Grand Duke Fernandez had earned the King's trust, receiving repeated elevations in rank and grants of land. Now, he had even been given the opportunity to formally establish a grand duchy.
Even the Church had been willing to compromise and strike a deal with the royal family.
How could he possibly be as incompetent as outsiders believed?
Sometimes, your eyes could deceive you.
Even history could deceive you.
If Grand Duke Fernandez failed, history would record that the King's useless, incompetent younger brother had squandered hundreds of thousands of lives on the strength of the King's favor, only to fail at the final step.
If he succeeded, then the King's favor would naturally become proof of his keen eye for talent. Amid the incomprehension of the masses, His Grace had resolutely taken on the responsibility of reclaiming lost territory and turned the tide.
Grand Duke Fernandez did not know whether this was a turning point in history, but he knew it was a crucial moment in his life, one that allowed no room for carelessness.
He had to admit that while he considered himself exceptionally intelligent, he truly did not have much experience in warfare.
And this time, his opponent was the renowned Northland Knights, a force that had once dealt the Holy Cross Kingdom a devastating blow. How could he not be worried at all?
Making no mistakes was the first principle he had set for himself.
Steady, methodical progress was the proper path.
To be honest, Grand Duke Fernandez truly was not useless. He could even be called an outstanding man.
Just like now: he had only just had an argument with Earl Connor, yet he was immediately able to calmly discuss the details of advancing west with his advisers.
"Your Grace, the Locke people cannot be trusted.