148 The North’s Fate at Stake
According to Harald, the three knights accompanying Torik weren’t even from his household.
They had been outsiders, with no loyalty to their supposed liege.
If Count Calix had knights to spare for stirring internal conflicts, his reach was far greater than expected.
"If their influence was small," Raymond continued, "then a few small victories would be enough to shut them down. Any more protests would just make them look petty."
"But if their power is large..."
"Then they can use their influence to twist even the most absurd demands into something legitimate."
William exhaled. "In other words, if I want to silence them, I need a feat so undeniable that no one can challenge it."
"Yes," Raymond confirmed. "And that means you’ll be suffering quite a bit before this is over."
William smirked. "So you’re saying I should just give up and go home?"
"It would be the safest course," Raymond admitted.
"Are you serious!?"
Felicia’s head snapped up, her eyes blazing with fury.
"After all that’s happened, you’re telling him to just walk away!?"
Raymond didn’t flinch.
"This isn’t about pride, Sir Felicia," he said calmly. "A test of strength can be twisted. Lord Harald is an honorable man, but others will not be. What if they demand he go out and slay a giant, or venture into the frozen mountains just to prove a point?"
"Then we ignore them!" Felicia snapped. "No one is obligated to indulge cowards who twist words to their advantage!"
"That may be true," Raymond said. "But unfortunately, this tactic has been used successfully in Imperial politics for generations. Your father was particularly well-known for it."
Felicia froze.
Raymond’s words were sharp—deliberately so.
William saw the moment the realization hit her, saw the way she averted her gaze.
Because he was right.
Her father—Marquis Bernhardt—was an infamous master of political maneuvering.
She had witnessed it firsthand.
Powerful men had been reduced to nothing under his careful manipulations.
"Men in power," Raymond continued, "can make even the greatest warrior look like a fool. If we aren’t careful, Lord William could endure endless trials and gain nothing in return."
"So you’re saying we should retreat?" William asked.
"Yes," Raymond said. "Right now, no shame will come from abandoning this path."
William simply laughed.
"Raymond," he said, "are you worried about me? Or about what might happen while I’m away?"
Raymond tensed.
A subtle, almost imperceptible reaction.
But it was enough.
"You’ve been thinking about Jordi, haven’t you?" William mused.
Raymond remained silent.
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But that silence was as good as a confession.
William exhaled. "I appreciate your concern," he said. "But I’m not leaving."
"Lord William—"
"This isn’t about pride," William interrupted. "It’s about opportunity."
Raymond frowned. "You’re saying you see a way to win?"
William opened his mouth..
CRASH.
A loud commotion erupted outside.
The sound of hurried footsteps pounding up the stairs.
All at once, every warrior in the room reached for their weapons.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
"Milord! Are you awake!?"
The frantic voice of the innkeeper.
William narrowed his eyes. No other hostile presences. He called out.
"I’m awake. What is it?"
"Ah, thank the masters!" the man gasped. "You need to get to the manor immediately!"
William’s brows furrowed. "What?"
"The Calix bastards just arrived!" the innkeeper blurted. "Lord Harald wants you there to witness the show!"
William stilled.
A slow smirk tugged at his lips.
"Now that," he murmured, "is interesting."
The delegation from House Calix was… unimpressive.
No gifts.
No formal escort.
Just a knight and ten soldiers—the bare minimum required for a political envoy.
William noted the implications.
This was not a respectful visit.
It wasn’t quite an insult, but it wasn’t far from one, either.
They hadn’t expected the rebellion to fail.
The knight at the front was visibly struggling to maintain his composure.
He had likely expected to be greeted by Torik—not a fully standing, unbroken Lord Harald.
Harald, of course, wasted no time.
"Sir Dane Huskar," he drawled. "How tragic for you. I imagine you were expecting someone else."
The knight stiffened. "I don’t understand what you mean, Lord Harald."
Harald grinned.
"Ah, yes. Completely unrelated to my little rebellion, I’m sure."
Dane’s expression barely twitched. "The House of Calix had nothing to do with the unrest in your lands, my lord."
"Ah. A misunderstanding, then." Harald’s voice was smooth—almost mocking. "And yet… three of your knights just happened to be leading the charge?"
Dane faltered.
"A regrettable circumstance," he said smoothly. "If they truly acted outside of our lord’s command, they will be punished accordingly."
Harald let out a low laugh.
"You lot have always been like this," he mused. "Hiding behind technicalities. Playing your little word games. Pretending the sun isn’t there just because you covered your eyes."
Dane opened his mouth—
CRACK.
A massive axe embedded itself into the dirt inches from Dane’s foot.
The knight staggered back, startled.
Harald’s smile vanished.
"I’m not in the mood for games," he growled.
Dane’s lips thinned. He exhaled sharply, then spoke.
"Then let me ask just one question, Lord Harald."
He met Harald’s gaze.
"Do you still refuse to stand with House Calix to restore the glory of the north?"
Harald laughed.
"The glory of the north?" he scoffed. "Since when did Calix speak for the entire north?"
Dane smirked. "The House of Grimaldi is dead. Who else could?"
And that was when William stepped forward.
"If," he said smoothly, "I prove myself worthy—then what?"
Dane stared at the young man before him, his expression darkening as he processed what he had just heard.
For a brief moment, he wondered if he had misheard. But as he scrutinized William more closely, the realization struck him—this supposed claimant was far younger than he had anticipated.
His face twisted into a scowl.
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"What nonsense is this?" he demanded.
"Do you really think it’s nonsense?" William replied coolly.
"This is not something to joke about, Lord Harald," Dane said, turning to the older man with barely contained frustration. "You know how much weight the name Grimaldi carries in the north. If you attempt to prop up some nameless outsider as a representative, be prepared for the consequences."
"Consequences, you say?" Harald chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. He glanced at William, silently inviting him to handle the matter himself.