only concern had been how to survive another day.


    But now, hearing Ghiin’s proposal, the ambitions and greed he had buried deep in his heart began to resurface.


    At the same time, a murderous intent flickered in Daven’s eyes. His long-suppressed resentment toward his brothers was finally bubbling to the surface. If given the chance, he wanted nothing more than to kill them.


    “Hehehe… So, I’ll be the master of Raypold?”


    Was it a trait of his bloodline? Daven’s face twisted cruelly, a reflection of his brewing ambition.


    ‘If I can hold out for about ten years, I’ll be able to build a sufficient faction. Once I secure Raypold for myself… not even Ghiin would dare look down on me. After all, Raypold is the mightiest in the North. Of course—our bloodline is different from the rest.’


    Lowell squinted slightly as he observed Daven. The greed practically oozed from the young lord’s expression.


    Daven, after much conversation with Lowell, finally made his decision.


    “Alright, I’ll meet with Count Fenris. You said it had to be done discreetly, right? Can you help me prepare?”


    “Of course. That’s exactly my area of expertise. Leave it to me.”


    The two moved quickly. A decoy was arranged, and Daven used the excuse of poor health to minimize his interactions with others.


    The spies Lowell had brought reced the existing staff. Their n was to leave only the decoy behind, along with a carriage, during Count Raypold’s birthday celebrations, while they made their escape.


    After erasing all traces andpleting the preparations, Daven headed to Fenris to meet Ghiin.


    “Count Fenris, how have you been?”


    “Oh, Daven! It’s been a while. Wow, you haven’t changed a bit. Have you been well?”


    Ghiin greeted Daven with exaggerated warmth.


    Naturally, Daven hadn’t attended the banquet. Ghiin had hosted the gathering to mislead other estates and obscure his true intentions.


    In their secluded meeting ce, Daven inquired about the ns going forward.


    “By the way, you said you would help me…”


    “Yes, but the timing isn’t right yet. Hey, take this man and confine him somewhere quiet. Make sure no one can get to him.”


    “What?”


    Just like that, Daven and his subordinates fell into Ghiin’s trap and were immediately imprisoned.


    “You bastard! You said you’d help me! Did you trick me? My father won’t stand for this!”


    Daven raged for days, but it was all in vain.


    The realization that he’d been deceived filled him with fury, but as time passed, fear began to creep in.


    “Why… Why did he imprison me? Is he going to kill me? Is he nning to use me as a hostage?”


    His mind teetered on the edge of insanity until, after a long period of confinement, Daven was finally released.


    And he was greeted with a shocking revtion.


    “Lady Amelia has… staged a rebellion and seized control of Raypold.”


    Before him stood knights covered in wounds—knights he recognized as being from Raypold.


    The spies Ghiin had nted managed to rescue a few surviving knights who had barely escaped or survived the massacre.


    “W-What about my brothers? They wouldn’t just sit idly by, would they?”


    “They are all dead… The retainers and knights loyal to the young lords, as well as themanders, have all been executed.”


    “H-How is that possible… And my father? What about my father? There’s Yurgen! The greatest swordsman in the North!”


    “Commander Yurgen has also fallen. As for the lord… we don’t know his fate, but… likely… I’m sorry.”


    At first, Daven refused to believe the news. However, as the rumors spread and were corroborated over the following days, he had no choice but to ept the truth.


    “Am-Amelia… How did she… How could she seed in a rebellion…”


    How could a woman without power or influence pull off a sessful rebellion? A woman who lived holed up in the manor, reading books all day?


    As Daven sat in a daze, Ghiin spoke to him with a smirk.


    “Now you understand why I locked you up, don’t you? I saved your life.”


    Daven hung his head low.


    He had now lost even the ce he could call home.


    He no longer needed to worry about being killed by his brothers, but now he had to live in fear of being hunted by Amelia, someone he had never even considered a threat.


    Having seeded in her rebellion, there was no way she would let someone with a im to session like him live. She was undoubtedly hunting for him, her eyes alight with determination.


    Without realizing it, Daven dropped to his knees and pleaded.


    “C-Count! Please spare me! I don’t need Raypold. Let me stay here. Please, let me live!”


    If anyone discovered he was hiding in another estate, assassins would surely be sent after him. The only ces in the North where he might be safe were Fenris and Desmond.


    Anywhere else—whether another estate or even the capital—was beyond his reach. Escaping the North alive felt impossible, and the fear of assassins paralyzed him.


    Ghiin, who had been watching him silently, spoke in a t tone.


    “No, you have to go back.”


    “What? P-Please, don’t do this! I beg you, please let me live!”


    It was a thunderous deration, like a bolt from the blue. If this was his n all along, why had Ghiin saved him only to imprison him?


    But Ghiin shook his head and continued.


    “Go back. Fight Amelia. I’ll provide you with enough supplies to sustain your efforts. If you don’t want to die, you’ll have to fight with everything you’ve got.”


    “How can I fight with just supplies?! I need people to fight alongside me!”


    Ghiin unfolded arge map.


    Pointing to a spot roughly between Raypold and Cabaldi, he said,


    “Baron Valois, a loyal vassal of Raypold, remains. Go to him. He’ll protect you.”


    Baron Valois was a loyal retainer of Raypold who, in a past life, had fought to the very end against Amelia’s rebellion.


    Renowned for his exceptional defensive capabilities, he tirelessly sought the surviving heir of Count Raypold until the end.


    In the past life, the rebellion had urred slightlyter than the current timeline, and while food supplies had slightly improved, the aftermath of the drought still lingered.


    Despite these circumstances, Baron Valois held out against Amelia’s relentless assault for an impressive three months, even with scarce provisions.


    It was only after concluding that all heirs had perished that Baron Valois opened the gates and surrendered.


    If Daven joined forces with him, Baron Valois would fight to the bitter end. That was the kind of man he was.


    “Amelia is an exceptionalmander, but this is her first time leading a siege. Meanwhile, Baron Valois is an equally formidable strategist. Taking the castle won’t be an easy task.”


    With adequate food supplies, Baron Valois could withstand the siege for an extended period.


    If the two sides shed, it would undoubtedly benefit Ghiin.


    “I also need to weaken Raypold’s forces as much as possible during this opportunity.”


    For Ghiin, who aimed to dominate the North, Raypold was an unavoidable obstacle. Regardless of Amelia, Raypold’s forces were formidable on their own.


    Thus, Ghiin nned to exploit Amelia’s rebellion to diminish Raypold’s strength entirely.


    The ideal scenario would have been for Count Raypold to wage war against Desmond, but Ghiin knew that this wouldn’t happen, whether due to Amelia or the drought.


    That was why Daven had been deliberately abducted. If Baron Valois chose to protect Daven, Amelia would not leave them alone.


    And while Baron Valois and Amelia were engaged in their fight, Ghiin would handle his other objectives.


    Ghiin issued a stern warning to Daven.


    “Don’t even think about trying tomand the war. Especially if Amelia shows up in person.”


    “Pardon?”


    “Leave everything to Baron Valois. If you interfere recklessly, everything will fall apart.”


    Daven swallowed hard, feeling a lump in his throat.


    He knew of Baron Valois as well. A retainer who defended Raypold’s southern region,manding outstanding knights and seasoned troops.


    In Daven’s mind, Amelia was nothing more than someone who had secured her position through sheer luck. If Baron Valois supported him, there was a real possibility of seizing Raypold.


    With Ghiin promising to provide food, that concern was already addressed.


    “Amelia doesn’t know how to wield a sword, nor does she have any talent formanding troops. All she ever did was read books in the mansion or mingle with themon folk of her estate. She’s probably just a figurehead the rebels propped up because of her poprity among the people.”


    When it came to Amelia, Daven believed he knew her better than Ghiin. After all, as her family, he had spent more time observing her.


    Seeing the ambition and greed flicker in Daven’s eyes, Ghiin spoke in a cold, sharp voice.


    “Don’t entertain any useless thoughts. If you walk out of that gate, you’ll be dead by the end of the day.”


    “……”


    “And if you attempt to takemand, I’ll cut off all support. Keep that in mind.”


    “Ah, understood.”


    Amelia’s true capabilities were something only Ghiin fully understood.


    Her terrifying strengthy in her exceptional ability to adapt in real-time on the battlefield.


    Her unpredictable maneuvers and unparalleled decision-making skills were unmatched. She could easily be considered one of the finest tacticians on the continent.


    “Not even the Ducal family fully grasps her true abilities. They only see her as an intelligent woman with a fair sense of politics. Everyone underestimates her.”


    In their past life, Viktor, Harold, the Ducal family’s elite knights, and their brilliantmanders had all fallen to Ghiin’s de.


    Apart from the final battle, Ghiin had never tasted defeat. As one of the Seven Strongest on the Continent and the King of Mercenaries, his strength was terrifying.


    No one could face Ghiin on the battlefield and survive.


    No one, except one person.


    The only person to repeatedly face Ghiin and survive was Amelia. Even with his superhuman strength, he couldn’t kill her.


    On the contrary, in any battlefield where Ghiin wasn’t present, Amelia would always im victory.


    Someone like Daven would lose his head the moment he stepped out of the gates.


    Ghiin could only rely on the defensive expertise of Baron Valois. His n was to provide the baron with as much support as possible to help him hold out for as long as he could.


    “And if the opportunity arises, I’ll bring him over to my side as well.”


    Daven couldn’tprehend Ghiin’s true intentions, but he nodded in agreement.


    For now, it was crucial to keep his head low. He could evaluate the situation once he was there.


    After all, he was thest remaining and rightful heir of Raypold.


    “So, when do we leave? Can you guarantee my safety until we get there?”


    “Follow me.”


    For the first time, Daven stepped outside the lord’s castle, following Ghiin, and his jaw dropped at the sight before him.


    Countless wagons loaded with enormous quantities of food stretched out before him. In addition, around a hundred knights and over two thousand soldiers stood waiting.


    Ghiin had already made all the necessary preparations.


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