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?

The air was sharp with the scent of ink and steel.


A map of the northern territories stretched across the great ebony table, weighed down by daggers and sealed documents. Around it stood the key figures of the duchy, Lucan, Marshal of the Armies; Chancellor Oren; and a handful of grim-faced captains who had fought with Justinian since the rebellion.


Old rookies now trained to be captains in their own right, all of them once from Justinian's own personal army from the night raid.


He looked far less rested than usual, his eyes shadowed, his hands still faintly trembling from the dream he hadn't dared to call a dream. But the moment he stepped forward, all trace of exhaustion vanished behind the mask of command.


Chapter 87 - March of the Faithful