Chapter 106

The sky was blue, and it was early spring weather where winter clothes felt a bit heavy.

However, Valencianus felt a mood as if the cold winter with snow had returned, looking at the man in front of him, who appeared to be six years older.

Dark navy hair, as deep as a stormy sea, and gray eyes serene like snow-covered plains.

Cheeks, as hard as ice formed under snow, and lips that were the only part showing warmth.

Slightly taller than the already considerable height of the man, adorned with a purple uniform decorated with gold thread, and a heavy coat resembling military attire draped in faded gray wolf fur.

From his emaciated gaze and hollow cheeks emanated a loneliness and glory that only a leader could carry.

The reliable voice conveyed the dignity of the North.

Just like before the return, it felt as if the North itself had taken human form and appeared.

“‘Your Majesty’? There’s no need for such a lofty title. Aren’t we both dukes?”

In fact, they were not both dukes.

The elder brother of the Emperor, without a piece of land to spare in the capital, and the commander ruling over several kingdoms and massive fortresses could never be the same duke.

Thus, the greeting had to be interpreted as either the ease of a strong man or the kindness of one in desperation.

“It’s my first time seeing you. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Seberik Hyacinth Septentrions.”

Valencianus felt a slight awkwardness in that dignified voice.

It was rare for a man of that caliber to introduce himself.

However, he had a promise to extract from him, and he would be grateful if he came forward without an oppressive attitude.

“I am Valencianus Solletaraon Solletarass.”

So, Valencianus unusually introduced himself with a bright voice, smiling like an angel.

His always damp and platinum hair cascaded down, and dimples formed on his pale cheeks.

His laughter held golden eyes that remained inhuman but, unlike usual, evoked the image of a high-end doll instead of a monster.

Rudi and Trentia hesitated, startled by the first sight of their lord’s face.

“Rudi. Has Duke Valencianus ever smiled like that?”

“It’s a face I’ve never seen before. Perhaps he’s taken something to act cheerful.”

Normally, a knight, trainee, or chamberlain attached to them would have to attach titles to a commander, judge, or victor from somewhere.

Since those high-ranking individuals could not utter such things themselves for face-saving, the two’s introduction ended with just names.

However, what came after was always more important than the greeting.

“As the Duke of the North, I would like to convey my gratitude to the 47th Solletarass for your immense grain support.”

Valencianus was flabbergasted to see Seberik bow his head.

‘Is it really okay for things to go this smoothly?’

The 47th Solletarass.

It was no different than a declaration to formally recognize Jeiliris as Emperor.

Thinking back to how they fought to the death before the return, it was almost disheartening.

“The amount of grain increased by over 30% compared to last year. You lent me 15,000 gold coins at a low interest rate. You promised to construct roads and canals between the North and Central regions. All of this, Seberik will remember clearly.”

“P-please lift your head. You are the face of the North and the greatest lord of the Empire! You must not bow carelessly.”

Valencianus planned to demand an oath of loyalty by showing a performance of burning grain if any problems arose.

The Seberik of the North he remembered was a malevolent spirit that troubled the Empire for decades, nestled within a natural fortress.

Seeing him bow his head was enough to stir the chest of a fake bandit filled with regret and attachment.

“If my bowing my head means my citizens and soldiers can eat their fill, who would not bow to anyone, anywhere?”

“Truly… noble of you.”

It was sincere.

Valencianus thought Seberik was noble.

Although they had only met a few minutes ago, for someone of royal blood, a few minutes could mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands.

It was plenty to judge a person.

He held respect for his former foe, not as a powerful swordsman, but as a human being, and simultaneously dared to feel sympathy for Seberik.

Many followed the tyrant Jeiliris, and she could reign for 40 years, putting down all revolts because she had a fiery greed.

Even before the return, she ultimately sought the fight against the old and victory, sharing the worldly wealth gained through civil wars and battles generously among her followers.

In that way, Jeiliris commanded her era.

Seberik didn’t seem like the kind of man who could do that.

If Jeiliris did things because she wanted to, Seberik was the kind of person who would do things out of necessity.

However, duties were sometimes stronger than desires, so Valencianus continued with an unexpectedly gentle smile.

The more strong allies, the better.

“Let’s head to a coffee house for a cup of coffee until the grain is loaded.”

Trentia tried hard to hide her disgusted expression.

Knights did not consume drinks intended for weak bourgeois.

Seberik awkwardly smiled and replied, “I apologize, Duke Valencianus. Let’s go to a bar or restaurant. Northerners do not drink coffee.”

Trentia secretly cheered.

* * *

I utilized both my experiences before and after the return to find the closest luxurious bar possible.

There had to be plenty of drinks that Northerners would like, in a tidy atmosphere, without being decadent.

Fortunately, my memories recalled a decent bar, and we could sit at a long table with our officers sharing wine and whiskey.

“Duke Valencianus, your taste is quite refined.”

“No, Duke Seberik. You are truly hearty and manly.”

“If Northerners didn’t drink this much, they would freeze to death.”

I was taken aback as I watched him drink 40-degree whiskey straight, without ice.

“Hahaha.”

“Uhhahaha.”

Thinking calmly about it, there was no need for us to be on bad terms.

He had not sent a sister, aunt, or cousin to be the late emperor’s concubine or secondary wife.

Naturally, he was not related by blood to the imperial family members who died at the coronation two years ago.

Of course, he would have heard the rumors about how Jeiliris had slain hundreds to seize the throne.

However, as a ruler, he had the sacred and inviolable duty to feed the soldiers under his command.

Bowing his head for personal gain would be seen as cunning or cowardly, but bowing for the sake of those beneath him was noble and grand.

He was a remarkable Duke of the North, who exactly knew his strengths and weaknesses.

It would have been better if he hadn’t brought the fastidious officer along.

“Duke Valencianus.”

A black-haired woman seated across from Trentia at the long table kept provoking me.

Her aura and the sword at her waist made her seem like a knight, but with gold-rimmed monocle glasses, hair tied tightly, and a briefcase, she looked like an administrative officer.

“What is it?”

“I am Lysena, a knight serving as the administrative deputy of Duke Seberik. While our lord thanked you, I have some practical matters to discuss.”

Emphasizing that it wasn’t overstepping her bounds seemed to show significant experience with practical matters.

Seberik laughed awkwardly and tried to stop her, but she firmly rejected her lord’s restraint.

“It was Duke Seberik who entrusted me with the practicalities, so I will follow his orders.”

With Lysena by Seberik’s side, it was clear she was a power player in the North.

Her attitude suggested some level of human connection with him.

I lightly pushed my drink aside, turning my body diagonally as I turned my gaze toward the documents she presented.

“I sincerely thank you for providing such a large amount of grain, but if you send this volume at this time, the warehouses will be insufficient to store it all, leading to spoilage.”

“Isn’t this the time just before the lean season? It was intended to arrive at that time.”

“Central and Northern regions have different timings for the lean season due to climate differences. For long-term storage, it would need to be received as flour or barley powder.”

Surely, the imperial administrative officers would know that.

“The imperial court provides wheat and barley to the North free of charge, but flour and barley powder are available for purchase only through fixed-price rights and priority rights.”

In the end, that meant they had to buy the powdered forms.

Though she might ask if it wasn’t possible to go grind the grains, it wouldn’t be feasible to grind that vast amount in one day, leading back to storage issues.

Of course, even if there was money, it was a time when one couldn’t obtain grain, so the very fact that they could ‘definitely’ purchase was a privilege.

“It’s unavoidable. Wheat is property seized by taxes for the imperial family, so it can be given, but flour is regulated by a monopoly milling guild.”

“That guild’s primary client is the imperial family. Though the imperial court gave us fixed-price rights, that same guild sells flour at prices 400% higher than the average annual price.”

I was completely unaware of that.

“Given the timing, it couldn’t be helped.”

“Ultimately, we will have to dip into the money the imperial family lent us for the quantity of flour we need for long-term storage. The interest is low, but it’s guaranteed.”

“!”

Damn, I hadn’t been interested in administrative matters at all, so I was unaware.

Rudi and Trentia, who had been quietly listening, looked at me, exchanging glances that seemed to say, ‘Could it possibly be your Highness again?’

No, this was genuinely not my doing.

Who was it?

Jeiliris didn’t seem like the type to orchestrate such plots…

“With our greater number of soldiers compared to our population, our agricultural productivity is low in comparison.”

It was natural since all the people who should be farming were fighting with weapons.

“In the end, food must rely on the Central and Southern regions.”

I stared at Lysena, sweating coldly.

“As a mere knight and administrative officer, I may dare to presume. Is the imperial court not attempting to economically subjugate the North?”

She seemed to have a grasp on individuals around here.

A knight with exceptional military strength, human connections alongside the monarch, involved in administration and politics, ensuring things run smoothly, wielding transcendent power.

Just like me.

Seberik, who had only been drinking, appeared different.

Looking closely, those gray eyes were unwaveringly focused on me.

The technique of detecting lies through breath, blood flow, energy, posture, and eye tremors.

No wonder things were going too smoothly.

Gratitude was gratitude, but verification was verification.

Seberik took the role of a rational ruler, while Lysena took on the role of a bandit.

I let out a deep sigh internally.

I understood Seberik.

Those consumed by greed keep their lines clear by weighing gains and losses, but those filled with obligation will cross those lines if necessary.

He needed to verify how the imperial court intended to treat the North.

Trentia whispered softly.

“Your Highness. Have you truly committed such unbecoming acts?”

I squinted and laughed shamelessly, speaking in a voice audible to everyone seated at the table.

“Yes. Everything was my orders.”

If the imperial court got into trouble, it had to be me behind it.

What I caused could be protected by the imperial court, but who would protect them if they caused trouble?

“!”

Lysena gasped.

I calmly continued speaking.

“You’ve hit the nail on the head. I intended to forever economically subjugate the North to the imperial court.”

* * *

The loading of grain onto the supply ships continued throughout the night.

The supply ships loaded with grain moved out through the eastern sluice into the river.

Inside the capital’s gates, someone might have noticed.

But no matter how bright the stars were, they could never replace the sun.

Thud, a shadow leaped onto a particularly large ship.

The distance from the riverbank to the ship was over 30 meters, but to them, it wasn’t that far.

Following that, several other shadows followed.

“I’m that one.”

“I’m this one.”

Hearing strange voices, a crew member approached, torch in hand, thinking he must have seen something wrong.

If not, then among his features, having an open mouth with the other parts – nose, eyes, and ears all perfectly smooth like an egg was improbable.

“Did you see?”

Thud, thud!

A dagger swung, and the features of his face revived, drunk with blood.

The crew member’s face looked just like his.