NOVEL WEB Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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As I was reincarnated into this world and took charge of Ruben, there’s a thought that often crossed my mind.
The northeastern part of the Altain Empire is, in many ways, an ambiguous region.
To the west of the northeast lies the Duchy of the North. To the south are the territories of nobles centered on the major cities of the east.
This northeast region, caught between those two, would have been easily absorbed by either the north or the east over the 500-year history of Altain.
Yet, this area naturally maintained its distinct identity as a separate region, apart from the cardinal directions.
The reason it wasn’t absorbed by neighboring regions is quite simple—it boasted strong individuals.
Since the northeast is close to the Duchy, monsters of bizarre forms often appear. Additionally, colossal beasts would crawl out of the mountains.
As things that could easily rip ordinary people apart frequently showed up, the residents of the northeast had to twist themselves into survival mode and, ultimately, grew powerful.
When a cluster of strong individuals gathers, how could surrounding regions hope to compete?
The Duchy of the North focused solely on maintaining the front lines. Expanding territory would only increase unneeded management areas. There was little interest in other regions, and instead, a fairly cooperative relationship existed, with the Duchy providing necessary supplies and troops.
However, the east was full of ambition. The northeast clashed often with the eastern region, and the result was always a victory for the northeast. Defeating the east was, in a way, an expected outcome.
Over time, such events piled up, allowing the northeast to remain a distinct region up to the present.
The problem is that there are no standout specialties or important mining zones here; it’s merely a place where the people are a bit stronger.
One advantage might be that mercenaries hailing from the northeast are highly valued, particularly those from the largest area, the Hasen Viscounty, whose mercenary units command a special fee.
Apart from that, it’s a bothersome and annoying region frequently threatened by strange monsters and beasts…
And proportionate to these threats, there are no special benefits.
Had I the opportunity to choose a starting place, I would have undoubtedly excluded the northeast without hesitation.
And so, the more you know about the northeast, the more ambiguous it appears. Even the fact that the people here are a bit stronger isn’t a huge advantage when one considers mana wielders or knights.
Still, the reason I stirred up the empire and made my way to the northeast in the end comes down to two things: one, that it’s my birthplace—a small but meaningful reason—and the other, that it’s one of the few regions that remains neutral, unlike those aligned with factions.
Among neutral regions, the northeast is by far the largest. And I am rather close to the Grand Lord who governs this area.
“It’s been a while since your national tour. Lord Macbilian, you’ve become harder to see than before.”
A middle-aged noble with the bulk of a bear grinned, revealing dazzling white teeth. His brown hair was carelessly swept back, revealing a broad forehead. A long scar ran horizontally across his nose, making quite an impression.
Leonhardt Hasen.
The Grand Lord representing the northeast still looked as robust and healthy as ever.
Ignoring the bulging muscles pressing against his casually worn formal clothes, he began speaking.
“Let’s cut the formalities since it’s only the two of us anyway.”
“Haha!”
Leonhardt laughed heartily, patting his sturdy thigh.
I’ve always felt that this man differed from the typical noble. It’s not just his straightforward personality that tosses complications aside—it’s also his preference for throwing himself into action rather than giving orders.
If Leonhardt had been born in modern times, he’d probably have been the type to greet you at the gym with a shaker of protein in his hand. He seemed closer to a muscle-bound knight obsessed with physical training than a noble.
As his thunderous voice echoed, and I was about to cover my ears, Leonhardt stopped laughing and spoke with an excited tone.
“Shall we do that? Hey, Cain! How’s life in the capital? Have you eaten some good stuff? I indulged my palate when I went to the capital. The food here is all great, but it’s too bland for my liking.”
From the moment he entered, his posture had been rigid, but now he sprawled lazily across the sofa.
I’ve known him since I was ten—has it been ten years already? Despite the years, neither his appearance nor his personality has changed. Still, considering his effort to maintain some decorum, he might have grown up just a bit.
“The food was delicious… but it was greasy as always. Life in the capital…”
I paused briefly as memories surfaced.
Battle, battle, battle, study, and a touch of poison.
“…was somewhat troublesome, but not unpleasant. I also met a beautiful—and terrifying—wife.”
At the mention of a wife, a sense of amazement flickered in Leonhardt’s eyes.
“I saw her briefly during your national tour. Passing the selection exam, huh? It’s no surprise from you. When I heard you left for the capital with just a single letter—it was quite a shock!”
“At the time, there was no choice. The schedule was too tight.”
“Well, as long as it all went smoothly, right?”
Leonhardt waved his hand dismissively.
“Sowen! Sowen! Bring tea, two cups! The usual!”
An uproarious shout, and the door to the audience chamber opened as a maid with crimson hair entered.
“What is it, Sowen? Did you prepare the tea already?”
“You always call around this time. I prepared it ahead of schedule.”
The maid smoothly set down the teacups and left the room.
I picked up the steaming cup and took a sip.
“Hmm.”
Still a fan of sweetness, I see.
As I frowned and set the cup down, Leonhardt caught my eye after downing his piping-hot tea in one gulp.
“Alright, then,” he said seriously.
The joviality from moments before felt like an illusion.
The Grand Lord of the northeast summoned mana, his eyes gleaming with a hint of blue.
“Are you dragging us into the squabbles of the central nobles?”
Leonhardt’s black eyes flashed with a faint blue light.
Surrounding us, the distinctive aura of a mana wielder began to emanate. I can now visibly see the mana swirling around him like a storm.
‘He seems ordinary most of the time… but he’s sharp when it comes to certain matters.’
That’s probably why he was chosen as the Grand Lord of the northeast.
I observed the blue flow slowly spreading through the audience chamber before answering his question.
“It’s not about dragging you in—it’s about excluding you.”
“Excluding?”
A gaze filled with curiosity. As I looked at the small blue flames burning steadily at the core of Leonhardt, I spoke.
“During the selection exam, the northeast provided certification for my identity, didn’t it?”
“That’s right. It was quite the effort to prepare it all in such a rush.”
As he rubbed his jaw and murmured, I nodded and continued.
“The central nobles are sure to be riled up. I’ve been stirring up the empire under the name of Iris since becoming a duke. Officially, it’s to investigate and punish acts of rebellion. Of course, there are other reasons, and several heads have indeed rolled.”
To cover as much imperial territory as possible, speed was crucial.
To move fast, there had to be no interference. If the central nobles had known my movements in advance, they’d have meddled in countless ways.
That’s why I concentrated my knights’ training, concealed information about the event, and quietly left the capital.
The results were successful.
Would the central nobles, who were suddenly attacked, behave properly?
“There’s nothing they can do to me by force. Eventually, they’ll have no choice but to focus on me.”
I dealt with every assassin that came during my journey to the capital. Even the guys I met during the selection exam and the mana wielder Eidan Brayden were beaten. And to top it all off, I handled the bizarre monsters summoned by the Black Rain.
The methods to counter an individual with great strength are few—either dig an overwhelming trap from which they cannot escape or interfere with the people around them.
My father and mother passed away long ago, and my only blood relatives, my two younger siblings, are studying in the Hasen Viscounty.
“Where else but the northeast could offer a suitable target?”
The northeast, which claims neutrality but is essentially part of the Macbilian faction, certified my identity and has ties to the past.
“They could block all my upward channels and isolate me or interfere militarily, just by being associated with me.”
Attacking the northeast would be effective. Needless bloodshed might occur. That’s why I came here.
“I plan to deal with a few nobles before I leave. The Earl Consellos, whom I defeated in a territorial war, and those who supported him.”
Although the nobles who lost in the territorial war are absorbed under Lord Hasen and quietly manage their territories,
Leonhardt and I know that they’re connected to the central, specifically the eastern factions, and they haven’t given up yet.
“…”
Leonhardt bowed his head slightly.
After slowly drumming his fingers on the armrest, he turned his gaze toward me.
“…How much do you plan to clean up?”
“Two hardworking guys… and this manor.”
“The manor?”
Leonhardt, having calmed his mana, widened his eyes.
“Will the eastern nobles be fooled if it’s just about factions? We need to show them that the Grand Lord of the northeast stands against me. So before I leave, I’ll destroy the manor.”
A strange sound escaped Leonhardt as he stared at me blankly. I’ve never seen him this flustered.
“My manor? The masterpiece painstakingly created by the finest artisans of the Eastern Continent? Why?”
“I can’t exactly destroy you and your knights, can I?”
The nonchalant response made Leonhardt clutch his forehead.
“…Just the annex will do.”
“The main building has to go. Can the annex alone stand against a mana wielder?”
“But this thing is worth how much…”
What was that grumbling sound coming from him? I asked.
“Do you want to handle all the schemes of the central nobles alone? I wouldn’t mind, though.”
Leonhardt sighed deeply.
“Do as you wish… but at least make it look like you’re holding me back.”
“Of course.”
At his solemn nod, tinged with sadness, I smiled and raised my cup.
After sipping the cloyingly sweet tea that tingled my tongue, I called his name as he mumbled something.
“Lord Hasen.”
“What now…? That doesn’t suit you.”
Looking into the deep black eyes of the Grand Lord of the northeast, I slowly began to speak.
“The time has come to swallow the east.”
Silence enveloped the room.
“…”
The emotionless gaze Leonhardt fixed on me.
The words I was about to say were not from Cain of Ruben but from an imperial decree of the empress—a message from Duke Macbilian to the ruler of the northeast.
“When I sever the head of one of the dukes of the empire, it will be Kiersen Lucanov, the representative of the eastern faction.”
Kiersen will die eventually. I will make it happen, and it is Iris’s wish.
“Several other nobles of the east will likely perish in the process. Then the east will be an empty shell that someone must claim.”
Someone needed to clean up the mess once the giant of the east was gone. My intention was to install Leonhardt in that role.
“Thus, it seems I will finally be able to repay the favor from long ago. Does this suit you?”
One day, drunk, Leonhardt had calmly talked about his wish: the pacification of the eastern region.
The northeast and east had clashed for a long time, and while most encounters ended in victory for the northeast, people lived with a lingering anger in their hearts.
So, as the duke addressing the Grand Lord,
Is your ambition to conquer the east still unchanged?
After quietly listening, the Grand Lord responded to my inquiry.
“What can I do to help, Duke?”
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