A weary historian dies and finds himself in a different world awakened in a life as the notorious young Duke of a southern state. His nation is weakened, his army underfed, and his neighbors revolve around his lands menacingly. No one believes his land is going to hold out until winter.

But this newfound duke is no naive simpleton his enemies recollect. He carries with him the experience of centuries of war and empire, of starting and ending monarchies. From Caesar to Napoleon, from the Mongols to world wars, he has learned from each of them—and his strategy is to make history his very own arms.

He organizes his smashed levies into well-trained formations, rebuilds his castles, and turns his villages into supply centers. Where others see defeat, he senses opportunity. As he triumphs, rumors spread: of a pennant red as winter snow that shall not go to ground, of a bloody duke who writes his name in gore and flame.

Is he a savior who's constructing a new empire, or a tyrant who's going to bring the world to endless war?

*** Snowkeep - South Eastern District ***


Darius and the new worker stood at a nearby ledge that overlooked the entire left side of the city, with Darius holding a ledger of the budget while the new one had his arms crossed with full confidence.


The man who was blessed by Justinian, and due to that, probably the best architect who had ever existed since the creation of the entire duchy.


Melbourne said with confidence, gesturing at the overall idea of his build —a huge aqueduct capable of delivering fresh water from the snowy mountains that covered the Thirell Duchy's borders.


The largest known high altitude source of water that was ever discovered on the continent, a boon to all who trekked the mountains in search of more opportunities.


And now, Martin Melbourne planned to use it for the benefit of the entire capital.


"H-how do you plan even to construct that?"


Chapter 62 - The Recipes For Construction