CHAPTER 68: AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR

*** Archduchy of Veneral ***

It was a normal day in the prospering nation of Veneral, a neighboring nation to that of the Thirell duchy, but with the difference of having none of its downsides.

Its climate was a blessed spring, its winters calm and beautiful.

A duchy prosperous enough that it was given a special title of Archduchy, ruled by Julius’s biological brother.

Augustus Von Victorian.

He shared all the incredible characteristics of his brother, but with cunning and scheming that rivaled Julius.

One of the novel’s side antagonists, when it came to the romance, was not a pure evil character, just an annoying one.

"You’ve got to be kidding me... is the Marquess really serious about this?"

Augustus complained, rubbing his forehead as he looked at a stupid law that was proposed to him, one that increased taxes for the peasants to increase the nobility’s income.

A law that would completely make his years of hard work and ruling all crumble down the drain when passed.

"Robert, go have a talk with the Marquess for me... I can’t believe this..."

Augustus sighed, dismissing his servant as he stood up from his chair and went to look at the huge window in his office.

A place where he often took breaks to get his mind out of the staleness of ruling.

"At least I managed to set up a trade with Thirell, that should increase my power all across the south."

Augustus smirked, looking up in the sky, a sky that immediately made his face wrinkle in sheer surprise and confusion.

"By the gods... what the hell is that!?"

Augustus opened his window to take a better look, seeing a massive flow of text appearing from the sky just by Justinian’s territory.

They were a few hours apart, but if even he could see it despite the distance, it meant it was a huge event, one that would likely change the South.

Augustus immediately took off, grabbing his mantle and sword as he went straight to his barracks, a bustling hub of weapons that could even call itself a city.

"I might be overreacting... actually, no! how else would I react when something like that is happening just beside my nation!?"

Augustus tried to calm himself down as he ran through flights of stairs, panting heavily as he kicked open the huge walled gate of his barracks, his impressive strength managing to budge a huge 10-foot wooden gate in one go.

"Gather the forces! We’re heading to Thirell!"

*** Snowkeep ***

Justinian continued spreading the news of his status as an Arcanist, galloping around the city with Kalos, along with Lucan and Cassia, planning to gain as much prestige as possible.

All the while, Matthias and the rest also helped, sending in scouts and messengers to other parts of the duchy to deliver news about what was happening in the capital.

For all they knew, the capital was literally falling and was under attack by the gods themselves.

While Justinian’s actions were efficient, it also not trustworthy.

Galloping around and spreading news wasn’t exactly the best way for people to believe in what you were saying.

But with how chaotic the city currently is, it was easy enough for people to believe in Justinian.

And he had Matthias, Cassia, and Lucan to back him up anyway.

[The Book of War Responds]

[1,000 Cavalry is currently en route to Snowkeep through Veneral]

[Army Status: Allied/Friendly]

"Looks like my largest neighbor had already taken notice."

Justinian immediately pulled on the reins, switching route to head to Snowkeep’s main gate.

"My lord, where are we going?"

"We have a visitor!"

Justinian replied as he sped up with Kalos, the small detour gaining him even more prestige; the sight of a duke and an incredibly fast horse was enough grounds to gain him prestige.

"My lord! Should we prepare defenses?!"

A gate guard approached Justinian, already preparing to sound the horns as Augustus’ army was approaching; unlike him, none of his guards had a system that told them the army wasn’t hostile.

"Tell everyone to calm down! They’re friendlies!"

Justinian shouted, ordering Lucas to wander the walls and battlements to deliver the news; he couldn’t risk friendly fire by letting his army accidentally shoot arrows at what they thought was an invading force.

"Cassia, with me!"

He commanded, immediately passing through the gate and heading straight to the fields where Augustus briefly stopped his cavalry, now completely aware that he may have given the wrong impression with his force.

"Halt! Unless you’d like being rained on by arrows!"

Augustus barked, a hand raised to signal for everyone to stop their advance, seeing Justinian himself gallop towards him, his steel ebony plate causing him to widen his eyes.

"That’s some exquisite craftsmanship... that should have cost a fortune."

A sentence that would already mean something important, but when an Archduke himself says something costs a fortune, that’s where you know you’ve had something special.

"I need an explanation for this!"

Justinian stopped his horse in front of Augustus and his army, Cassia’s weapon already unsheathed just in case things went south.

"You can’t just march an army into my territory without warning, even if you are my trading partner."

Augustus dismounted as he heard Justinian’s words, bowing in apology as he tried to lower himself in his presence.

"I apologize, Justinian, but you couldn’t blame us after seeing that come out from the blasted sky!"

Augustus shouted, pointing at the literal cosmic event that was happening.

"Everything’s under control, Augustus."

Justinian spoke, already knowing his name; he was quite irritated at his character back when he read his arc, so he already had a bias.

But he knew he should keep that hidden; he had no actual, valid reason to continue hating him after he agreed to trade with his duchy.

’I shouldn’t antagonize him; Matthias or Darius probably spent days just to convince him to trade with a recovering duchy like mine.’

"Even if you say that, I still need a valid explanation for this."

Justinian sighed. He already knew the conversation would lead to this; there was no way in hell he would be able to convince Augustus, who had already led an entire cavalry army to his city, to back down without explanation.

"I am simply using my newly given gifts by the gods."

Justinian tried to keep a straight face as he gave his answer, trying his best to answer without outright saying he was an ’Arcanist’.

The citizens and his people were fine, but to an Archduke? If he were to be caught up in his lie.

He would surely be executed by the king.

"A gift..."

Augustus’ face broke even more, completely refusing the explanation.

"According to the news, you were blessed by Arethrus... not whatever... this is!"

"I guess the god of labor decided to take notice of me as well."

Justinian laughed. If he remembered Augustus’ personality in the novel, he wasn’t the type to completely throw out that explanation out the window.

Mithral, the god of labor, was known for his kindness after all.

And Augustus happened to be one of Mithral’s most devoted followers.

"I-I guess that explains things..."

Augustus replied, stroking his chin.

"My lord, don’t tell me you actually believe-!"

"Stop! I’d rather not fight here about the validity of his statement."

Augustus reprimanded his knight; he’d rather not risk Mithral’s judgement.

He was also known to have a huge annoyance over petty squabbles about his blessings. According to legend, Mithral was the kind of god who blessed anything he deemed to be fun or worthy, and even those who weren’t blessed by him are still allowed to claim they were blessed.

To him, any publicity was good, giving him the status as the most human of the entire pantheon.

"I apologize, my lord..."

The knight replied hesitantly, lowering his head in response.

"But, before I leave, can I see what is happening firsthand?"

"I can grant you that."