After paying my respects to the other kings’ graves in preparation for the reburials, I finally made my way to the mausoleum of the Duchy of Bringar, to the grave of Dusk Bringar.
“Your Grace!”
“You’ve arrived, Your Grace.”
The knights of the Dragonblood Knights who had been waiting for me saluted in unison.
I still wasn’t entirely used to the name, but I nodded lightly and walked silently to Dusk Bringar’s coffin, where I respectfully paid my respects.
I didn’t feel sad.
When I met her again in the spirit world, she sent me off with a smile.
So, I decided to bless her afterlife with happiness as well.
“I entrust my mother’s transport to you, Dragonblood Knights.”
“Yes, Duke.”“After the disbanding ceremony tomorrow, we’ll depart for the Duchy of Bringar the day after. Until we reach the duchy, you must keep a close watch over her coffin.”
“We will guard it with our lives.”
Though their expressions were firm, I could see a faint unease lingering in the knights’ eyes.
Understanding their concerns, I smiled at them.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of abandoning the duchy.”
“…!”
The knights were startled, clearly having their concerns read aloud.
I had inherited the title of Duke of Bringar, but I was also the Crown Prince of the Everblack Empire.
Depending on the choices I made, the Duchy of Bringar could be erased from history, annexed by the Empire, or simply fade away.
But I had no such intention.
“In fact, quite the opposite.”
I looked around at the knights, speaking with certainty.
“For the time being, I plan to focus on my life as the Duke of Bringar, rather than my role as Crown Prince.”
“…!”
The knights looked surprised, but this was the natural course of action.
My father, the Emperor, was still in excellent health, and it would be some time before I inherited the Everblack Empire.
Until then, I intended to operate from the Duchy of Bringar, learning more about governance and the politics of the world.
Although I had ruled Crossroad for the past three years, Crossroad was originally a small city, primarily focused on being a military fortress.
Strictly speaking, I was still lacking in many areas when it came to ruling an entire nation. And for a nation as vast as the Everblack Empire, even more so.
Thus, I intended to study kingship within the Duchy of Bringar before eventually assuming the throne of the Empire.
During this time, I also planned to solidify the Duchy of Bringar as a sibling nation to the Empire, ensuring that its status remained secure.
‘…Of course, I’ll have to face challenges along the way to see how things play out.’
The Duchy of Bringar was precious to me.
It could serve as a firm foundation for my political endeavors.
But above all, the legacy of the previous Dukes burned brightly within this nation.
Though the Dragonblood lineage may have faded, its spirit must continue.
I had no intention of neglecting the Duchy of Bringar.
“…”
I carefully touched the lid of Dusk Bringar’s coffin.
Please watch over me, Mother.
As one who has inherited the name of Bringar, I will live a life that is worthy of it. I will do my utmost.
Later that afternoon.
In the drawing room of the lord’s mansion.
Knock, knock—
There was a knock on the door, and Evangeline walked in briskly.
“Did you call for me, Senpai?”
She closed the door carefully and turned around with a cheerful tone.
“Is it because of tomorrow’s disbanding ceremony? Don’t worry, I’ve been preparing everything, and it’s all—”
Mid-sentence, she abruptly stopped.
It was only then that she noticed the room was filled with people waiting for her.
Along with the main party members, several retainers, officers, and servants who had long served Crossroad were present in the drawing room.
There were warriors from the infantry battalion and fellow heroes who had fought alongside Evangeline, and even kings from various nations.
And, of course, my father, the Emperor, along with several of his knights and secretaries, were also gathered.
“Come in, Evangeline.”
I gestured for her to approach, watching as she stiffened with surprise.
“No… I suppose it’s more fitting to address you differently now.”
Clearing my throat, I called her by her new title with emphasis.
“Margrave of Cross.”
“…!”
As if struck by lightning, the moment she heard the title, Evangeline’s shoulders trembled, and she stood tall, her back straight.
I smiled gently.
“Are you ready to inherit the noble title your father has preserved and the position of lord of this city?”
“…”
She bit her lip, her green eyes filled with complex emotions as she gazed at me.
Finally, with a voice that trembled but was firm and resolute, Evangeline answered.
“Yes!”
I stepped aside, and my father, the Emperor, advanced with his cane.
Evangeline, who had approached him with tense steps, knelt on one knee and bowed her head.
“Long live the Emperor. This humble servant is honored to be in your presence.”
“Evangeline Cross, daughter of the Cross family.”
The Emperor spoke solemnly to the young knight.
“I know that your parents and ancestors have defended the imperial territory with blood and tears here at this southernmost frontier.”
“…”
“There were many names used to describe this fortress city: the Street of Suicides, the City on a Grave, the Monster Front… The names were diverse and ominous.”
The Emperor shook his head slightly.
“But now it is time to discard those old titles.”
“…”
“The monsters are gone, and a new path has opened to the south.”
The Emperor gazed far to the south, in the direction of the Lake Kingdom.
“Crossroad must now become the new frontline of the Empire, bordering new nations and civilizations.”
Listening with her head bowed, Evangeline’s emerald eyes gleamed with firm resolve.
“Crossroad must be reborn, not as a fortress for war, but as a new center of culture and trade, where the roads of many nations intertwine.”
“…”
“Evangeline Cross.”
The Emperor asked gently.
“Are you capable of carrying out this heavy responsibility?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Evangeline replied boldly.
“Of course, Your Majesty!”
The Emperor smiled in satisfaction and issued a command.
“Evangeline Cross, eldest daughter of the Cross family, lift your head!”
Evangeline immediately raised her head as the Emperor stepped forward…
And the knights on either side of him presented her with a silver spear, a golden shield, and a beautiful green flag bearing the Cross family crest.
“Use this spear to vanquish your enemies, this shield to protect the city, and this flag to uphold the honor of Everblack and the Cross family.”
Evangeline respectfully received the spear, shield, and flag and placed them before her.
With the ceremony concluded, the Emperor made an official declaration.
“Now, as the heir to your family’s legacy and your father’s name, you are the new Margrave of Cross for this era.”
The Emperor then turned to me.
“At the same time, the fortress city of Crossroad is now returned to the Cross family as of this moment.”
I stepped forward and handed Evangeline a white cloth that held several items: documents that certified the rights of the lord over the city, a key ring with the original keys to the city’s main facilities, and the lord’s seal.
As I respectfully offered her the cloth-wrapped items, Evangeline cautiously took them with a gentle touch.
“Thank you for the service of this city over the past three years and for the Cross family’s willingness to lend it to the imperial family.”
I stepped back, and the Emperor solemnly proclaimed,
“The Imperial family will remember the loyalty of the Cross family and the bravery of Crossroad until the day the history of the Empire ends.”
Then, with a warm and benevolent smile, the Emperor added,
“May you become an excellent Margrave and a great lord, Evangeline Cross.”
“…”
“Good luck to you.”
With tears in her eyes, Evangeline bowed her head.
“It is the honor of my life, Your Majesty… I will strive to be an excellent Margrave and a good lord, as you command.”
The Emperor nodded and stepped back, signaling me with his eyes.
After bowing to the Emperor, I stepped forward and cleared my throat.
“Lastly.”
Under the gazes of everyone present, I walked calmly to stand before Evangeline.
Holding her by the shoulders, I gently helped her rise from where she knelt.
Facing her now as a fully grown adult, no longer the small, spirited girl knight she once was…
I smiled.
“As the former lord, I would like to recite a poem for the new lord, both as advice and as a blessing.”
“…”
“Would that be alright, Margrave of Cross?”
Evangeline smiled back at me.
“I would be delighted to listen, Crown Prince.”
Taking a deep breath, I recited the poem I had prepared long ago, for the day Evangeline would become the next Margrave of Cross.
A piece of wisdom I believed she would need in her new role as a ruler.
“People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.”
The recitation ended.
Though it was a long and potentially tedious passage, Evangeline took in the words, carefully reflecting on the advice, fully attentive.
“I will be watching with anticipation to see the lord you become and the city you will build.”
I extended my hand.
“Do your best, Margrave of Cross.”
Evangeline slowly took my hand.
“I will.”
She couldn’t hold back her tears as they streamed down her cheeks.
“I may still be young, inexperienced, and full of mistakes…”
But her voice was firm and resolute.
“But I will live and work hard to ensure that I am not ashamed before His Majesty, before Your Highness, before my late parents… Before my father and mother. I will strive to make this city a place where everyone can live with pride.”
After a firm handshake, I stepped back.
The room erupted in cheers and applause.
Somehow, word had spread, and outside the mansion, citizens and soldiers had gathered, shouting their cheers and giving their ovations through the windows.
The Emperor’s knights and secretaries were concerned for his safety and moved to calm the crowd, but the Emperor waved them off, smiling.
“Let them be.”
The Emperor turned to me, his eyes crinkling with approval.
“This is a sight only possible in the frontier.”
I smiled back, joining the Emperor in taking in the bustling, lively scene of the frontier.
Waaahhh—!
Citizens and soldiers crowded outside, chanting Evangeline’s name.
With her bandaged hands, the new lord of Crossroad wiped away her tears and smiled brightly, waving back to the people.
“…”
Was it just a trick of the eye?
For a moment, I thought I saw the previous Margrave of Cross standing silently among the crowd.
He was no longer in his bloodstained armor.
He was just a proud father, shedding tears of joy as he watched his grown daughter.
‘You have every right to be proud, Margrave.’
When I blinked, the vision was gone.
And with it, the heavy burden of guilt I had carried for so long began to lift.
‘Your daughter has followed in your footsteps, just as you had hoped.’
Slowly, I raised my hands and clapped along with the others.
For the new Margrave and the new lord of Crossroad, who shone brightly among the people, smiling radiantly.
–TL Notes–
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