Chapter 264

I had changed.

I had changed a lot.

I could feel that I had become a new person.

And…

* * *

Winter in the north was unchanging.

Endless snowfall and bitter cold.

A climate that those accustomed to warmer temperatures would find unbearable even for a few days.

That’s why the northerners were tough and resilient.

They were warriors.

And among them, the barbarians of the snowy plains were special.

They lived in the harshest environment.

That’s why they were exceptionally strong.

Because only the strong could survive there.

In one such place on the snowy plains,

A bloody battle was raging.

Their appearance alone revealed their barbarian origins.

Their bodies were covered in tattoos.

For barbarians, tattoos symbolized their strength and served as a mark of intimidation against their enemies.

Therefore, all barbarians who had undergone their coming-of-age ceremony and were recognized as warriors were covered in tattoos.

And among those tattoos, there was one that they always had: their tribe’s symbol.

On the side of their neck.

The barbarians currently engaged in battle had tattoos of an eagle and a bear, respectively.

The White Eagle Tribe and the Black Bear Tribe.

Two of the five barbarian tribes that ruled the snowy plains were clashing.

The fierce battle was gradually tilting in favor of one side.

The White Eagle Tribe, having won the fight on the left flank, was now pressing their advantage, flanking the Black Bear Tribe from both sides.

The Black Bear Tribe’s formation crumbled.

They desperately tried to push back, but it was incredibly difficult to recover from a disadvantageous position.

They were steadily being pushed back.

“Damn it, you fools! Hold the line! Hold the line! They’re just as exhausted as we are!”

Nergui, the Chief of the Black Bear Tribe, roared at the top of his lungs.

He was desperate, as this was a battle they couldn’t afford to lose, a battle where everything was at stake.

But.

Their center finally collapsed.

“Aaaaaargh!”

“Ugh!”

The Black Bear warriors in the center fell, their death throes echoing through the air.

A one-eyed man, riding a blood-red horse, charged through the opening.

It was Darkhan, the Chief of the White Eagle Tribe.

Darkhan the One-Eyed.

“Darkhan, you bastard!”

Nergui roared, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Darkhan.

Darkhan didn’t react to his shout.

He simply continued his charge, his eyes cold and focused.

His horse was heading straight for Nergui.

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

“Die!”

Nergui hurled his massive lance at Darkhan with all his might.

*Whoosh!*

The lance flew with terrifying speed and power.

But at that moment,

“Jump.”

Darkhan muttered softly.

And then,

Nergui’s vision turned red.

He realized that it was the body of Darkhan’s large red horse, and then the lance pierced his head.

*Thud!*

The lance penetrated his skull, and a fountain of blood erupted from Nergui’s shattered head.

It was over.

‘That’s the first one.’

There was no joy or satisfaction in Darkhan’s eyes.

Because he was looking much further ahead.

The unification of the snowy plains, a feat no one had ever achieved.

That seemingly impossible goal was his dream.

No, it was just the beginning.

His true goal was to conquer the entire northern territory of the empire.

Everyone would call him crazy.

But Darkhan was serious.

The first step was always the hardest.

Now that he had subdued the Black Bear Tribe, it would be much easier to conquer the remaining tribes with his increased power.

If he could unify the snowy plains and consolidate his power,

‘Becoming the ruler of the north wouldn’t be just a dream.’

Darkhan’s gaze turned towards the distant horizon.

Whiteheaven.

Where his final opponent awaited.

‘Just wait a little longer.’

*Neigh!*

Darkhan turned his horse around.

* * *

Whiteheaven, the capital of the north, the city of snow and ice.

The domain of the Ernbert Marquisate, the rulers of the north, was bustling with activity.

Because a special guest was arriving.

“That bastard is coming?”

“Shh, be careful what you say.”

“Why? Everyone knows he made our Lady suffer.”

“That’s true, but… Haven’t you heard the rumors that he’s changed?”

“Hmph, people don’t change. He’s just pretending now that he’s in trouble.”

“You’re right. Poor Lady.”

Max Celtrine’s reputation in Whiteheaven was openly negative.

It was understandable, considering everyone knew that he had wronged Regina, who was beloved by the people.

Anyway,

Max and his companions were almost at Whiteheaven.

* * *

‘That’s Whiteheaven.’

A white castle, its walls covered in snow, came into view.

Despite its reputation as an impregnable fortress, a castle that had never been conquered, its size wasn’t particularly impressive.

It was a stark contrast to Schwarzfels, the Iron City, which was also known for its impregnability, surrounded by tall and sturdy walls.

But I knew.

That this sight symbolized the true essence of the Ernbert family, one of the greatest martial families in the empire.

It wasn’t walls that protected a castle, but people.

The power of people was the greatest and most fundamental power.

The strength of the Ernbert family, renowned for its skilled knights and powerful soldiers, came from its people, not its castle.

“It’s been a while, Young Master.”

Hank, the captain of the Celtrine Knights, said.

“Indeed.”

I nodded.

I had no memories of my past life, so this was technically my first time here, but that was a secret I had to keep to myself.

“And you, Sir Hank?”

“Haha, it’s my first time since then as well.”

It seemed like Hank had also accompanied me as an escort when I had visited both families to exchange greetings during the engagement ceremony.

“Heh, I imagine your feelings are quite different this time.”

“They are. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.”

We weren’t just here to pay a courtesy visit to my fiancée’s family.

Our true purpose was to provide final support for the large-scale barbarian subjugation, a joint effort between our two families.

The Celtrine family would provide the supplies and funds.

The Ernbert family would provide the troops.

That basic division of roles wouldn’t change, but neither Count Celtrine nor I wanted to sit back and do nothing.

That’s why I, the heir, was personally leading the Celtrine Knights to Whiteheaven.

Of course, the Celtrine Knights were known for their mediocrity.

And it was true.

But the current Celtrine Knights were different.

Because my orders, authorized by Count Celtrine, to actively participate in monster subjugations in other territories, had been carried out.

They had gained valuable experience and honed their skills by assisting smaller territories that were desperate for help in dealing with monster infestations.

As a result, the current Celtrine Knights were now at a decent level.

Of course, they were still no match for the Ernbert Knights, who we were about to meet.

But they were definitely a force to be reckoned with, a valuable asset in this war.

I was certain of it.

And,

“It’s reassuring to have you all here. Young Master Croycher, Lady Lyle.”

I said with a smile.

The two young nobles looked at me with expressions of utter horror.

It was understandable, considering that the Young Master Croycher was Camian, and the Lady Lyle was Annette.

“…Ugh, are you trying to scare us to death?”

Camian shuddered.

“T-That was creepy.”

Annette also shivered.

“I was just trying to lighten the mood, you guys.”

I chuckled.

I hadn’t brought them here just because they were easy to order around.

The Croycher and Lyle territories were also technically part of the north.

It meant they were involved as well.

But they hadn’t brought any troops.

Their territories were too small to have any significant military force, and the Ernbert family hadn’t issued a mobilization order.

This subjugation was being kept strictly confidential, even the people of Whiteheaven were unaware of it.

If information leaked out, the enemy would surely prepare countermeasures.

The five barbarian tribes could unite and fortify their defenses in a strategic location, or they could even abandon the snowy plains and retreat further north, employing a scorched earth tactic.

It was a viable tactic, considering that maintaining a large army for an extended period would be a burden even for the Ernbert family.

In any case, it would only make the war more difficult.

The Ernbert family’s leadership was well aware of this.

Both Lobel, the acting head of the family, and Regina, my fiancée.

That’s why they had kept it a secret.

Even when procuring supplies, the Celtrine family had used merchants as a cover, transporting them in small batches.

They had been secretly stockpiled in underground warehouses.

As a result, Whiteheaven now had enough food and weapons to support a large army.

We were fully prepared.

All that remained was,

Of course, one thing.

“Oh, Young Master, the gates are opening.”

Hank said.

I was watching too.

The gates of Whiteheaven were opening.

It wasn’t a coincidence, but a welcoming party.

We were special guests, after all.

And the person who would be welcoming us, or rather, me, was probably,

‘Yes, it must be you.’

I smiled faintly as I saw Regina approaching, riding a snow-white horse.

* * *

Whiteheaven was peaceful.

It was hard to believe that a major military expedition was about to be launched from here.

It wasn’t a bad thing.

The barbarians’ spies would think the same.

To deceive the enemy, you had to deceive your own people first.

“Did you hear the news?”

Regina, riding next to me, spoke softly.

“What news?”

“The White Eagle Tribe defeated the Black Bear Tribe in a war and subjugated them.”

“They finally made their move.”

I nodded, my expression unsurprised.

But that was just my perspective. To others, it would be a shocking development.

Because the delicate balance of power between the five barbarian tribes had remained unbroken for centuries.

“Once again, things are unfolding according to your predictions.”

Regina’s reaction was different, of course.

Because she believed in me and trusted my judgment.

If it wasn’t for her active support, this large-scale subjugation, a joint effort between our two families, wouldn’t have even been possible.

“It’s a good thing. We have a chance to extinguish the fire before it spreads.”

“I agree.”

“By the way,” I changed the subject.

“It seems like I’m quite hated by the people here.”

“You want to hear it from me?”

“Haha, no, there’s no need for that.”

I chuckled.

To the people of Whiteheaven, I was nothing more than a thief.

A thief who had stolen their beloved Lady.

And my past actions towards her only made things worse. It would have been strange if they had welcomed me with open arms.

“Well, things will change after this is over.”

I said casually.

“I’m counting on it.”

“You’re the only one who’s counting on it.”

The acting head of the family and the Ernbert Knights wouldn’t have any expectations for me or the Celtrine Knights.

The Celtrine family’s contribution, providing supplies and funds, was enough.

They would probably see our presence here as nothing more than a formality.

It made things easier for me.

Because there was no pressure.

“Show me.”

“Hmm?”

“That you’re worthy of being my husband.”

Regina added a bit of pressure, as if she couldn’t stand my nonchalance.

It was a pleasant pressure.

I smiled.

“I will.”

Because I had changed.

My eyes, filled with unwavering confidence, gleamed.