episode_0018

Originally Beorn Changbaek, Obert Encinas de Beorn, was a born warrior.

Ever since he could mount a saddle without anyone’s help, young Changbaek wielded his sword, standing against heretics who crossed the mountains to battle beyond.

While other noble children frolicked in their parents’ embrace, he faced off against heretics on the battlefield, the metallic tang of blood in the air, sharpening his blade with the blood of youth.

Even on his birthday, a once-in-a-lifetime event, he laughed heartily with his rowdy subordinates in a filthy tent filled with beer.

Though his hair was now streaked with gray, he still led troops at the forefront.

He no longer fought on the front lines but occasionally swiftly dispatched heretics charging towards him.

Thus, Obert naturally felt an instinctual aversion towards the soft, pampered nobles of the capital.

He was a man of swords more than words.

The incessant chatter of courtiers grated on his ears.

Indeed, the reason why he couldn’t stomach the parasites clinging to the Western lord who visited the capital after so long was precisely that.

In contrast, Obert admired battle-hardened warriors.

Seeing children play-fighting with sticks on the streets made him involuntarily smirk like a mischievous elder.

Engaging in endless discussions about an unknown knight and his swordsmanship, he became a foolish old man for a day.

Naturally, Obert harbored vague fondness for Dimitri Blanczar Verbritz, the Empire’s Sword and the North’s Guardian.

Even if the Grand Duke stood beyond a drawn curtain with his precious daughter.

“Yes, a man like him can be trusted with our daughter.”

Obert simply chuckled and nodded.

#.

“Oh, uh… Changbaek. Um, don’t misunderstand.”

The Grand Duke’s voice, previously gentle, changed abruptly.

At the unexpected arrival of someone, the Grand Duke’s dark eyes darted around.

Obert looked at the Grand Duke and grinned broadly.

“Hahaha. Your Grace! I wanted to introduce you from the train station, but it worked out well.”

His laughter echoed down the corridor to the far end as Obert laughed heartily.

Soon, Obert’s rough hand gently pushed Eleanor’s white back wrapped in a pure dress forward.

“Come, Eli. Greet him. His Grace, Duke Dimitri.”

Under his touch, Eleanor alternated between looking at the Duke and her father’s faces.

Frankly, she wasn’t keen.

He had just been eyeing her up. She felt like punching that cheeky face of his.

However, seeing the Duke’s wrinkled face soften at her father’s words, Eleanor momentarily set aside her thoughts and became a demure noble lady, bowing her head before the Duke.

“I am Eleanor Arena de Beorn, Your Grace.”

Her voice was clear and pristine.

Even a man drunk on alcohol would find clarity in her voice, a refreshing tone that could instantly clear a muddled mind.

However, the Duke, despite her soothing voice, raised his hand to his temple.

Just moments ago, the girl before him was a mischievous, cute child throwing tantrums.

Thinking of the younger sister left in the North, the Duke teased the girl even more, reminiscing about his sibling.

She was undoubtedly that girl.

Before she knew it, she had become an elegant lady, showing respect to herself in this way.

Moreover, it was clear from her father’s expression that he was trying to link his daughter and himself.

Is this how people from the West are originally?

Or is it natural for women to change like this?

In response to the courteous greeting, the Grand Duke couldn’t help but bow to the girl who had just been teased.

“I am Dmitry Blanczar Verbritzra. Young lady, I must apologize for my rudeness earlier.”

Eleanor exaggerated her voice even more in the distorted expression of the Grand Duke occasionally visible behind her heavily made-up face.

“No, it’s not necessary. I’m just embarrassed to show a rude appearance in front of Your Grace.”

And as the two masked figures engaged in their play, Obert, who was watching the scene with satisfaction, took a step back behind them, observing the two closely.

Obert chuckled and quietly addressed Daphne, who stood behind the two quietly.

“My daughter, but such a well-matched couple. Don’t you think so too?”

“Yes, they complement each other very well.”

Unlike Obert, there was no emotion in Daphne’s voice.

However, contrary to her cold tone, the corners of her mouth were subtly turning up.

Obert seemed quite satisfied with Daphne’s response.

Nodding his thin head up and down, Obert looked at Dmitry.

“Your Grace, would you consider visiting our townhouse soon?”

“T-Townhouse?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected invitation, Dmitry stumbled a bit in his words.

“It’s fate that we’ve met like this. Please join us for a meal with my daughter. I actually wanted to bring it up at the station, but you disappeared from sight.”

“Ahaha… That’s right.”

Dmitry smoothly brushed off Obert’s earnest gaze with a charming smile.

But the man from the West was not one to easily let go of his prey.

“Anyway, come to our townhouse for a meal. Take this opportunity to have a sincere conversation with my daughter.”

“Baron Blanczar, I appreciate the invitation, but my affairs are in disarray-”

“You wouldn’t just cast aside my daughter while being together on the balcony, would you?”

A spark flashed in Dmitry’s eyes as he caught Blanczar’s brown eyes in an instant.

Of course, that wouldn’t happen. Dmitry felt that way as he met Blanczar’s gaze.

“Th-then I’ll try to make time…”

“Great! Let me know a convenient time, and I will prepare and send a carriage. Hahaha.”

The blonde woman, the Empire’s sword and the guardian of the North, Dmitry Blanczar Verbritz, messed up the thoughts in the Grand Duke’s head before leaving the balcony.

Alone again on the balcony, Dmitry looked at Daphne with a distressed expression.

“Oh no, Daphne. I think I’ve messed up.”

In a fresh voice not fitting her glamorous title, Daphne responded to her whining lord.

“Your Grace, if you were a Baron, it wouldn’t be so bad, I think.”

“What? Not so bad?”

Dmitry stood up in frustration.

But Daphne seemed quite accustomed to her lord’s behavior.

“In any case, Your Grace can’t live alone forever, can you?”

“Well… I wish that were true.”

Ignoring Dmitry’s cool response, Daphne continued speaking.

“Frankly, if it’s Miss Eleanor, shouldn’t Your Grace bow and take her away?”

No, what about me! Isn’t it okay if it’s me? Am I not good-looking enough?

Dmitri, fuming, was about to snap at Daphne with a sharp remark.

However, he had to swallow back those words as they rose to his lips, prompted by a sudden thought.

Contrary to her intimidating first impression, Eleanor, the polite lady in white, exuded an unparalleled innocence beyond her pristine dress.

Recalling her image in his mind, Dmitri couldn’t help but agree with Daphne, both objectively and subjectively.

The Empire’s sword and the guardian of the North were not men devoid of conscience.

Daphne’s voice then grew more solemn.

“As you’ve mentioned all along, the movements beyond the barrier are unsettling. Yet, isn’t the Emperor avoiding not just provisions and support, but even meetings with Your Excellency?”

Dmitri nodded quietly at her words.

The situation in the North was far from ideal, with about 90% of the problem revolving around food shortages.

Surviving last winter was already a close call; unable to reduce the rations of the soldiers and knights guarding the walls, the northern territories’ inhabitants suffered, leading to growing discontent among the people.

The barren land made farming challenging, and while they barely made it through last winter, this upcoming one posed a real threat. Even the food storages of the Duke of Verberitz were running low since the end of the previous winter.

That’s why the Duke had personally come down to the capital.

“Well, no matter how you look at it, what can you do with bloodless kids?”

With a deep sigh sinking into the plush carpet beneath him, Daphne gently flicked Dmitri’s short blond hair.

“Your Excellency, Lady Eleanor is only a year younger than you. You and Lord Albriss are of the same age. The age gap isn’t significant enough to warrant insults.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Anyway, the Baron of Beaurne is in dire straits and simply doesn’t have the time for this kind of-”

“If that’s what you mean, I will also inform the Duchess truthfully about everything that has happened.”

Touching upon his only weakness, his former subordinate, Dmitri, shouted without regard for his own status.

“Really! Where do you get off threatening me like that!”

“It’s just one dinner. If His Majesty wants to meet her, why are you so uncomfortable meeting a lovely lady with such grace?”

“Fine, fine, I get it!”

Dmitri declared surrender, tousling his well-groomed black hair.

“Daphne, organize a schedule and inform the Baron of the changes.”

At the command of his master, Daphne’s short hair fluttered up and down.

Though she was the ruler who could cut through a troll’s thick skin or an ogre’s hide in a single stroke.

Every time she witnessed this sight, Daphne couldn’t help but wonder if this reckless man was truly the Empire’s sword and the guardian of the North.

#3. In the Magnificent Hall and Beneath the Dark Balcony – End