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Chapter: 120

“Your Highness, I apologize for interrupting, but it’s almost time for the meeting,” Eunuch Han said.

I headed to the meeting hall. As soon as I entered, everyone turned to look at me and stood up.

There was only one empty seat.

I didn’t think I was late, but apparently, I was the last one.

“Late, are we?” I asked lightly, walking towards my seat. It was meant to be a joke, but no one responded.

Everyone was staring at me without saying a word. It felt like I was on trial.

It was so quiet I could hear the floorboards creak with each step.

I sat down in the empty seat and looked around. Dozens of people were staring at me in silence.

“...What’s going on?”

Still, no one responded. I took a deep breath and raised my hand as a signal to begin the meeting.

Then, an old elder, the oldest and most senior member of Wolhan Fortress’s council, slowly spoke up.

“Your Highness, we are infinitely grateful for your hard work and dedication. Your safety should always come first, but you always consider the suffering of the people before your own. As your subjects, how could we not respect and admire you? I am overwhelmed by your kindness.”

Was that... a compliment?

I looked around again, but everyone had a serious expression. A bad feeling crept over me as he continued.

“However,” his tone shifted. “We earnestly request that you leave the rest of the task to us. Your bravery and courage have already been a great blessing to us, one we can never repay. Please take care of yourself.”

“No...”

“Your safety is our greatest wish, and the well-being of the royal family is the peace of this nation. We beg you to heed our request.”

What was this? I was speechless.

They were basically threatening me, telling me to stay out of it.

They probably didn’t want me to continue because they were afraid the king would use my death as an excuse to further oppress the northern region.

Even though I was unpopular, I was still a legitimate heir to the throne, so my life would be valuable.

The court had been picking fights with the northern region for years, and if they had an excuse, they would definitely make things worse.

And they probably didn’t want an outsider taking all the credit.

I didn’t like that either, especially when I was at Wolhan Fortress.

...Actually, I didn’t like the reinforcements from the capital back then either.

But this was too much. I’ve done so much. If they didn’t want my help, why did they ask for it in the first place?

It was unfair.

“But I can’t return to the capital until the battle is over. That’s the king’s order,” I said bitterly.

“The enemy is not a nation or a group of people, so it’s difficult to determine a clear victory. Your Highness, may I ask what your goal is?”

“I need to advance at least three hundred miles beyond here to be able to face the king with a clear conscience.”

It wasn’t an unreasonable request.

“Didn’t Son Ihaprang reach three hundred miles north of here?”

Son Ihaprang was the founder of the Son family, to which Son Gye-du and the Lord of Wolhan Fortress belonged. I had found this information in the royal library.

When I mentioned the founder’s name, several people, including the Lord of Wolhan Fortress, stiffened. It could be considered an insult. Son Gye-du also looked offended.

But I didn’t mean to insult their family.

“If Son Ihaprang reached three hundred miles north, isn’t that your territory?”

It is dangerous, I admit. But it’s not that far. And expanding the territory of the northern region wouldn’t be a loss for me.

Of course, if they become too powerful, they might demand independence.

However that’s not really my concern. Whether the northern border demands independence and starts a civil war or not, it won’t be a crisis for Wolhan Fortress.

“Actually, I’m open to the idea.”

If they help me ascend to the throne, I’m willing to give them what they want. I just haven’t said it out loud yet.

“Don’t you want to reclaim the territory your ancestors conquered?”

Many of the elders exchanged glances. It was difficult to hide their greed. They were swayed by my words.

Among them, the Lord of Wolhan Fortress stared at me with a cold, hard expression, as if asking me what I was thinking.

The meeting continued, but the atmosphere was tense because of my statement. It ended earlier than planned.

“I apologize for my forwardness.”

As soon as I left the meeting hall, the Lord of Wolhan Fortress followed me. I knew he would.

“You seem displeased with my proposal. If so, I apologize.”

“I’m not in a position to apologize to Your Highness. Please retract your words.”

“Very well, then.”

Other elders were still nearby. The Lord of Wolhan Fortress glanced around and said, “Would you give me a moment of your time?”

“Of course.”

“Would you like to take a walk in the garden?”

I nodded. The Lord of Wolhan Fortress led me to the back garden of the fortress.

Wolhan Fortress, though located in the most northern and barren part of the northern region, had been its center for a long time. The garden still bore the marks of its long history.

There were few trees or flowers due to the cold weather, and most of the decorations were man-made sculptures and crafts.

It wasn’t as grand as the palace, but it had its own charm. I understood why he suggested a walk. He probably wanted to show me the history of this place.

I would have enjoyed a leisurely stroll if I had more time.

As we walked along the winding paths of the garden, the Lord of Wolhan Fortress finally spoke.

“...I assume you mentioned Son Ihaprang to provoke the elders.”

“It was necessary to make them decide.”

“Your proposal would be more attractive to the Wiyeon District Leader than to me.”

Yes, I think so. Son Gye-du was so aggressive that he directly asked me to join forces with him.

“But you’re the lord, so you’re not as interested.”

The Lord of Wolhan Fortress didn’t answer immediately. After a moment of silence, he said, “My primary concern is the safety of my people.”

I listened quietly.

“The northern region is harsh.”

I knew that.

“In the northern region, protectors who guard the people are more important than leaders who lead people to new lands. The absence of the former hinders exploration, but the absence of the latter threatens the survival of the clan.”

I nodded.

“Our enemies constantly attack. The warriors are always out, leaving only the weak and the elderly in the village.”

That’s true everywhere. I looked up at the sturdy fortress walls in the distance. They had been repaired long ago. And security had been strengthened.

I thought about building a wall beyond the conquered lands.

A tall, strong wall.

If I could build a wall, the people here would remember me for as long as it stood.

Maybe for hundreds of years. I would be remembered.

It’s not a big deal, but still.

“Your Highness’ words are certainly impressive. If the elders, swayed by your eloquence, decide to pursue the recovery of our lost lands, how could I, as the lord, stop them?”

“Why do you think that? You could simply dismiss it as the empty words of a young prince. I believe you have the wisdom to discern my sincerity and the feasibility of my proposal.”

“Past glories often obscure one’s vision. Such memories are not forgotten, but buried.”

“Hmm.”

“As the leader, I must ask one thing.”

“Ask.”

“What if, after inciting the elders of the fortress with promises of reclaiming lost lands, you leave the fortress undefended by taking your entire army with you?”

In other words, the Lord of Wolhan was suspicious that I intended to betray the fortress to conquer the northern lands.

It was a difficult question to answer directly. To voice such suspicions so openly took courage.

I realized that the Lord of Wolhan must have gathered a lot of courage to say this.

“A situation where the fortress is undefended?”

“Yes.”

“Ha.”

I chuckled.

“I wouldn’t betray you. I promise.”

“How can I believe you?”

“What do you want?”

“I just want to trust Your Highness. I also want to believe that the royal family and the court won’t attack the northern region.”

“So you’re saying...”

I paused, giving the Lord of Wolhan time to think.

I’m part of the royal family, but I’m not the royal family itself.

“You already have the means to control me, so what’s the problem?”

I was referring to the drug.

“Do you think I’m that despicable?”

It wasn’t an accusation. I shook my head.

“No. I just want you to remember that the possibility of me betraying you is extremely low.’ I added with a sneer.

“So, Lord of Wolhan, don’t you want to reclaim those lands?”

The Lord of Wolhan’s face turned slightly pale.

But the eyes never lie.

The Lord of Wolhan couldn’t hide the burning desire in his eyes.