CHAPTER 70: PREPARATION

"You know, Justinian, I wasn’t really sure about you when I first accepted the trade between nations."

Augustus spoke as they began to head down, finishing their conversation at the top as Cassia led the two of them, making sure no threats were waiting as they had their conversation.

"At first, I just thought it was interesting how you managed to take out the rebellion."

"But now... I’m not so sure."

Augustus sighed.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well... instead of being interesting, I guess I could say I’m afraid?"

Augustus replied with a smirk and a laugh, trying to hide his emotions. He might be the highest-ranking person in the entire duchy right now, probably even the most skilled.

But with how mysterious and successful Justinian is, he couldn’t feel inferior, even terrified.

A feeling he had only experienced due to his brother... not to someone else.

"You’re afraid?"

"I’ll let you interpret my meaning yourself."

*** Snowkeep Palace - Throne Room ***

"It’s been a pleasure meeting you, but please do announce before you attempt... something like that."

Augustus gestured to the flowing text that was barely seen by the frosted glass of the palace’s huge windows.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Justinian bowed.

"Don’t be so formal... I’m now under you after all."

Augustus uttered with a smile, catching his most trusted knights that was waiting in the throne room to tilt their heads. They had no idea that their archduke just let himself be vassalized by a smaller and weaker nation.

"I’ll see you at the ball, Justinian."

THUD!

"Did it go well?"

Cassia noticed Justinian’s troubled expression, caused by Augustus’s weird personality and strange dealings. He wasn’t even sure if he benefited from the vassalization agreement; Augustus made sure to deliver mixed feelings about it.

"On the surface, yes."

Justinian placed his hands on his waist, realizing now that he still had so much work to do after his extended break.

’I wonder how Feryll is doing?’

[Kingdom Building System Protocol Activated]

[Ruler: Justinian Alarys Thirell]

[Rank: Duke]

[Resources:]

Gold: 698 KG

Food: 34-52 Weeks

Military: 771 Units

[Map:]

Snowkeep (Capital): Unrest (0.2%)

Herdrin: Unrest (0.3%)

Bridgeton: Unrest (0.1%)

"Not much changed..."

[Vassal]

Archduchy of Veneral - Resource Sharing Deal

’Other than that, of course.’

*** Two Weeks Later ***

After the entire fiasco of the divine construction died down, the entire capital was back to its normal operations, this time more prosperous than before due to the new constructs.

Diseases were at an all-time low, the newly made sewage system reducing the risk of infection and the beginning of plagues. Justinian’s biggest issue was solved in a near instant after just a few weeks of work.

And now he had nothing else to do, he wasn’t an expert in laws like Darius, or good with people like Matthias, he was a duke with knowledge of history, and in particular, battles.

In moments like this, he had nothing to do.

"This is getting boring..."

Justinian sighed on his throne.

Even Cassia wasn’t present, having to return to Vesuvian to deliver the news about her engagement with Justinian.

Something that only happened since Justinian promised not to do anything dumb while she wasn’t present, and surprisingly, Justinian abided by that.

"I couldn’t believe ruling a crumbling duchy was more fun than a prosperous one. What can I even do?"

His capital was quite literally self-sustaining; even scheming nobles and conniving secret societies weren’t a problem anymore since he handled them quite early on.

CREAK.

The door to the right of his throne opened, and Matthias entered as he held out a letter.

As always, Justinian prepared for good news; it seems like that was the only thing that was happening these past few weeks.

"What is it?"

"The king has sent his message; apparently, the ball will be held tonight."

"Again with the late notice?"

Justinian raised a brow, confused at why the king would deliver messages so late if he had a council that was far more efficient than his.

Even in the novel, the king was a terrifying force even for Julius to handle.

"I apologize, my lord, but I’m afraid I can’t do anything about this."

"I know you can’t... It’s the king after all."

Justinian crossed his legs, taking the letter and unrolling it. It was exactly as Matthias said, the ball will be held tonight and will last for five days in the royal capital.

The venue? The king’s personal vacation home, a very unneeded and extravagant vacation home.

"At least now I have something to do."

Justinian stood up from his throne, stretching his body; it felt unnatural after all the physical work he had just done in the past.

Resting now felt foreign and strange to him.

"If Cassia returns, tell her to head straight to the capital, if of course viable."

Justinian commanded Matthias before he left to depart to his own room, gathering the servants to help him get dressed.

The entire process took long, three hours long, as the servants dressed him up in a stuffy military coat and an absurd amount of makeup and incense; it seems they were going all out now.

Even using a military coat instead of the usual suit to keep in line with Kael’s theme of crimson and dark.

It didn’t take long for Justinian to finally be in his carriage and escorted by his own personal elite guard from before, the same one he had led into battle.

"I’m quite excited to see the capital."

Justinian smiled as he looked at the outside. It was already afternoon, and now he just had to wait until he arrived at the capital.

This time, he had to survive on his own, without the help of Cassia, Lucan, Matthias, and even Javier.

It was his time to navigate royal politics on his own, purely relying on his new memories and knowledge.

And that thought gave him enough thrill to last the entire carriage ride.

"Is this what it feels like being a rural boy heading to the big city?"

He chuckled to himself.