Knight: from Apprentice to the Almighty

Chapter 337: Chapter 324: Duke

"You mean..."

As Roland finished speaking, a spark of understanding lit up in Gloria’s eyes.

"From what I know..."

Roland got up from the bed and gestured for Gloria to sit, then continued.

"The Golden Valley Kingdom currently has three influential Dukes: Duke Anno, who controls the Eastern Domain; Duke Enrique, who guards the Northern Border; and..."

He paused for a moment to ensure Gloria understood completely.

"Duke, who rules the West."

As Roland’s words fell, Gloria pondered for a moment before asking tentatively.

"Are you saying we should try to win over the other two Dukes, besides Anno, as allies? But from what I know, Duke Enrique is currently leading the Northern Border Legion in a battle against the Beastmen at the border, answering my father the King’s summons. He can’t break away. As for Duke..."

She furrowed her brow slightly, recalling the massive, rock-like man she had met once at a banquet in the Royal Capital years ago.

"He... didn’t seem very keen on socializing. My impression was that he was quite reclusive."

"Anyone who can attain the position of a Duke is no fool, Her Highness Princess Gloria."

Roland analyzed calmly, his gaze revealing his insight into human nature and the current situation.

"I believe Duke can surely see that the mastermind behind such an insane act—murdering royal heirs and unilaterally starting a war against the River Domain—can only be Anno."

"He’s holding his troops back for two reasons. First, he’s wary of His Majesty Morne’s stance and is unwilling to get involved in the conflict without a clear royal decree. Second..."

Roland paused, his tone growing sharper.

"It’s because there’s no profit for him in attacking the River Domain. Being far away in the Western Domain, he can’t gain any tangible benefits from a war in the East."

He leaned forward, his voice steady and persuasive.

"But if we take the initiative to contact him, the situation will be entirely different."

"With you—the blood of King Morne, the legitimate Princess—issuing the call, we will have the moral high ground. At that point, eliminating Anno will no longer be a private feud unsanctioned by the King, but a righteous act to eradicate a traitor who harms the Kingdom."

"Under these circumstances, I believe Duke would have no objection to going with the flow. In the name of ’protecting the Kingdom,’ he can openly carve up the power and territorial vacuum left by Anno, reaping the enormous benefits he desires. For him, it’s a highly profitable deal."

Gloria pondered for a moment. The last trace of hesitation in her eyes faded, replaced by the decisiveness befitting a Princess.

"An excellent strategy, Mr. Roland."

She stood up, her movements swift and decisive.

"I will immediately arrange for my most trusted people to travel to the West in the utmost secrecy and attempt to establish contact with Duke."

With the plan set, she wasted no more time. She gave a slight nod and turned to leave, ready to make the arrangements.

As for Roland, he seized this rare period of calm before the storm, dedicating all his energy to his own training.

The Land of the Sun Crown became his perfect training ground.

Time always flies when one is focused on training. In what felt like a daze, a month passed quietly.

「Western Domain of the Golden Valley Kingdom, Sandstone Territory.」

A large house stood silently in the dry wind. It was built from locally quarried, pale-yellow sandstone, with thick walls.

Huge, arched window openings faced the outside, fitted with fine metal grilles. They blocked the wind-blown sand and prying eyes while allowing the dry, warm air to drift through, carrying the scent of the wilderness and the smell of sunshine.

The interior was spacious. The roof, built high to ward off the scorching sun, was supported by dark hardwood beams.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the grilles, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the smooth, slate floor.

The furnishings were practical, with the rugged feel of a borderland.

A large, solid wood table occupied the center, on which sat a glazed earthenware pot and a few clay cups.

The chairs were low and sturdy, covered with cool, woven grass mats.

The walls were decorated with brightly colored wool tapestries depicting galloping steeds or hunting scenes. Beside them hung a resilient longbow and a quiver of arrows.

The air was a mixture of dry dust, warm stone, faint herbs, and the slight humidity from evaporating water in the earthenware jugs.

At this moment, a burly, middle-aged man, his face etched by wind and sand, was sitting in the main seat.

His bronze-colored arms rested on the tabletop. The large knuckles and the crisscrossing old scars on the backs of his hands revealed a power forged through hardship.

A vigorous, sharp-eyed old man stood to one side. He wore an old but clean robe and held a heavy roll of parchment steadily in his hands, bowing his head slightly as he awaited instructions from the man in the main seat.

"That old fox Anno, what the hell is he scheming?"

The burly man’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop, producing a low, dull thud.

"It is still difficult to say, Lord Duke."

Hearing the question, the old man shook his head gently.

"What we know so far is that a traveling party of scholars from the River Domain has been accused of assassinating Earl Auston and Knight Leonard, as well as being suspected of murdering several of His Majesty King Morne’s children. Therefore, Duke Anno is preparing to wage war on the River Domain, and..."

As he spoke, the old man steadily unrolled the parchment in his hands and spread it on the table, pushing it toward the burly man known as Duke.

"He has sent you a request for reinforcements, hoping you will dispatch soldiers to aid in the battle."

"Heh..."

Duke glanced at the contents of the parchment and let out a cold laugh.

"Why would the River Domain make such a foolish provocation? This story is as hypocritical as he’s always been."

"Forgive my frankness, Lord Duke."

The old man bowed slightly and spoke in a steady voice.

"Duke Anno’s actions are likely an attempt to expand his power and secure benefits under the pretext of war with the River Domain. As for the so-called provocation from the River Domain, it is most likely just..."

"A frame-up! Of course I know that, Old Morgan..."

Duke stood up, his massive frame looming like a small mountain, almost completely blocking the light coming in from the window.

"Although as my ’Blood Rage Secret Technique’ improves, my mind..."

He grinned and tapped his own bald head with a finger.

"...sometimes feels like it’s stuck in a swamp, a bit sluggish... but that doesn’t mean I’m an idiot."

"Of course."

The old steward, Morgan, nodded gently, then asked in a low voice.

"Then, Lord Duke, how should we respond?"

"Pretend we never saw it."

Duke waved a large hand, making his decision without hesitation.

"The war is in the far East. Even if Anno wins, the land, resources, and fame he seizes won’t end up in the pockets of our Western Territory."

"I don’t do losing deals where we shed blood and sacrifice for no tangible benefit."

He paused, an almost imperceptible glint of shrewdness in his eyes.

"Besides, mobilizing the entire Kingdom for war... that’s not like His Majesty Morne’s usual style. Anno’s move, I’d say there’s an eighty percent chance it wasn’t officially sanctioned by the King. He wants me to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for him without a royal decree? In his dreams."

Duke’s voice grew heavy, filled with unquestionable authority.

"Old Morgan, warn all my vassals and Knights. They are strictly forbidden from responding to Anno’s summons in any way. Anyone who sends troops privately..."

He cracked his thick knuckles, a terrifyingly ferocious look flashing across his face.

"If I find out anyone dares to feign compliance while acting otherwise, I’ll go and personally snap his neck that very night."

"Yes, but... there is one more matter, Lord Duke."

Steward Morgan did not leave immediately. Instead, he took out a letter carefully sealed with wax from his robe and presented it respectfully.

"This is a letter from Her Imperial Highness Princess Gloria, sent through a secret channel."

"Gloria?"

Hearing the somewhat familiar name, Duke raised an eyebrow. He took the letter with his thick fingers, broke the wax seal, and his eyes quickly scanned the elegant script.

As he read the clear, direct strategy and proposal in the letter, a rare, sharp light flashed through Duke’s eyes, which were usually clouded by his blood rage.

He raised his thick eyebrows and grinned, his admiration unconcealed.

"Well, I’ll be damned... To think that little Princess, who looks like a hothouse flower, could come up with such a shrewd and ruthless plan. Not only does she see the situation clearly, but she also knows how to offer terms one can’t refuse. That courage and vision are far superior to those of her short-lived brothers!"

"Excellent!"

After a moment of thought, Duke let out a low growl and made his decision, all his previous languor gone.

"I accept this proposal."

He turned to Morgan, his voice regaining the authority and decisiveness of a Lord.

"Relay my orders. Begin assembling the army immediately. Announce to the public that... we are answering Duke Anno’s ’call’ and heading to the East to ’support’ his war against the River Domain."

The corner of Duke’s mouth curled into a meaningful, almost cruel smile.

"Let’s have our ’loyal servant of the Kingdom,’ Duke Anno... experience the ’warm’ support from the Western Domain. I’m sure he’ll be ’pleasantly surprised’..."