The way down was much easier than the way up. The path to Amari only had a time limit; it didn't even require a password.
I encouraged the large elk as we descended the mountain. Well-fed and well-grown, the elk charged down the mountain path at an incredible speed.
And soon, we arrived at the plains.
It was a familiar sight. The desolate fields, the low and cold rocky mountains, the shallow mine entrances visible in the distance. The snow-covered low roofs and the old, low castle walls.
Nostalgia choked my words. I stopped for a moment and gazed at the small territory.
Amari, my land.
The territory at the very top of the North was cold and desolate all year round. The soil was too rough to farm, and the mines only yielded petty metals like copper. If we endured hunger and cold, monsters would soon come. The low walls couldn't stop the monsters, and people died regardless of the season.
I loved and resented this place my entire life.
I looked at the territory with a distorted face. The high wall was left abandoned, covered in snow with only its foundation completed. I thought everything would be fine if only that was built. But in the end, the wall wasn't even half-finished. Because I wasn't here. Because I left without stopping the monsters.
Victor called me quietly.
"Marion."
"...Yes. Let's go, Victor."
I barely swallowed down the surging self-reproach and spurred the elk.
The village entrance came into view.
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as I entered the village, I lost my words.
The Amari village was desolate. It was exactly the same as before, in the worst way. I had given them so much money, so I thought they would have at least re-roofed the houses with thick coverings. But the streets were still as shabby as ever.
This couldn't be right. There was no way the village chief and the knight commander would neglect the village with that money.
I hurried further inside.
In front of a small campfire by the road, women were gathered, soothing a child. The baby held by one woman coughed wheezily. I quickly dismounted the elk and wrapped the wolf pelt from around my neck around the child. She looked up.
"Thank y... Lord Marion?!"
The woman exclaimed in surprise.
At her words, the women all raised their heads simultaneously. An uproar broke out in an instant.
"Lord!"
"You've returned, my Lord!"
"What? Lord Marion?"
At their words, emaciated territorial subjects appeared from all around. Wearing thin clothes, their faces pale from hunger.
Why is it exactly the same as before?
I bit my lip hard and asked urgently.
"Where are all the knights?"
"They went out to hunt monsters."
"Have you eaten? Is the food supply sufficient?"
"Yes... the castle gave us rations for two days."
Two days?
I frowned again.
The situation in Amari was too strange. My dowry was an astronomically large sum. It was enough money to stockpile food for the winter and reinforce all the village huts, with plenty left over.
But contrary to my expectations, none of that had been done. Seeing that the castle wall construction had started, it wasn't that they hadn't received the money. No matter how many monsters there were, why hadn't even these basic things been improved?
I suppressed my racing heart out of anxiety. I remembered what Victor had experienced in Mort. If the money that should have been spent wasn't used properly, there was only one place to check.
I looked back at Victor.
"...I think we need to go to the lord's castle first."
"Understood."
Victor nodded.
Actually, I was still afraid to show him my family. But if I was with Victor, I would be able to face any reality.
Making that resolution, I mounted the elk again. The small, shabby lord's castle could be seen in the distance.
❖ ❖ ❖
The Amari territory had a castle built in the old style. The inner castle where the lord lived was on the hill, with the civilian houses and mines spread out below.
I looked around the entire way up the hill. My anxiety only grew. There were burn marks here and there in the village, and broken fences and signs were left abandoned, snapped and all.
I gritted my teeth and entered the castle. As I stepped into the empty front yard of the lord's castle, a familiar face caught my eye.
"Sophie?"
"Ah, my Lord?!"
The woman carrying a large sack was startled and set it down. Sophie, slightly older than me, was the village chief's daughter and the only servant in the Amari lord's castle. She said in surprise,
"How could someone who is in the Empire...? No, welcome back."
"Thank you. Have you been well?"
"...Yes. I have been well. Thank you for your concern, my Lord."
Sophie nodded carefully. I smiled bitterly. Since I used to be a blunt knight, I hadn't often offered such warm words. I dismounted the elk and asked,
"Where are my mother and father?"
"...Um..."
Sophie suddenly shut her mouth. After hesitating for a long time, she answered.
"...They are in the castle. But, my Lord..."
"I'm sorry. I'll hear the rest later. Please take Victor's elk inside too."
I handed her the reins. Only then seeing Victor, Sophie became even more flustered and led the elks away. I clenched my fists and steadied my mind.
I'll go to the castle, greet my mother, and ask why Amari is like this. I had told her to entrust the gold coins I sent directly to the village chief and the knight commander, so I wondered if she did. Since my mother hated getting involved in Amari's affairs, she must have immediately handed it over to them. Anyway, it was important to check. My father might have intervened.
I calmly opened the castle gates. And then, as if I had been beaten by someone, I lost my words.
"Ah."
The first thing I saw upon entering the castle was curtains. Luxurious red curtains covered the wooden windows of the lobby. In the places that were originally haphazardly covered with wooden boards and glue. The carpet looked new, and a pretty vase sat atop the fireplace. The moment I saw the cute dried flowers inserted in it, my mind went completely blank.
Curtains were luxury items. Even in the Empire, one couldn't buy them for just a penny or two. I had never even seen curtains in my life. But right now, this was...
"...Where is my mother?"
"My Lord..."
"Tell me, Sophie."
With a pained face, Sophie pointed to the lady's room on the second floor. I left both her and Victor behind and strode up the stairs.
The door burst open. I spat out with a boiling voice,
"Mother."
My mother, who was sitting by the window, slowly turned her head. Neatly pinned-up brown hair and yellow eyes. An elegant posture and an embroidery frame in her hand. The demeanor of a noblewoman born in a wealthy territory.
The Countess of Amari, Ingrid Amari-Patel, spoke to me for the first time in a year.
"Your gait is vulgar, Marion."
I clenched my fists tightly. If I didn't, I felt like I wouldn't be able to control my surging anger. I strode over to my mother.
The Countess asked with her characteristic indifferent attitude.
"Why did you return so soon? Did you get kicked out by your husband?"
"..."
"Then again, who would see a child like you as a woman. It's a wonder they paid such an expensive dowry to take you."
"You bought curtains."
At my words, my mother scoffed.
"You even know what curtains are. I suppose the Grand Duke's family didn't lock you in an attic?"
She set down the embroidery frame. Then, she suddenly spoke in a sharp voice.
"Yes. I bought them. I bought curtains that I used to hang up, changing the colors every season when I was a maiden. It's not like it costs that much, so why are you interrogating me like catching a rat, huh?"
"I clearly told you to entrust the entire dowry to the village chief."
"The village chief is dead."
"What?"
I opened my eyes wide and looked down at my mother. My mother glared with her yellow eyes and snapped fiercely.
"He's dead, I said! When some Hydra or whatever flew in this summer! Those things set the whole village on fire, the castle burned too, and the smoke even came into the room..."
She suddenly stopped talking, just like that. Then, in an instant, she returned to her original indifferent tone.
"Your father is dead too."
"...What?"
What?
I staggered for a moment. Sophie, who had hurriedly followed me in, supported me. She begged with tears in her eyes.
"Madam, please..."
"He was a man everyone hated anyway, so it shouldn't matter. I heard the knight commander held the funeral, but I don't know the details. Anyway, you are now the official lord of Amari."
My mother took off the lord's ring and handed it to me. Looking very relieved, and happy.
"Now that you are the master of this castle, do as you please. Kick me out, or whatever."
"..."
I stared at the ring placed on my palm. My head rang. Truly, it felt like I had been struck by Urg's full-force swing of a fist.
My father was dead? In such a short time?
No thoughts came to mind. I felt like crying, but at the same time, I felt nothing. I clenched the ring, raised my head, and spoke with empty eyes.
"Confine yourself to your room."
"I shall, Count."
My mother turned her head as if she had lost interest.
Just before leaving, I caught a glimpse of the embroidery frame she had been holding. On the frame, dazzlingly gorgeous sunflowers were in full bloom.
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as I closed the door and came out, my legs gave out and I slumped down. Victor, who had been waiting, hurriedly supported me.
"Marion."
"My Lord!"
Sophie shed streaming tears. She, who must have watched all of that in the castle, looked extremely exhausted. After taking a deep breath for a while, I asked her.
"Where are the two buried?"
"In the cemetery behind the castle. ...My Lord, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I showed you a shameful sight. It must have been hard for you too, Sophie."
At my words, Sophie squeezed her eyes shut. Tears still glistened on her closed eyelids. Soon, she opened her eyes and said to me.
"I'll brew you some warm tea."
"Yeah, thank you."
She wiped her tears and ran to the kitchen.
Victor supported me without a word. I slowly took a step forward.
❖ ❖ ❖
The cemetery behind the castle was full of graves. It was originally the family cemetery of the Count's household, but as places to bury bodies gradually ran out, people were packed tightly into burial plots even here.
Passing by the old tombstones, I stopped in front of a grave with a familiar name engraved on it. It was the village chief's grave. In front of the tombstone, there were many bouquets made of wildflowers and woven branches.
I spoke as if grumbling.
"...The village chief was a good person. He had been taking care of the village's livelihood since I was young, and even though he was strict, everyone liked him because he always thought of the people."
"..."
"In his pantry, there was sweet raspberry preserves, and he would occasionally take one out and give it to me when I was young. Back then, that was the most delicious thing in the world..."
I bit my lip until it bled. Victor quietly draped his arm over my shoulder.
Struggling to hold back the tears welling up, I stood in front of another grave. Unlike the other graves, the tombstone was made of stone. I slowly read the epitaph.
[The 17th Lord of Amari, Count Joachim Amari, rests here.
May the heavens judge his life.]
'May the heavens judge his life.' It was a phrase that perfectly suited my father's life. A bitter smile escaped me. I slowly stroked the cold gravestone.
"...My father was an incompetent man."
I muttered softly.
"He was the fourth son of my grandfather, but he had neither interest nor talent in fighting. So he ran away to the south without receiving any knight's training, and married the daughter of the wealthy Count Patel's family."
I smiled bitterly.
"But when all his older brothers died one by one, my father had no choice but to become the lord of Amari. My mother demanded a divorce, but she couldn't bring herself to do it because I was in her womb."
"..."
"After that, my father grew increasingly eccentric. He locked himself in his study all day reading books, and when he occasionally came out, he was drunk and terrorized the villagers. He said he couldn't even stand the sight of me and forbade me from even speaking to him, so I hardly know what his voice sounds like."
It was an irresponsible life. I said coldly.
"I hate irresponsible people."
"..."
"So I looked for a way I could take responsibility. A way that I, as much as possible, could take responsibility for this land..."
My voice trembled. Victor hugged me tightly.
Truly suddenly, tears burst forth. The bursting tears were rain. A flood that would bring me down.
"W-what did I do so wrong? I, I thought everyone would be happy if I got married. It's only natural that hundreds of gold coins are far more precious than one person. So, I wanted everyone to be full and happy..."
"Marion, Marion."
"I didn't want things to be like this..."
I sobbed, burying my face in Victor's shoulder. His hand warmly wrapped around my back.
"It's not your fault. None of this is your fault."
"Victor..."
"I am the one at fault. I deceived you and took you away, and even though I knew you were strong, I didn't send you back. All of this happened because of my greed. You have no fault at all."
I shook my head violently.
No, it is my fault. Actually, I really didn't want to come back. Just as Kirghiz said, I ran away. Because I hated this terribly cold land and the starvation.
But, if I had known something like this would happen in the meantime...
"...What do I do, Victor. Because of me... Ah, hic..."
Father...
Victor hugged my sobbing back as if he would crush me. Clinging desperately to him, I leaned into his embrace and wailed for a long time.
❖ ❖ ❖
When we returned to the dining room, a teapot and two teacups were set out. As Victor and I sat on the chairs, Sophie poured the tea. She pretended not to notice my swollen eyes. Drinking a sip of warm tea, it felt like my body was melting. I thanked her with a glance and opened my mouth.
"Then first, we need to find out where the dowry went. I doubt the ledgers were kept properly."
"Um, there is a ledger."
Sophie interjected carefully. The woman with dark hair, unusual for a Northerner, explained.
"Initially, the dowry went to my father... I mean, the village chief, but after he passed away, the remaining amount returned to the Madam. After that, she bought a few things and wrote down the remaining balance. So, you can find out how much money is left from that."
"Then did she spend money on nothing else? With what money did you buy food?"
"The knight commander managed with only the existing budget. He said he couldn't dare ask for the money the Lady held."
I let out a sigh.
The knight commander I had personally selected had a fiery temper, but in these matters, he had a strangely knightly side. I finally understood why the damage hadn't been restored. With neither the village chief who managed the territory's livelihood nor a lord, it was only natural that things hadn't been done properly.
Still, it was a relief that she hadn't spent more and left it untouched. I could clean it all up starting now.
While I was drinking tea, Sophie quickly brought the ledger from the lady's office. I opened the ledger.
"...She didn't spend as much as I thought. It's not abundant, but."
"It seems she paid off the balance for the castle wall construction in advance. Seeing as only this much is left."
Victor said, gauging the numbers.
I bit my lip looking at the money, which had decreased significantly compared to the beginning, but was still an enormously large sum. There were so many things to buy. It was my first time planning such a large household, so I didn't know what to do.
First, I needed to reinforce the castle walls before the monster wave arrived, and repair the houses that had burned down. I had to request the most expensive mercenaries from the Mercenary King, buy weapons, and...
"Marion."
Victor called me. I quickly looked up. He said calmly,
"I will organize this. Buying the necessary things, if there is last year's ledger, I can handle it."
"You will?"
"Yes. You go out and see how the territory is doing, and how the people are living. That is the lord's job."
I thought for a moment and nodded. Victor was much better at this kind of work. And I really wanted to meet the people. After some hesitation, I picked up my sword and stood up.
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
"Yeah."
He smiled quietly and sent me off.
❖ ❖ ❖
I rode the elk and left the castle. But once I was out, I didn't know what to say to anyone. My steps gradually slowed.
In the past, I had always kept my distance from the people of Amari. I didn't speak unless necessary, and I always stayed alone. There were several reasons. I had to patrol to protect the people. And... I was afraid of losing them, and I felt sorry for them.
Every time my territorial subjects, especially those I was close to, died, I was so heartbroken that I lost my mind. There were even times when I cried all day at the graveyard and collapsed, only to be carried to the infirmary.
So at some point, I started staying away from people. Without making any close friends anymore, without any warm words. With wildly tangled hair, calloused hands, and layered old leather, I swung my sword alone. Even if it was lonely and desolate, it was better that way. Perhaps understanding me, the territorial subjects didn't approach me anymore either.
But now I couldn't do that. No, I didn't want to. It was after I realized how joyful and precious human relationships were, to the point where I couldn't just not start anything out of fear of loss. And with my father's passing, I had become the lord who was truly responsible for this land.
I could no longer ignore reality.
I went down to the square in front of the castle. Amari's square was called a square, but it was really just an empty lot. A sculpture that might have been a fountain in the distant past was now only used to hold charcoal for a fire.
I approached the old men sitting around the campfire.
"Oh, my Lord."
The old men weren't that surprised to see me.
"Please forgive the discourtesy of not standing to greet you."
I shook my head to tell them it was fine. Then I asked.
"How have you been doing until now?"
At my question, they chuckled.
"We managed somehow. As soon as your dowry arrived, the village chief and the knight commander called in artisans to build the castle wall, and even the copper miners all rushed to work on the wall construction. But the situation worsened from the summer."
The eyes of the old man stroking his knee suddenly sharpened.
"Monsters crawled down and the construction stopped. Monsters like Ice Golems and Hydras raided the North."
"Halmard and the knightly bunch fought hard, but... it was too much for us alone. Lord Pandragon of Siland was bedridden, so in the end, Lord Muriel of Mul led his knights and came to help clean up the mess."
"But some people died, Lord Marion."
The old men spoke calmly. But I knew they were speaking with a heart-wrenching feeling. The old men of the North were all either formidable swordsmen, healers, or archers. Since they were all in the position of protecting the North together, it must have been agonizing for them.
I asked quietly.
"Did you see my father's funeral?"
"Of course, my Lord. He was your father, after all."
The old men didn't call my father 'Count'. They spoke slowly.
"Not only Lord Mul, but people from all over the North gathered to pay their respects. The Madam did not come out, but... everyone mourned your father sincerely, thinking of you."
"...I see. Thank you. Even though I couldn't be there..."
"My Lord, living in Amari up to this age, you witness countless funerals."
The old man smiled.
"That funeral was held solely because of your popularity. So you don't need to feel guilty for not being able to attend in person."
"...Thank you."
I had no choice but to say it again. Sparks popped up with a crackle. I clamped my mouth shut and stared at the rising sparks.
How could the old men be so wise? It was as if they could read my mind and knew what was agonizing me. All the guilt and indescribable remorse I held.
Then, a shout was heard near the castle gates.
"It's the knight order! The Amari knight order has returned!"
"Oh my, they're finally back."
The old men clicked their tongues.
"It's their return after three days, my Lord. I can't imagine how much those kids have suffered."
I stood up. Thinking of my loyal knights, my chest choked up again.
Leaving these people in a dangerous place, while I stayed in a comfortable place alone, I...
The old man spoke as if he had read my mind again.
"Don't blame yourself, my Lord. If a Northern knight is weak, that is their own fault. It is not for a strong person like you to blame yourself."
"..."
"Now, you've kept us old folks company enough, so go do the lord's work from now on."
I nodded and bowed.
"Please continue to help me in the future."
"Of course, Count."
They bowed their heads.
"From the moment you became a knight, the oaths of the Amari people have all been directed toward you, my Lord."
Thank you for returning.
Leaving them bowing behind, I headed for the castle gates.
❖ ❖ ❖
"Are there any injured?!"
"Bring some bandages here!"
The state of the knight order was almost too awful to look at.
The knights' armor was sticky with blood and monster bodily fluids, and their shoulders slumped as they carried broken weapons. The healers and archers who followed them were the same. They were so exhausted that even while the villagers moved the elks for them, they just sat on the ground catching their breath. It didn't seem like there were any major injuries, but there was no one who was completely fine either.
Guilt washed over me again. But before I could even step forward, a tall figure snapped in a fiery temper.
"Damn it! Even my underwear is completely soaked! This is why I hate fighting slimes, damn it!"
"Can you stop saying things like that?"
"Why do we have to hear information about your underwear...?"
"Shut up! I'm the commander, so I'll say whatever I want!"
I let out a deep sigh. Whether it was unfortunate or fortunate, my knights looked exactly the same as before. I slowly approached them.
"Halmard, I thought I always told you to maintain knightly etiquette."
At my words, the knights raised their heads. The tall knight who had been complaining about his wet underwear saw me and widened his eyes.
"Ah... Lord Marion?"
"It's been a long time, Halmard."
The knight, Halmard, dropped his jaw open. As if he had never made any harsh remarks, he quickly took off his helmet and knelt on one knee. Next to his dented iron armor, the eagle crest of Amari signifying the knight commander gleamed. He placed his fist on his chest and bowed his head.
"Halmard of Amari greets his lord."
I closed my mouth and looked at him.
Halmard. The best swordsman in the Amari knight order, he was a commoner by birth, just like all the other knights of Amari. Using his lord's land as his title instead of a family name.
I had brought him to the training ground and taught him like the others, despite his originally impatient and violent temper. How to hold a sword, how to swing it, how to use his towering height to slash at a goblin's weak point. Halmard couldn't fix his hot-blooded nature and fought with the young squires every day, but he was the most diligent student. That was why I had personally appointed him as the knight commander the year he turned twenty, wasn't it?
"Stand up."
At my words, he stood up. Halmard still looked as if he had lost his mind. He asked in a trembling voice,
"W-when did you return?"
"This morning."
I paused for a moment before continuing.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Tears suddenly welled up in his eyes. I was so flustered that I took another step closer.
"Hey, hey. Don't cry, Halmard."
"Lord Marion, d-do you know how hard it was for us?! The village chief was gone, the Lady didn't answer, and you weren't here either... I really..."
He furiously rubbed his eyes with the back of his large hand. I sighed and patted the knight's shoulder.
This young knight was as sensitive as he was hot-tempered. It must have been extremely difficult for him to suddenly lead Amari.
While I comforted him, the other knights chimed in one by one.
"Jeez, look at him crying again. He's all grown up."
"My Lord, why did you pick a guy like him as commander? It's hard hanging around him."
"His skills are so lacking compared to yours, my Lord, so how can we trust him?"
"Shut your trap, damn it! Yesterday you guys almost died trying to catch an Urg by yourselves!"
Infuriated, Halmard yelled, then checked my reaction again.
I couldn't bear to reprimand him any further. The apology was too great, and I was grateful that they were smiling like this despite it all. I wanted to sit down and catch up with them, but...
I looked around. People had already flocked to the commotion we were causing. Among them, there were some unfamiliar faces, or faces I hadn't seen in a very long time. They were probably people who had come up to help after hearing the conscription order Muriel had issued.
My people, whom I had to protect. In the past, I was afraid to stand in front of people, so I even left words like these entirely to others.
For the first time as a lord, I opened my mouth.
"—I heard that you went through a lot of hardships while I was gone."
I looked straight at my knights and subjects and said.
"The preventable deaths that occurred, the times you trembled in fear, it's all my fault. They wouldn't have happened if I had been here. I am truly sorry."
"My Lord!"
When I bowed my head to apologize, Halmard shouted in surprise. But I didn't stop speaking.
"But right now, there is a problem we must solve together. A monster wave will come soon. And as you all expected, this year's wave will be bigger than ever."
I slowly raised my head. Hoping that my words would reach them even a little, I spoke earnestly.
"I will accept any criticism at any time. But right now, I want to save you. So that I can fulfill my responsibility to my land and my people. So please, help me."
The people with the same ash-blonde hair as mine exchanged glances with each other. Someone suddenly spoke up.
"What could you have done so wrong, my Lord?"
"That's right. We all know you left because of us..."
"Who would shamelessly blame the lord?"
They murmured. Seeing the apology and worry in their eyes, my throat tightened.
Even though I hadn't even properly acted as a lord, these people...
With a heavy heart, I barely managed to open my mouth.
"...Thank you."
From now on, I truly won't lose a single person.
I quietly looked up.
Beyond the castle wall, the Black Mountain Range was shining ominously.
❖ ❖ ❖
I immediately called people to the main castle's conference room. Knight Commander Halmard, Sophie, who was said to have kept the ledger originally used by the village chief, and a few of the fastest messengers in Amari.
Seeing me wipe the dusty table that hadn't been used in so long, Halmard gasped.
"Lord Marion! For you to do such a thing directly..."
"You're here? Sit over there."
I pointed to the seat immediately to the left of the head seat where I would sit. Unable to say anything more, he went and sat down. Soon after, messengers armed with leather armor and daggers came in. While I acknowledged their bows, Victor and Sophie soon entered, holding the ledger and warmed wine.
When Victor placed the wine in front of the people, Sophie glanced at him nervously.
"Um... I learned that noble lords don't do things like this..."
"Why not? It's done by those with hands to spare. Marion, here."
"Thank you."
I received the wine and held it in both hands. Halmard looked at him with suspicious eyes.
"But who is this? His hair is completely black?"
"Ah, I haven't introduced him yet."
I replied, taking a sip of wine.
"My husband, the Grand Duke of Mort."
The reaction that followed was exactly as expected. Halmard spat out half the wine he was drinking, and the messengers all made faces as if the alcohol had hit them hard. Sophie scolded them.
"Why don't you know? It says 'noble' all over his face."
"No, no! No matter what, I didn't think he'd be the Grand Duke of Death! We only heard that you married a high noble of the Empire!"
"They said southerners were all weak, but he looks like he can at least wield a sword."
They evaluated. When Victor raised an eyebrow, she quickly explained.
"In the North, Lord Marion's reputation is absolute. No matter how strong someone is rumored to be across the continent, they wouldn't be able to defeat our Lord. So, well, there's a tendency to look down on them..."
I became utterly flustered.
They were saying such things?
I hastily denied it.
"That's not true! I lost a duel with Victor."
"I don't believe the results of your duel, my Lord."
Halmard cut in firmly.
"Your swordsmanship is solely focused on fighting monsters, so your strength drops significantly when fighting humans, doesn't it? Even so, you were still absurdly stronger than us."
"No! That time, I was really serious..."
"Was that how it was?"
Victor smiled broadly beside me. Strangely, Victor seemed to be in a good mood.
"I suppose we need to have a duel again."
Saying something... that Jane would say.
I was speechless for a moment before quickly turning back to Halmard.
"Then. Can you report on the current situation?"
"Yes, my Lord."
At my words, Halmard put down his wine and stood up. Bending his tall frame over the map board, he explained.
"We are periodically patrolling around Amari and dealing with monsters. Roughly once a month, we fought together under Lord Muriel's command. For all our backbreaking work, we couldn't kill that many, though."
Halmard clicked his tongue. I asked,
"When do you think the wave will come?"
"According to Siland's calculations, it will be in three weeks."
Three weeks?
Startled, I asked back.
"Isn't it usually later than that?"
"That's what I'm saying. But there are so many monsters... The bandits said the mountain range is at full capacity. There will be more of them than usual, and they'll be faster."
I bit my lip hard.
Basically, a monster wave was a phenomenon that occurred when winter monsters, waiting for the weather to get cold, descended all at once. Unlike the summer monsters that gradually came down from the southern part of the Black Mountain Range, the fierce winter monsters swarming down all at once was extremely threatening, which was why it was separately called a wave.
Halmard continued.
"The winter monsters are making such a fuss that the weaker southern monsters couldn't endure it and went down to areas outside their habitats. According to the peddlers, they were even discovered in the Empire..."
I suddenly recalled the southern monsters out of place in Mort's climate that I had seen. The appearance of a Serpent in an unsuitable habitat creating a monster like a Basilisk. So this was all because of that.
I pressed my forehead. The situation was more urgent than I had thought.
"...Three weeks is far from enough time. Did you think of a way to deal with it?"
"Well... to be honest, there's no special method. We called the mid-tier mercenary units we always hire, and Lord Mul issued a conscription order so our forces increased, but I'm not sure if we can handle it."
"Why didn't you hire more people with my dowry?"
"I judged that even if more ordinary mercenaries came, it would be useless."
Halmard said dryly. I stared at him. Halmard often mingled with mercenaries and knew a lot about both mercenaries and monster ecology. I asked my knight commander.
"...Then what were you planning to do?"
"I was thinking of evacuating the Lady and the villagers all to the south. Since we have money, they could settle and live anywhere. Meanwhile, we planned to buy time from behind."
"You were going to die."
At my words, Halmard's expression completely vanished.
My knight commander was a man of Amari. Though his temper was like fire, he was taught to sacrifice for the weak, and he was a knight fully prepared to do so.
The other knights were the same. They knew their own strength, and they could distinguish between fights they could handle and fights they couldn't. Nevertheless, they would have decided to jump in.
Just as I always did, to save the people. Who were equally weak in my eyes.
I closed my eyes tightly and caught my breath. I couldn't even ask why they hadn't contacted me. I had no right to.
The knight was silent. I barely managed to speak.
"...Don't ever think like that again. Think about how a noblewoman and the elderly and children without a knight escort would be treated out there. Amari only lives if you all live too."
"I apologize, my Lord."
Halmard bowed his head. I looked at him with an affectionate face, then turned my head. Victor's gentle eyes, Sophie's worried expression, and the messengers waiting for orders all caught my eye at once.
I gave them my orders.
"First, inform Lord Muriel of Mul that I have returned. Also, say that I would like to meet him and Lord Pandragon as soon as possible."
"Understood, my Lord."
The bowing messenger left the room. I handed the letters I had written earlier to the next messenger.
"One letter is for Mort, and the other is for Katarina Catalean of the Empire. Go down south as fast as you can and pay to rent a pigeon. I'll give you plenty of money, so rent a bronze pigeon."
The messenger looked at the gold coins I handed him with surprised eyes.
Even in the Kingdom, renting carrier pigeons was expensive. This much money was something you'd be lucky to see once a year in Amari. If it were the old me, I would have trembled and been reluctant to spend it. But I now knew that investment was necessary for important matters.
"I will return quickly, my Lord."
The messenger carefully tucked the money pouch into his chest and disappeared next. After that, Sophie pushed the ledger in front of me. Victor said,
"I organized the necessary supplies and made a purchase list. Would you like to check it?"
"Already?"
I leaned in and read the paper. Then, as if my earlier resolve meant nothing, I shuddered.
"...Five hundred pelts and two hundred swords? Victor, such a large sum of money...!"
"They are necessary, Marion."
Victor said calmly.
"In colder regions, clothing is just as urgent as food. If the clothes are thin, people are more susceptible to illness and cannot even move. When I looked earlier, everyone's clothes were thin."
"..."
"Swords are the same. Unlike you, most people cannot show their true skills with shoddy swords. We are facing a major battle, so it would be a problem not to have at least that much."
After that, he also talked about purchasing an enormous amount of food, firewood, and fabric.
I listened with my mouth hanging open. Listening to it, everything he said was right, but I was still terrified. I had trembled the whole time preparing for the ball, after all.
Sophie said,
"And, there are many saying that medicine is running short, my Lord. The herb garden outside the castle was completely trampled too. We have a lot of debt, so there aren't many places we can buy medicine..."
"There is a way to solve that too."
Victor pulled out a crumpled paper envelope. I barely realized what that envelope was.
"Isn't that Mary's letter of introduction?"
It was the letter of introduction I had received when leaving Mort. Written by my maid, Mary, who was the daughter of an apothecary family.
Victor nodded.
"Yes. This is a much more incredible item than you think."
"...?"
"The Melphin family is a famous household across the entire continent, Marion. Decades ago, the Melphin family compounded the cure for the fever that plunged the continent into suffering."
How could this be. I was greatly surprised and looked down at the paper.
I had heard stories about those apothecaries too. That they, whom I thought were geniuses, were Mary's family. I felt like I finally understood why Mary was so clever.
Victor handed the letter of introduction to Sophie.
"With this, any medicine merchant will open a trade with you. Send someone to buy the necessary items by tomorrow."
"Yes."
Sophie received the letter of introduction by reflex. And then, as if she found it very curious, she said,
"Your Highness the Grand Duke is very skilled at this kind of work? Knowing to prepare things like clothes and firewood... I thought this was the refinement of noble ladies."
Victor smiled softly.
"Of course. I am here right now as the lord's consort. It is only right that I manage the ledger of the Amari castle."
"..."
"Originally, I should have obtained the Lord's permission in advance... but you will permit it, won't you, Marion?"
He smiled gently. That smile was so captivating that I nodded hastily.
"Y-yes!"
"Southern men are sure slippery, huh?"
Halmard grumbled. I shot him a brief glare before finishing the meeting.
❖ ❖ ❖
For a while after that, Amari was bustling with activity.
The messengers fulfilled their duties, and Sophie faithfully purchased the necessary supplies. Halmard periodically patrolled outside the castle, disposing of monsters and assessing the situation. The territorial subjects were also busy repairing their houses and fixing the castle walls with the newly bought lumber.
And I,
"Victor!"
I was wearing armor made of fur, about to slip out of the first floor of the lord's castle, when I spotted Victor and waved my hand. Surrounded by people, he beamed when he saw me.
"Marion!"
When I approached, the people stepped aside with meaningful smiles.
They had such a hard time at first.
I looked at them, half embarrassed and half delighted by their mischievous smiles, then looked back up at Victor.
Victor had been in the castle all day lately. It was to do the work that Lady Juliana had done in Fidelburg.
He gathered those who knew how to cook and made preserved foods, and had them make winter clothes out of pelts. The various bits of trivia he learned from Shin Giru on the way here helped. The Victor from before wouldn't have known anything, but now he was putting his heads together with the women, discussing how many layers of thread to use.
Seeing him like that, the people of Amari instantly let down their guard. Those who had been intimidated by his fearsome title of 'Walking Death' seemed to find the black-haired man wandering around making stew without ever drawing his sword quite friendly. The women seemed to be calling him 'the Lord's mild-mannered and docile husband.'
Good heavens, what was everyone thinking!
I shuddered inwardly and looked up at Victor. He smiled and asked,
"Are you leaving already?"
"Yes. It takes half a day to make a round trip to Mul. I want to go early and come back."
"I see..."
He held my hand tightly.
I told you not to do that outside. When I glared at him wordlessly, he made a sullen face.
"But I haven't been able to see your face at all lately..."
It was exactly the expression of a wet puppy. That face was so uncharacteristically adorable that I ended up losing again. I remembered the fact that I hadn't seen his face properly these past few days, just like in Fidelburg. I smiled quietly.
"If the meeting ends early, I'll hurry back."
"But are you really sure it's fine if I don't go with you? I trust you, but wandering around near the Black Mountain Range right before a wave..."
"It's fine. It's not particularly dangerous?"
I reassured him.
It really was. There were far more monsters around Amari than before, but there weren't many dangerous ones. Going out where there were no castle walls wasn't something I couldn't handle. No, actually, that was only true for me, and it could be dangerous for my knights, but...
I smiled.
"Mul isn't that far. Don't worry."
"Alright. You are a strong person, so I must trust you."
He bent his head and planted a brief kiss on my cheek. Laughter from the people could be heard behind me. I rubbed my heated ear and took a step back. Victor grinned.
"I'll finish the food distribution by the time you return. The lodging where the mercenary units will stay has been repaired, and the knights' weapons will arrive tomorrow. The infirmary on the first floor of the castle is also ready, so the injured can be moved there from now on."
"You are truly amazing."
At my admiration, Victor's eyes curved into half-moons.
"You only just realized that?"
"Honestly, I thought Didrik and Sir Kaltz did all the domestic affairs."
"That's too much. For you, I could work as hard as an empress."
"Then please prepare the next ball."
Victor laughed playfully.
"Gladly, if you wish."
I smiled back at him.
Even with a crucial life-or-death battle ahead, having Victor here put my mind at ease. It felt like a miracle that I could sleep, and even laugh, despite the still-boiling guilt and pain. He was the person who calmed me down and made me focus on what was right in front of me. I gave him a tight hug and then stepped back.
"I'll be back."
"Yeah. Come back safely."
He waved his hand.
I nodded to the others in greeting and left the castle.
❖ ❖ ❖
The Mul territory was right next to Amari. Geographically, Amari, Mul, and Siland were connected from the west, so Mul corresponded to the middle of the North.
And today, I was going to meet the other Northern lords there, bringing my knight order. I asked my knight commander.
"Is Lord Pandragon able to move? I heard he was very ill."
"Would he be broken by just that?"
Halmard said gruffly.
"When he sees me, he'll probably throw a fit about when I'm getting married again."
The other knights chimed in.
"He doesn't even know gratitude, right, my Lord? It's because it's him that he even cares for a guy like that."
"Who knows? Maybe a lovely lady of Siland will marry you without knowing your temper?"
"Will you really just shut up?!"
He was about to flare up in anger again, but checked my reaction and shut his mouth. I laughed quietly.
In the past, I was a strict teacher. Because the hunting paths I took were all too dangerous, I rarely went with the knights I had trained. Instead, I was thorough in teaching swordsmanship, training, and chivalry. The young knights were naturally afraid of me as I rolled people roughly with a stiff face.
Perhaps thinking the same as me, the knights all added their words.
"Come to think of it, your expression has become much brighter after marriage, my Lord."
"That's right. I was surprised when you first appeared in a dress, but I'm glad it seems you're doing well."
"Well, Lord Victor seems like a good person."
I smirked.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I doubted him because he's a southerner, but seeing him, he seems like a good person. He listens well to people and doesn't seem like a noble?"
"I heard he even cleans with his own hands?"
"He was cooking in the square, too."
I smiled softly.
If I told them that Victor was actually the most noble person in the world, would they believe me? I was still not used to his unassuming appearance.
But not wanting to spoil their fun, I just silently nodded. The knights, who had lived in the closed-off North, seemed to find my outsider husband very interesting.
The knights, forgetting their tension, chattered excitedly.
"He holds his liquor pretty well for a southerner, doesn't he? He endured drinking that strong grain wine."
"I guess he wasn't famous for nothing. I thought he'd be a terrifying person with all the talk about dragons and ghosts."
"Wait, did you give Victor alcohol?"
At my question, their mouths snapped shut. Instead of them, who were glancing around nervously, Halmard spat out sullenly.
"You know it too, my Lord. Men usually show their true colors when alcohol goes in. He's the guy who went and married our Lord, shouldn't we at least verify that much?"
"You guys really only choose to do things unbecoming of knights."
The most knightly knights who had prepared to die for Amari protested.
"But my Lord, thanks to that, we found out Lord Victor's fatal flaw!"
"Flaw?"
"Yes. He gets a bit soft when he drinks, doesn't he?"
Countless scenes flashed through my mind in an instant. Him acting clingy on my shoulder while drunk, him falling asleep on my lap, him smiling brightly in bed and hugging me tightly. Thinking that everyone had seen all of that made my blood run cold.
I spoke with eyes as cold as ice.
"If you give him alcohol again, you'll have to duel with me for half a day."
The knights clamped their mouths shut and furiously looked the other way.
Fortunately, Mul came into view in the distance. The knights and I stroked the elks' necks and began to run.
❖ ❖ ❖
Mul was the most populous of the three Northern cities. Even then, it was nothing special, but merchants and outsiders came and went frequently, so it had a fairly decent city. It had faltered for a while because the previous Count of Mul died fighting monsters, but the people of Mul worked hard to tend to their land and lived on.
Perhaps thanks to the conscription order, there seemed to be more people than usual. I headed to the lord's castle with familiarity. Climbing a hill similar to Amari's, a familiar face was waiting for me.
"Big Sis Marion!"
"Muriel."
I leapt down from the elk. A boy wearing light leather armor with a sword at his waist ran toward me.
The lord and knight of Mul, Muriel of Mul, was someone I had some interaction with. It was because we shared the similarity of being the only child of a lord. I was concerned about this child left alone at a young age, so I taught him a bit of swordsmanship, and occasionally visited him when I had time between frantically killing monsters. The way he welcomed me every time was both endearing and joyful.
As Muriel approached, my knights bowed their heads. The boy, receiving their greeting, smiled broadly at me.
"It's been a long time, Big Sis. Have you been well?"
"Yeah. You've grown a lot too."
I raised my hand to gauge his height. The boy, who had sprouted up in just a year, had grown to be about my height. Muriel grumbled.
"Please don't talk to me like a child. I'm a proper lord now."
Didn't he know that those words made him sound even more like a child? I smiled and nodded.
"Alright. Congratulations on your inauguration, Count Mul."
"...I also congratulate you on becoming a lord. And I offer my condolences for your father's passing."
He said with a seriousness unbecoming of his youthful face. I smiled bitterly.
"Thank you. Has Lord Pandragon arrived?"
"Yes. He arrived a while ago and is inside. Ivan, call the knights."
He ordered people around quite skillfully.
Come to think of it, that name is familiar?
I turned my head toward the approaching man. As expected, it was that very Ivan who had briefly accompanied me on my way to the North.
"Huh?! It's you!"
"Greetings."
He, recognizing me, dropped his jaw open. I gave a light bow and headed into the castle.
❖ ❖ ❖
The conference room I was guided to was already packed. It was obvious, with the lords and knight commanders of Amari, Mul, and Siland, as well as other key personnel all attending. Without needing to follow etiquette like in the Empire, they stood casually and conversed seriously. I stepped inside.
As soon as I entered, someone shouted.
"Marion! How long has it been!"
I turned my head with a faint smile. An old man with long, snow-white hair was sitting in a chair, laughing heartily. I approached him and bowed.
"Lord Pandragon, it's been a long time."
"Yes, yes. I heard you got married. Didn't that guy come with you?"
The aged lord of Siland craned his neck.
He really... to think of such things even at a time like this.
I shook my head and asked with concern.
"I heard you were unwell. How are you feeling these days?"
"What's this little thing! ...is what I want to say, but honestly, I'm not like I used to be."
Pandragon let out a low sigh.
"I've just aged. Still, when the wave comes, I'll easily do the work of three men, so don't worry."
"Of course. I believe in you."
"Above all, Marion, it's huge that you came back."
I looked at the man who had been the lord of Siland since before I was born. Pandragon smiled bitterly.
"Your father was truly harsh. I also inherited the territory despite not being the heir, but I never thought of running away from reality. To not even take care of a precious daughter like you, it was too much."
"Lord Pandragon..."
"Moreover, how were me and the other Northerners? We entrusted you with far too many things and didn't even properly thank you. I thought it wouldn't be strange if you left forever."
"That's not true!"
I shook my head in dismay.
They didn't even thank me? For them to be alive and to say thank you to me was all the gratitude I needed.
At my reaction, Pandragon clicked his tongue.
"Too kind for your own good... Anyway, it's good that you came back, even bringing your husband. As you know, marriage is hard for us Northerners. It's a very good sight."
"...Yees."
"Now you just need to have a cute baby that looks just like you!"
Pandragon laughed heartily. I let out a deep sigh.
Lord Pandragon always had a problem with ending conversations with marriage talk, no matter how well the conversation was going. They say he had a really hard time marrying his current wife, was that why?
Right on cue, Muriel stepped forward. All eyes gathered. Ahem. The boy, who gave a dry cough out of embarrassment, opened his mouth.
"Thank you all for gathering here today. The two lords of the North and the guardians of each land."
He looked at me and continued.
"Today's meeting was requested by the lord of Amari who recently returned to the North, Marion Amari. Of course, I also felt the need for a meeting."
The boy swallowed dry saliva. A resolute will rose on the face of the boy who had only looked young.
"Before Lord Marion speaks, let me say a word first. ...You have probably already heard that this wave will come faster than last year. But I heard another disturbing story."
He took out a piece of parchment. It was a report. At a glance, it looked like it had been written by a Mul knight who had gone on patrol.
"Those who carried out the mission written in this report were annihilated, save for one person."
-To be continued in the next volume