Episode 84 I’ll negotiate. (3)
Jiselle looked down at Lowell with a hollow laugh.
I don’t know if it was being generous or thoughtless, but I was definitely curious.
Unlike those fools who rely on pity, excuses, or just talk about conventions, this guy starts by proving his usefulness.
That part alone made him different from the others.
Besides, he seemed quite confident in his abilities.
Giselle giggled and nodded at Gillian.
“For now, put that guy on hold. Lock him up in jail.”
Since he served as an advisor not only in administration but also in troop management, he must have a lot of knowledge about the preparations for and progress of the war.
I was planning to question him separately later and see if it really helped.
“Go, thank you!”
Lowell bowed his head, tears streaming down his face as if he had been dragged out of hell.
It may be temporary, but for now, it’s a lifesaver.
Gordon, who was leading him, whispered softly with an expression of admiration.
“I’ve never seen anyone calculate as fast as you in my life. When you’re that fast, making a few mistakes isn’t a problem! Later, teach me how to calculate too.”
“… … .”
Gordon seemed genuinely respectful.
Lowell kept his mouth shut, unable to say anything in reply.
If I hit the gong here, I felt like I would really end up on the same level as the guy in front of me.
Even after Lowell was taken away, the sorting of personnel continued for some time.
Many people died and those who survived were terrified.
Skoban couldn’t stop Giselle. He just stamped his feet, saying, “This shouldn’t be happening, this shouldn’t be happening.”
“The Forest Guard of the Demonic Forest will remain here to maintain security. Father will soon send additional troops. As for the remaining soldiers of Digald, lock them in the prison and just watch.”
“Yes, okay. I understand.”
There weren’t many soldiers, so that wasn’t a problem.
Skoban answered hurriedly and glanced at Giselle.
It seemed like they had planned to bring us here from the beginning.
After finishing organizing the personnel and checking the remaining assets and supplies at Digald Castle, Giselle took a day off.
The mercenaries were tired and their physical condition was not good, so they had to get at least some rest.
The way back to Ferdium Castle wasn’t as hectic as when we chased after Thamos, so we moved relatively slowly.
When they arrived at the castle two days later, the atmosphere in the Ferdium estate was completely different from before they left.
“Wow!”
When Jiselle and the mercenaries appeared, all the people of the territory ran out and cheered.
Although everyone’s appearance was still shabby and shabby, their faces were filled with smiles.
“The Archduke has returned!”
“Long live Ferdium! Long live the Archduke!”
“Confucius! Please look here!”
“The mercenaries are cool too!”
“The Archduke and the mercenaries protected us!”
The mercenaries were taken aback by the unexpected reaction.
While staying in Ferdium, the people of the territory either pretended not to see the mercenaries or were busy gossiping behind their backs.
The mercenaries were accustomed to such reactions, because vicious mercenaries are not welcome anywhere.
But when I saw the people of Yeongji genuinely rejoicing and cheering, I couldn’t help but puff out my chest and feel proud.
“Oh, hmm. I don’t feel bad.”
“We just did what we were told.”
“We fought and ran around without even knowing what was going on. Hehehe.”
Unlike the bewildered mercenaries, Jiselle was waving her hand leisurely and smiling as if she was used to it.
I had received this level of cheering countless times in my past life, so I had no reason to be flustered.
Although only three days had passed since the war ended, rumors that the war had ended thanks to the Archduke had already spread throughout the territory.
Because the surviving soldiers spread rumors here and there.
At first, the people of Yeongji did not believe it, but eventually they had no choice but to admit it as they heard similar stories here and there.
Since the detailed circumstances could not be made known to the world, the rumors were simply exaggerated out of control.
― The Archduke has been learning magic all this time? It’s 100 circles! 100 circles!
― You idiot! Where in the world is there a 100 circle? No, I heard he made a contract with the devil and sold his soul. That’s why he used to do crazy things all the time. He’s like a devil who’s a bastard.
Although these were groundless rumors, people were busy promoting Jiselle even though they knew it was true.
Anyway, thanks to the Archduke, we won the war and our families were able to return alive.
“Confucius, how are you feeling?”
When Gillian asked with a smile, Giselle nodded her head slyly.
“Well, that’s not bad. You can praise it a little more.”
“Haha, now that the war is over, you’ve returned to your old self.”
It wasn’t really that bad.
An unknown feeling of elation was slowly filling my body. It felt different from the welcoming ceremony I had experienced in my previous life.
‘Hmm, is it because it’s been a while since I’ve had a welcoming party? Even though it’s nothing special, I feel good for some reason.’
Jiselle shrugged her shoulders and waved to the people, wondering what the difference was.
Gillian looked at the sight with renewed eyes.
‘It really came true as I said.’
When I first came to this territory, there was not even a shred of hope in sight.
Even if you wanted to develop the territory, the condition was so bad that you didn’t know where to start.
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– I will definitely end the poverty of Yeongji. Not by becoming a drop of water, but by becoming rain.
When she first heard those words, Gillian thought they were just the zeal of youth.
But Jiselle’s boasts were becoming increasingly true.
You predicted the war and achieved a miraculous victory. You still have the runestones, so you can quickly develop your territory.
I wonder how far this young lord can go in the future.
‘It’s been a long time since my heart has raced like this.’
At first, I pledged my loyalty with the intention of repaying the favor.
But now, beyond that, I want to see the future he dreams of.
* * *
As we passed through the welcoming crowds and arrived in front of Yeongju Castle, an even more amazing sight unfolded.
“The Grand Duke has returned!”
One knight shouted loudly.
On both sides of the knight, all the soldiers of the territory were lined up.
Jiselle also opened her eyes wide, as she had not expected this situation.
“Take up your weapons!”
As the armored knight draws his sword and shouts, the soldiers on the left and right hold their spears with both hands and thrust them forward as if tilting them.
The sight of more than a thousand soldiers lined up on both sides to make way was a spectacle in itself.
The soldiers were still in a shabby state, with the marks of war still visible, but their spirit was incomparably proud.
“Wow!”
The people of Yeongji who had followed Jisel and his party began to cheer again when they saw this sight.
Jiselle walked slowly.
Behind the lined up soldiers, the knights of Perdium were waiting.
Although their numbers are not that many, they are the core force of Ferdium and its most proud class.
Those who always ignored Jiselle and treated her like she didn’t exist were all there, without exception.
“Glory to the successor of Ferdium!”
The knight standing at the very front raised his sword in front of his chest and shouted.
Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!
Then the rest of the knights repeated the same movement.
“Glory to the successor of Ferdium!”
It was the ultimate example of a knight giving respect to someone he admires.
When they heard the news that the Grand Duke had returned, everyone came out and bowed without anyone asking them to.
There was a moment of silence, and soon a loud cheer erupted among the soldiers.
“Wow!”
“Glory to Giselle Ferdium!”
The Battle of Ferdium was a battle that would go down in the history of war.
He annihilated the enemy’s overwhelming force and led the war to victory, a war that no one thought could be won.
It was a major that no one could disparage, and an achievement that no one could help but acknowledge.
All that remains is to enjoy the thrill of this victory and praise its protagonist.
The Archduke was no longer a troublemaker and a nuisance to the land.
The bad rumors of the past have now disappeared and lost their meaning. Everyone has paid their respects with sincerity and one heart.
The cries that began with the knights and soldiers were then passed on to the people of the territory.
“Wow! This is the best!”
“Long live Giselle Ferdium!”
“Goddess! Bless the Archduke!”
“The sword that protects Ferdium!”
“The true wolf of the north!”
The mercenaries’ faces were more flushed than when they were first welcomed by the people of the territory.
They, who were treated as lowly people, are now treated with the respect of knights!
Although the knights were paying homage to Giselle, they were receiving just as much praise.
“Ah, it was good to be alive.”
“They welcomed me to this extent.”
“Are you really feeling down?”
Jiselle closed her eyes and looked around at the excited and happy people.
‘It’s different after all.’
In my previous life, I received a lot of cheers and praise. I also experienced a bigger and more splendid ceremony.
The Mercenary King was treated with the utmost respect by everyone, anytime, anywhere.
But the end was always filled with only terrible loneliness and emptiness.
We saved others from danger, protected them, fought for them… … .
There was nothing of his own there.
Because I have already lost my beloved family, friends, and people of Yeongji.
Nothing could fill that emptiness.
But now it was different.
People waving their hands with bright smiles on their faces.
It wasn’t a grand welcoming ceremony like in my previous life, but there were far fewer people and their appearance was even more unsightly.
‘… … .’
This simple gratitude touched my heart much more than the flashy compliments I used to receive.
“Brother!”
“Confucius!”
Elena and Rachel run to the front of the castle and wave with smiles.
The servants who followed also waved their hands and welcomed him warmly.
There was no fear on their faces as they looked at Jiselle, for they knew now that the Archduke had changed.
“Oh, Your Highness! You’ve finally returned!”
Homer approached, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Even he, who always got annoyed and nagged at Giselle, was smiling happily.
“It was definitely not luck that I got the runestone. I’ve heard the rumors over and over again.”
“You look like a monster when you fight. I thought you just played every day, but have you been secretly training?”
Even Albert, who had always been cold, was smiling, and Randolph also couldn’t hide his expression of admiration.
And then, inside the castle, the person that Giselle had missed the most and felt the most sorry for slowly walked out.
“Welcome back. You came back safely.”
Zwalter greeted his son with a happier smile than anyone else.
Jiselle suddenly felt a lump in her throat and took a deep breath. She couldn’t think of anything to say.
At this moment, he felt a sense of fulfillment he had never felt in his past life.
Because the wish he had always hoped for and wished for, the wish he had wanted all his life, had come true.
‘The reason I came back.’
The people I love welcome me warmly. It was a sight I always dreamed of.
It was to protect them that he returned.
Continue to do so, for everyone.
Now I can say it. Those words I wanted to say so badly but couldn’t because there was no one to listen.
Jiselle smiled brightly, a smile she had never seen before in her past life.
“I’m back, Father.”
