Chapter 100: The Hero of the North (2) (Revised)

Snowflake Tower Terror.
The traitor within.
The Orc army.
I stopped all three conspiracies Dorgon prepared for the northern invasion in the novel.

Although the Snowflake Tower terror couldn’t be completely prevented, the explosion was minor and easy to repair.
Thanks to the slight provocation, the fighting spirit of Snowflake Tower, including Sofia, rose.
We also secured new recruits of Low, one of the masterminds, and could uncover their plans, which turned out to be a greater advantage.

It felt like a major chapter had come to an end.

But as I called it a major chapter, it didn’t mean my work was over.
What I had stopped so far were the masterminds’ “preliminary operations.”
Episode 4’s war hadn’t even started yet.
Since I had stopped all the conspiracies brewing beneath the surface, from now on, I had to focus on preparing for the main war.

In that sense, Grace’s decision to send the orcs back was very wise.

If we had blocked Dorgon’s plans continuously without pause, it could have been dangerous in its own way.
Grace assessed Dorgon as a thorough safety-first strategist commander.
If all his plans failed, he might not have given up but would have devised another conspiracy.
That would have created new incidents not mentioned in the novel, which I wouldn’t know about, making them difficult to stop.

On the other hand, all three conspiracies Dorgon prepared in the novel ended in failure.
Among them, Dorgon was aware of only the failed Snowflake Tower terror attempt.

Although called the second conspiracy for convenience, recruiting Regret Deepsnow happened after the war broke out and hadn’t even been attempted yet.
It might not have been planned at all.

The orc army, after the duel, didn’t join the northern forces but pretended to retreat back to their village according to Grace’s orders.
Dorgon likely didn’t know they had defected.
Even if there was a mole within the orcs siding with the west, with a possibility of information leaks,
they were bound by a blood oath, including a clause forbidding betrayal, so they could not act hostilely toward the north.

We blocked one of the opponent’s moves.
We placed a move on the board before the opponent could.
We replaced the opponent’s stone with ours and painted over it.

Using the game of Go as an analogy, it might seem like a sneaky move.
But since they hadn’t even started the game and tried to place stones first, this was a just and rightful action. Absolutely.

The expeditionary army returned to Wintercannon.
Once again, citizens came out to the streets cheering for the triumphant army.
“Oh?”

In the eyes of the citizens welcoming the expeditionary army, there was wonder and surprise.

What is an expedition? It is war.
When the army returns from war, no matter how brilliant the victory, there are always injuries to some degree.
Tragic deaths can also occur.

Therefore, citizens coming out to welcome the heroes who fought hard to protect the north was partly to show gratitude and respect,
but also to see with their own eyes whether their family had safely returned.

However, there wasn’t a single injured soldier among the returning expeditionary army.
No soldiers walking with bandages or using spears as canes; everyone walked briskly.
There were no soldiers forcing smiles to hide worry from their families. Only those raising both arms, proving their healthy return.

And the opponent this time was the orcs.
Everyone had indirectly experienced the strength of the orcs who had invaded Wintercannon during the Great War.
They remembered how fierce and powerful the orc race was.

Yet, even after fighting those orcs, there were no injuries at all.
That wonder soon turned into curiosity, and just as I thought about asking the family inside what had happened…

“Beloved sons and daughters of the North. I have an announcement for everyone!”

Grace stopped by the square during the victory parade, gathered the citizens, and began her speech.

Every time the expedition returned, Grace had informed the people of the victory, but this was the first time she had gathered everyone together to speak like this.

Curious if something important was to be said, many citizens gathered in the square.

Grace briefly explained the events of the recent expedition to the citizens.

How the orcs were drawn into the West’s conspiracy and advanced into the North, and how they fought and won the duel against the orcs.

She omitted the part about subjugating the orcs.

Since they were still officially enemies, and their joining was kept secret for some plan to be used during the war, the fewer people who knew, the better.

The orcs’ joining the North could be announced after the war.

In fact, if the orcs helped during the war, it would boost the morale of the soldiers.

“…Therefore, there is no longer any external enemy threatening the safety of the North!”

“Waaaaah!”

Cheers erupted at Grace’s words.

To think that they had won by defeating the orcs in a one-on-one duel.

What an exhilarating victory.

Orcs were considered stronger than humans due to their size and strength, but someone had shown by defeating those orcs that humans were stronger.

It was a victory that satisfied the Northern people’s pride.

But that raised a question.

Grace only said the duel was won but didn’t say who had fought.

Who was the hero who showed the spirit of the North and led the victory?

Who was the grateful person who fought and defeated the orc so that their beloved family could safely return home?

As if to meet that expectation, Grace took a breath and continued.

“Then, let me introduce the hero of this expedition to everyone! The honorable Northern Knight, come forward!”

At Grace’s introduction, a knight stepped forward and revealed himself.

Who else could it be?

Some citizens murmured recognizing the knight’s face.

Because he had recently stood proudly before the citizens of Wintercannon.

“He is Sir Luke, the knight who was specially appointed after resolving the Snowflake Tower incident!”

At that, the citizens who had only vaguely remembered him recalled his face and cheered with applause once more.

“Waaaaah!”

The young knight who saved the North from the Snowflake Tower incident had once again shown his prowess.

It’s not only Grace who likes new heroes.

People all welcome and pay attention to the appearance of a hero.

Especially in a fantasy world filled with romance and fairy tales.

At Grace’s nod, the knight drew his sword and raised it high.

At that moment, the brilliant light reflected from the blade spread like lanterns in all directions, and the citizens’ gasps rolled like waves.

The square had become a place praising Sir Luke, the hero of the orc expedition.

‘…Amazing.’

I know this square well.

This was the exact place where my special appointment ceremony was held for resolving the Snowflake Tower incident.

And now, in the very same spot, I’m being introduced to the citizens as the hero who defeated the orcs.

I understand Grace’s intention.

I have already earned sufficient fame among the soldiers, but a hero is ultimately made by the support of the masses.

She has decided to grant me a high status as a knight, even if not as a legendary hero.

Thus, a young hero beloved by the people of the North is born, and coincidentally, that hero belongs to the Northern Duke’s guard.

Neither the Snowflake Tower, the knight order, nor the military can covet me.

And if a noble family tries to take me as a son-in-law, Ileine will make sure to block it.

Starting from the Snowflake Tower incident, my hero-making process was completed—bringing stability to the people’s lives, securing the next generation of talent, and strengthening the Duke’s power.
True to being a professional duke, Grace was no ordinary politician.

But what I found impressive wasn’t Grace’s political skill.

It was clear why she told me to gain fame if I wanted to become a knight for the North.
This must be the true power of fame.
It seemed like showing this to me was part of her intention.

Until now, I had been trying hard to change the course of events but still moved while hiding behind Grace’s shield.
Seeing this scene made me reconsider.

‘It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest. But just as Grace said, right now I need status and fame.’

The cases I’ve solved so far were, strictly speaking, either mentioned only in character dialogues in the novel or briefly covered at the start of episode 4.
To be blunt, within episode 4, they were subplots rather than the main story.

On the other hand, the challenges I will face next are the main stories from episode 4 of <Brave Road>.
The war with the West, the confrontation with the Seven Heroes Dorgon.
Huge incidents will occur beyond any comparison to now, and the villain factions’ movements will become more active.

Then I need to move more proactively than before.
To do that, I need the power to move people in my hands.
That source of power is the fame Grace just showed me.

Of course, even if I don’t intervene actively, since episode 4 in the novel ends with the North’s victory, we will eventually win.

‘The story development is already gradually changing.’

Originally, Lao wouldn’t have come to the North, and the Ice Crystal might have been destroyed.
According to him, because of his failure, Mercy—who was supposed to appear in the next episode—can now move.

Because I don’t know what kind of butterfly effects my actions might cause, I must not let my guard down and prepare thoroughly.
Besides,

‘Even though it ended with the North’s victory, the damage was severe.’

It was a fierce battle with the West, and it was only with the hero joining our side that the war was won. The North also suffered no small losses.
At the end of episode 4, Grace said she wanted to help Aran but regretted that the damage was too great to do so.

Already, just saving Snowflake Tower intact, securing the Ice Crystal, and the orcs’ joining drastically reduced the damage on our side.
But if I get complacent and even one person near me gets hurt—someone like Ileine?
I would probably blame my own negligence for life. I can’t let that happen.
Though in war it’s impossible to win without any casualties… I will save as many people as possible.
That was the new goal I embraced.

Also, if the North defeats the West in this war with fewer casualties than in the novel and gains some breathing room,
there’s hope I might be able to create positive changes even after episode 4.

I mustn’t be arrogant.
I was possessed while watching episode 6, so I don’t know the exact ending of this novel.

The ending of <Brave Road> belongs to Aran, the hero, so it’s not really my place to intervene, nor do I have the ability.
But to live my happy fantasy life, he must win perfectly.
So it’s mutually beneficial to help as much as I can while staying in the North.

‘Alright, I’ll fully commit to this.’

I even introduced myself as a knight who protects the North.
If I can gain the power to protect the North, I’m willing to become a hero as much as needed.