Grand Duke and Extraordinary Organizations

In Hot Spring Province, the most powerful figure was naturally still Grand Duke Russell. Since Ryan had come here, dealing with this Grand Duke was unavoidable.

Yet even after pondering it for a long time, Ryan still could not understand exactly what Grand Duke Russell wanted.

After the war in Hot Spring Province ended, Grand Duke Russell had merely proposed land reclamation. Considering the Grand Duke's merits during the war and the Emperor's current influence, Volvo had agreed to his proposal.

Thus, Grand Duke Russell had remained in Hot Spring Province during this time. As long as he stayed here, the highest authority over this land would not return to the Hot Spring Governor, that Marquis.

All the resources Ryan wanted were now under Grand Duke Russell's control.

Since Ryan had never been able to figure out the Grand Duke's purpose, he had first gone to Count Ferguson and the Hot Spring Marquis, drawing the two great nobles to his side.

In other words, Ryan now had the confidence to claim a share of those war resources in the Emperor's name.

However, that would also consume the trust the two great nobles had in him. After all, Ryan had made them so many promises and provided them with so much, yet they had not seen a thing from it.

Ryan and Grand Duke Russell were not strangers. The Grand Duke's earlier letter had been their first contact, and Ryan's relationship with him was closer than with those two great nobles.

Grand Duke Russell now resided in Hot Spring Fortress, having thoroughly crushed the spirit of the officers from the royal family.

"Baron Ryan? You actually came to Hot Spring Province in person? Isn't the Orc War in Northwind still unfinished? His Majesty the Emperor just sent an order, asking me