A silent war.

    The conflict between Ian and Duke Garcia could be described this way.

    They were locked in a standoff, each trying to contain the other without any direct attacks, engaging in a tense psychological battle.

    Amidst this, Ian found himself increasingly occupied.

    “Stockpile supplies and secure the castle gates.”

    “Have the enemy’s positions been pinpointed? Increase scout numbers threefold to gain a clearer understanding of their movements.”

    “We will requisition any lacking supplies from the villagers. Be sure to compensate them appropriately.”

    There was no other choice.

    ‘Whoever runs out of food first, or whose castle is captured, loses.’

    However, attacking each other’s castles was not easy.

    Historically, defending a castle was easier than besieging one.

    Even if Garcia were to lose troops here, he would undoubtedly be unable to face the royal family.

    Thus, they had entered a battle to wear each other down.

    ‘There’s no need to mobilize soldiers for a fight.’

    The power of nobles stemmed from their territories, and to Duke Garcia, the territory was everything.

    In a situation where both had secured their gates, it was only natural that whoever ran out of food would have to surrender.

    No matter how much wealth one had, it wouldn’t sustain the populace without food.

    However, Ian was slightly different.

    ‘I am not just a noble dependent on territory for strength.’

    As the successor vying for the throne, Ian couldn’t afford to falter in protecting even a small territory

    This silent war was not just a tactical maneuver to pressure one another; it was a high-stakes battle where everything was on the line.

    However, underestimating Garcia would be a grave mistake.

    ‘The most perilous moment is often when victory seems assured.’

    Duke Garcia didn’t even trust the closest aides around him.

    He was a man who always found weaknesses in others so he could eliminate them whenever he wanted.

    This likely applied to Ian as well.

    ‘Ever since he attempted to make me a member of the royal family, he has probably been searching for my weaknesses.’

    So, what was Ian’s biggest weakness then?

    It was none other than his territory.

    The territory obtained through competition was Ian’s foundation, inseparable from his identity. No matter how much acclaim he received as the successor, if his territory fell into chaos, his honor would plummet.

    ‘The Duke must be aware of this.

    So, simply locking the gates wouldn’t be enough.

    If Ian were him, he would have already planted seeds of discord.

    The seeds needed to be uprooted.

    Ian called for his butler.

    “How is the food supply?”

    “As per Your Highness’s instructions, we have moved the food from the warehouse to the castle and a few other safe places. We have also strengthened the guards.”

    “That won’t be enough.”

    “Pardon?”

    “Surely there are spies. They will target the food warehouses.”

    “Should we reassess the guards’ identities?”

    “No need. Gather them in one place.”

    “!”

    Upon Ian’s command, the soldiers responsible for the food warehouses assembled in one place. Without hesitation, he singled out a few individuals.

    “That one. And that one, and that one too. Arrest them all.”

    “!”

    The butler who followed him was stunned, mouth agape.

    “These men have been loyal to Your Highness since the Crystal Palace.”

    “So?”

    “They would never betray Your Highness.”

    “Are you sure about that?”

    Ian knew.

    Duke Garcia was a man who planted seeds of betrayal among those his enemies trusted. Having been by the Duke’s side in a previous life, Ian was all too familiar with his methods. Moreover, he had eyes of Jealousy.

    ‘I can see it... their jealousy.’

    This wasn’t just ordinary jealousy due to Ian’s success.

    It was as if the world, once pristine white, had been tainted by the dark intentions of these men, their gaze fixated solely on Ian, akin to predators eyeing their prey.

    They were Duke Garcia’s spies.

    With unwavering resolve, Ian ordered, “Arrest them all.”

    As the soldiers were taken away, they protested their innocence.

    “Why are you doing this? I’m innocent.”

    “I’m just a regular guard. What’s the reason for this...”

    Ian leaned in close and whispered to them, “What did Duke Garcia offer you? Wealth? Or did he threaten your family?”

    “No, there’s been a mistake.”

    “We would never betray you, Your Highness.”

    Ian chuckled at their protests.

    “For common soldiers, you’ve concealed your malicious intent well. But do you understand?”

    “Understand what...?”

    “While you may have masked your malicious intent, primal feelings like jealousy are much harder to hide.”

    “What do you mean...?”

    “They’re not responding at all.”

    “That makes sense.”

    Just like Garcia in the west, the Southern Nobles Union were merchants.

    They would only benefit from Garcia’s downfall.

    “They are likely waiting for my downfall. This would allow them to monopolize trade routes here.”

    “I apologize, Your Grace.”

    It was expected they wouldn’t offer help. However, Duke Garcia didn’t seem concerned.

    “I am not one to crumble over such matters. Feel free to use the wealth in the storages. If this country is doomed, then I will seek help from abroad.”

    “Understood. However, it will take time, Your Grace.”

    “We have an abundance of food. Garcia can endure for months, even years. Don’t worry, just take action.”

    “Yes, Your Grace!”

    Duke Garcia raised an eyebrow.

    ‘Though it’s said that a puppy does not know the fear of a tiger.’

    The Seventh Prince, Ian, was becoming too much of a nuisance.

    It seemed necessary to teach him a lesson.

    “What about the spies? I clearly ordered them to burn down all the food warehouses.”

    “That... well...”

    The chief officer trembled, unable to meet Garcia’s gaze. Duke Garcia stared at him with a menacing look.

    “Speak clearly. What is the matter?”

    “All of our spies have lost contact. There is one remaining, but he says he won’t be able to communicate for a while.”

    “What? All of them?”

    It was preposterous.

    These spies had been carefully cultivated since Ian became a prince, meticulously organized to prevent them from knowing one another.

    ‘How could they all have been caught?’

    The Duke of Garcia couldn’t fathom how his meticulously placed spies could be exposed.

    Yet, he didn’t lose his composure.

    “I suppose I underestimated the Seventh Prince.”

    “I apologize, Your Grace.”

    “Enough. He appears to have some skill, but ultimately, it won’t change the overall situation.”

    A cold glint appeared in Garcia’s eyes.

    While it was unfortunate that the spies hadn’t set the food warehouses ablaze, he still had an overwhelming military force and a vast amount of wealth.

    “However, the food in his territories likely amounts to no more than a week’s worth. We need to goad them into a confrontation.”

    “What do you mean...?”

    “We will accelerate their food consumption so that they cannot sustain themselves. Once their supplies are depleted, they will be at our mercy.”

    Fighting consumed a lot of calories.

    No matter how much they aimed to conserve supplies, reducing food for soldiers directly involved in battle was not an option.

    This was Garcia’s primary objective. But that wasn’t the extent of his plans.

    “Is the Secret Special Force team prepared?”

    “Of course, Your Grace.”

    “It appears you all will need to take action yourselves. You must scale the walls and destroy their supplies.”

    If the spies couldn’t accomplish it, they would have to do it themselves

    “If possible, try to bribe the current villagers. If their own people set fires, it would further damage his reputation.”

    “Don’t worry. You’ll see black smoke rising from his territory within a few days.”

    “I’m counting on you.”

    As the Secret Special Force departed, Duke Garcia finally smiled.

    No matter how formidable Ian might be, he believed he wouldn’t be able to overcome this.

    But just then, he heard a commotion.

    “Fire!”

    “The food warehouse is on fire!”

    With a tremendous noise, the outside began to brighten.

    Was this some kind of prank?

    The chief officer rushed into Duke Garcia’s office with a frantic expression.

    “It’s terrible! The food warehouses are on fire!”

    “What?”

    Duke Garcia hurried outside with a concerned look on his face. And it wasn’t just a false alarm.

    Whoosh!

    The food warehouses were engulfed in flames. And it wasn’t just one or two.

    All the food warehouses in his territory were burning.

    The calm expression on the Duke of Garcia’s face vanished.

    “Who in the world... did this?!”

    His face, now flushed with anger, was almost like that of a demon.

    He shouted fiercely.

    “Put out the fire immediately! And find out who started it!”

    But then he saw something that stopped him in his tracks.

    Under the moonlight, on top of a building, stood a man whose face was eerily familiar.

    “Could it be... you?”

    It was none other than Ian Kaistein.

    The name of the man who stood there mocking him under the moonlight.