Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Chapter 107

“I am firmly resolved to entrust the Duchy of Saxony to you.”

Upon celebrating Dale’s thirteenth year of life, the Duke of Saxony decided to bestow upon him a recognition truly worthy of the successor of such a distinguished lineage.

“A duchy…”

Until that moment, Dale held the dignity of viscount acting on behalf of the duke himself, a move of a political and strategic nature rather than a real handover of territories. That responsibility required him to constantly travel across the continental territory, without the possibility of settling in a particular fiefdom.

The main purpose was to spread the renown of the “Black Prince” and continuously polish his combat skills, achieving what was indispensable to him.

However, upon reaching his thirteenth year, the duke’s words about awarding him “the lands of Dale” marked an absolute turning point in events.

The young man had already consolidated his dominance over the most lethal faction of enforcers in the region, the Court of Shadows, and led the fearsome Black Armor Company, a heavy infantry battalion composed of a thousand undefeated combatants.

Accompanying him on his path were warriors of absolute loyalty, such as the skilled master swordswoman Charlotte and the saint Aurelia.

Also not lagging behind were the Night Crows, that order of chivalry that responded directly to Dale’s orders, among whom Sir Bale of Baskerville stood out.

And, crowning this inner circle, was his wise and unconditional instructor, the elf mage Sephia.

None of them belonged to the duke’s hosts; they responded solely and exclusively to Dale. The colossal potential he had gathered far surpassed the influence of any lower-ranking aristocrat, which motivated the duke to grant him a territory that was in harmony with such power.

A geographical space suitable for the factions loyal to Dale to take root and consolidate. There were no doubts about it.

“Is there any specific region within the duchy that catches your attention?”

“Indeed, there is one area in particular that deeply arouses my interest.”

“Which one is it? Share it with me.”

Spread out on the conference table was the cartographic representation of the empire, detailing the northern sector that fell under the sovereignty of the Duchy of Saxony. Raising his gaze, Dale fixed his eyes on the imposing mountain range of snow-capped peaks that demarcated the border of the territory.

On the other side of those frozen peaks, the “Domain of the Old Demon King” opened up, a gloomy, untamed, and seemingly endless landscape.

The Dark Land.

When the legendary savior managed to defeat the creature known as the “Demon King,” the continent’s population assumed that an era of absolute tranquility was beginning. Nevertheless, the higher spheres of the empire discovered that a remnant of demonic beings had simply retreated into the implacable climates of the Dark Land to guarantee their survival.

Even aware of this reality, the imperial authorities awarded the domain of the Demon King to the Duke of Saxony as a fiefdom, imposing on him the obligation to pacify it and integrate it into civilization, an undertaking that bordered on the unrealizable.

During Dale’s childhood years, campaigns were carried out to attempt to colonize the Domain of the Demon King. Such projects culminated in a resounding failure, reducing the human presence in the white mountains to mere patrols of winter sentinels in charge of monitoring the activities of that cursed plain.

A hostile ground that not even the very power of the Duke of Saxony had managed to subdue.

“Give me control of the territories adjacent to the Demon King’s domain.”

Pointing to a specific point on the map, Dale expressed his request.

“Just as I supposed.”

The Duke of Saxony drew a grimace of subtle irony, showing that this choice fit perfectly into his forecasts.

“Does it not cause you astonishment?”

“Considering the constant twists with which you have dazzled me lately, a decision like this does not surprise me in the slightest.”

The imperial crown had chosen to keep the threat of the Demon King’s Domain intact as a tool of political coercion against the duchy.

“What are your plans for the Demon King’s Domain?”

“I will establish the foundations of my viscounty in that area, erecting myself as the first line of defense against the incursions of the demonic forces.”

“The Demon King’s domain is infested with unexplored labyrinths and wild creatures in constant movement. Raising a military position is viable, but transforming that wasteland into a prosperous human settlement is a challenge of very different magnitudes.”

“Certainly, with ordinary resources it would be impossible,” Dale conceded. “However, throughout the length and breadth of the continent, countless individuals with extraordinary abilities wander in search of fortune.”

Trackers, beast exterminators, soldiers of fortune, and travelers who roam the lands without a fixed home.

“The prosperity of a territory does not depend solely on agriculture.”

Dale, having previously crossed the borders of that gloom to emerge victorious, argued with total certainty. If the existence of the riches hidden in that place were made known, a massive migratory wave motivated by greed would be provoked, similar to the legends of unexplored frontiers.

“Are you fully aware of what this entails?”

“I am.”

Faced with the duke’s severe interpellation, Dale gave an affirmative answer. Exposing the treasures of the Demon King’s Domain to the eyes of the world and providing fortune seekers with the option to get rich.

“It is a risk worth taking.”

It meant abandoning the duchy’s policy of isolation for good to opt for total integration.

“We will provide them with logistical support and defend them from the dangers that escape their individual capabilities.”

“A highly bold strategy.”

“Human beings act driven by their deepest ambitions,” Dale replied.

“But do you possess the necessary mechanism to gather the diverse adventurers of the region?”

“Of course.”

Dale showed an expression of confidence, reflecting that he had planned the answer beforehand.

A short time later.

A bustling shopping center in the city of the Guild City served as a meeting point for a large number of bold travelers. They returned carrying relics and precious stones rescued at the cost of great dangers in the Demon King’s fiefdoms, located beyond the borders of Saxony.

The seven regents of the Guild City initiated a fierce economic competition to claim these pieces of dark origin, capturing the general interest of the population.

Rumors about the valuables extracted from the Demon King’s Domain by the explorers spread rapidly through the chronicles of the seven metropolises and the main commercial groupings.

Using the communication channels of the Guild City, the stories spread without restraint, consolidating themselves as a silent proclamation that permeated every corner of the empire.

“The Duchy of Saxony requests the services of high-level explorers.”

“The northern lands of the Demon King’s domain still guard countless catacombs and objects of incalculable value.”

“The finding of just one of these relics would be enough to ensure the well-being of several generations of a family.”

“Even those who are just beginning can start their journey by slaying lesser creatures to strengthen themselves gradually.”

“By just extracting a precious stone from any of those crypts, an old age without shortages would be guaranteed.”

Following the specific guidelines of the urban regents, the seven main groupings began the dissemination of the details related to the “treasures of the Demon King’s domain” in each of their delegations.

Using the reach of the Guild City and the stories shared among combatants, the news gained unusual strength.

A territory of pure possibilities where one could bet one’s existence in exchange for unimaginable riches. A true fever for the control of the relics.

The era of the “Savage North” was beginning.

Upon arriving at the following annual period, Dale reached the age of fourteen.

The labyrinthine city, Labyrinth.

A settlement overflowing with dynamism built right on top of the “Great Labyrinth” that was part of the Demon King’s domain in the northern sector.

The main avenues were filled with explorers who, in the surroundings of the urban core, also performed the role of agricultural settlers, tilling the frozen soils to obtain crops capable of withstanding the winter.

For their part, the ecclesiastical authorities backed the project by proclaiming that “colonizing the ancient domains of the Demon King constitutes a work pleasing to the divinity.” Attracted by the fervent speech of Cardinal Nikolai, numerous religious people joined the initiative, volunteering to honor the twin goddesses in the inhospitable territory.

The population consolidated, villages took shape, and trade routes gained vitality. No one dared to classify this region as a simple and neglected northern border stronghold anymore.

The largest commercial corporations on the continent, including those of the Guild City, did not take long to open branches in multiple locations. The streets of the labyrinth city were populated with hostels and various shops.

The Duke of Saxony had transformed what was initially a stronghold to contain the advance of the Demon King’s domain into a prosperous city that did not stop growing.

And on that same day, inside the fortress of the “young Saxon viscount” located in the Labyrinth City.

Dale took his place at the command headquarters, formally assuming his duties as the “Viscount of Saxony” in charge of the Demon King’s domain in the north.

Such civil dignity had been granted to him acting in delegation of his progenitor, the Duke of Saxony.

The Black Armor Company ratified a long-term service agreement with the Viscount of Saxony, Dale, formally assuming the role of an institutional security body intended to safeguard the lands of the Demon King’s domain (Viscounty of Saxony).

With the passing of the months, the strategy designed by Dale for northern colonization advanced with a firm step and without setbacks, having prioritized a policy of free access over traditional isolation.

This did not mean that the previous directives of the Duke of Saxony lacked validity. In reality, Dale’s determination to promote trade and stimulate the region was viable only thanks to the economic and military foundations that the Saxon dynasty had consolidated during its period of retreat.

It was up to the direct descendant to preserve and expand the heritage built by his predecessor.

The supreme lord of the Demon King’s Domain.

Although the institutional name corresponded to the Viscounty of Saxony, the popular name of the region did not undergo variations. The respect and fear toward the figure of the “Black Prince” who exercised absolute control remained intact.

For his part, Dale did not manifest any inconvenience in his domains continuing to be identified under the name of the “Demon King’s Domain.”

“Viscount of Saxony.”

At that precise moment, a member of the “winter sentinels” dedicated to the surveillance of the Demon King’s Domain appeared before Dale to convey news.

That body, which initially performed exploration tasks in the high mountains, had been reconverted into the espionage and information-gathering arm at the service of the Viscount of Saxony.

“A large group of ghouls is coordinating a large-scale deployment aiming towards the settlers’ sanctuary in the northern sector.”

Upon being informed of the situation, Sir Bale of Baskerville intervened immediately.

“Is the mobilization of our combat riders required?”

“What is the volume of the ghoul forces?”

“It is estimated at a thousand effectives.”

“I will personally take charge of subduing them.”

Dale nodded with determination before giving the corresponding directives.

—Sir Bale, proceed to mobilize the cavalry elements that are stationed in the fort’s dependencies.

“It will be executed immediately, my lord!”

“Sir Yones, coordinate the deployment of two hundred heavy infantry effectives belonging to the Black Armor Company.”

“Understood, I will proceed according to your wishes!”

Ordinary contingencies could well be resolved by the groups of adventurers, but it represented an inescapable obligation of the House of Sachsen to intervene directly when threats exceeded the capabilities of the civilian population. Motivated by this duty, Dale prepared to march.

In his capacity as military chief of the Sachsen Fortress and highest authority of this territory plagued by demonic remnants.

Walking by his side, a warrior who wore dark combat attire followed each of his steps closely.

Lady Charlotte.

Although her features remained sheltered behind the structure of her helmet, the metallic plates characteristic of the Crow Knights evidenced the physiognomy typical of her stage of physical maturation. Being fourteen years old now, she was far from being the infant of past times.

Dale reflected in the same way the impact of time on his physiognomy.

His imposing cloak of dark tones, arranged like a military tunic, waved strongly to the rhythm of his firm steps. Along the corridor, the servants of the Saxony fiefdom formed a double row, bowing with deep respect at his silent passage.

The goal that Dale had set for himself in the beginning—to consolidate his hegemony in this hostile environment and give life to a settlement full of economic opportunities—had become a palpable reality. However, that represented merely the initial step.

To tell the truth, the process of urban revitalization and the continuous flow of fortune hunters barely added up to a few months of activity. The internal disputes among the settlers, added to the constant friction with the wild creatures, constituted a permanent source of concern for Dale.

In this corner of the world wrapped in shadows, the true challenges that Dale would have to face were barely beginning to manifest on the horizon.

There were weighty reasons why the Duke of Saxony had chosen in his time to distance himself from the affairs of the “Demon Realm.”

Thus, having formally assumed the designation as Viscount of Saxony by order of his father, Dale’s path in his role as leader and colonizer of the territory of the demonic creatures was just taking its first steps.

Chapter 107