The Water Magician

Abel was swaying in the royal carriage.

Having departed from the royal capital, he was heading towards the northern part of the kingdom.

Along the way, he stopped by several towns, interacting with the citizens of the kingdom and the local lords, making his way to Carlyle.

Carlyle was the city where the capital of the Duchy of Flitwick had been placed before the War of Kingdom Liberation.

The House of Duke Flitwick was founded by Prince Raymond, and Carlyle boasted the second largest scale in the north.

However, Prince Raymond rebelled against the royal family.

Almost all the nobles in the north participated in this rebellion.

Moreover, the Empire lent its strength, causing the kingdom to fracture.

In the end, Abel, who became king, led the allied forces from the south and west to defeat Raymond's army and the Imperial Army, achieving the reunification of the kingdom.

Naturally, the House of Duke Flitwick was dismantled, and almost all the northern nobles who had conspired in the rebellion were also eliminated.

After placing the entire north under royal management, territories in the north were granted to those who distinguished themselves in the liberation war based on merit.

There were places that became enclaves of southern and western nobles, as well as individuals newly elevated to nobility who acquired lands in the north.

However, it had only been three years since the liberation war.

It was difficult to say that the north was completely stable.

Therefore, for Abel's journey to the north, the Royal Knight Order accompanied him as guards.

In fact, the commander Dantan himself led the Royal Knight Order.

Although Abel felt it was excessive, Dantan firmly stated, "It is our duty to protect your majesty."

With the former commander of the Royal Knight Order, Marquis Heinlein, nodding in agreement as he overheard, there was nothing Abel could do.

"Lady Rhea and Prince Noah will be protected with our lives by the Valkyrie Knight Order," Valkyrie Knight Commander Imogen asserted strongly, leaving Abel with no option but to accept.

"I wish it could have been a more carefree journey..."

Abel's murmuring disappeared into the ceiling of the office without reaching anyone's ears.

The House of Duke Flitwick, which had governed Carlyle, was dismantled after the liberation war.

The newly established house was the House of Duke Rondo.

The current head was Ryo.

The territory, of course, was the Forest of Rondo.

Thus, how to deal with Carlyle was a matter of concern.

After all, it was the city of the traitor Raymond.

Moreover, it was the second largest city in the north.

Not far from the royal capital, especially the surrounding areas were among the kingdom's leading wheat production regions...

Naturally, who would govern it attracted attention throughout the kingdom.

In the midst of this, Abel's answer was to establish the House of Count Carlyle and appoint a new head.

The territory was about half the size of the Duchy of Flitwick.

Yet still, it was a considerable land for a newly established count family.

Many opinions were exchanged, but when the head and wife of the House of Count Carlyle were announced, all the noise quieted down.

This was because many knew that the person was someone whom King Abel trusted the most.

Carlyle Castle, in the audience chamber.

"It has been a while, Warren, Lin."

"It's a pleasure to see you, your majesty..."

Abel greeted, Lin responded, and Warren smiled.

Count Warren of Carlyle and Countess Lin.

It goes without saying that they were two members of the 'Red Sword' led by Abel.

Originally, both Warren and Lin came from noble lineages.

Warren was the eldest son of the Halome family, which had produced generations of 'King's Shields.'

Lin was the second daughter of the House of Earl Shuke.

Since Warren was the only son of the Halome family, he was both the current head of the House of Count Carlyle and the next head of the House of Baron Halome.

This would likely be adjusted in various ways, but for now, that was the situation.

It was not set in stone that the male direct descent would inherit the house... there were quite a few female lords as well.