Chapter 293

What Harald desired most was for Ash to regain her health.

Now that this wish was being realized, his focus shifted. It was time to dedicate himself to reviving his declining family.

“After the succession ceremony, you’re free to leave as quickly as you wish. I’ll make sure your journey back is as comfortable as possible.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

At Theo’s considerate words, Harald stroked his beard, his sharp eyes glinting with approval.

While the gesture itself was thoughtful, Harald admired something deeper.

“He truly has a remarkable knack for reading people.”

Even in the Beastlands, Theo had demonstrated this ability. He unconsciously read movements, expressions, and gazes, deducing answers from the subtlest of cues.

It was hard to believe this young man was the same age as Ash.

However, Harald’s role in Winterer wasn’t over yet—not just with the blood pact but with something else.

“How could I leave when brothers will shed blood? I must see it through.”

Theo’s eyes widened.

Despite only spending a day in Winterer, Harald had already grasped the situation.

“As sharp as ever, I see.”

“They say old age sharpens awareness. Haha.”

Harald laughed, then added:

“I thought I’d stay and witness that bloodshed myself. What do you think?”

As a head of his own family, Harald carried a sense of guilt and responsibility.

While the guilt weighed heavily on him, it was this very responsibility that Theo had detected.

“He feels he’s wronged his people but wants to strengthen our bond.”

Harald had confidence in his family’s elders and in himself.

Even if his family were in chaos, as long as he was alive, he believed he could rebuild it. This conviction allowed him to make such an offer to Theo.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but Northern logic is straightforward. Resolving all discord must fall solely to me.”

Though the offer was tempting, Theo didn’t dwell on it and merely smiled.

Harald laughed heartily at Theo’s response.

This young man fully understood what it meant to become the ruler of the North.

His confident dismissal showed that Theo had no intention of relying on Harald in this matter—he had planned for Harald to leave from the start.

“He’s truly remarkable. Such composure at his age…”

Harald’s mood lifted.

“Kyle raised a fine son. His final years must have been satisfying.”

A fleeting thought crossed Harald’s mind—what if Theo had been his own son?

“I’ll gladly accept your consideration.”

“Of course, we’re brothers.”

“Haha! You have a silver tongue.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

For Harald, it felt as if he had gained one more joy in his twilight years.

“Will you be taking Ash with you?”

“Of course. I’ll care for her myself on the way back. I appreciate your concern.”

Harald smiled confidently.

Though the journey might be a bit strenuous for Ash, it wasn’t an impossible task if they paced themselves.

“You’re welcome to leave her here temporarily. With Loddy still here, you could rest assured and travel freely.”

While nothing was likely to happen during the journey, there were no guarantees in life.

If Harald traveled alone, there’d be no concerns, but with Ash’s condition still fragile, she could become a liability.

“You’re always aiming for perfection, aren’t you?”

Harald recalled his first impression of Theo back in the Beastlands.

Theo always sought paths where everyone could be safe and content.

This was Harald’s assessment of him.

And now, Harald had no reason to refuse Theo’s offer.

“I’ll trust you with this, then.”

Harald extended his hand, which Theo clasped firmly with a smile.

“I’ll make sure no harm comes to anyone.”

“Haha! Dependable as ever.”

Harald laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming.

“Especially keep the young men away from her.”

It wasn’t that Harald didn’t trust Theo, nor was it likely that anyone would approach Ash in her condition.

Though it was clearly meant as a joke, the underlying protectiveness in his words amused Theo.

“Understood.”

Harald chuckled instead of replying and rose from his seat. He seemed ready to head back to Ash’s room.

As he walked away, a fleeting thought crossed his mind.

“Am I doing the right thing?”

***

Clang! Clang! Fwaaang!

The deafening clash of heavy armor echoed through the air, followed by the sharp sound of spears cutting through the atmosphere.

The synchronized movements of over a hundred soldiers in the training grounds spoke volumes of their discipline and skill.

Their left breasts bore the emblem of a golden lion, a proud symbol of the Empire’s mightiest military force—the Golden Lion Knights.

On the platform overlooking them stood their leader, a man whose presence was as imposing as the soldiers he commanded.

With a sharp aura and perfectly honed posture, his figure radiated authority. Standing at an impressive height of nearly 190 cm, his golden hair and piercing lion-like eyes complemented his chiseled features.

So magnetic was his presence that many women of the Imperial City found their hearts racing just at the thought of him.

“Formation change! Charge formation!”

His deep, commanding voice reverberated across the training grounds, and his soldiers responded with precision, their movements flawless.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats disrupted the harmony.

Thud, thud, thud.

“Uninvited guests.”

The clattering of horseshoes against stone grated on his nerves.

How dare someone ride into the sacred training grounds?

Yet the Knight Commander didn’t even bother to turn his head. Instead, he raised a hand, signaling his soldiers to halt and fall into orderly lines.

His expression darkened as he glared at the approaching figures.

There was only one faction bold enough to display such arrogance within the capital.

Crunch.

The sound of teeth grinding filled the air as his knights suppressed their anger.

At the front of the intruding party was a man with a toad-like appearance, riding leisurely atop a horse.

“The Count. That insufferable toad.”

Even as the Count approached, the Knight Commander’s expression remained impassive.

It wasn’t hostility he felt—it was a profound sense of disgust.

“Ah, the might of the Golden Lion Knights is truly awe-inspiring, even during training,” the Count remarked, his tone filled with insincere admiration.

To the Knight Commander, the words felt like maggots crawling in his ears.

“...State your business. We’re in the middle of training, so keep it brief.”

The Commander’s calm but icy gaze met the Count’s.

The Count knew well how much the knights despised him and his ilk. That only made his grin widen.

“They’re only tolerating us because they have no choice. How amusing.”

The Count let out a sly chuckle and retrieved a scroll adorned with golden embroidery from his coat.

“By the Emperor’s command, the Golden Lion Knights are hereby summoned.”

At the mention of the Emperor, the Commander’s brow twitched slightly before he knelt on one knee.

Even though he knew this so-called imperial decree was anything but genuine, he could not ignore it.

“The barbarians of the North grow restless, threatening the Empire’s peace. Three hundred of the Golden Lion Knights are to march forth and restore order, elevating the prestige of the Imperial House.”

“The Golden Lion Knights accept His Majesty’s command.”

As the Count handed him the decree, his mocking tone stung like a thorn.

“I leave it to you, Commander. Do make us proud.”

The Count’s party departed, their laughter and hoofbeats fading into the distance.

The Commander slowly rose to his feet, his movements heavy with unspoken frustration.

A shadow fell over his face, his expression clouded by an overwhelming sense of revulsion.

For all his years of service, for all the battles he’d survived, nothing had ever felt as suffocating as this.

“...My lord.”

His lieutenant approached from behind, his voice filled with concern.

The weight on the Commander’s shoulders was as palpable as the unease spreading through the knights.

“Prepare for deployment,” the Commander ordered, his tone steady despite his inner turmoil.

“Sir, this mission feels... unusual. Are you certain it’s wise?”

The Commander’s gaze drifted momentarily before a bitter smile crossed his lips. He already knew what his lieutenant was implying.

This wasn’t just any imperial order; it was orchestrated by the Court Duke.

The ulterior motives behind it were clear, but there was no room for hesitation.

“When orders are given, we must obey.”

“But, sir! Their corruption has already—”

“Enough.”

The Commander cut him off sharply.

The Court Duke’s eyes and ears were everywhere within the palace, even here. This conversation could very well cost the lieutenant his life.

“I understand your concerns. But we are the Emperor’s sword. A sword does not think; it acts. Anything else makes us traitors.”

The Commander’s fist clenched tightly, his knuckles white with tension.

No one hated the Court Duke and his cronies more than he did, but his hands were tied.

“Prepare the men. We march in two days. Make sure they’re well-fed before we leave.”

The lieutenant nodded, though his expression remained troubled.

“As you command.”

“Stay strong.”

The Commander turned and headed toward his quarters, his flowing cape casting a lonely silhouette.

* * *

Seated in his study, the Commander let out a long, weary sigh.

The view from his window was serene, the palace gardens meticulously maintained, yet the bars across the glass made him feel as if he were in a gilded cage.

“Stifling.”

Gripping his sword, he attempted to find some semblance of calm, but his thoughts were anything but settled.

Lately, his mind had been plagued with questions about his purpose and the path he’d taken.

“Ragnar...”

The thought of their opponent brought a grim realization.

The Golden Lion Knights were lauded as the strongest within the capital, but compared to Ragnar’s forces, they were insignificant.

It didn’t matter.

The Golden Lion Knights would march into hell itself if it meant protecting the Empire’s peace.

“But how much more tainted will we become with this mission?”

The Court Duke and his allies had already sullied the Empire’s honor, but the knights remained a pillar of resistance, their strength untouched.

For now.

“They’re waiting for their moment.”

The Court Duke and his faction weren’t fools. They bided their time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

“I must grow stronger.”

When the time came, when their fangs were finally bared, he needed the strength to crush them.

With renewed determination, the Commander rose from his chair, gripping his sword tightly as he left the study.

He would prepare for the mission—and for the battles yet to come.