novelraw Chapter 101 : Chapter 101
Chapter 101 : Chapter 101
Chapter 101: Duke Theron (2)
The de facto leader of the northern territories, Duke Heriel Theron.
He ruled over the largest domain in the north, and his strength and influence were deemed sufficient to challenge the royal authority.
Yet, neither he nor the Theron Family had ever harbored such ambitions.
For generations, the Theron Family had served the royal house loyally, acting as the kingdom’s shield.
In recognition of their loyalty and strength, the duke was called one of the two swords that protected the kingdom.
Unlike the Vaberin Family, which guarded the royal capital, his family deliberately protected the frontier, waging endless wars.
He was a warrior among warriors, fighting solely for the kingdom, and the Kandahr Tribe called him the ‘Demon of the Frontier.’
His notoriety was so great that even Bakan’s closest advisors devised strategies to invade the kingdom by bypassing Theron.
His very name instilled fear in his enemies—that was Heriel.
However, even he was powerless against an unexpected ambush.
With no time for regrets, he now moved swiftly to reorganize his forces and form alliances with other nobles.
Thus, he was currently discussing future plans with Viscount Argon, the lord of this territory.
“Duke, according to the butler’s investigation, the forces gathered in the northern territories currently exceed ten thousand.”
“Good. That’s enough to make a stand.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait a bit longer? Surely, some who received your letters are still deliberating.”
Heriel Theron had previously sent letters across the northern territories.
While all must have received them, only about half of the lords had responded.
Had the duke visited them in person, more would likely have followed.
But there was no time to spare for such efforts now.
“I should’ve gone myself. Showing my face would’ve convinced more to join.”
“No need. There’s no time to meet them now. Unless someone drags them here.”
“After no contact all this time, would any of them suddenly find the courage to show up?”
“Probably not.”
As they spoke, the butler cautiously opened the door and entered.
“My lord, you need to come out for a moment.”
Viscount Argon frowned and asked, “What’s the matter? Can’t you see I’m speaking with the duke?”
“Viscount Luid and other lords from the northeast have arrived. And…”
The next name shocked even Duke Heriel Theron, who had been listening.
“Little Count Evan Lafard is with them.”
“What, what?”
“Evan, you say? You’re sure you saw correctly?”
When the duke pressed, the butler emphasized once more, “I saw clearly. It’s truly Little Count Evan Lafard.”
Hearing this, the duke rose from his seat without hesitation.
“I’ll go see for myself.”
His duty to guard the northern frontier kept him too occupied to personally look after Evan.
Instead, he occasionally received updates on how Evan was faring at the academy.
The most shocking news was that Evan had been selected for the Executor program and was entering Hell Island.
Back then, it was hard to believe.
Could that young boy survive the brutal Hell Island?
Worried, he had planned to visit, but the situation at the front forced him to postpone.
Then came rumors that Hell Island had vanished, followed by a letter stating Evan was missing.
And yet…
‘Is Evan truly alive?’
With half hope, half doubt, the duke strode quickly down the corridor.
The moment he saw the crowd gathered at the corridor’s end, he couldn’t help but stop in his tracks.
Among the lords who had joined late, stood not a boy, but a young man—Evan Lafard.
Alive and well, right before his eyes.
‘I refused to believe you were dead until I saw it with my own eyes. I believed you were alive.’
The moment he confirmed the face before him, the duke’s heart swelled with emotion.
But the joy was fleeting, as he couldn’t hide his astonishment at the aura emanating from Evan.
‘To grow this strong in just a few years! He’s unrecognizable!’
The Evan he knew, frankly, had no talent for swordsmanship.
When the late count decided to send him to Lansed, the duke had opposed it, expecting Evan to leave Lansed on his own or be expelled soon.
But the Evan before him now was the complete opposite of the one he remembered.
Of course, he’d heard the stories.
Being assigned as an instructor in the Executor program meant Evan had surpassed the level of an ordinary powerhouse.
But hearing tales and seeing with his own eyes were entirely different.
He couldn’t fathom what Evan must have endured to change so drastically.
“Evan!”
To find the answers, seeing for himself was the surest way.
The duke crossed the corridor swiftly, approaching Evan and the lords.
“It’s good to see you all here. You too, Evan.”
With others present, he suppressed his joy and greeted Evan calmly.
Still, he couldn’t help the smile that slipped through.
“It’s been a while, Duke.”
The surrounding lords, sensing the mood, exchanged knowing smiles and tactfully gave them space.
“Haha, we’ll catch up later. Speak with the little count first. We’ll greet Viscount Argon in the meantime.”
Those aware of the duke and Evan’s relationship deliberately made time for them.
Thus, after years apart, the duke and Evan finally had a chance to talk alone.
“Let’s go to the reception room.”
“Understood.”
The duke began to ask the questions that had piled up.
“Where have you been all this time?”
His voice carried a mix of worry and curiosity.
“Well…”
Evan paused to gather his thoughts before speaking.
“It’s a long story. But if I must tell it…”
The duke was like family to him.
So, at least to him, Evan shared the truth.
However, he kept Gaiard’s existence a secret.
The kingdom still viewed Gaiard as an enemy, and revealing him would inevitably cause unnecessary conflict.
Thus, without mentioning Gaiard, he spoke only of crossing the threshold of death and returning alive.
“…That’s how it happened.”
The duke fell silent for a while.
Evan’s story was simply too fantastical.
“It’s truly unbelievable…”
But Evan’s eyes and voice remained earnest throughout.
Above all, Evan, appearing after years, wouldn’t lie to him.
And hadn’t Evan returned far stronger, as if to prove his tale?
At a level beyond common sense.
“Is that why you became this strong?”
“You noticed, didn’t you? Yes. Struggling to escape death left me no choice but to grow stronger.”
The original Evan Lafard was weaker than average.
For such a person to become a powerhouse in a few years naturally raised suspicions about the reason.
Especially if that person was like family.
“A world where the dead reside…”
But what if the ‘world’ he spoke of was beyond comprehension?
Perhaps it was possible, he couldn’t help but think.
“Even so, you’ve grown remarkably strong. Strong enough to be an Executor without question.”
“I’m still lacking. I’ll seek your guidance later, Duke.”
This side of Evan felt utterly foreign to the duke.
Not only had his appearance changed, but a series of events had matured him inwardly.
It was as if he were an entirely different person.
“Hahaha! I’d better stay sharp, then. If I dwell on the past, I might end up humiliated.”
After exchanging light banter, the duke asked why Evan had come here.
“You made it all the way here. As you know, the kingdom is in chaos. Did you visit your family? Was everything alright?”
Evan answered calmly, “I met some branch family members, but nothing significant happened.”
The duke’s expression hardened.
“What? You met them there?”
His sharp gaze was only natural.
They couldn’t possibly be unaware that the Fire Dragon Orb was kept there.
“And nothing happened?”
“Yes, I handled it.”
At Evan’s words that he dealt with them himself, the duke nodded silently.
The aura he sensed was more than enough to subdue them.
“Now that I think of it, the Time Barrier must have been lifted. I was too distracted by the Kandahr invasion.”
“It’s fine. I protected what needed protecting.”
When Evan showed the red orb, the duke finally sighed in relief.
“I have the orb.”
“That’s a relief. Still, be careful. With the war and all, if it’s known you have this, who knows what dangers might come.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Stay by my side from now on.”
No matter how strong Evan had become, to the duke, he was still the boy he knew.
With the kingdom in turmoil, the duke wanted Evan close.
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened on Hell Island.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
The duke suddenly recalled the numerous troops that had joined them outside the castle.
“By the way, did you bring them here?”
“Yes. I gathered the lords to aid you, even if just a little.”
The duke was astonished again.
Evan, who was just a boy a few years ago, now showed the qualities of a leader beyond a little count.
“Impressive. You should be called a count, not a little count.”
“You flatter me. By the way, do you know the situation in the capital?”
“Of course. That’s why I’m gathering forces.”
“Then, do you know about Lansed?”
“Lansed Academy? Why there?”
“Well…”
He told the duke what had happened at Lansed Academy.
That the head instructor and students had been taken hostage by the Kandahr Tribe.
And the shocking plan to use them as shields to breach the capital’s walls.
“What did you say?”
Hearing this, the duke trembled with rage.
“Those ruthless bastards! How dare they use children in war!”
Suppressing his anger, he spoke with a resolute expression.
“If that’s true, we must hurry.”
Immediately, the duke held an urgent meeting with the waiting lords.
***
Around the time Evan was gathering lords, tension hung over the capital, Kaien.
Streets that should have been ablaze with light were shrouded in darkness, and citizens hid in their homes, trembling with fear.
In stark contrast, far beyond the city walls, thousands of torches pierced the darkness, illuminating the plains.
A vast army of barbarians, filling the expansive land, had set up camp.
Gazing down at the ominous light from the royal castle’s bell tower, King Gaspar Kaien let out a heavy sigh.
“Hoo…”
His wrinkled face bore deep fatigue and a heavy sense of responsibility.
He muttered, staring helplessly at the walls.
“If this shameful history repeats, how can I face my ancestors?”
Then, from behind, Executor Rona Kalpen quietly approached the king.
With a worried expression, she said, “The wind is cold, Your Majesty. Please return inside.”
But the king shook his head, his gaze unwavering.
“It’s fine. How can I rest comfortably when my people tremble in fear because of me?”
Rona wanted to persuade him but stood silently by his side.
In this situation, no words could comfort him.
To turn the tide, a miracle from the gods would be needed.
A natural disaster to sweep away the barbarians in an instant, or reinforcements arriving from across the sea.
But both were nearly impossible.
Yet, there was one hope to cling to.
“If Duke Theron and the northern forces he gathers strike their rear, there’s hope.”
The king murmured, as if repeating to himself.
“Are they our only answer…”
The royal castle had just received troops from the eastern territories, but most of the western and southern forces had been crushed by the barbarians’ surprise attack.
In contrast, the northern soldiers were elite, hardened by harsh environments and constant barbarian raids.
If they arrived, there was a chance to turn the tide.
The problem was whether the capital could hold out until then.
“I command you. I will never abandon this capital, so use all resources to defend the walls.”
Rona knelt, bearing the heavy responsibility.
“I obey, Your Majesty.”
The king looked out at the walls again.
The barbarians’ torches flickered like a massive wave.
‘Please, Theron… Hurry, I beg you.’
As the long night passed and dawn broke, the faint light of morning faintly colored the capital’s walls.
Whether it signaled hope or the start of greater despair, no one could tell.