Chapter 157 : The North (10)

The Archduke commanded the northern knights to finish their preparations to march out as soon as dawn broke the next day.

Leaving behind the knights who moved in perfect order according to the command, many people gathered in the Archduke's room for a meeting.

Evernite and his adjutant. Bitelleanus, Derix, I, Everchen, Bea, and Keldric entered the Archduke's room in order.

In addition, others who had come from all over to help me, such as Pasion of the White Dragon Knights, Mumbel of the Mana Research Department, Eidon of the Frost Magic Tower, and Nofen of Tello, were also present.

I felt a new sense of emotion as the majority of those who came to help me were people I had formed connections with.

It seemed they had each received recognition in the groups they belonged to, which allowed them to come all the way to the North.

“……It’s quite crowded.”

Mumbel muttered quietly.

I had no choice but to respond with a smile.

It was understandable, as the Archduke's room was very small and had very few furnishings.

There was a single desk, a shelf where armor was placed, and several spears hanging on the wall.

There wasn't even a separate bed; a mattress was neatly folded in a corner.

For the room of the Archduke who ruled half the North, it was extremely humble.

With a not-so-small number of people gathered in such a room, the air quickly became stuffy.

However, no one voiced any complaints.

After all, the owner of this room was the Archduke, hailed as the strongest of humanity.

And the person who spoke first was also the Archduke.

“The affairs of the North will be concluded in the North.”

Everyone nodded at his resolute voice.

Soon, the Archduke's gaze turned to Bitelleanus.

She, too, understood the Archduke's intention and nodded.

“Let’s do so.”

It was a simple statement, but it had resonance.

The Northern Archduke Evernite and Bitelleanus, the former 3rd-ranked of the Demon King's army, had agreed to join forces.

As the heads of the two great powers that had divided the North had decided to join forces, the Erosion Zone of the North would surely be purified.

Of course, just because they reached an agreement didn't mean the lingering feelings had disappeared.

The Archduke and Bitelleanus stared at each other with sharp eyes before quickly averting their gazes.

“Lady Bitelleanus, we need information about the Erosion Zone.”

Afterward, the Archduke's adjutant coordinated the detailed plans.

He asked Bitelleanus about the demons not included in the Remnant and learned about the beasts and special terrains within the Erosion Zone.

The Archduke seemed to have completely entrusted the planning to his adjutant, only nodding his head as he listened to the adjutant's summarized report.

“Baertz, that’s the Archduke’s disciple. There are rumors that he’s incredibly strong……”

Nofen whispered suggestively.

Even in my eyes, the Archduke's adjutant appeared to be a considerable powerhouse.

The aura he exuded was substantial.

On top of that, his skill in extracting necessary information from the taciturn Bitelleanus, his neat planning, and his reporting to the Archduke.

Baertz seemed to be a capable talent in many aspects.

As the conversation continued, the plan became more and more concrete.

The knights of the North and the Remnant, the two groups, would split left and right to steadily purify the Erosion Zone.

It wasn't that there were no detailed tactics, but the conclusion was one.

That the Remnant and the northern knights would simply push through the North with overwhelming power.

Throughout the planning for the purification of the North, only three people—Bitelleanus, the adjutant, and the Archduke—conversed.

The others were treated as mere bystanders, but no one had any complaints.

The North, said to have been eroded for longer than the history of the Empire.

Just being here was an event worthy of being recorded in history.

“Everyone may leave, except for Baertz.”

After the plan was established, the Archduke issued an order of dismissal.

At that moment, Pasion stepped forward.

“There is something I wish to ask you, Your Grace. What will you do after you have purified the North?”

It was a conversation the Archduke and I had shared.

The Archduke, who had only ever thought of protecting the North, had already decided to continue his contemplation while purifying the North.

Pasion had also been present when that decision was made, so there was no way he didn't know.

Thinking there was no need to needlessly provoke the Archduke, I was about to stop him, but then I paused.

It was because Pasion's eyes, looking at the Archduke, were blazing.

However, I felt no impure intentions in that gaze.

The Archduke, too, seemed to have noticed this, as he was simply staring at Pasion.

“After Your Grace purifies the North, and after everything is over, wherever your spear may be pointed.”

“And after that?”

“Could you have a duel with me, just once?”

Pasion pleaded, his voice even trembling.

The Archduke looked at Pasion and gave a short reply.

“I will.”

The man who had defended the pinnacle for a long time, and the man who had lived with that man as his goal.

A promise was made between the two.

Pasion tapped the Adjak family crest engraved on his chest and bowed to the Archduke with the utmost respect.

Afterward, people began to exit the Archduke's room one by one.

Perhaps because they had heard the incredible story of purifying the North, people's faces were flushed with excitement.

“Sir Polarin.”

Just as I was about to go outside with the others, a cold male voice stopped me.

It was the Archduke's disciple, Baertz.

Why was he calling me?

Even when I turned my head, he just stared at me blankly, then suddenly extended his hand.

“Let's have a handshake.”

“……Let’s.”

Baertz and I shook hands.

The origin of the handshake is said to have begun from showing that one had no weapon when meeting a stranger, to signal that there was no intention to fight.

A handshake with the man who might inherit the North after the Archduke.

Perhaps this one short handshake could greatly change the future of the North.

‘Of course, it will take a little more time for that to happen.’

It seemed it would take a long time to build a relationship with the man who had become taciturn so quickly, unlike when he was fervently making plans.

After awkwardly letting go of our hands, Baertz and I simultaneously looked at the Archduke.

The Archduke had a blank expression, but for some reason, I felt as if he was pleased.

***

The next day, around dawn.

As promised, the Remnant and the knights of the North opened the castle gates.

Only the sound of the horn announcing the departure shook the heavens and the earth; the two groups did not give any particular speeches.

However, as it was a departure worthy of being recorded in history, its majesty was truly great.

First, the demons of the Remnant spiritedly took the lead and exited the castle gates.

From them flowed not ominous demonic energy, but my mana.

“To them, you must be no different from the Demon King.”

Pasion said with interest. It was a joke Arandir had once made to me.

I was quite flustered back then, but it was different now.

I nodded my head in acknowledgment.

“That’s about right. Now that Bitelleanus has joined, we will be able to recruit more and more demons from the previous generation.”

“Well, she is a demon recorded in history. She probably had a pretty good reputation among the demons, right?”

“Yes, so I've heard. I've seen records that she was called a Corps Commander and that many demons followed her.”

“That’s unusual for demons, who don't have much of a sense of bond even among themselves.”

Ordinary high-ranking demons did have weaker demons under their command, but that was closer to ruling over them rather than being based on mutual trust.

But the corps members who followed Bitelleanus were said to have followed her with all their hearts.

The previous Demon King had also permitted her to be called a Corps Commander and to form a corps.

“Anyway, I never dreamed she would still be alive.”

“I didn't know either until I came here. In the end, I think it was a good thing I came to the North.”

“I don't believe in coincidences. I'm more the type to believe in fate. The things you have done up to now have led you here.”

I thought it was a rather romantic perspective, but in this world, gods truly existed.

‘Well, it's not entirely wrong, either.’

Not only did I achieve my goal of persuading the Archduke, but I also established Bitelleanus as the 2nd Corps Commander of the Remnant and made it possible to purify Myeolji in the North.

After all the Remnant forces had departed, the northern knights, led by the Archduke, also left the castle in sequence.

“But… is it okay for all of them to go like that?”

Keldric said worriedly.

It was because all the knights who had been protecting the North until now were marching out of the castle gates.

Only one person, Baertz, remained in the castle, watching the departing knights.

He too was wearing heavy armor and holding a spear at an angle, but it seemed he was not departing with them.

The knights were not the only ones living in the North.

This was also a land where a considerable number of common people lived.

“What if they get invaded……”

“It will be fine.”

I said nonchalantly.

The Remnant and the northern knights would take care of the Northern Erosion Zone anyway.

We only needed to be wary of attacks from the Empire's side, but no one in their right mind would dare to think of invading the Archduke's land.

The only potential enemy would be the New Demons…….

‘Even if demons come, Baertz is not a man who would be easily broken.’

I prided myself on having quite a high level of martial prowess among humans of the same age, no, among all humans.

But as soon as I shook hands with Baertz, I realized how wide the world was.

I could tell without a battle of wills by squeezing our hands tightly.

After my skills had improved to a certain level, I became able to gauge an opponent's level without seeing them fight.

I didn't think I would lose to Baertz, but I also couldn't imagine winning easily.

“If you're saying that… I'd like to have a go with him?”

“Haha, later, when Sir Pasion challenges the Archduke, why don't you challenge Sir Baertz, Sir Keldric?”

“A challenge? A chaaallenge? I'm the challenger?”

“It’s just an expression.”

But Keldric's eyes sparkled.

It was a look that naturally reminded me of the time during the final test of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony when he was itching to fight me.

“Just hold it in, Keldric.”

“That's right. Please endure it.”

Everchen and Bea, also noticing Keldric's competitive spirit, tried to restrain him.

But the flame that had blossomed in Keldric's heart still had not died down.

Fearing that Keldric might ask Baertz for a duel at any moment, I blocked Keldric's gaze towards Baertz.

“While the North is being purified, we have our own work to do, right? Let's go to the plaza together.”

“I should hold back?”

“Of course. Hurry up and follow me.”

Keldric clenched and unclenched his fists, controlling himself.

As Keldric and I entered the plaza, Pasion smiled brightly and spoke to me.

“Now, we have our work to do, right?”

I nodded.

“Alright, Demon King. No, should I call you the King of the North? Polarin, are you ready to hear the plan?”

“Of course. Let's start right away.”

I don't know if I'm the Demon King or the King of the North.

But I must become the King of the Inoe.

It was time to hear that plan.