Chapter 109.1

Was it because of the recognition and sense of belonging I received for the first time?

After that, my comrades from the Devil’s Den and I fought for the North more passionately than anyone else.

“For our new homeland!”

“Fight! With all your heart!”

The North had become our new home.

“Warriors of the North! Fight! Do not shame your ancestors! Do not get spanked by them in the afterlife!”

Rune Renslet, the hero of the North, was indeed a hero worthy of recognition.

Rune Renslet’s true value didn’t lie in his Sword Master skills.

He possessed charisma that someone like me—a gloomy necromancer—could never emulate.

A halo always seemed to shimmer above him as he fought at the forefront of the battlefield.

“Renslet! Rune Renslet!”

“Renslet! Rune Renslet!”

“Renslet! Rune Renslet!”

Countless Northerners trusted and followed him.

“Renslet! Rune Renslet!”

Even among them, we necromancers were included.

As time passed, the chaos in the North began to subside, possibly thanks to our involvement.

However, that didn’t mean it had stabilized like other regions of Arcadia.

The bitter cold and savagery still persisted, but a line was finally drawn in the North to distinguish barbarism from civilization.

At that time, it felt like this moment of glory would last forever.

But nothing in this world lasts forever.

When did it begin?

“Here in Haven, the location is perfect. It marks the dividing line between the Demon Realm and the Empire’s central-northern region.”

“Indeed, if you go further down from here, you’ll reach Luhan, the Empire’s northern stronghold.”

“Ah… The natural fortress the Empire built to keep your ancestors at bay, you mean?”

“‘Your ancestors’? They’re our ancestors now, Isaac.”

“…! Thank you for saying that.”

Ah… It must have been around the time when we herded the mutant monsters into the so-called Demon Realm.

“Would it be alright for us to settle our Devil’s Den here in Haven? Mutant monsters hold significant research value.”

“Go ahead.”

It was when we were just about to establish our Devil’s Den base in Haven.

“Boss! We’ve got visitors!”

“Visitors? What kind of visitors?”

“Well… um… You might want to come and see for yourself.”

“If this turns out to be nothing, you’re dead meat!”

A group like us—persecuted and wandering—had come seeking refuge in this frozen land.

“We seek an audience with Rune Renslet, the hero of the North. I am Isabelle, the Witch of Spring, representing the Witch’s Council.”

“…!”

The Witch of Spring and the hero of the North met for the first time.

“Ahem! I-I am Rune Renslet! I welcome the witches to join us.”

“Whoa~, look at our boss’s face turning red!”

“Well, it’s about time our boss found someone to settle down with.”

“Shut it, you little brats!”

It was around that time that the waves of glory began to turn murky.

In the Arcadian continent, magic exists.

On the Eastern Continent, something akin to magic called Vision Sorcery exists.

In the sealed Southern Continent, where other races supposedly crossed over, elemental magic, regular magic, and sorcery coexist.

And the witches could wield all three—magic, elementalism, and sorcery.

“With this wall, we can block the barbarians, monsters, and orcs from the Extreme North with minimal damage.”

Three years. It took just three years. That was all it took for the Great Wall of the Extreme North to be completed in this frigid land.

“…The witches are truly remarkable.”

Rune Renslet couldn’t hide his admiration as he looked at the Great Wall of the Extreme North, built by Isabelle and the witches in just three years.

“The North is far more impressive. We witches were amazed by the North’s technology.”

However, Isabelle and the witches, who had built the Great Wall, were more astounded by the North’s hidden technological prowess.

“To think you could construct stone structures this easily using lime powder! And reinforcing them with iron bars to ensure durability… It’s completely changed our perception of the North.” 𝖗АƝòBΕṩ

“Hahaha! The North’s metallurgy and masonry are quite renowned. I’ve heard that these techniques have been passed down intact since the Golden Age. Even when our ancestors were barbarian druids, they managed to preserve and transmit these two skills no matter what.”

“Thanks to combining that with elementalism, we were able to build it quickly and sturdily.”

The two of them gazed at the Great Wall with pride.

Even excluding mountain ranges, gorges, and frozen seas, it was a towering, lengthy wall spanning dozens of kilometers.

This structure, named the Great Wall of the Extreme North, highlighted humanity’s presence amid the vastness of nature.

“I hear the Empire is currently constructing a wall in the Eastern Ruins.”

“Unlike us, they’re probably stacking bricks one by one.”

Had the wall been built purely by human effort, it would’ve taken at least decades, if not centuries.

But the North was an exception. The reinforced concrete construction techniques passed down from the Golden Age persisted in the North, and with the addition of the witches’ elementalism, they managed to erect the roof of the North in just three years.

“By now, many people in the Empire’s East have likely died or been injured. They’re probably consuming an enormous amount of money and time as well.”

“Doesn’t the Empire have the Mage Tower?”

“The Mage Tower’s assistance is likely limited to enchantments.”

“What a pity.”

Rune Renslet expressed his sympathy with a completely unsympathetic face.

“There’s no need to worry about the Empire. They have abundant resources and population.”

“Agreed. Of all things, who are they to worry about?”

“The wall is completed. What’s your next plan? Whatever it is, Isabelle, I’ll support you in any way I can.”

“I plan to build a fortress—a very sturdy and massive one—at the center of the Great Wall.”

“You truly understand me well. Yes, that’s exactly it. A fortress for the Renslet Ducal House to guard against the savagery of the Extreme North for generations. That is the destiny of the Renslet Ducal House.”

Last year, the Emperor of the Empire officially granted Rune Renslet governance over the North.

Along with that, he conferred the unprecedented title of Duke.

Thus, Rune Renslet became the Grand Duke of the North overnight.

“Isabelle, I’m sorry.”

“About what?”

“I want to marry you officially… to make you the Grand Duchess with pride…”

“It’s fine. You must think of the North and Renslet. Just being loved by you as I am now is enough for me.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I want to do something for you…”

“Then let me be the first to carry your child. Before that princess the Empire sent.”

“I swear, I will make it so. Shall we start by building our marital home?”

The way Rune Renslet looked at Isabelle was nothing more than that of a man deeply in love.

“A castle. But it’ll be comfortable to live in. I’ll ensure it’s warm, safe, and convenient by using various spells and setting up wards.”

Similarly, a faint blush graced Isabelle’s face as she gazed at Rune Renslet.

“…”

Watching the two, my fellow necromancers of the Devil’s Den and I couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable unease.

“Ahem! Your Grace, Grand Duke? The orcs have all been driven into the Extreme North.”

“Your Grace? That sounds so pretentious. Just call me by name, Isaac. Aren’t we comrades?”@@novelbin@@

“If you insist… Rune.”

“What about the barbarian druids?”