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?

As Justinian and Maria continued to be drowned in conversation, the music rising to a crescendo high enough to deafen most conversations, that's when it happened.


A glint of silver heading toward Maria—


Justinian quickly grabbed Maria's sleeves and pulled her back behind him, quickly activating his skills to take care of the situation.


Dagger met blade as Justinian easily parried the would-be assassin, another noble, surprisingly, at least the rank of marquis.


A rank high enough to guarantee him a great life, so why would such an influential figure attempt to assassinate the princess?


A simple kick to the stomach with armored greaves was enough to leave the Marquis clutching in pain on the ground. Justinian's armor had now fully formed, his magical ability at full view.


Chapter 74 - The Grand Ball (4)