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?

Javier marvelled, seeing the beautiful sight of Vesuvian's natural impenetrable walls that were larger than mountains, walls that were attached near an inactive volcano, one that hosted a city that survived disaster and invasions for countless centuries.


Vesuvian was the Thirell duchy's biggest vassal in terms of military strength after all.


"I still can't believe you managed to take them all out."


The two took time to regain their strength, tired from the chase and the recent battle they had fought, as they started to feel the strain and negative effects of wearing such heavy armor.


"Explain yourselves! Before I rain down arrows upon you both."


A sudden voice rang out; it was Bjorn Vesuvian himself, wearing full battle gear, his face stern and strict as he projected his voice with his god's gift.


Chapter 44 - In the Dead of Night (4)