You Were the One Who Came

You Were the One Who Came

"The Marsh Duchess once said that those who value only honor and martial strength can at most become excellent knights. Only those who value serfs and land can be qualified Lords—and you are one."

Or rather, whether someone had set up Baron Roman, who had died with his eyes still open.

But on further thought, that seemed impossible.

Would the Marsh Duke really remotely manipulate a seventeen-year-old girl and a Territory Steward into concocting such an outrageous lie just to set up a mere Baron?

What was the point?

Even if he was a younger son of the Cold Wind Family, there was no need for such trouble.

As one of the Northern Kingdom's three De Facto Dukes, the Marsh Duke possessed a formidable army second only to the King's.

With his strength, even if all six baronies in the White River Basin rebelled, it would be no more than a minor irritation to the Duke.

A hundred or so fully armed regular knights could slaughter their way through the entire White River Basin from south to north.

All Lynn had to do was send trusted men to investigate throughout White Bear Territory, or make a trip to Shallow Beach Territory, and Yagna's true identity could be verified.

Through the Lord panel, he could also see Yagna through completely.

[Yagna ★★]

[Command E-][Strength E-][Constitution E+][Intelligence C-][Administration E][Charisma D]

[Loyalty: 72 (Can be recruited as a follower)]

[Trait: Brain Trust—her own suggestions are more easily accepted]

Setting aside her attributes and trait, just looking at her loyalty alone, wasn't she clearly a devoted fangirl?

Of course, followers specialized in intelligence like this were somewhat impractical. Their greatest use was being sent to squat on assignments.

Yagna had been standing there talking for quite some time. Perhaps tired from speaking, she had no choice but to sit down and take a sip of apple mead to moisten her throat.

While drinking, she secretly glanced at Lynn.

When she found that the Baron wore a thoughtful expression and had shown no intention of rejecting her from start to finish, she immediately felt there was hope and was greatly delighted.

Not objecting often meant approval, or even encouragement.

"So, you once studied at the Marsh Duke's court?"

Faced with Lynn's further question, Yagna clasped the warm cup in both hands and replied,

"All the descendants of nobles in the White River Basin must study at the Duke's court. I could originally have stayed for another year, but Father's illness worsened, so I had to return home early."

At this time, noble courts served a function similar to schools.

Children from lower-ranking noble families would usually go to the courts of higher-ranking nobles at thirteen or fourteen to receive an education.

Boys were generally trained as knights, while girls became maids to noblewomen, learning skills such as managing household property, raising children, and cutting clothes.

Such schools were not merely places where knowledge and martial arts were passed down. They were also special bonds connecting high-ranking nobles to lower-ranking ones, adding a layer of affection known as "teacher and student" between superiors and subordinates.

"Was the Marsh Duchess your teacher?"

Having spent time around the Northern Border, Lynn had naturally heard the names of the Marsh Duke and his wife.

The Duchess's most famous traits were her fierce combat ability and her exceptionally rugged appearance.

Rumors in taverns claimed that the Marsh Duke had deliberately married this ugly woman in order to gain a powerful heir.

And that was indeed what happened.

The Duke's eldest son became famous at a young age. He had barely turned twenty before becoming unmatched throughout the territory.

He was known as the strongest young knight in the Northern Border, having perfectly inherited his parents' genes.

"The Duchess's appearance is indeed unlike that of ordinary women, and her courage truly does not fall short of those powerful male knights. But her heart is very gentle. She often taught us to treat serfs well, to value the territory's agriculture and handicrafts, and she also taught us how to assist our husbands in managing their territories." At the mention of the Marsh Duchess, a light flickered in Yagna's lively gray-green eyes.

She had spent three carefree and happy years at the Duke's court, only to be forced to cut short her studies and return home to marry because of family circumstances.

Now, she had become a homeless stray. Her situation could not have been more miserable.

That was why she regarded Lynn as her last hope and longed to use this newly appointed Baron to display her wealth of "knowledge."

And if possible, she very much hoped to regain the honorable status of Baroness and step onto the Northern Border's political stage through it.

What concerned Lynn, however, was another side of the Duchess.

Due to its environment, the Northern Border had always possessed a fierce culture and abundant martial spirit, and there had never been a shortage of female knights who became famous in their time.

He had not expected this Duchess, renowned for her martial prowess, to also be skilled at governing a territory.

"It sounds like you respect the Marsh Duchess greatly. Then do you truly hope that I take your family's territory? Even if it means defying your father's will, even if it means becoming enemies with your teacher? Is that really what you want?"

After pondering for a moment, Lynn turned his gaze back to Yagna, who looked nervous as though she were attending a final interview.

Yet Yagna answered without hesitation, "I think that rather than letting Shallow Beach Territory be squandered by my foolish younger brother, it would be better to let it bloom with a more brilliant blaze.

"As for my teacher, I am certainly grateful to her. But the current Marsh Duke is simply not a qualified Lord. In order to expand his army, he has added five new taxes over the past few years. The serfs in his territory live far more miserably than those in White Bear Territory."

Hearing this, Lynn could be certain that Yagna had come prepared.

She had long planned to offer advice when the new Lord took office, and for this, she was even willing to turn against her closest relatives.

After thinking for a moment, Lynn felt that what Yagna sought was perhaps far more than the status of Baroness.

If that status alone were her goal, she should not have laid all her cards on the table the first time they met.

Sure enough, seeing the hesitation on Lynn's face, Yagna immediately revealed an even more explosive secret.

"My Lord, there is one more thing I must confess to you. My younger brother is not Father's child at all. I once saw my stepmother and Father's knight together in the same bedroom, while Father was gravely ill. My main reason for helping you seize Shallow Beach Territory is revenge."

Lynn narrowed his eyes and stared intently into Yagna's, pressing, "Have you ever mentioned these matters to your former husband?"

"No. The first time I met him, I knew he was not someone I could entrust myself to. But you are different. From the moment we began speaking until now, I have been observing your expressions. I believe you have ambition, as well as the ability to match that ambition. Most importantly, I have persuaded you."

Yagna likewise bravely met Lynn's gaze.

Only then did Lynn finally feel as though the clouds had parted to reveal the sun.

He really had been set up.

And the one who had set him up was this seemingly innocent seventeen-year-old girl.

If Lynn merely wanted to be a good Lord loyal to the Duke, he should not have continued conspiring with Yagna until now.

He should either have left with a sweep of his sleeve or had her thrown out immediately.

Of course, none of this could be separated from Yagna's willingness to gamble everything.

She truly had nowhere left to go. She could only bet that Lynn was a genuine ambitious man, so that she could sell herself for a good price.

Yagna truly lived up to her [Brain Trust] trait. Her proposal had genuinely moved Lynn.

Before arriving in White Bear Territory, Lynn had passed through and investigated Shallow Beach Territory to the south, considering how he might bring it under his control.

Before he had even gone to bed, Yagna had already laid out the pillow and bedding—and had even placed herself on the bed.

As long as Lynn and Yagna had a son, he could gain a strong claim to Shallow Beach Territory.

(End of Chapter)