North Duke Quest (2)
“Nice to meet you. I'm Groza Serpia.”
“It's an honor to meet the great North Duke. I'm Valerius.”
“Haha, it's a good feeling to be welcomed by a war hero.”
Groza took a liking to Valerius right away. Sure, his origins were lowly, but that sturdy build and wild vibe so typical of northerners suited him perfectly. The scar across his face, the mana filling his dantian, and that powerfully honed body from years of training. And he wasn't groveling or acting subservient just because he was meeting a noble—his attitude was bold and upright. On top of that, wasn't this the guy who'd become a famous figure among northerners, called “Serpia's Bastard” while shaking up the North and the Serpia name?
“These are my children. The sprouts who'll shoulder the North's future.”
“Greetings, young master and lady.”
So, as a reward, the North Duke had offered a chance to get acquainted with his kids. Making connections with the next leaders of the North—naturally, that was a good deal. Of course, Valerius, who couldn't care less, just looked bored.
“I'm Sigmund. I'm thrilled to meet the South's war hero!”
“The honor's mine as well, young master.”
Sigmund's eyes sparkled. Northerners admired tough warriors and hunters. And anyone could see Valerius was one badass warrior. Those massive biceps looked like they could shatter boulders, and that hulking, ripped frame would have most northern men giving a thumbs-up.
And then, as if she'd been waiting for this exact moment, Isolde strode right up. After staring up at him for a good while, she flashed a grin and extended her right hand—palm facing up, no less.
Well, well.
A hand's-back kiss wasn't some weird custom in noble society. It symbolized a man's respect and devotion to a woman, so as a lady, she could certainly expect it. But doing it so boldly at an unplanned first meeting felt a bit much. Even the North Duke looked mildly surprised. Was this a side of her he hadn't seen before?
“I'm Isolde Serpia. It's an honor to meet you.”
At her words, Valerius grinned back. He bent his huge frame, dropping to one knee.
“I see the Empire's flower, known only by rumor.”
He gave her hand's back a quick, perfunctory kiss, then stood up casually as if nothing had happened.
Isolde, looking up at him again, had a slight pout. She'd probably hoped to embarrass him, but his total nonchalance had thrown her off.
“Alright, let's all take a seat. The attendants will prepare refreshments.”
At the North Duke's gesture, a swarm of people moved with perfect precision. Valerius took his seat in the reception room and pulled out the parchment he'd brought.
“First off, sorry for the rude visit.”
“No need. I hear it's an important matter.”
“Here's the report.”
Valerius laid out the reasons for his visit in brief. First, slave trading was happening in Fillerbinker territory, with facilities specializing in slaves. And those facilities were tied to the Fillerbinker lord.
Second, the nature and activities of the Bloodthorn noble council in the capital—and the high likelihood Fillerbinker's lord was connected.
Third, monsters from the Forbidden Forest were venturing out along the road here, and the Blue Wolf Knights hunting them.
“Definitely urgent business.”
For anyone who knew the North's situation well, this was info they'd want handled fast.
“I hear you brought this from Rozanica's Unius Baron. That right?”
“Yes. All this intel comes courtesy of the baron's sincerity.”
“Not bad at all.”
No noble hated bribes. The North Duke was no exception. But he didn't care for shady gold or jewels laced with ulterior motives. He preferred solid info like this, born of blood and sweat.
“Time to tie up some loose ends. Isolde.”
“Yes, family head.”
“I'm entrusting you with the slave trade and Bloodthorn matters. Full authority—get me solid intel.”
“Understood.”
But the Forbidden Forest was another story. In the North, it was as dangerous as the barbarians. The silver lining was that the forest didn't move, and its inhabitants rarely left. But if that rule broke, the North would have a massive headache. It couldn't be handled sloppily; they needed the right person.
“Family head, one request.”
“Hm? Speak.”
“Rozanica's lord is an old friend of the Serpia family, someone you trust and rely on deeply.”
“True. That's why I put him in charge there.”
Rozanica's lord was tied to the North Duke by loose blood—his uncle's relative's daughter was the lord's wife. Practically strangers, but hey, medieval times and all that barbarism. Plus, the lord was frugal by nature and knew loyalty. He was a hardcore North Duke fanboy, even personally ordering Seria School to teach Serpia's great history. That's why the North's most vital resource hub went to him.
“And didn't Rozanica's lord send such an outstanding general? With the South's war hero's skills, he's perfect.”
“Hm. And?”
“Lend him to me, and I'll handle the rest. The young master can focus on the New Year's banquet and the imperial princess's upcoming birthday.”
It was a bold move. A shitty one, too. As vicious as an enemy jungler ganking top at level 2.
All three issues were major, and she was volunteering one guy to tackle them all. While grabbing a key player's ankle, no less!
Realizing this damn villainess was scheming to screw him over somehow, Valerius racked his brain.
“Isolde, don't push yourself too hard.”
Suddenly, the North Duke spoke in a gentle tone. He must've seen her as a dutiful daughter eager to help the family.
Oh, for fuck's sake. Look at those eyes.
Glancing at Isolde, who looked oddly thrilled, Valerius swallowed his rage. Getting more tangled up would be real trouble. Hell, it'd be better if she just handled it solo.
“No, Father. Isolde can't manage alone.”
Of course, Sigmund, who doted on his sister, opposed it. Valerius just found it odd. This didn't match the mad traitor who'd supposedly ditch the whole North for a girl.
“Family head, the war hero's slave facility issue is already in motion. I was planning to submit a report in two days.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Yes. I didn't know about Bloodthorn, but everything else is nearly wrapped. So no burden on me.”
Valerius unconsciously pinched his brow. Classic main villainess—thorough as hell. Guess you can't do evil if you're dumb. But this was too competent. How long since it blew up?
Spies in Rozanica?
That made sense. Rozanica was that crucial to the North.
But a talent this sharp wrecked her crown prince marriage and tormented the heroine? While tangled with three male leads?
“So just give me the intel and attach talented Sir Valerius. That should do it.”
“Sounds good. Valerius, I'll express my deep gratitude to Unius Baron. And to you, of course.”
“......Too kind, Your Grace.”
Emergency! Super emergency! Squeeze the brain max.
Even dived by three, a top laner's duty was to curse the jungler while dragging two down with him. No running away here. Once Unius was mentioned, it wasn't personal anymore. Refusing or bailing would hit Rozanica hard.
So accept, then calculate gains.
......Come to think of it, the ducal house has a ton of artifact weapons, right?
Artifact weapons were rare enough that even experts barely glimpsed them. The cheapest one matched half a year's Rozanica revenue. They'd hate to part with one, but might cough it up.
***
“Please, have a seat, Sir Valerius.”
“Thanks for the hospitality, my lady.”
Valerius had been invited to Isolde's reception room. As he sat, he instinctively eyed the maid behind her.
She appeared in the original story too. Loyal to Isolde till death.
She met his gaze and smiled prettily, but...
Already early Master level at this point?
She was a Master in the original, but damn, already now? He'd win in a fight, but she'd buy enough time to evac Isolde. Ducal houses really had talent to spare.
“It's been a while, sir.”
“Yeah. My lady.”
“Use casual speech if you like. Or whatever's comfortable.”
He wanted to smash that beaming face. But that'd get him killed. Not just him—Seria and the whole orphanage would go down.
Ah, so that's why having weaknesses sucked.
“Casual's too much, but comfortable it is. So, what's the plan for the Forbidden Forest?”
The slaves were probably already being handled. Bloodthorn wasn't immediately obvious and tough for the North to probe alone—long-term project. Finish slaves, uncover links. Left was the forest.
“Oh? Jumping right in? No more questions?”
“You wouldn't lie in front of His Grace. Plus, I know you have spies in Rozanica.”
Isolde froze at Valerius's bluff. Bingo. Spies confirmed.
Didn't care about motives—probably to mess with him. Just wrap up fast and bail.
“Hmmm.”
Isolde's eyes narrowed at him. Things were going her way, yet she felt oddly stifled. Her gaze fixed on the hulking man before her.
The guy who'd barged into the ducal house and caught the men's eyes. His gaze seemed indifferent, but those deep stares felt eerie. Towering and solid, yet rude and prideful.
Hmph.
Remembering how that man had kissed her hand made her mood lift. That massive frame bowing below her, that hollow gaze looking up.
Honestly, it'd been a little thrilling.
Maybe that's why. Her earlier move had been a tad excessive, sure.
But no matter. Valerius was top priority for recruiting into the lone wolf corps anyway. Test his skills and ideology now; if he fit, pull him in hard. Forcing him under her thumb like this wasn't bad.
“Handle it your way, sir. I'll support whatever you need—troops, supplies, all of it.”
Valerius couldn't hide his sour expression at her words. Sounded like a free ride. Partly true, but not the whole story.
This is why I hate dealing with nobles.
These slimy bastards never said what they meant straight. Hated their sneaky, hidden-agenda bullshit.
“All of it. Got it.”
With a deep internal sigh, Valerius pondered. Stuck with the North Duke's quest, might as well milk it proper. And yeah, the forest needed quick handling—monsters heading south would endanger Rozanica. Since the board was set, better pitch in and end it fast. Get rewards, ducal funding too.
But not without pushing back.
“My lady, you'll want to monitor and get reports anyway, right?”
“Hm?”
“You said anything goes, so mind if I borrow Bella here? Cool?”
Isolde's face twisted at his follow-up. She'd offered anything, but this was pushing it—irritating.
She'd planned to half-grant then ditch, but...
“Go ahead. Bella will be a big help.”
Composing herself, Isolde countered. Sparks seemed to fly as their eyes met.
“Impressive ambition. Then I'll take my leave. Better handle it quick—rude of me.”
“No problem.”
With a smirk, Valerius stood. Success: peeled off Isolde's eyes and ears. Free early-Master muscle too.
“Ah, miss.”
Bella, who'd served her lady lifelong and now suddenly reassigned to a brute, just paled in horror.