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「The fortress located at the northernmost tip of the kingdom」

「The shield of the kingdom that blocks the southern route of monsters living in the Blade’s Edge Mountains」

「A key point where 50% of the power of the Balahard family is always stationed」

「It is the garrison of the Balahard Rangers, which is also famous in the kingdom, and the headquarters of the Third Legion 」

This was the winter nature for ordinary soldiers:

「The top fortress, where we slay vicious monsters daily.」

「Cold, poor, dangerous, and the worst place to work. 」

「A strange place where only recruits and skilled soldiers exist.」

And this was the winter castle for the nobles:

「Why the Balahard family was granted near-unlimited recruitment rights and numerous other privileges.」

「Why the Balahard family can’t grow anymore.」

「It is the biggest weapon of the Balahard family, and its biggest weakness as well.」

Some said it was just a cold and desolate place. For others, it was the easiest place to get by-products from monster corpses.

However, for the men born and raised in Balahard, the fortress was none of those things.

Their ancestors sacrificed their lives on their fortress. They, too, have a lifelong duty and pride to keep.

For Vincent Balahard, the eldest son of the Balahard family and a promising triple-chain knight, that was what the winter castle meant.

The sacred and noble duty placed on the family by the kingdom.

But it seemed that that pride would soon be contaminated.

The notorious First Prince is coming to this noble land, bringing all sorts of dirty rumors with him.

It was said that he was exiled by His Majesty. Some said he had committed a great sin and went here to hide.

For Vincent, who considered the winter castle as his pride, it was an insult.

The castle is a fortress for warriors who will throw their lives for their sublime convictions.

It was not a place of exile for those who had sinned.

“Why?”

Vincent couldn’t understand.

His father had already stepped away from his stupid nephew. The father that Vincent knew was one who did not overturn what he said.

But now, he heard that his father had overturned his decision.

He even declared his official support for the fool.

When he first heard the news, Vincent couldn’t believe it. He knew his father better.

He considered it as a useless and unfounded myth.

But it wasn’t.

The rumors are real.

It was true that his father became the official guardian of the First Prince, and that they were now heading for the castle.

“The soldiers are worried.”

“Does the royal family regard our castle as a prison?”

Frontline commanders have expressed their concern over the rumors.

“If the royal family really thinks of Balahard that way, there is no greater insult than this.”

“Is this how they repay the dedication and sacrifice Balahard showed?”

“I am concerned that the royal family and the nobles have forgotten the harshness of winter in the warmth of their summer.”

Vincent understood their concerns and anger because he felt the same way.

But now is not the time to talk about the presence of uninvited visitors.

Winter is almost here. A harsh season was imminent.

“Check the fortress and strengthen the vigilance. If necessary, additional rangers may be dispatched for patrol. The patrol route and schedule will be left to you.”

It wasn’t the time yet, but it’s better to be safe.

Monsters are unpredictable.

He was alert as he listened to the rangers’ reports.

He didn’t overlook even the smallest signs, and if he had any suspicion, he immediately sent rangers to check it thoroughly.

It was important to maintain the fortress until his father arrives.

Fortunately, just about the beginning of the full-fledged winter, his father arrived.

However, his father’s face was different. His eyes were cold, and his cheeks were stiff.

Even after a few days of fighting, his father didn’t look this tired.

It’s all because of that stupid guy.

Vincent saw the uninvited visitor.

He looked quite different from what Vincent has heard.

It wasn’t possible to properly confirm his figure because his body was wrapped in thick fur, but at least, it wasn’t a pig as rumored.

That would also be the Father’s doing.

Then, Vincent’s eyes narrowed as he saw the First Prince’s party.

The shameless Prince brought women with him.

The soldiers on the wall were buzzing.

“Huh, I knew he was going to show up with women.”

“One’s his maid, one’s his lover.”

Some spat with anger, saying that the Prince has mistaken the castle as a resort for nobles.

“They are wearing the uniforms of court knights,” one noticed, but he was immediately contradicted by the others.

It was known that idle nobles dress their lovers according to their taste.

Vincent frowned at the soldiers’ words.

It was really absurd. He was so angry that he couldn’t speak.

“Shall we go down, Commander?”

It was only after hearing that from one of his lieutenants that Vincent realized they were still on the wall, looking down on his father rather than meeting him.

He quickly went down and stood before his father.

“I, Vincent Balahard, will finish acting as the commander and return as the Ranger Company Commander!”

He immediately yielded the duties of a commander to his father and gave him a military salute.

“We sincerely welcome your return, Commander!”

“I congratulate you on your hard work. Good job, company commander.”

Once the official takeover was done, his father stepped up and embraced Vincent.

“Good job, Vincent.”

“Thank you for coming back safely, father.”

As he was enjoying the warmth of reuniting with his father, he heard a disgusting voice.

“What, Uncle? You have a son?”

Vincent frowned.

The idiot should only call his father’ uncle’ in private; in public, he must be treated as a high lord and Commander of the Third Legion. The Prince’s tone was without respect.

“Don’t you think I’m old enough to have them?”

Strangely, his father also responded casually.

“Vincent.”

His father glanced at him.

Vincent was forced to endure what he didn’t want to do and knelt on one knee.

“Balahard Ranger Company Commander, Balahard family’s Vincent, greet the First Prince.”

“Oh, nice to see you.”

The stupid guy’s tone was arrogant. He didn’t even tell him to get up. Was he expected to kneel on such a cold floor for a long time?

“Let’s go inside,” his father said, and he led the Prince and his party to a place where they could rest.

As soon as the two of them were left alone, Vincent asked his father.

“Father, what the hell is going on?”

“It was as you heard. I have decided to become Idrian’s guardian, and he will stay with us for the time being.”

“But what happened to the days when you criticized his incompetence?”

“People change.”

Vincent was confused. It was not clear whether his father had changed, or the first prince had changed.

His father sighed and explained what had happened on the royal road.

“Ha!”

Vincent laughed after hearing all the explanations.

It was a clichéd story. Someone who nearly died lost his memory and became a new person.

However, he couldn’t help but believe it because it came from his father.

His father looked out the window for a moment and said.

“There is only one thing I will ask you to do. Watch him without prejudice.”

“I’ve been doing it so far, and it’s not as easy as it sounds…”

Vincent beat his chest and complained of frustration, but his father kept saying it.

Just wait and see. Wait and see what the First Prince is.

* * *

In a war fortress, I was invited to a quiet dinner instead of a grand welcome ceremony.

Niccolo was still stretched out, saying his old muscles needed more rest, so I went to the dinner with Arwen and Adelia.

Uncle seemed to be in the middle of a serious discussion when we arrived.

“How are we going with organizing the attacks to the monster villages?”

“We’ve kept it down steadily, but there are still a few places we haven’t organized an attack for. Now that father is here; I am about to move in earnest.”

“Oh, you’re here,” Uncle noticed. “Come and sit.”

Vincent and the other commanders did not get up from their seats.

I found a spot. Adelia and Arwen settled right next to me.

The commanders’ eyes opened wide when they saw Arwen. Her beauty shone even in the gloomy winter.

“Tsu.”

Uncle clicked his tongue. The commanders got up from their seats and introduced themselves one by one. I gave a rough answer and started eating.

Even as I tried to concentrate on food, I could hear the voices of Uncle and the commanders in my ears.

Some monsters in a village have to be dealt with first, and several troops have to be dispatched.

Goblins and other familiar names came out countless times in the conversation.

“Then, these will be handled by the Ranger Company…”

Vincent looked hesitant. It was as if he didn’t care about those small monsters, and wanted something else.

“The problem is the Orcs…” he finally managed to say.

My ears stood up at that word. Orcs.

“There’s a small group of orcs settled at the mouth of the mountain range, about twenty of them. They are probably scouting. If we don’t take care of them right away, they could cause problems with the Rangers’ retreat later… with their sizes; it would be difficult for ranger arrows to- Yes, Your Highness?”

Vincent paused as he noticed me stand up and approach Uncle.

Instead of answering, I checked the map that they were looking at.

There were countless small statues of different monsters on the map.

“This.”

I picked up one of the statues.

“Let me take care of it.”