Chapter 196 - Towards the Unfulfilled Duty (2)

Although the north had short days, there was an office located in the sunniest spot.

It was a place specially prepared by Countess Oksana, but now it was so disorganized that the sunlight streaming through the window seemed almost shameful.

"Sir Joseph, I brought tea."

"…Leave it and go."

"How about taking a break while you work?"

Bordan, who had personally brought the hot tea, sighed as he saw the cluttered office.

'It's better than being depressed and shut in, but…'

When Joseph first returned to Sturma, he locked himself in his room and refused to come out.

The accumulated fatigue and the sense of failure from being eliminated from the competition had overwhelmed him.

It was said he had been so weak that he even coughed up blood, so his current energetic state might be a good sign.

"I told you to leave it and go."

However, Bordan, who had served Joseph for a long time, couldn't get used to the fierce look in his eyes now.

Joseph's eyes, gleaming like a beast's, along with his deep dark circles, created an unsettling atmosphere.

"…Lady Oksana said she would like to have dinner with you tonight."

"I understand."

It wasn't clear if he truly understood, as he simply waved his hand to shoo Bordan away.

Looking at Joseph like this, Bordan had no choice but to leave with a worried expression on his face.

"…"

Once Bordan left, the office was silent again.

Though the cup of tea grew cold, Joseph frowned as he stared at the map in front of him.

'Why did they do it this way?'

It was a map large enough to cover a big wall.

However, the large map was filled with newly drawn lines and letters, and Joseph was now deeply troubled as he looked at them.

'If you simply crave power, there's no need to tear things apart like this, right?'

Even though he had been eliminated from the family head competition, Joseph had not given up on everything.

There was something called perspective that you could gain by stepping back, and the appearance of the empire from a distance was truly a mess.

'…The central region is divided into the Dragulia faction and the court faction.'

The territorial battles of the central families, which still take place on a large and small scale, are ultimately nothing but proxy wars fought in the name of the Dragonblood Dukes and the court.

The lords who relied on central power continued an endless war according to their factions.

"In the East, discontent with the elves' forest is growing."

The elves' forest shown on the eastern side of the map. Ausurin.

The arrows pointing towards that place were drawn thick and dense.

Every single arrow drawn by Joseph originated from the eastern territories.

"It's not that I don't understand because I suddenly couldn't breathe."

It is said that the lords of the eastern region, whose trade was unilaterally blocked by the elves, are now gathering soldiers centered around the family of Count Vitskaya.

From the eastern point of view, it was necessary to open the gates of Ausurin at all costs to reopen the suddenly blocked trade.

'The west is quiet for now, but it won't stay that way.'

Gaidar suffered a heavy blow in the decisive battle with Bayezid and hid beyond the desolate canyon, but he is probably still constantly looking for opportunities to recover and take revenge.

Because of these concerns, Timur the Iron Lord initially installed an entry fortress blocking the canyon.

The northern part has declared independence, but the central part is still in turmoil.

The east was preparing an offensive against the Elves and the West was still sharpening its teeth against the North.

I don't know about the southern region, which doesn't yet have a proper information network, but it wouldn't have stayed calm in this chaotic situation.

"…What are you trying to achieve by tearing the empire apart this way?"

Throughout the history of the empire, there were heaps of conflicts that had accumulated over time.

By race, by region, and by religion.

And the one who had ignited the fuse of these conflicts had been Dragulia.

If you followed the arrows on the map in reverse, they all pointed to Dragulia.

"…"

Only by knowing the opponent's intentions can you face their moves.

However, Dragulia's behavior gave no clues about his intentions, so the shadow in Joseph's eyes as he looked at the map only grew darker.

***

Although they departed at the same time, their destinations were different.

Some headed west, others south.

The lords who had left the city of Bastopol, governed by the Iron Duke, now turned their horses toward their respective territories.

"Now we are the last ones."

At the crossroads where they had to part ways, Vlad looked at Alicia, who extended her hand.

Seeing the white hand extended from the carriage, Vlad quickly took her hand, fearing it might get cold.

"I'll accompany you to Deirmar."

"It's fine. I also brought my knights."

Although they were not as strong as Vlad, Alicia's group was sufficient to reach Deirmar.

"I have always been grateful to you, Lord Vlad, from the time at my parents' grave until now."

Alicia's eyes fell on the load Noir was carrying.

The luggage the black horse carried with a dissatisfied expression contained small gifts the northern lords had given Vlad before departing.

They might have been simple gifts, but they were signs of recognition.

"…I haven't been able to repay all that you've given me, but at least I don't want to be an obstacle in your path."

Seeing those gifts, Alicia had to admit that the name Hainal was already too small to retain Vlad.

The image of Vlad, walking down the hall leaving behind the seven northern lords, appeared larger and freer than ever.

"Go. I heard you must go to Sturma."

"…"

As Vlad watched Alicia smile while telling him to leave, he unconsciously remembered Zemina in Soara.

This was because the expression on Alicia's face when she said she didn't want to be a burden at the crossroads where they had to part was exactly the same as Zemina's from before.

"But please, once..."

"I will definitely come to see you."

What did I do back then?

What I said to appease Zemina, who was sad about the separation.

"Yes?"

"I don't know when, but I will definitely pass through Deirmar."

I might leave now, but I will definitely come back to see you.

I think I said this and Zemina laughed.

"Look. Now I keep it separately."

Vlad took out a small cloth bag from his chest and waved it in front of Alicia.

When he opened it, what he saw was a carefully folded handkerchief.

Seeing that Vlad kept her handkerchief so it wouldn't mix with those of other ladies, Alicia couldn't help but smile despite her sadness.

Even though the nest became small and the bird flew away, it would always return to the nest. 

Seeing Vlad, who considered Deirmar his nest in addition to the smile of the rose, Alicia couldn't lament the farewell at the crossroads.

***

Even though there was no wind, the waves crashing into the port were strong. 

These waves were created by the enormous body approaching from afar.

Devious, the butler of the Dragonslayer knights, raised the collar of his cloak as he watched the massive ship drawing nearer.

"What kind of ship is that...?"

Some soldiers, upon seeing the approaching vessel, exclaimed in amazement.

Even if you looked up, its size was overwhelming. The ship's growing shadow loomed over them as it drew closer to the shore.

"Drop anchor!"

"Lower the boarding plank!"

The ship reached the port as the soldiers held their breath. When the recognizable red sail, visible from a distance, was folded, a long boarding plank began to descend from the ship to the ground.

"Ha, ha! I didn't expect you to come in person!"

A man said as he descended to the port with a loud laugh. His gruff demeanor was that of a typical sailor, but his clothes were made of expensive silk.

"You look much better than the last time I saw you on my lands."

"Welcome, Duke Barbosa."

Though the plank was wide enough for two people to walk side by side, the burly man took up all the space. He had the characteristic red hair of the south and a hearty laugh that only a man in his prime could have.

"Thank you for coming from so far away."

"It wasn't a problem. This is a trip I make every day."

Devious, bowing respectfully to Duke Barbosa, noticed that the man, with his friendly laugh, brought with him the salty smell of the sea.

"It's strange, I've been on land so long that I'm getting seasick."

The man called Duke Barbosa pulled a bottle of alcohol from his pocket, saying that at times like these, one should drink.

"Though it's late, Duke Dragulia sends his congratulations on the conquest of the southern archipelago."

"I'll discuss that when I reach the capital."

Duke Barbosa responded as if nothing had happened, but his achievements were truly remarkable. 

Unlike other regions where a strong power structure was already in place, such as Ravnoma or Baranov, the Southern Archipelago had never been governed by a single family throughout the empire's history.

"Anyway, I heard you've been having some trouble lately?"

"That's right."

Devious responded politely but didn't take his eyes off the boat being lowered from the ship. 

The boat, which the sailors were struggling to lower as if it were heavy, was secured with a silver chain since it contained very valuable items.

"The north has declared its independence. It seems the pressure from the west wasn't enough."

"My, the country is falling apart."

Duke Barbosa took a swig from the liquor bottle he was holding and continued speaking while frowning, as if the bitter taste lingering on his tongue was strong.

"That's why I said Count Gaidar wasn't suitable."

Although he had suffered a significant defeat, Count Gaidar remained the ruler of the west? However, Barbosa spoke of him with utter disdain.

"I told the Dragon Blood Lord that great things should be done with important people."

Duke Barbosa carelessly tossed away the bottle he had just finished drinking. 

Ebony-black waves approached from behind him as he removed his captain's hat.

Coming from the distant blue sea, they were the private fleet that Duke Barbosa took pride in.

"So you won't fail this time with me."

The duke's narrowed eyes seemed playful, but the waves he brought were not so light.

Because he was the only Duke of the south, the Golden Duke Barbosa.

There are only four noble dukes in the empire.

The Iron Duke of the north.

The Dragon Blood Duke of the center.

The palace duke of the imperial family.

And now the Golden Duke of the South.

In an Empire where only one emperor remained in name, these four powerful lords faced off. 

Their names alone were enough to establish a kingdom.

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