Nobles Gather in Imperial Capital

Ryan trusted Aethelred because, over the years, she had managed the Frozen Earth Territory in impeccable order.

Originally, such matters should have been handled by steward Beard. But as Ryan's Frozen Earth Territory grew ever larger, its population increasing and its prosperity expanding, one steward was clearly no longer enough to manage it all.

Yet Aethelred had the ability to handle all of the people's livelihoods, whether here or on the Otherworldly Plane.

Moreover, under Ryan's deliberate cultivation, the Frozen Earth Territory had developed a comprehensive administrative system that spread like a pyramid across the territory's population of over a million.

The vast majority of these people came from Wandering Nobles of the Otherworld. It could not be helped—noble families had always enjoyed abundant knowledge and education. A small portion were fortunate people within the Frozen Earth Territory who had seized their opportunities.

They had originally had no chance to acquire knowledge, but Ryan gave them that chance.

However, that alone was not enough.

Ryan also summoned Borgeld and Higni.

"You will be responsible for protecting Aethelred and eliminating those unstable elements."

Ryan looked at the two women, both brimming with killing intent, and said,

"I don't mean only within the Frozen Earth Territory. I mean everyone on this land of the Northlands. Whoever causes chaos and affects the Northlands' war against the orcs, kill them directly."

"If they're nobles..."

Ryan looked at Higni.

"You should be quite practiced at it. Don't let anyone know, but make sure they know that nobles can die too."

"Make sure Aethelred can manage everything outside the war."

Neither woman was particularly solemn. One simply did not care about human souls, while the other had no awareness whatsoever of Ryan's authority as a superior. They merely nodded and agreed.

Ryan did not care.

He