A weary historian dies and finds himself in a different world awakened in a life as the notorious young Duke of a southern state. His nation is weakened, his army underfed, and his neighbors revolve around his lands menacingly. No one believes his land is going to hold out until winter.

But this newfound duke is no naive simpleton his enemies recollect. He carries with him the experience of centuries of war and empire, of starting and ending monarchies. From Caesar to Napoleon, from the Mongols to world wars, he has learned from each of them—and his strategy is to make history his very own arms.

He organizes his smashed levies into well-trained formations, rebuilds his castles, and turns his villages into supply centers. Where others see defeat, he senses opportunity. As he triumphs, rumors spread: of a pennant red as winter snow that shall not go to ground, of a bloody duke who writes his name in gore and flame.

Is he a savior who's constructing a new empire, or a tyrant who's going to bring the world to endless war?

The razing of Ferlain continued, even with Rhyne captured, Elberich needed to send a message.


Letting Ferlain in good condition signalled weakness to other rulers beyond the kingdom, and Elberich wanted to make sure that Justinian wasn't seen as weak.


Or else more disasters would come in the future.


"Kill all of his men! Raze the city! Spare the citizens!"


Elberich shouted, raising his sword as he sent out the next group of mercenaries to climb the ladders, which was now an easy entrance to the city itself.


Rhyne shouted as he kneeled on the snowy floor, being held by Elberich's generals.


His eyes were sunken, his face pale; it was clear that he was no longer sane.


More fire rained down on Ferlain, with smoke filling the sky like it came from hell itself. Ferlain was now uninhabitable.


The entire city inside the walls is now ashes and ruin, covered with blood.


Chapter 49 - Reunion