Chapter 11.2

“How dare the Imperial family be so disrespectful!”

“Absolutely! We must never agree to such terms! Their blatant intent to annex the North is too obvious.”

“If such a marriage unites the North with the Imperial family, it will be catastrophic for both Renslet and its people. Let us never forget the arrogance and disrespect the Empire has shown us over the years.”

“To them, we are nothing more than orcs in human skin. Agreeing to this marriage is tantamount to delivering all the people of the North into slavery under the Empire.”

The room quickly transformed into a forum for denouncing the Empire’s atrocities.

“I… I misspoke.”

“No, Sir Doyle, I understand your intentions. Facing a necromancer firsthand must have been terrifying.”

Doyle’s proposal to request aid from the Empire was immediately dismissed.

“It’s true that bringing a high priest from the Empire could reduce casualties. But we cannot involve the Empire!”

“Understood…”

“Do not worry too much. Even necromancers fall before a blade imbued with aura.”

Balzac patted the disheartened Doyle reassuringly.

“This mission will be handled swiftly by our own forces. We will not disturb the witches’ harvest, nor will we seek the Empire’s help.”

After listening to her knights’ discussions, Arina made her position clear.

“It’s possible the Empire is behind this, just as they were behind Prince Baikal’s death.”

At this, Balzac’s cold gaze sharpened, and he spoke to his liege in a measured tone.

“It’s plausible.”

Relations between the Empire and the North were at an all-time low.

Though their relationship had never been amicable, the North, functioning as a semi-independent duchy, held its autonomy in the face of the Empire.

The Empire had only granted this autonomy with malicious intent.

In exchange for self-rule, Renslet was left to fend off barbarian invasions, monster hordes, and extreme northern orcs on its own.

The Empire never truly supported the North, fearing that its already formidable military might would be bolstered by economic strength.

“The Empire’s actions have been increasingly blatant of late.”

“Monsters and barbarians trouble us in the north and west, while humans from the Empire annoy us in the south. How tiresome.”

“The Imperial family should know better! Have we not shed enough blood and sweat defending the northern borders?”

“They don’t see us as Imperial citizens. The continued enforcement of the Law of Twenty proves that much.”

“Exactly. To them, we’re nothing more than half-civilized savages tainted with druidic blood.”

The Empire’s stance had shifted after the death of Arina’s father, Baikal Rune Renslet, the former Grand Duke.

He had fallen during a decisive battle against the extreme northern orcs, which became the turning point.

The Imperial family, as if waiting for this moment, began targeting Arina—unmarried, newly of age, and unexpectedly inheriting the duchy—with marriage proposals.

Arina firmly rejected every proposal, as they all seemed designed to turn the North into a direct territory of the Empire.

“We will handle the necromancer reported in the Demonic Realm ourselves.”

Arina’s tone was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

“If the Empire hears of this and attempts to intervene, refuse them outright.”

Her determination was unwavering.

“The North has always been self-sufficient with its own strength!”

“We’ve never relied on the Empire, and we don’t need their support now!”

The knights wholeheartedly agreed.

“Even if they try to provoke us through trade restrictions like before, the North will stand strong as it always has!”

“The issue of spices has also been resolved thanks to Arad Salt. We have no reason to bow to the Empire any longer.”

The North had long suffered from the Empire’s petty trade restrictions, which kept it impoverished.

Recently, the Empire had even targeted spices, destabilizing Renslet’s nobility and retainers.

However, the advent of Arad Salt had resolved this problem swiftly.

“By the way, what is Arad Jin, the creator of Arad Salt, up to these days?”

The conversation naturally shifted to Arad, who had developed the remarkable salt.

“I hear he recently bought a carriage.”

“A carriage?”

“Yes, and he’s been obsessively purchasing all kinds of miscellaneous items to fill it.”

“He did mention having a restless spirit. Is he planning to start a small trading company?”

“It seems so. After his plan to accompany us fell through, he must have changed course.”

“That’s a relief. It’s unfortunate that we can’t keep someone as talented as Arad close by.”

“Hiring Arad can be reconsidered once this mission is over. Besides, this mission is extremely dangerous, and we don’t even have a high-grade horse for him to ride.”

“True.”

Arina nodded in agreement with the knights’ assessment.

“However, there is one peculiar detail about Arad.”

“Peculiar?”

“He’s been buying an unusual number of magic stones, particularly low-grade ones.”

Arina tilted her head at this additional report.

“I’ve heard magic stone powder is used in medicine…”

“Speaking of which, Arad is skilled in healing, isn’t he?”

“Incredibly skilled. I’ve heard he once treated an exposed bone fracture without a single potion, using only herbs and stitches.”

“Fascinating. With skills like that, why would he focus on cooking?”

“Well, his cooking did give us Arad Salt.”

While everyone was aware of Arad’s exceptional healing skills, his culinary talents had made such an impression that no one thought to request his medical services.

“Regardless, even if magic stone powder is used in medicine, he doesn’t need that much.”

No matter how skilled a healer Arad was, the amount of magic stones he had purchased was excessive for medicinal use.

This could only mean one thing: Arad had skills beyond cooking and healing.

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