Translator: CinderTL
Ever since King Rodney XVIII officially decreed the vast and strategically vital Yellow Earth region as Hal Duke's fiefdom, the Earl had been plagued by sleepless nights.
Earl Duke fully understood the region's significance. Located in Aldor's northeastern reaches, it guarded the throat of the nation, controlling access to the interior and serving as the Watchers Fortress's crucial rear supply line.
More importantly, this land marked the starting point for Marquis Paul Grayman's thunderous campaign to reclaim lost territories and rebuild the border defenses. Every inch of peace now gracing this land was steeped in the military resources and strategic planning of Alden Town.
Furthermore, without Marquis Grayman's support, the Watchers Legion would have long been crushed beneath the orcish iron hooves. Without his funding, the fortress walls would still be swarming with orcish soldiers.
Hal Duke was acutely aware that all his current glory and power stemmed from Marquis Grayman's influence.
Yet what troubled him even more was why the Royal Family had chosen this precise moment to thrust him into the spotlight.
Earl Duke had come to realize that the Crystal Glare Court had developed a certain wariness toward Paul Grayman.
A powerful lord had risen on the frontier, commanding a formidable army and possessing financial self-sufficiency. Whether truly loyal or not, the Royal Family needed to counterbalance him, to establish a pillar of royal authority in the northern lands of the kingdom, overshadowed by Alden's looming shadow.
This was the instinctive reaction of a political regime, and Hal Duke had been chosen as that pillar.
Three times he wrote to the Crystal Glare Court, earnestly declining this hot-potato fief. He insisted that his talents and virtues were insufficient to govern a Duke's domain, and that he wished only to continue serving the kingdom as commander of the Watchers Legion.
Yet each time, the King personally replied with letters bearing gentle script but unwavering resolve: "This matter has already been decided and publicly announced. Do not refuse again!"
The King further wrote: "I am not merely granting you the Yellow Earth as a fief, but entrusting you with its administration in place of the Watchers Legion. The legion's century of service deserves this land, and as its leader, you must bear this responsibility."
Even more compelling than the King's insistence were the pleas from Hal Duke's former comrades in the Watchers Legion.
The gray-haired veterans of the legion, the Centurions who had survived the bloody battles at the fortress, flocked to Hal Duke, urging him to reconsider. "Lord Duke, haven't you learned from the past? The fortress fell because the Bradley Family, lords of Yellow Earth, secretly allied with the orcs and ambushed us from behind. If this land had been in our hands back then, none of those tragedies would have occurred."
"Marquis Grayman has reclaimed this land for us, but if we hand it over to outsiders again, who can guarantee history won't repeat itself?"
"You're not accepting this fief for yourself, but for the future of the legion. You're the only one who commands the legion's respect and fought alongside Lord Grayman. There's no one more suitable for this role."
These words struck Hal Duke's heart like heavy hammer blows.
He knew he stood at the eye of the storm. On one side was Paul, who had given the legion new life, and on the other was the Royal Family, offering him a great reward. Between gratitude and loyalty, Yellow Earth was both a prize and a test.
If he accepted, he would become a pawn in the Royal Family's game to check Paul's power. But if he refused, he would disappoint the entire legion, from the highest ranks to the lowest, and risk being seen as disloyal to the crown.
Torn between these impossible choices, he made a decision.
Several days after making his decision, Hal Duke rode alone into Alden Town, clad only in a traveler's cloak, without attendants or prior notice. Crossing the stone bridge, he arrived at the gate of the Lord's Manor, presented his calling card to the guard, and requested an audience with Paul.
He waited less than fifteen minutes in the manor's reception hall before Paul strode in, his face beaming with warmth. "Earl Duke, what brings you here?"
Duke rose solemnly, executed a formal knight's salute, and sighed. "I have something I must tell you, for the sake of my conscience."
Paul gestured for him to sit. Duke wasted no time, detailing his appointment to the Yellow Earth, his repeated refusals, and the King's insistence despite them. He also recounted the arguments and entreaties from his legion subordinates.
When he reached the point where he had deduced the Royal Family's intention to use him as a counterweight against Paul, Duke's voice lowered. "I am loyal to the kingdom, but now I fear I have become a blade aimed at you."
After finishing, the Earl looked directly at Paul. "If Lord Grayman believes the Royal Family's appointment is inappropriate, I am willing to petition His Majesty the King to rescind the decree. I would even resign as Commander of the Watchers Legion rather than jeopardize the friendship between Alden and the Watchers."
Paul burst into laughter, leaving Duke momentarily stunned.
"My dear Earl Duke," Paul said, his eyes gleaming with admiration as he stopped laughing. "I knew you were upright, but I never imagined you'd be this upright—traveling all the way to Alden Town just for this matter?"
He rose and walked to the map on the wall, pressing his finger firmly on the Yellow Earth region. "You say the Royal Family wants to use you to keep me in check? Yes, any clear-sighted person can see that. But I understand His Majesty the King's reasoning. If I were in his position, I would do the same."
What else could Paul say in front of Duke? He couldn't exactly start cursing the Crystal Glare Court.
He continued, "But rest assured, if the Yellow Earth were given to anyone else, I might be furious. But if it's given to you, I will support it wholeheartedly."
Duke froze.
Paul turned to face him, his tone utterly sincere. "You are the soul of the Watchers Legion. That land nearly slipped from Aldor's grasp due to betrayal. But under your stewardship, it will become truly secure."
"With a righteous, loyal, and highly respected veteran of the kingdom like you at the helm, what could we possibly fear?"
Duke found himself speechless, his gaze lingering on Paul, his eyes growing slightly warm. He finally understood that Paul didn't see him as a threat, but as a close comrade.
The warmth in the hall gradually increased as the firewood crackled in the fireplace. Duke slowly rose to his feet and executed the Watchers' most solemn military salute.
Then, pressing his right hand to his chest, he spoke with grave solemnity:
"Marquis Paul Grayman, before the Heavenly Father as my witness, I, Hal Duke, swear this day—"
His voice was steady, each word clear and distinct:
"So long as you remain loyal to the kingdom, so long as you continue to protect the people of the Northwest, and so long as your actions do not violate the oaths our ancestors swore to the Royal Family, I will never betray you. I will never obey any order that seeks to harm you or undermine the foundations of the Northwest."
He met Paul's gaze directly. "The walls of Yellow Earth will forever stand shoulder to shoulder with Alden Town, forming a single line of defense. My sword will never be turned against you, nor against the people you protect. Should Crystal Glare ever force me to commit an act against my conscience, I would sooner retire than become a blade aimed at your heart."
Without a doubt, this was a vow of immense weight.
(End of the Chapter)
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