’A miracle once a week, huh...?’
Justinian grinned slightly; it was vague, one that didn’t outline clearly what its capability was, but it was a good trump card nonetheless.
"Marshal."
He addressed Lucan, stopping the training of the n; they were already skilled enough.
"Have the n eat and sleep early; we’re attacking at night."
"Early?"
Lucan questioned, What did he an by that? What would be the purpose? If they want a successful night raid, then they should train as much as they can when they still have the ti, right?
"While the enemies are tired in the dead of night, our refreshed n will annihilate them."
Justinian smirked, raising two fingers.
"And by that I an we’ll strike two in the morning."
Justinian didn’t just pick the ti arbitrarily; during his ti in his past world, he had heard studies about how the ti fra of 2-3 am is where most humans will be at their most unattentive state.
And that was enough to finalize his decision.
"But why today? Won’t the soldiers have a hard ti with the sudden announcent?"
"That’s the point... if even our own n don’t expect it, then why would the enemy?"
Justinian looked at the gathering of soldiers, resting as Justinian stopped their training.
"All of you, sleep and eat early; we’ll be launching an attack early in the day."
He yelled out, waving his arm as an order to have them all disperse and be ready. With how many unexpected variables arose just from his ddling, he needed to make sure this one had the least error.
"That applies to you as well, Marshal."
He added before leaving him to it.
"Make sure the n, knights, and your own guard are ready."
"I’ll be resting as well."
Justinian departed, giving Lucan a small pat on the shoulder. It was the least he could do for the bombshell he had just dropped on the poor man.
But it at least earned him loyalty beyond compare, one that may have affected Cassia a little too much.
’I feel like she’s staring a hole through ...’
Justinian muttered as he continued walking, feeling her devotion and awe. A knight in the kingdom, especially one from Vesuvian, was always taught to respect and worship the gods.
And with Justinian lying and calling himself an Arcanist, a mortal who gained so of the gods’ powers, that worship naturally was placed onto him.
’I’m done with purging the corrupt, assigning a competent lawmaker, Matthias, in complete control of the capital, the army is ready...’
’What more?’
Justinian pocketed his hands, in deep thought of what to do next. A feudal duchy would always have problems, and he only did the bare minimum. He should think of the next agenda quickly.
’Sanitation...? Plumbing...?’
The ideas were solid, but he was a historian, not an engineer; he couldn’t even implent them even if he wanted to.
He would need skilled workers, and for that to happen, he needs to beat Rhyne and stop his rebellion.
"Looks like I’ll have to take things slow until I take down Rhyne..."
Cassia heard it from behind, her mind already undergoing more theorizing.
Was he already planning what to do after Rhyne? What could it be? A complete overhaul of the duchy as she knows it? Or complete expansion?
The potential was endless.
’Status screen.’
Justinian quickly opened, checking his current duchy’s status. Everything was stable, no fluctuations or anything weird.
But he did have 130 prestige left, one that would be useful in the future if he had any resource problems.
But for now, he just needed to rest, to sleep for the rest of the day to be ready.
***
Justinian imdiately changed his clothing to be sothing simpler; he had fought a battle, purged nobles, and a lot more.
Even his body was starting to give out, the physicality of it was sothing, but the ntal gymnastics he had to perform? That made him even more tired.
As he lay on his bed, he spotted Cassia just on the side of his vision, forgetting to give her his order.
"Rest as well... we’ll be needing it."
Justinian closed his eyes, his body finally giving out as he let himself rest for the upcoming battle.
***
Count Rhyne’s POV - Ferlain City Outskirts
***
KNOCK. KNOCK.
"It’s , Elberich."
"Co inside."
Rhyne answered, staring blankly at the window of his small lodge. He had nothing to do; he just waited out this rebellion until the dukedom fell and he obtained it.
All the while waiting for news of events.
"I’ll make this quick, Rhyne."
Elberich sat down opposite him, fixing his tie. Rhyne noticed how frustrated he looked, and more importantly, the worry that filled his face.
Like a man waiting for everything to blow up in his face.
"The attack failed..."
"What...?"
Rhyne slamd the wooden table hard, his voice stern.
"What do you an the attack failed!? You just had to burn down a few villages! There’s no way Justinian could muster up a defense that quickly!"
Elberich only stayed silent, his eyes having a treacherous gleam in them; he was subservient to Rhyne for all these years, placing his hope on him to be the new duke to rule them.
But was it really all worth it? Because it seed like his master plan was finally starting to break.
"Well, he did."
Elberich answered.
Rhyne noticed the blunt and defiant answer Elberich gave, making him narrow his eyes in anger.
"Don’t tell you’re actually thinking of joining Justinian’s side?"
Rhyne spat out.
What Rhyne didn’t know was that Matthias and Elberich were already in contact with each other, just right after his army was defeated by Justinian.
Matthias knew Elberich wasn’t as competent or as ambitious as Rhyne; he only joined the side of who was the better leader.
And now? Matthias was slowly planting the seeds into Elberich’s mind to turn coat.
"No, of course not, it’s far too late to even think of doing that."
"Then what are you here for?"
Rhyne asked; he could have just sent a ssenger to inform him of the failure instead of telling him firsthand. Did he have sothing planned?
"I’m just here to check on you, as the future duke after all."
Elberich stood up, straightening his coat as he turned, approaching the door.
"I’m sure... Justinian is no match for you."
It was what Elberich said, but inside, he knew far better than that; the amount of information that Matthias gave him was enough for him to reconsider the entire rebellion.
’Justinian... I’ll see you soon.’
THUD.
As he left the room, Rhyne only stayed silent, but not for long.
"Damn it all!"
He threw a wine glass onto a painting, the red liquid ruining its paint.
"I’m filled with incompetent idiots! How hard is it to outmaneuver a young, incompetent duke!?"
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