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?

Bjorn sat at the head of the table, with seven other nobles with him, his loyal retainers and council, one that was tempered for both governance and battle.


"Right... I'm sorry for waking you all up so early in the morning."


"It's nothing, my lord. If this matter concerns the capital, then waking up at this time is not an issue."


Bjorn nodded before ordering a knight to lay down a map of Snowkeep's current situation, along with updates from Javier himself.


"We are all aware that Snowkeep is surrounded by Rhyne's men, as for Elberich, we don't know yet."


Bjorn stood up, pointing at the encampments that tried to bleed Snowkeep's economy and supply dry, a careful maneuver planned by Rhyne for years.


"But according to one of Lord Justinian's messengers, Bridgeton and Herdrin are as good as gone, the paths alone enough for us to send reinforcements to the duke."


Chapter 45 - In the Dead of Night (5)