Published: January 13, 2026
I had been focusing on developing my territory, but finally, a letter arrived from the king.
The Wang family confirmed the successful defense of Count Ferdinand's Domain. The Yelinetta Kingdom significantly pulled back its frontline. Now that the invading forces have retreated back to Yelinetta Kingdom’s territory, this is a golden opportunity. All the northern nobles were to gather their forces and launch a short, decisive campaign to advance into Yelinetta Kingdom’s lands. However, the marquis of Baron Van Nei Fertio, who had a small number of knights in his knight order, was to be excluded from the counterattack.
Reading that far, I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. It seemed His Majesty the King had clearly remembered my request not to be sent to war.
I continued reading, but unsettling words gradually began to appear.
“...In executing the counterattack against Yelinetta Kingdom, designated locations will be used as bases to gather each knight order and strengthen our forces? If we take knights away, won’t the defense become weak? Also... the designated base will be Baron Van Nei Fertio’s territory...?”
Huh? What does that last sentence mean?
Confused, I read the letter again.
“Oh, I just noticed there’s a date too. It says to assemble at Seato Village in Baron Van Nei Fertio’s territory exactly one week from now...”
Huh? This is getting more confusing.
What are they planning to do with such a large army coming to such a tiny territory with only a few knights? The nobles holding lands near the Yelinetta Kingdom likely have tens of thousands of knights in total. Even if half stay behind to defend their own domains, at least twenty to thirty thousand would gather. Plus, the kingdom’s army would join them.
“…At least fifty thousand? Well, if it’s just camping out in the grasslands near the road, that might be okay... but no, we also have to think about food and supplies.”
Despite my confusion, I tried to think about what I should do if what I read was true.
This was a rare chance to expand territory again. Without a doubt, the king and other dignitaries would come along. That meant hosting them would be essential. What a pain.
“They got me... Sure, I’m not leaving my land, and I probably won’t be on the frontline, but I feel like I’ve ended up in the most troublesome position...”
I put the letter down on the desk and involuntarily looked up at the ceiling. Well done, Your Majesty the King.
As I thought this, Til, who had just brought me some tea, tilted her head in front of the desk.
“Lord Van, there’s a furrow between your brows… Is something wrong?”
When she asked, I sighed while waving the letter gently with one hand.
“Dino has come up with an unreasonable demand again... Anyway, let’s start preparing from tomorrow.”
“Dino…? You mean His Majesty the King! You shouldn’t say his name so casually!”
At first, Til looked puzzled by my words, but she quickly changed her tone and panicked. I laughed at her reaction and explained the contents of the letter.
“It looks like they’re launching a counterattack against Yelinetta Kingdom, but for some reason, they’re attacking from my territory instead of Scudetto. Well, I’m glad I don’t have to go to the battlefield, but over fifty thousand soldiers are coming to this small territory. And the king and other nobles will come too... Oh no, even Papa is coming...! Ugh, this is so troublesome!”
As I thought about various unnecessary things and held my head, Til also started to panic along with me.
“Is the marquis coming too!? T-this is terrible! We have to hurry and clean more than usual and prepare the finest ingredients!”
“Huh? That’s what concerns you?”
I couldn’t help but ask. Til’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me.
“That’s important! Lord Van, it’s been over a year since you left the marquis family! Now is the time to show off how much you’ve developed your territory! Let’s all show everyone how wonderful Seato Village has become!”