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Most of the princes of each territory who received Fenris' invitation attended the banquet.

The most successful young noble in the north was undoubtedly Giselle. There was no way he could turn down the opportunity to build a network with her.

Among them, Leipold's fourth son, Daven, received a slightly more special invitation. He was not only sent an invitation, but also sent in person.

"Yeah… … Your name is Lowell?"

"Yes, that's right. I came at the order of Count Fenris."

"Ahem, I knew he would be successful. We used to be really close. Who was it… … . That's right! He also had a cousin named Kane. The three of them had a bit of trouble together."

Dave looked delighted and repeatedly emphasized his old friendship with Giselle.

In fact, they weren't even close. Since she was Amelia's fiancé, they only treated her like a human being, and Daven also secretly ignored Giselle.

Still, seeing that she had even sent someone to call him, it seemed as if Jiselle had acknowledged him in her own way, so Daven felt quite proud.

As he was about to write a reply saying that he would attend the banquet, Lowell lowered his voice and continued speaking.

"The Lord has told us that he wants you to come to the estate as secretly as possible. We will make the preparations for you."

"What? Why?"

Daven made a disgusted expression.

It was dangerous to move without revealing where you were going. If you moved secretly and the opponent harmed you or detained you, it would be very difficult to get help.

It was something I would never do unless I was extremely close and trustworthy with that person.

Then Lowell answered with an innocent expression.

"Didn't you say we were close? I'm preparing a banquet that would be difficult to spread rumors about."

The nobles who indulged in debauchery sometimes gathered together in secret to have fun. It was a banquet where rumors spread that they were engaging in bad behavior.

But, just in case the worst happens, he reveals where he is going to a trusted confidant.

Besides, he wasn't really that close with Giselle.

"Ahem, it's been a while since I've seen you, so you're not as close as you used to be… ."

Lowell handed Daven another letter, even though he was about to refuse.

As he read the letter, Daven's face turned pale and his hands began to shake slightly.

"Hey, how do you know this?"

"Our lord has been watching you with interest for a long time."

"S, really, that kind of taste…? Actually, me too…."

"Absolutely not."

Daven scratched his head awkwardly at Lowell's decisive words.

The letter detailed Daven's current situation.

Count Leipold has many children. In particular, the Archduke of Leipold is a greedy and cruel person who resembles his father.

It was widely known that the Grand Duke was planning to kill his younger brothers. After all, anyone with the blood of a count could become his successor.

As a result, other princes also created factions to survive and were constantly keeping each other in check.

Daven also struggled to survive in this harsh world, but he didn't even have a proper force.

I was so worried that my hair was falling out every day and I was so scared that I even thought about running away, when I got a call from Jiselle.

The conclusion was simple and clear, minus the context.

[I will sponsor you. I will make you the master of Leipold.]

Giselle currently has great influence throughout the North, riding on the back of the Marquis of Branford. He has now risen to the position of Earl, a high-ranking nobleman.

If Jiselle could just officially announce that she was sponsoring him, then his brothers wouldn't be able to mess with him.

There, the Fenris domain is a place overflowing with food and iron ore. If you receive his support, you will be able to quickly increase your power.

Still, my worries didn't go away.

'Uh… What should I do? Can I trust you and go? You're not going to take me hostage or anything, are you?'

I was thinking about it for a moment when Lowell intervened at a perfect moment.

"We will gain nothing by keeping you, Confucius. It will only increase the risk. You don't have to worry about something bad happening."

Something felt a little off, but I had nothing to say in return. Still, there were still some things I couldn't understand.

"Then why do you want to support me? I have older brothers too."

"Aren't you already a powerful person? People like that are less grateful. Our lord wants to be on good terms with the person who will occupy Leipold in the future."

That was right. Since ancient times, it has been the rule to invest in places where you can get the most profit.

If you invest in yourself, even though you have no power, you will be able to double your profits.

Daven's heart suddenly began to beat faster as he understood what Giselle meant.

'I… … am becoming the master of Leipold?'

It was a territory that had claimed itself as the great northern territory for hundreds of years. Because of his brothers, he never dreamed of taking over Leipold.

It was a situation where I was just worrying about how to survive each day.

But when he heard Giselle's proposal, the ambition and greed hidden deep in his heart began to blossom.

At the same time, a murderous look lingered in his eyes. It was a belated resentment against having been oppressed by his brothers. If he had the chance, he would definitely kill them.

'Hehehe… … . Are you saying that I will become Leipold's master?'

Where did that bloodline go? Daven's face began to distort cruelly.

'If I can hold out for about 10 years, I'll be able to build up enough power… If I just take over this place… Even someone like Giselle won't be able to do anything to me. After all, Leipold is the strongest in the North. Of course, their bloodline is different.'

Lowell narrowed his eyes and looked at Daven. He could feel greed seeping out of his face just by looking at it.

Daven made his decision after much discussion with Lowell.

"Very well, let me go and meet my Count Fenris. You said we should go in secret, right? Can you help me prepare?"

"Of course, I'm an expert in that area. Just leave it to me."

The two moved quickly. They set up a stand-in and made excuses about not feeling well to minimize the number of people they met.

The spies brought by Lowell filled the servants' places. They planned to escape on Count Leipold's birthday, leaving only a carriage behind along with a double.

After erasing all traces and completing all preparations, Daven went straight to Fenris and met Giselle.

"Earl Fenris, how are you?"

"Oh, Dave! It's been a while. Hey, your face hasn't changed at all. How have you been?"

Jiselle greeted Daven with exaggerated delight.

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Of course, Daven did not attend the banquet. The banquet was held by Giselle to create some confusion in the information that was going into the surrounding territories.

Dave, whom we met in a secret place, asked about our future plans.

"By the way, you said you would help me… … ."

"Yeah, but it's not time yet. Hey, lock this guy up in a quiet place. Don't let anyone get near him."

"yes?"

Daven and his men, who had fallen into Giselle's grasp like that, were immediately imprisoned.

"Hey! You son of a bitch! You said you'd help me! You lied to me! My father won't let that happen!"

Daven fussed for days, but nothing worked.

I was initially angry at the thought of being deceived, but as time passed, I became more afraid.

'Why, why have you locked me up? Are you trying to kill me? What are you going to do with me as a hostage?'

After a long time in such a state of near-psychosis, Daven was finally released.

And then he was faced with a shocking truth.

"Miss Amelia… … revolted and took over Leipold."

Knights with wounds here and there stood before him. They were knights of Leipold that he knew.

The spies that Giselle had planted managed to rescue a few knights who had managed to escape or survive.

"Tongue, hyungs? I don't think hyungs will stay still."

"They are all dead… … . The vassals, knights, and commanders who followed the princes were all executed."

"Oh, how could that be… … Oh, father? What happened to father? There's Jurgen! There's the Northern First Sword!"

"Chief Jurgen is dead too. My lord… … . I don't know what happened to him, but maybe… … . I'm sorry."

Daven didn't believe it at first, but after a few days and the rumors spread, he had no choice but to believe it.

"Oh, Amelia… … How, how did that girl succeed in her rebellion… … ."

How could she succeed in a rebellion when she had no power or influence? A woman who just shut herself in her mansion and read books!

Giselle smiled and said to the dumbfounded Daven.

"Now you know why I locked you up. I saved your life."

Daven lowered his head.

Now he has lost even a place to return to.

He no longer had to worry about being killed by his brothers, but he now had to run away from Amelia, whom he had previously ignored and not even thought about.

There is no way she, who succeeded in the rebellion, would spare her life as the successor. She would be searching with her eyes wide open.

Daven knelt down and shouted without realizing it.

"Oh, Count! Please spare me! I don't need Leipold. Let me live here!"

If they knew he was in another territory, they would surely send assassins. The only people who could protect him in the North were Fenris and Desmond.

If not those two territories, I would have to flee to another region or the capital, and I had no confidence that I would be able to get out of the north safely. I was afraid that the assassins would come.

Jiselle, who had been quietly watching the scene, said indifferently.

"No, you have to go back."

"Huh? Don't do that. Please save me!"

It's like a bolt from the blue. If that's the case, why did you keep me alive by imprisoning me?

Jiselle continued, still shaking her head.

"Go back. Go and fight Amelia. I will provide you with enough food. If you don't want to die, you have to fight as hard as you can."

"How can you fight with just food? You have to have someone to fight!"

Jiselle unfolded the map in a large format.

He said, pointing to a place about halfway between the Leipold and Cavaldi areas.

"There remains a loyal vassal of Leipold, the Baron of Valois. Go there. He will protect you."

Baron Valois is a vassal of Leipold who fought to the end against Amelia's rebellion in his previous life.

With his outstanding Mercury abilities, he tried to find Count Leipold's surviving successor until the end.

In the previous life, things had happened a little later than they do now, so the food situation had improved somewhat, but it was still not a situation where the aftereffects of the drought were completely eliminated.

He withstood Amelia's offensive for three whole months even when food was scarce.

Only after the Barons of Valois finally concluded that all of their heirs were dead did they open the gates and surrender.

If Davey joins, Baron Valois will fight to the end. That's the kind of man he was.

'Amelia is an excellent commander, but this is her first time fighting a siege. And Baron Valois is no slouch either. It's bound to take time to capture the castle.'

If you provide Baron Valois with enough food, he will be able to last for quite a long time.

If the two fought back and forth, it was always a win-win for Giselle.

'We must also use this opportunity to reduce Leipold's power as much as possible.'

For Giselle, who was trying to conquer the North, Leipold was bound to be an obstacle. Regardless of Amelia, Leipold's power itself was formidable.

That is why he intended to use her rebellion to completely reduce Leipold's own power.

The best thing would have been for Count Leipold to go to war with Desmond, but he knew that wouldn't happen, whether because of Amelia or the drought.

That's why she had kidnapped Daven on purpose. If Baron Valois were to protect Daven, Amelia wouldn't let them go.

And while Baron Valois and Amelia are fighting, Giselle can do her own thing.

Jiselle gave Daven a warning.

"Never think of commanding a war, especially if Amelia herself appears."

"yes?"

"Leave everything to Baron Valois. If you touch it rashly, everything will be ruined."

Daven swallowed hard.

He knew the Baron of Valois well. He was a vassal who protected the southern region of Leipold, and he was said to have excellent knights and strong soldiers.

As far as Daven was concerned, Amelia had just gotten lucky and could really take Leipold if only Baron Valois would help her.

Since Jiselle said she would provide food, I wasn't worried about that either.

'Amelia doesn't know how to use a sword or command troops. She was always reading books in the mansion and hanging out with the people of the territory. It's clear that the people below her were rebelling and set her up as a symbol. She was popular with the people of the territory.'

I know Amelia better than Giselle. After all, I have known her longer than her, as she is my family.

Seeing the resentment and greed in Daven's eyes, Giselle spoke in a cold voice.

"Don't think of useless thoughts. If you open the gate and go out, you will die that day."

"… … ."

"If you take command, I will cut off support, so know that."

"Oh, I understand."

Amelia's true abilities were known only to Giselle.

What's scary about her is her ability to improvise in the field.

Her unexpected movements and situational judgment are unmatched by anyone. She could be said to be one of the most famous generals on the continent.

'Even the Duke doesn't know Amelia's true abilities. He just thinks she's a smart woman with a fair amount of political sense. Everyone else is making fun of her.'

In the previous life, Victor, Harold, and the Duke's excellent knights and commanders were all killed by Giselle.

Except for the last battle, he had never lost a single battle. The power of the 7 great powers of the continent, the mercenary king, was that terrifying.

No one could stand against Giselle on the battlefield and survive.

Except for one person.

Amelia was the only one who survived multiple encounters with Giselle. Even superhuman strength could not kill her.

Rather, in battles without Giselle, she always won.

A guy like Dave would have his throat slit the moment he opened the gates and stepped outside.

The only thing I can trust is the ability of Baron Valois, the master of Mercury. I plan to support him so that he can last as long as possible.

'When the opportunity arises, bring it to my side too.'

Daven couldn't understand Giselle's intentions, but he nodded for now.

Right now, it was important to protect myself. I could just go and judge the situation myself.

Because he was now the only true successor to Leipold.

"So when should we leave? Can you get me there safely?"

"Follow me."

Daven, who followed Jiselle out of the castle for the first time, opened his mouth wide.

There were numerous wagons loaded with a huge amount of food. There were about a hundred knights and two thousand soldiers waiting there.

Jiselle has already finished all the preparations.