IACGD 53

 Chapter 53

Thump, thump, thump.

The sound of drums echoed.

From afar, the drumming reached the Grand Duke’s castle, putting everyone on high alert.

“They’re coming!”
“The Noven Guildmaster is here!”
“There are prisoners too! Prepare defenses!”

Knights, soldiers, the estate administrators, and even the servants lined up at the gates, their faces tense.

The unified sound of the drums amplified the sense of unease in everyone’s hearts.

“Why are they beating drums when they’re not even an army?”
“I don’t know. When is the commander arriving?”
“He left at dawn yesterday and hasn’t contacted us since.”
“May I say something?”

Kael, an apprentice knight working hard to become a full knight, spoke up.

“Since Clemens went out with him, it seems His Excellency has ordered something.”

The senior knights frowned and pressed Kael’s face with one hand, squishing his cheek.

“Don’t you understand?”
“Ugh… grum umu munju wupsle… uh?”
“What? Don’t you know nothing will go wrong?”
“Ugh!”
“Nothing will go wrong, but shouldn’t this person have arrived before sunrise? It’s obvious where they’re coming from.”
“Uuuu!”
“You little… talking too much. Didn’t expect them to come so fast? As a knight, you should always be prepared! Pay attention. A knight, especially one protecting their lord and lands, isn’t defined by strength alone.”

Kael’s puzzled gaze turned toward the senior knight, Lesible.

“First, let’s go and see how they intend to sway the villagers’ hearts and what tricks they might use.”

The knights didn’t know the full situation.

A knight’s mind belongs to their lord. They only follow the lord’s will.

But the commander is different.

The commander alone has a single right to oppose their lord.

And that right can only be used once: when the lord’s decision threatens the lives of the majority of the people.

This is the difference between a free knight who serves only one person and a land knight who serves an entire noble family.

Now that Gwen went out according to the Grand Duke’s will, it meant she also supported that decision. Therefore, they would follow the lord’s will—and Gwen’s decision.

This was the only decision the vice-commander could make in the commander’s absence.

The Pruina estate knights, the Azure Knights, were under her command.

Azure’s vice-commander, Lesible, took three subordinate knights along with Kael down to the village.

The villagers showed both anxiety and a slight sense of hope. Thanks to the blessing of the Fireless Spirits, it wasn’t very cold, so they had saved much of their firewood, but food was a different matter.

Many had barely enough to eat today or tomorrow.

“Oh, they’re coming! The guild has returned!”
“Why? Did His Excellency change the Guildmaster’s mind?”

For them, the guild’s return itself was a sign of hope.

“And hello, everyone. I am Nerhi Pruina. I am the sibling of the former Grand Duke.”

And into that hope stepped Nerhi.

“Huh? Not His Excellency?”
“Yes. The Noven Guildmaster returned disappointed in His Excellency, and I persuaded him. For you, enduring difficult days, I purchased food at my own expense. I regret I cannot provide firewood as well.”

Following Nerhi’s lowered eyebrow, mercenaries dressed like workers moved efficiently, stacking wheat, vegetables, and fruits.

“I also sent food to other villages. All of this food is for your village. Consider it a gift.”

The villagers looked at each other, making eye contact, and without waiting for anyone, erupted into cheers.

“Thank you, thank you!”
“No need. If His Excellency cannot, I will do it myself.”
“His Excellency never gives extra food! Thanks to Nerhi, we survived.”
“No. If it weren’t for the Guildmaster’s approval, this wouldn’t have happened… but the Guildmaster promised to continue trade after seeing me, so there’s no need to worry.”

With a somewhat regretful look, Nerhi sent off the villagers, repeating similar exchanges with others.

Behind the majority of grateful villagers, a few were discontented, arms crossed.

“Do you think they’re just eating happily because they expect some trick?”
“They’re just trying to survive. Even Tom would have gone if he hadn’t seen Clemens.”
“Humph! That’s old news.”
“But wasn’t that just a week ago?”
“Hmph!”

These were people who had seen Clemens in person.

“When I said it, they didn’t even believe me.”

Tom felt even more embarrassed at the words of the shopkeeper who first gave Clemens an old fur coat.

“You didn’t say she was the incarnation of the Fireless Spirit.”
“At the time, I thought she was some strange person. Hmph.”

The shopkeeper, Leder, scratched his head awkwardly.

“Hello~”
“Oh, knights? What brings you here?”
“Ha ha.”

Lesible smiled amiably and cast a glance at Nerhi, who stood amidst the bustling crowd. Harby was nearby too—pale, but with a faint smile, clearly someone who had chosen Nerhi.

“Hm. Makes sense. His Excellency must be worried. Is the weak one alright?”
“He is stronger than ever, so no need to worry. More importantly, don’t you need food?”
“Yes, but when food comes from someone with hidden motives, it’s bound to cause distrust.”

Lesible shook his head.

“Still, how can wheat be blamed? In a barren north, you take free food when offered.”
“No, it’s uncomfortable! There’s no guarantee it won’t turn out badly!”

Leder was firm. His loyalty began with the former Grand Duke.

“Then what do you think, Leder? Will giving food win their hearts?”
“They’re already anxious. It doesn’t matter to them if the leadership changes. All they need is a place to sleep and food to eat.”
“True. But can we trust them? Someone trying to oust their nephew for power…”
“History shows not all revolutions fail. You must understand the people’s current sentiment. Even if it weren’t this person, this might have happened eventually.”
“…Thank you for your insight.”

Lesible glanced at the calloused hand in Leder’s, smiling quietly.

“Still holding on to the sword, I see.”
“Go watch that guy immediately!”

Lesible and the knights were sent off by Leder.

Kael asked,
“Who is that…?”
“The little one doesn’t need to know.”
“Vice-commander, what about us?”
“You’re still far from it. For now, disperse. It’s time to execute the operation.”

What Gwen went to find was something for the weakened villagers. To use it properly, groundwork was needed—at least ensuring public sentiment toward the Grand Duke remained stable. They would now blend in as ordinary villagers, not knights.

And someone was watching them.

Nerhi. While distributing food, he kept his eyes on the surroundings.

“They’re moving predictably.”
“Pardon?”
“No, nothing. Enjoy the food, please.”
“Thank you, my lord!”

Nerhi found the Grand Duke’s actions amusing.

Using people to sway public sentiment? If discovered, it would backfire severely.

Above all, he didn’t believe his plan would collapse so easily.

After much of the food had been distributed, Crea approached from behind.

“Nerhi. Next time, have a strong person handle this.”
“You’re here.”
“Yes. I thought I’d freeze to death, really.”
“The materials depend on your actions. Always be mindful.”
“Have I ever disappointed you? You only need to think about doubling my reward, right?”

Nerhi removed Crea’s arm that had wrapped around him like a snake and gave a cold glare.

For now, there was no problem.

Soon, something beyond the Grand Duke’s abilities would occur. All he had to do was wait.

But then—

Suddenly, variables began to surge.

In a direction he had never even considered.