Chapter 230: No, You Must Return. (1)

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

After all, the most prominent young noble in the northern region these days was undoubtedly Ghislain. No one would miss an opportunity to build connections with him.

Among them, Daven, the fourth son of the Rayfold family, received a slightly more special invitation. Instead of just sending an invitation letter, they had sent someone directly to him.

"Well… Your name is Lowell, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. I've come under the orders of Count Fenris."

"Ahem, I knew that guy would succeed. We were quite close back in the day. Who was it again…? Oh, right! His cousin, Kane! The three of us got into some mischief together."

Daven made a point of expressing his delight and repeatedly emphasized his past association with Ghislain.

In truth, there was no such connection. Because he was Amelia's fiancé, Ghislain had merely acknowledged his presence as a person, but Daven himself had subtly looked down on Ghislain.

Still, seeing that Ghislain had gone out of his way to send someone to invite him, Daven felt somewhat proud, as if Ghislain now recognized his worth.

As he was about to write a reply confirming his attendance at the banquet, Lowell lowered his voice and spoke.

"My lord has requested that you visit the territory as discreetly as possible. We will make the necessary arrangements for you."

"What? Why?"

Daven frowned uncomfortably.

Moving without revealing one's destination was dangerous. If the other party intended to harm or detain him, it would be incredibly difficult to get help.

This was not something one would do unless there was a deep and trustworthy relationship.

Lowell, with a guileless expression, responded.

"Did you not say you were close? We are preparing a banquet that would be awkward to publicize."

Nobles known for their indulgence occasionally held secret gatherings. These were private parties where activities better kept out of the public eye took place.

Even then, one would reveal the destination to a trusted confidant as a precaution.

Moreover, Daven was not actually that close to Ghislain.

"Ahem, well… it's been a long time, so we're not as close as before…."

As Daven tried to refuse, Lowell handed him another letter.

As Daven read through the contents, his face turned pale, and his hands began to tremble slightly.

"H-how… how does he know this?"

"Our lord has been keeping an eye on you for some time now."

"Could it be that he… has such preferences? Actually, I…."

"Absolutely not."

Lowell firmly cut him off, leaving Daven awkwardly scratching his head.

The letter contained a detailed account of Daven's current situation.

The Count of Rayfold had many children. The heir, the eldest son of Rayfold, was known to be greedy and merciless, much like his father.

It was a widely known, if unspoken, fact that the heir intended to eliminate his siblings. After all, anyone bearing the Count's blood could potentially inherit the position.

As a result, the other sons were busy forming factions and constantly checking each other to survive.

Daven had also been desperately struggling to stay alive, but he lacked any real power base.

He was so terrified, he was even contemplating escape while stressing himself to the point of hair loss daily. That was when he received contact from Ghislain.

Setting aside the lengthy explanations, the letter was concise in its conclusion.

[I will support you. I will make you the master of Rayfold.]

Ghislain, now backed by Marquis Branford, wielded great influence throughout the northern region. He had risen to the rank of a high noble, becoming a Count.

If Ghislain officially announced his support, even Daven's brothers wouldn't dare to touch him.

Moreover, Fenris was a territory abundant in food and iron ore. With Ghislain's support, Daven could quickly build up his power.

Still, his worries didn't entirely dissipate.

'Ugh… what should I do? Should I trust him and go? What if he takes me hostage or something?'

As he hesitated, Lowell interjected at the perfect moment.

"We have nothing to gain by holding you. On the contrary, it would only increase the risks for us. You don't need to worry about anything unpleasant happening."

The words were somewhat offensive, but Daven couldn't find a retort. Still, there were points that puzzled him.

"Then why would he want to support me? My brothers are also options."

"Aren't they already established figures? People like that are less likely to feel gratitude. Our lord wishes to build a strong relationship with the future master of Rayfold."

It made sense. Investments were traditionally made where the potential returns were highest.

If Ghislain invested in someone as powerless as him, the gratitude he would feel could yield exponentially greater rewards.

Understanding Ghislain's intentions, Daven's heart began to race.

'I… the master of Rayfold?'

Rayfold was a grand territory that had claimed dominance over the north for hundreds of years. He had never dared to dream of becoming its master, as his brothers had overshadowed him completely.

Until now, his sole concern was how to survive each day.

But Ghislain's proposal awakened dormant ambition and greed deep within him.

At the same time, his eyes flashed with a murderous glint. The suppressed resentment toward his brothers began to bubble up. If he had the chance, he would surely kill them.

'Ahaha… to think I could become the master of Rayfold?'

Could it be that bloodline dictated everything? Daven's face twisted into a cruel expression.

'If I can hold out for about ten years, I'll have enough power to solidify my position…. Once I control Rayfold…. Not even Ghislain would be able to act recklessly toward me. Rayfold is the strongest in the north. There's no comparison in bloodline.'

Lowell squinted as he watched Daven, whose greed was practically oozing from his expression.

After much discussion with Lowell, Daven made his decision.

"Fine, I'll meet Count Fenris. You mentioned secrecy—can you make the arrangements?"

"Of course. That's my specialty. Leave it to me."

The two moved quickly. A double was arranged, and Daven minimized contact with others under the pretense of poor health.

The spies Lowell had brought took the places of the servants. On the day of the Count of Rayfold's birthday celebration, they planned to leave the double and a carriage behind as a diversion before disappearing.

With all traces erased and preparations complete, Daven set out for Fenris to meet Ghislain.

"Count Fenris, how have you been?"

"Oh, Daven! Long time no see. Wow, you haven't changed a bit. Have you been well?"

Ghislain welcomed Daven with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Of course, Daven didn't attend the banquet. Ghislain had only held the banquet to create confusion for the surrounding territories.

Meeting in a secluded location, Daven asked about future plans.

"So, about helping me…."

"Yes, but it's not time yet. Hey, take this guy somewhere quiet and lock him up. Don't let anyone approach."

"What?"

Thus, Daven and his entourage fell into Ghislain's clutches and were promptly imprisoned.

"You bastard! You said you'd help me! You lied to me! My father won't stand for this!"

Daven raged for days, but it was futile.

Though anger consumed him at first, fear soon crept in.

'Why… why am I being locked up? Are they going to kill me? Use me as a hostage?'

After what felt like an eternity, Daven was finally released.

And he was met with shocking news.

"Miss Amelia has… staged a rebellion and seized Rayfold."

The knights standing before him were injured but familiar—they were knights of Rayfold.

Spies planted by Ghislain had managed to rescue a few knights who had barely escaped the chaos.

"What about my elder brothers? They wouldn't just sit idly by, would they?"

"They are all dead… along with their vassals, knights, and commanders. All executed."

"H-how is that possible…? My father? What about my father? And Jürgen, the North's Finest Sword?"

"Commander Jürgen is dead. As for the Count… we don't know, but likely… I'm sorry."

At first, Daven refused to believe it. But as the days passed and rumors spread, he had no choice but to accept it.

"Amelia… how could that wretch possibly succeed in a rebellion?"

A girl who spent her days locked away reading books had overthrown Rayfold? It was unfathomable.

As Daven sat in a daze, Ghislain smiled and spoke.

"Now you see why I locked you up? I just saved your life."

Daven hung his head low.

He had lost even the home he once detested.

The fear of being killed by his brothers was gone, but now he had to flee from Amelia, whom he had never considered a threat.

Having succeeded in her rebellion, there was no way she would leave a potential claimant to the title alive. She would hunt him down with everything she had.

Unconsciously, Daven knelt and begged.

"C-Count! Please save me! I don't need Rayfold. Just let me live here!"

If word spread that he was in another territory, assassins would surely come. The only places that could protect him were Fenris or Desmond in the north.

Anywhere else, even reaching the capital safely was an uncertain prospect. Assassins terrified him.

Ghislain, watching the pitiful display, spoke with a cold voice.

"No, you must return."

"Huh? P-please, don't do this! I beg you!"

It was a thunderous declaration. If this was his fate, why had Ghislain bothered to imprison him?

Still shaking his head, Ghislain continued.

"Return and fight Amelia. I'll provide you with enough food to sustain the fight. If you don't want to die, you'll have to give it everything you've got."

"How am I supposed to fight with just food? I need people to fight with!"

Ghislain spread out a large map.

He pointed to a spot midway between Rayfold and the Cabaldi region.

"Baron Valois, a loyal vassal of Rayfold, remains. Go to him. He will protect you."

Baron Valois was a figure who, in Ghislain's past life, had resisted Amelia's rebellion until the very end.

He was an exceptional strategist who sought tirelessly to find and protect a surviving heir of Rayfold. In Ghislain's previous life, he had managed to hold out for months despite limited resources before finally surrendering.

Now, with sufficient supplies provided, Baron Valois could potentially withstand even longer.

As Daven processed Ghislain's instructions, the latter added a warning.

"Do not attempt to take command of the war. Especially if Amelia appears personally."

"Huh?"

"Leave everything to Baron Valois. If you interfere, everything will fall apart."

Daven swallowed hard.

He knew of Baron Valois's reputation as a skilled tactician and commander. If Valois protected him, there was a chance—albeit slim—of victory.

With Ghislain's food supplies, at least one major obstacle was solved.

'Amelia doesn't know swordsmanship or military strategy. She just sat in her house, reading books and mingling with commoners. She must have been set up as a figurehead by her followers. That wretch is only there because of her popularity among the people.'

Thinking he understood the situation better than Ghislain, Daven entertained grand ambitions.

But Ghislain's chilling voice cut through his delusions.

"Don't get any stupid ideas. If you leave the castle gates, you'll die that same day."

"...."

"If you try to seize command, I'll cut off all support. Keep that in mind."

"I… understand."

Only Ghislain truly understood Amelia's capabilities.

She was unmatched in improvisation and battlefield strategy. Her cunning maneuvers and swift decision-making were second to none.

Even renowned strategists and warriors had fallen to Ghislain's sword in his past life. Yet Amelia had survived multiple encounters with him. She had even won battles in Ghislain's absence.

As for Daven, the moment he left the safety of the castle, his life would be forfeit.

The only hope was to rely on Baron Valois, who had earned a reputation as a master of defensive warfare. Ghislain planned to ensure Valois could hold out for as long as possible.

And if possible, Ghislain had other plans for Valois.

Daven couldn't grasp Ghislain's deeper intentions but nodded in agreement.

For now, survival was his priority. He could evaluate the situation further once he was in position.

After all, he was the only remaining legitimate heir of Rayfold.

"When should I leave? Will you ensure my safe arrival there?"

"Follow me."

When Daven stepped outside the lord's castle for the first time, his jaw dropped.

Countless carts were loaded with an immense amount of food. Around a hundred knights and nearly two thousand soldiers stood ready.

Ghislain had already prepared everything.

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