Evernode, Part 3
We dismounted our horses to greet the Grand Duke of the North. Grand Duke Quenor slowly stepped forward from his lines and looked over our party.
He was, without a doubt, the spitting image of a northern grand duke straight out of a fantasy novel. His face, which looked to be in his late thirties or at most mid-forties, was defined by piercing blue eyes and long black hair that swept past his cheeks.
"You must have had a grueling journey to get here, Hero."
Grand Duke Quenor was exceptionally tall. Since Elroy stood at around 185 centimeters, the Grand Duke, who looked down on him slightly, had to be at least 190 centimeters tall. Moreover, his broad shoulders and the heavy fur cloak draped over them exuded a terrifying, oppressive aura.
And it wasn't just his appearance that was intimidating. His voice was deep and resonant, echoing as if from the depths of a cavern. But above all, there was his fighting spirit—a warrior's raw, unfiltered pressure that he made absolutely no effort to hide. It hung heavy in the air, seemingly intent on crushing everyone present, whether it was the Hero himself or the knights dispatched by the Queen.
I cleared my throat, my mind racing to formulate the most appropriate response.
"It was surely a far easier path than traveling between the North and the Royal Capital in the dead of winter. Thank you for your tireless efforts in guarding the northern frontier."
"Hardly comparable to one who travels the world slaying Calamities. Let us head inside the fortress first."
Grand Duke Quenor gestured toward the fortress gates. His voice was flat and devoid of emotion, typical of those in high positions.
The soldiers took the reins of our horses and led them away, likely toward the stables. The hand that snatched the reins from my grasp was remarkably rough.
Just as the Holy Sword said, the reaction of the soldiers lined up here could not be described as friendly, even out of politeness. The fiercely proud northern soldiers did not seem to appreciate the presence of a Hero who forced their lord to personally come out and greet him.
...It's not like I asked him to come out, though.
"Forgive the sharp edge to my soldiers' tempers. The North has always been such a place," Grand Duke Quenor said, looking at his men with a touch of pride.
Since I had no desire to cause unnecessary friction by pointing out the flaws in this "welcome," I kept my mouth shut and followed the Grand Duke.
The Holy Sword remarked, sounding genuinely surprised.
You have to pick your battles. At this point in time, it's safe to say there are very few people stronger than the Grand Duke of the North.
Of course not. This was just a rite of passage, a hazing ritual, or an initiation of sorts. It was a classic trope for northerners in these kinds of novels. No matter how I reacted, I didn't expect them to welcome me with open arms right away.
"First, I shall have you guided to your quarters, as you must be weary. Do not expect a perfectly comfortable rest, however, even if it is summer. As we approach the summer solstice, we will experience several weeks of white nights where the sun never sets," Grand Duke Quenor spoke in a warning tone.
Glancing at Georg, his mouth seemed to be twitching, practically dying to strike up a conversation with the surrounding soldiers. Just hold it in for a bit, you old soldier.
We split up into carriages. The knights and soldiers dispatched with us were led away separately, leaving only me, Georg, Daphne, and Marianne.
Georg climbed right up onto the driver's seat next to a soldier, while I sat inside a four-seater carriage with Daphne and Marianne.
"The North is rather rough," Daphne said, peeking out the window. "It matches the rumors perfectly."
"Who knows? Maybe they're just putting on an act because they don't want to disappoint our expectations."
"...Don't say such silly things," Daphne grumbled, knitting her brows.
I let out a hearty chuckle at her reaction.
Rumble. Just then, the carriage door swung open, and a massive figure poked his head inside. It was Grand Duke Quenor, who had shed his cumbersome fur cloak somewhere before boarding.
With Georg on the driver's seat, the Grand Duke in the cabin, and me inside as well, I genuinely began to worry if just two horses could pull this carriage.
The Grand Duke tapped on the sliding window to the driver's seat, and the carriage lurched forward.
"Since time is precious, let us discuss the basics here in the carriage."
An overbearing attitude. Grand Duke Quenor stared directly at me.
Up close, the scars on his face were quite striking. One slashed across his left cheek, and another cracked along his hairline like a fracture. His already fierce impression was now terrifying enough to make a child burst into tears on sight.
"I have heard much about you, Hero. Ever since the news broke that you drew the sword from the ruins, the North has kept a close eye on your movements."
"I am honored."
Why does hearing that they're keeping a close eye on me sound entirely negative? Then again, a Hero whose party was constantly fracturing from within was hardly going to have a stellar reputation.
Meeting the Grand Duke's skeptical gaze, I threw out a question.
"Where is the Boundary Line currently located?"
At my mention of the Boundary Line, the Grand Duke raised an eyebrow, looking quite surprised.
"It is moving very slowly, about a single step a day in the far distance. Once a week, a horde of monsters invades from beyond the Boundary Line."
Beyond the Boundary Line lay a land of perpetual ice and snowstorms. It was also the domain of the fourth Calamity, the Giant. The Giant was not merely powerful in its own right; it dragged the north wind and winter wherever it went. It was not called a harbinger of the apocalypse or revered as a god among intelligent monsters for nothing. The monster hordes the Grand Duke spoke of were undoubtedly led by those very same intelligent beasts.
"I heard that you occasionally initiate subjugation campaigns yourselves."
"Once a day. Though it is less of a subjugation and more of a patrol to monitor the enemy's movements. Slaying monsters is merely a secondary objective."
"Are there no anomalies yet?"
"Everything is as usual. So much so that it is actually ominous. You will understand once you join us on patrol."
Grand Duke Quenor leaned forward, indicating it was now his turn to ask a question.
"Hero, can you kill the Giant?"
I frowned at his question. The Giant was not an entity that could be defeated through mere schemes. Just as the ocean was the Kraken's domain, the frozen wasteland belonged entirely to the Giant. The difference was that, unlike the Kraken, the Giant wouldn't become any easier to kill just because you lured it to a harbor.
Well, I wasn't going to give a simple "yes" or "no." Whichever way I answered, he would find a way to pick it apart. I could easily ignore a cold shoulder, but being looked down upon affected the prestige of the entire party, not just myself. I couldn't afford to back down here.
"Does Your Grace measure victory and defeat before the battle even begins?"
"Are you saying you cannot?"
This was a provocation meant to test me. I couldn't let myself get angry.
"I mean that one cannot know until they fight. How could anyone face a Calamity with absolute certainty of victory? That is not even arrogance; it is closer to the delusion of a fool."
I lowered my voice slightly. Grand Duke Quenor's eyes gleamed, but I did not look away.
"To fight and win... I held no such certainty even when facing the third Calamity."
It was a relief that Georg wasn't here, allowing me to speak so freely. Grand Duke Quenor did not attempt to argue further and fell silent. The sharp, hostile edge directed at me seemed to soften slightly. Thanks to that, Daphne was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"...Indeed. You would know that better than anyone."
At least he knew when to drop it, unlike the tedious politicians of the Royal Capital. Though I internally dismissed him as an old-timer, this was a harsh land to survive in. It was only fair to tolerate some sensitivity toward outsiders who had lived in the comfortable environment of the capital.
After that brief exchange, an awkward silence settled over the carriage. It persisted until we reached the annex where we would be staying. Grand Duke Quenor called out to me as I stepped down from the carriage.
"The nights are short; you won't get much sleep."
"I will be fine."
"Make sure to draw the blackout curtains before you sleep."
With that, the carriage rattled away.
Georg approached us with a thoroughly satisfied expression, looking as though he had finally gotten everything off his chest. I had never seen him so animated. He was definitely built for the military.
"Did you have a nice chat?"
Only then did Georg cough awkwardly, looking slightly embarrassed. Daphne looked around at the nearby soldiers, who were practically glaring holes through us, and whispered in a hushed voice.
"They're glaring at us like they want to eat us alive."
"It takes time to be accepted as an ally in the North. Well, it won't be long before they have no choice but to acknowledge us."
Georg shrugged and walked into the quarters.
I narrowed my eyes, watching the soldiers and knights of Evernode. Even if it was a rite of passage, I hoped they wouldn't drag it out too long.
Don't make ominous remarks about my ominous premonitions coming true. When you say things like that, it practically guarantees it.
I think not getting hit at all is the best option.
Leaving behind the sharp gazes of the knights and soldiers boring into our backs, I followed Georg into the annex.
"What did you think of the Hero?"
Inside the fortress of Evernode, a knight approached Grand Duke Quenor as he walked down the corridor. Grand Duke Quenor shrugged.
"He speaks well. I cannot say how he will perform in actual combat, but his attitude was not as atrocious as the rumors suggested. His relationship with his companions seemed decent enough as well. Though, since they are companions he chose himself, it would be stranger if there were discord among them."
The rumors regarding the Hero that had reached the North were highly untrustworthy and unsettling. They claimed he frequently clashed with his companions, maintained a consistently overbearing attitude, and was not particularly strong despite his arrogance. While rumors of strength would have sparked their competitive spirit, rumors of weakness only bred contempt. Most decisively, the rumor that he had cast aside companions who displeased him to recruit only those to his liking was enough to draw the ire of the northerners, who valued bonds above all else.
"While the staff will refrain from hasty judgments, I worry that the other knights and soldiers might do something foolish. Should we not warn them in advance?"
Grand Duke Quenor slowly shook his head.
"No, I shall ensure there is no need for that."
Then, he muttered as an afterthought:
"Tomorrow, I shall personally test whether the rumors about the Hero are true, or if minor faults have simply been blown out of proportion. One way or another, I will put an end to the discontent."
The next day.
To be honest, I couldn't even tell if a new day had dawned, but since the hands of the ticking clock insisted it was so, I would call it the next day. Grand Duke Quenor had left word for us to gather in front of the fortress once we were fully equipped. Following behind the guiding knight, I murmured under my breath.
"How unusual. Did they receive news of monsters crossing the Boundary Line?"
At my words, Georg replied, his heavy armor clanking with every step.
"Either way, we were dispatched to help defend Evernode. If we are given a task, we simply need to get it done."
I couldn't help but recall my conversation with the Holy Sword from yesterday.
"...Right."
Grand Duke Quenor met us in front of the fortress. After a brief exchange of greetings, he led us to the training grounds. The soldiers were already lined up under the command of their knights, radiating a fierce, disciplined military spirit. Grand Duke Quenor glanced at me before turning his gaze back to the assembled soldiers.
"Today, I shall personally patrol Sector One."
Though no commotion broke out, they seemed visibly surprised.
"...Are you going alone?"
"No. With them."
Grand Duke Quenor pointed at me.
As expected, yesterday's brief conversation hadn't been enough to sway the Grand Duke to a neutral stance. Or perhaps this was a measure to appease the dissatisfaction of the knights and soldiers who still glared at me with hostility.
"I shall patrol the sector alongside the Hero's party to assess their skills and resolve. If I deem them falling short of my standards..."
The Grand Duke's eyes locked onto mine.
"I will send a letter to Her Majesty the Queen, requesting a reconsideration of their dispatch entirely."
Well, it made no difference to me.
"Do you accept, Hero?"
I nodded, fighting to keep the corners of my mouth from twitching upward. The northern arc was my absolute favorite arc in I Will Never Return. I could remember exactly how Aryen hunted the northern monsters, down to the very last detail.
"Of course."
This time, it was finally time to fully reap the benefits of being a transmigrator.