The North's Overlord (Hereditary System)
I could overlook that damn birdbrain devouring my pigeon, but I still had to read the letter.
When I took it, the texture alone told me it was written on some seriously high-end paper. To think the Tower Masters would use the ultra-premium paper they reserve for writing magic theses just to send a single letter. So this is why money is so nice. Meanwhile, adventurers outside are risking their lives hunting goblins just to cover their lodging and dinner costs.
Yet here they were, using paper worth five days' wages for a low-rank adventurer on nothing but a letter. Vladimir Lenin of the Soviet Union once said it: Those capitalists can all go eat shit. Come to think of it, both there and the North are cold as hell. A proletarian revolution might break out any day now.
When I unfolded the letter, the artistically ornate handwriting immediately caught my eye. Those filthy bourgeoisie. While the children outside were learning pickpocketing techniques just to survive, they were busy studying how to write in such fancy script.
Werner, I wondered if you had been well, so I sent this letter.
I had been well, until your messenger hawk ate my pigeon. Come to think of it, things had been so hectic that I hadn't exactly been at peace. Actually, wasn't this whole mess caused because she ordered people to capture me? To drive me to the brink of death and then send a letter like this—was this some kind of personality test?
I would like to express my gratitude for the gift you gave me last time. I do not usually like accessories, but I have made an exception and wear it constantly.
As expected, my sense was flawless. Behold my transcendent sense and crisis management ability. This is exactly why it was smart to buy those side story novels and official setting books. I was proud to be a black cow who even purchased a thirty-thousand-won fanbook just to see what the characters liked. Wasn't it thanks to knowing she loved snowflake-shaped ornaments that I was able to survive until today?
If there was anyone who could read my current thoughts, I wanted to tell them: Being a black cow is nothing to be ashamed of. Keep spending, keep spending, and spend some more. Only then can you survive no matter what world you reincarnate into. So the money I poured into that game was never wasted. Because it had just saved my life.
I am not completely over my anger yet, but I shall put aside the matter of you leaving without a word for now.
As expected of the Grand Duke of the North. Her generosity is truly vast. It must be thanks to such magnanimity that her family has ruled the North for generations. Come to think of it, if she's the overlord of the North under a hereditary system, that fits perfectly. Don't tell me these people actually possess nuclear weapons?
I have been busy lately subjugating the demonic beasts throughout the northern territories.
Taking her father's place in the demonic beast subjugation while he was summoned—how admirable. If she were in front of me, I would have stroked her head. Of course, since she was busy, there was no way she would come all the way here. It was so regrettable that I couldn't help but smile.
However, since the subjugation is mostly complete, I plan to come meet you soon, Werner.
Wait, what the fuck?
Hey, Grand Duke, you can't just do the subjugation so sloppily. You need to wipe them out without leaving a single demonic beast behind. Don't you know that kind of safety negligence leads to major accidents? One small mistake like this can bring about an irreversible disaster. Please, demonic beasts, obtain the power of the Zerg and multiply in massive numbers. Make it so my fiancée suddenly becomes too busy to even dream of coming here. My fiancée is Jim Raynor, and the demonic beasts are the Zerg—how perfect is that? If you can make it happen, I will gladly uphold the duty of the Queen of Blades.
To be honest, my father's sudden departure means my political position is not yet firmly established. Therefore, I need to marry quickly.
Who would dare question the position of our Northern Sovereign? For a moment I considered just going there myself and killing all those bastards. Rather than the two of us getting married and dealing with complicated matters, one magic spell would solve everything. Instead of persuading those scumbags and causing a fuss, it would be simpler to gather them all and fry them with lightning magic. This was all because the previous Grand Duke—her older brother—had handled things so sloppily.
If you, Werner, simply carry the title of hero and the hero's companion, I will be able to solidify my position safely.
I'm not Werner. No, I understand the situation, but I have my own circumstances here too. This is troubling. Oh right, in romance fantasy novels, there's the contract marriage system where people marry for mutual benefit and then divorce. I just need to use that. As expected, when it comes to the Grand Duke of the North, it's contract marriage. Thank you, romance fantasy authors.
Of course, I intend to faithfully fulfill my duties as a noble. Since this marriage was arranged by my father, please do not even dream of divorce.
Damn it, I'm a confirmed bachelor. I should have just spent that money on a mobile game instead of buying romance fantasy novels and raising my account level.
Moreover, regarding the matter of an heir, I dislike the idea of adopting a child and causing disputes, so I plan to have proper children of my own.
We aren't even married yet and she's already thinking about children. Of course, back in the day, I used to come up with grandchild names just from holding a girl's hand. For a boy it was Gunma, for a girl it was Yewon. Yeah, I thought of that while reading manhwa.
I will visit you soon, so please prepare yourself. Your fiancée, Glacia Winterhart.
Why did this letter look like an execution notice foretelling my death?
Even if we got married, would she truly treat a man who had abandoned her and run away, giving her the image of a discarded fiancée? There was a chance I would simply have my reputation as Werner sucked dry, produce some children, and then be disposed of.
Sighing, I wrote a reply and tied the letter to the leg of that birdbrain, Saccharin. I might not be able to repay the grudge for murdering my pigeon right away, but I would get my revenge someday. Watching the birdbrain Saccharin fly off into the distance, I thought to myself: If I get married, I might end up living like a bird in a cage.
That would be a completely miserable story, damn it.
"Werner, what's wrong?"
Camelia suddenly appeared and grabbed my shoulder. It seemed she had grown worried after seeing me sigh.
"Sister... you know how scary Melchior gets when he's angry, right?"
Melchior was Glacia's father and one of the older brothers Werner had been close to. He was also the one who had smashed the heads of the nobles who looked down on Werner for being a commoner-born mage.
"Yes... he's a berserker who rampages without caring about his surroundings when he gets angry."
"Well, I think I've found someone even scarier than that."
It would be better if she got angry like a berserker and simply smashed everything around her. The type that remembers everything and holds it in is pure hell. Like letting it ferment inside.
Glacia unfolded the letter that her messenger hawk, Sugar, had brought and smiled faintly.
Her adjutant, seeing this, asked a question. It was rare for this woman who seldom smiled to always beam like that whenever she read a letter, so it had piqued her curiosity.
"Is that another letter from your fiancé?"
"Yes, it's from Werner. This really... makes me smile without even realizing it."
Wondering what kind of amusing joke could make her react this way, the adjutant asked again.
"What exactly did he write? Did he send something saying he likes Your Grace the Grand Duke?"
"No. He says he's sorry for running away and leaving me behind."
Her adjutant couldn't understand it. To smile like that over such simple content?
"Excuse me, but... may I ask why you laughed?"
"Ah, it's because of what he wrote below. He says he's worried about my position and that he'll help with anything other than marriage."
"Hahaha, worrying about Your Grace the Grand Duke's position is quite amusing."
The position issue Glacia had mentioned was closer to a blatant lie. Of course, there were branch family members aiming for her seat and those who refused to acknowledge her position. But Glacia dismissed them all as mere trivial noise. In reality, they posed no significant threat.
"No, it's just that Werner is so cute."
"Pardon...? What did you just...?"
"The engagement from twelve years ago only fell through in terms of the ceremony. The engagement itself is still valid. Yet he talks about methods other than marriage and says he can run away... How adorable."
Glacia's adjutant was now beginning to feel genuine fear. The master she had always seen as cold as ice and utterly heartless was speaking in such a manner. It was only natural for her legs to go weak.
"Um... excuse me, but I have some business with the other retainers, so I'll take my leave now."
There was no such schedule, but Glacia's adjutant was even willing to lie in order to escape the situation.
"Yes, go ahead."
Glacia knew it was a lie, but since she wanted to be alone, she allowed the departure.
Once her adjutant left, Glacia hugged the letter Werner had sent.
The unrequited love Glacia had cherished for fifteen years was by no means a light thing.