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?

Matthias' voice rang out from outside the office where Darius was busy, catching him off guard and to lose his focus.


He blinked twice, forgetting what he was even doing before slapping himself.


Matthias entered the room, a small smile on his face. He clearly heard Darius' confusion and was slightly amused by it.


This made Darius himself get embarrassed by presenting such an unsightly demeanor to the new castellan.


"Is there anything you need, Sir Matthias?"


"I have prepared the paperwork to transfer the land rights of those convicted to you."


He placed a pile of paperwork on the desk, all already finished and completed for Darius' sake.


"You should now be able to focus on your work."


Darius sighed in relief. The fact that he didn't need to handle the paperwork for that meant that he had a few hours less of work to deal with.


Chapter 40 - Results of Competence