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?

"Do you wonder why they're keeping you here?"


Justinian leaned against the wall. He understood why the nobles were being confined, but for the princess?


Why leave Justinian to protect her if they can escort her out of the manor with a company of knights to keep her out of harm's way?


The more Justinian thought about it, the less sense it made.


"My father has his reasons," she said. "The other parts of the capital might also be compromised."


Justinian answered bluntly. The capital may be a lot of things, but being defensively weak against assassins? That was completely out of the picture.


The king planned to use the attempted assassination to his advantage, using it as an excuse to finally take out political rivals.


'I'm guessing they are unwilling pawns.'


Chapter 76 - The Grand Ball (6)