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?

"I apologize for the lack of hospitality; you did arrive out of nowhere."


Justinian responded as he led Augustus to a part of his palace that offered a great view of the entire city, providing an unobstructed look at the whole divine construction without distractions from the citizens.


Even Cassia herself wasn't present, standing guard outside the room to prevent unwanted visitors from arriving.


"Incredible... something like this is surely from Mithral himself."


Augustus smiled; he was just as stupidly nice and naive as his brother.


Justinian replied as he leaned on a stone archway, waiting for Augustus to finish his observation.


Justinian's eyes widened at Augustus' proposal, causing him to choke on his own spit as he began to cough out.


Justinian leaned over a table, trying to clear his throat as he processed Augustus' words.


Chapter 69 - Archduke Augustus