Duke of the North Refuses the Villain Route

Chapter 8-Obsidian Castle

In the books, the Great Collapse occurred due to the fall of the Northern Wall.

It all began when the first monster subjugation mission, shortly after Grand Duke Roano's death, ended in tragedy. The then Grand Duke Roran Valtoria had not awakened his Dragon Flame and refused to leave the castle to "mourn his father's death" as an excuse. Because no Valtoria had personally led a subjugation team in many years, everyone thought it was normal and proceeded as usual.

However, grave news shook the entire Duchy after three days.

The Ember Knights' First Company of the Blaze Battalion were wiped out in a monster ambush. The most talented and skilled group of warriors that had protected the North for years were gone in a blink of an eye.

The only survivor was their leader, Knight Captain Kaelan. Kaelan, absolutely devasted by the loss of his men, left to roam the lands behind the Wall. There, he did nothing but slaughter monsters that came into his path. As an aura user who was at the peak of Guardian Level, close to reaching Master Level, it was easy for him to take on any of the monsters at the foot of the Monster Forest.

However, a month into his crusade he found the truth. His men were not ambushed by monsters.

Some humans were controlling the monsters, causing them all to go berserk.

Kaelan tried to run and inform the Grand Duke. But it was all in vain. He was caught, and before he could demand answers, they slit his throat.

Just like that, a powerful warrior of the Valtoria Family fell, alone and in despair.

Things were different in the current reality. Roran was here, and he would never let that tragedy happen.

He will stomp out any sign of Apex on their land.

Time to catch some rats.

-----

Roran stood before the castle entrance, Ember Knights lined behind him on their horses and carriages carrying their supplies. Their steel gray and red armor glinted under the magic lights, while Roran's black and red armor seemed to absorb all light around it.

His attention though, was focused on the little sleepy bundle in his arms that insisted on sending him off.

"Go back to sleep. It's not even dawn, yet," he said.

"See...you...later," Aleron said in sleepy mumbles. His lids kept fluttering, trying in vain to fight off sleepiness. "Come back...safe...soon."

Roran's heart squeezed in his chest at his cuteness. He hugged him close and kissed his messy red hair. "Eat well. Play well. Sleep well. Focus on your studies. I will check what you learned when I come back," he said. "If something happens go to Herard or Commander Zakan."

He got a sleepy nod as an answer.

Roran looked up and found the two maids in their early 30s who were currently in charge of Aleron's care. Two pairs had been hired previously, but they each lasted a day. Aleron and Roran quickly saw them for what they were. The two before him were hired on the third day and had stuck around ever since. Aleron seemed to like them, seeing as he even mentioned their names to him a few times a week. Using his own eyes, Roran found that the two people genuinely cared for their little young master.

"Marsha and Ira, correct?" he addressed the two. Marsha was a woman with brown hair and warm earthy eyes. Ira also had a darker shade of brown hair and dark blue eyes.

They were startled at his address but quickly bowed. "Yes, Your Grace."

"Good job on caring for Aleron the past week. He will be in your care from now on."