Chapter 16 – The Ruler of All White Things #1
There exist beings in this world who transcend humanity. Those comparable to the dragons from ancient texts, guardians of mankind.
Even in the north of the Empire, such a monster dwells.
The one who guards humanity's front lines, the ruler of all things white.
The Empire's bulwark. The protector of the north, bearing the name of the Grand Duke—the king of the north.
He had descended upon this small mining village.
"Are you the undead?"
Vast mana vibrated through the air. If he were a mage, he would stand alongside Edward as one of the strongest in the world.
Lawrence had long known of the Gaudie family's prestige even before his regression. It was said he was an invincible general who had never been breached—until he lost his son.
"How... how is the Grand Duke here...?"
Could even undead feel fear? Damian turned back midway through lunging at Lawrence.
A boy who still looked young stood in his way, making his goal seem unattainable.
No, I must achieve merit. As commanded... as Amon commanded.
Ignoring the terrifying sounds from behind, he began acting on his programming. He reignited his aura and leaped once more, aiming to sever Loria's neck.
Shrrrrk—!
Of course, Lawrence wouldn't let that slide.
"Urk—!"
"Push him back now while we have the chance!"
At Lawrence's shout, the soldiers charged in with brute force.
This much time should be enough.
The moment Damian swung his sword down at the soldiers—
Kwachik—!
A chilling sound rang out.
Pointing at the soldiers in their red armor, he boomed heartily.
"Good work! You red-clad soldiers! Nimbler than my own lads, gu mun!"
A massive man grimaced as rotten blood splattered. The lord of the north, cloaked in wolf fur, grinned as he made his entrance.
Damian's head soared high into the sky.
Not with a sword, but a single punch that shattered tough muscles and sturdy bones—a feat of monstrous strength.
Crack.
Lancel Gaudie cracked his knuckles with a sinister smile.
Lawrence felt both reassurance and terror as he thought,
Phew... At least this time, my sister won't die.
Reclaiming the holy grail. Ensuring Loria's survival. And forging ties with the Grand Duke ahead.
The future was changing.
So the enemies would have plenty to worry about now.
Now I'm really curious, huh?
Just who had been gnawing away at our family.
And who had doomed his mother in the past—and Rachel in the future.
Lawrence chuckled as he watched Lancel rip out the spines of the undead soldiers and black knights.
The Grand Duke's only son will be safe this time around.
It would require quite a few materials, though.
In any case, the Alzeras Knight Order had been annihilated here.
Lawrence saw the Grand Duke approaching, shaking sticky blood from his hands.
He turned to his sister, trembling like a rabbit beside him, and said,
"It's all over now."
"......"
She just stared at Lawrence, who smirked silently.
#2
Lancel Gaudie felt the stress melting away after so long as he looked down at the two children.
Was my girl around this age? Time flies, gu mun.
"Nearly lost a precious Montemer heir there."
"Our thanks for the rescue, Your Grace."
"Don't call me so stiffly. It's cold enough without the chills."
"Then......"
The Grand Duke continued, eyes fixed on the two direct descendants. His words came casually, but his gaze held the solemnity of a wolf.
"Just call me Sir Lancel or Grand Duke. That'll do."
"Understood. Grand Duke."
"Which one's the older? You, eh? Good job protecting your sibling—quite commendable."
A thick hand came down on Lawrence's head.
Complete with sticky blood.
Lawrence just laughed it off and shook his head.
What day is it today? Keeps getting filthy...
Lawrence's mouth opened slowly.
"I'm the younger one. Lawrence Montemer. It's an honor to meet you, Grand Duke."
"What!? You're... the younger? Hold on, Lawrence...?"
The Grand Duke's expression turned peculiar. In that life-or-death moment, the one who saved the girl behind him was none other than this boy.
He wasn't deaf. Lawrence Montemer was supposedly treated as defective trash.
"Hm, interesting. Then the little lady behind you?"
"L-Loria Montemer. It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace."
"Drop the 'Your Grace.' This one's a gem too, gu mun. Anyway, the village is a wreck. We'll have to rebuild later."
"Our apologies, Grand Duke. Our magic is fire-attribute, so..."
The Grand Duke shook his head with a smile. Every word revealed his character plainly.
"Haha! No harm done. If it bothered me, you'd all be ash by now!"
"Glad to hear it. As you see, the entire knight order betrayed us..."
"Plenty to investigate, that's for sure. They had an officer academy—surely not from there?"
"Alzeras handles internal family education."
Of course. The Grand Duke nodded, his face clouding over.
His eyes swept the village. The fact that the villagers knew nothing until it was this bad—was that bitter?
His fury flickered like flames in his gaze. It lingered longest on Lawrence before moving away.
"Lead the way. Yetis and northern barbarians will swarm soon."
"Understood. Everyone okay?"
"Yes—!"
As expected of Montemers. No one was too injured to move.
Damaged armor and depleted mana were common, but no fatal wounds.
The Grand Duke of the north nodded inwardly, watching his soldiers ready themselves as if they hadn't just fought a deathly horde.
Even deep in the Empire, Montemer's strength is formidable.
A great house that grew safely on fertile lands.
A reliable yet uneasy alliance.
And that kid...
His gaze kept drifting to Lawrence, bickering with his sister.
If my son were safe, they'd make good friends. A bastard, wasn't he? But so carefree.
"Could be a blessing. Or a curse."
Some suspicions lingered, but he'd lock them in the fold first and question later. Couldn't have them running off.
Though they seemed too childlike for that.
"Whoa, hear that? They say I seem more like the big brother."
"You're just a lanky beanpole—! Get lost. You make me look even smaller!"
"Heh heh, nah."
"You little—!"
One look at them, and they're just kids...
Well, time would tell. They gathered spoils and items for investigation, then headed to the northern fortress.
It wasn't far, so they arrived quickly.
The Grand Duke's northern castle loomed ahead.
But soldiers were hauling away the massive gate.
"Why'd the gate fly off?"
"Er, well..."
Not a mansion in warm lands, but a white fortress piled with snow. The north's bulwark against invaders was enormous and sturdy.
Its gate matched—immense and tough. The soldiers straining to repair it looked grave.
The Grand Duke hesitated, mumbling excuses, but it was soon exposed.
Soldiers shouted from afar.
"Grand Duke! What if you blow the gate again!?"
"We got no money! Can't defend when it counts like this!"
"Ahem..."
Grand Duke? Freya stared in disbelief.
The Grand Duke scratched his head and laughed heartily.
"Well, the rescue call was urgent... Haha!"
"......"
It was winter.
#3
"Welcome. Honored to greet you here. This is Gaudie Fortress, the easternmost frontline of the north."
"We'll aid with what few troops we have."
"Let's discuss the schedule first."
Around a magical campfire, Montemer and the Grand Duke's officers gathered.
The north's border stretched long. Among them, Gaudie Fortress at the eastern end was a natural stronghold flanked by two massive peaks.
Behind lay Empire lands, mines, and excavation sites.
Hence, frequent enemy incursions.
Directly north, yetis and barbarians eyed the ruins covetously.
"Yetis and barbarians will strike soon. Our goal: repel them and destroy their forward bases."
"Tearing down what they built in the warm seasons, I see."
"Exactly. Annoying yearly ritual... but it's our treaty with them."
Lawrence nodded silently.
The Empire could overrun the north if it wished. But war cost money, and imbalance bred holes elsewhere.
"I'd love to wipe them out, but His wise Majesty prioritizes internal stability. That's why you're here today."
"We appreciate your tireless efforts."
"Heh, enough flattery. Rest up. Detailed plans tomorrow."
"Understood."
As always, the Grand Duke sent guests to their rooms. But he'd guide Lawrence and Loria personally.
"You two, follow me."
"Yes."
Lawrence and Loria trailed him without suspicion. Lawrence pondered what to gain here—rumors, artifact research docs...
The north held much to claim.
"Remarkable."
Then, the Grand Duke halted in a secluded spot.
The kids stopped behind his broad back, staring blankly.
Simultaneously, Lawrence's eyes caught the Grand Duke's mana surging unnaturally.
"Rumors said the bastard lacks mana roads. My mistake?"
"No mistake."
"Then how can you wield magic?"
"......"
The Grand Duke's eyes gleamed dangerously. He'd seen it in battle: holy chains summoned instantly, lightning orbs hurled.
And noticed: Lawrence's body suited a warrior more than a mage.
Suspicious, no? Locked in a trash warehouse, madman rumors... yet too sharp for madness.
And no reaction to him?
A normal kid would tremble like a pup...
Compare to the shivering girl behind Lawrence—rabbit-like fear.
"Best not lie. Burned by Edward or torn apart by me—same end."
"......Hic."
Loria's terrified hiccup echoed. She clamped her mouth with both hands.
Lawrence, utterly calm, replied.
"That's......"