Episode 107
“I intend to grant you the duchy of Saxony.”
For Dale’s thirteenth birthday, the Duke of Saxony bestowed upon him a gift truly befitting the heir of a noble house.
“A duchy…”
Dale already held the title of viscount as the Duke’s proxy, a strategic move for political maneuvering rather than a genuine grant of land. His role required him to travel the continent, not be tied down to a single estate.
To spread the name of the “Black Prince” and continually hone his skills. To acquire what he needed most.
But on his thirteenth birthday, when the Duke spoke of “Dale’s land,” the situation had shifted.
He had gained control of the continent’s most formidable assassin guild, the Shadow Court, and commanded the invincible Black Armor Company, a thousand-strong heavy infantry mercenary force.
By his side stood trusted swords like the Swordmaster Charlotte and the Saintess Aurelia.
Even the Night Ravens, knights directly under Dale’s command, including Sir Bale of Baskerville, were no exception.
And finally, his unwavering mentor, the elf mage Sephia.
These were not the Duke’s people, but Dale’s. His formidable power had grown beyond that of a mere minor noble, prompting the Duke to grant him land to match his influence.
A place where Dale’s forces could settle and take root. There was no reason to hesitate.
“Is there a particular area within the duchy that interests you?”
“Yes, there is a place I find quite intriguing.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
A map of the empire lay on the table, showing the northern expanse dominated by the Duchy of Saxony. As Dale’s gaze moved upward, the white mountain range that bordered the duchy came into view.
Beyond the white peaks lay the “Old Demon King’s Domain,” an unexplored dark territory stretching endlessly.
The Dark Land.
When the hero once vanquished the being known as the “Demon King,” the people of the continent believed peace had finally arrived. However, the empire’s leaders realized that some demons had merely migrated to the harsh environment of the Dark Land to survive.
Despite this knowledge, the imperial family had granted the Duke of Saxony the Demon King’s Domain as a fief, demanding its development as part of the empire—a near-impossible task.
In Dale’s childhood, there were attempts to develop the Demon King’s Domain. Ultimately, these efforts failed, and now the white mountains were merely watched over by winter sentinels, monitoring the domain’s movements.
A barren land even the Duke of Saxony couldn’t conquer.
“Grant me the lands around the Demon King’s Domain.”
Dale pointed to the map and spoke.
“As expected.”
The Duke of Saxony merely gave a wry smile, as if he had anticipated this all along.
“You’re not surprised.”
“After all the surprises you’ve given me, this is hardly shocking.”
The imperial family had deliberately left the darkness of the Demon King’s Domain untouched to pressure the Duke.
“What do you plan to do with the Demon King’s Domain?”
“I’ll establish my viscounty there and become a shield against the demon threat.”
“The Demon King’s Domain is filled with countless labyrinths and wandering monsters. Building a fortress is one thing, but creating a livable environment is another.”
“Not with our current strength, no.”
Dale replied.
“But there are countless skilled individuals on the continent, wandering in search of fortune.”
Pathfinders, monster hunters, mercenaries, adventurers roaming the world without a fixed destination.
“Living doesn’t always mean harvesting crops.”
Dale, who had once delved into the darkness of the Demon King’s Domain and defeated the Demon King, spoke with conviction. If the treasures hidden there were revealed, it would spark a gold rush reminiscent of the Wild West.
“Do you understand the implications of this?”
“I do.”
The Duke asked gravely, and Dale nodded. Revealing the treasures of the Demon King’s Domain to the world and offering adventurers a chance at fortune.
“It’s worth it.”
Breaking the Duke’s isolationist stance and moving towards openness.
“We’ll support the adventurers and protect them from threats they can’t handle.”
“A truly audacious plan.”
“Humans are creatures driven by desire.”
Dale replied.
“But do you have a way to persuade the countless adventurers of the continent?”
“I do.”
Dale smiled, as if he had been waiting for this question.
Not long after.
A large market in Guild City saw a significant number of adventurers. They came with artifacts and jewels obtained at great risk from the Demon King’s land beyond the Duchy of Saxony.
The seven masters of Guild City engaged in fierce bidding wars for these dark treasures, drawing everyone’s attention.
The treasures from the Demon King’s Domain, acquired by adventurers, spread through the mouths of the seven cities and the great guilds.
Through Guild City’s network, the tales traveled far and wide, becoming a wordless message that spread across the empire.
“The Duchy of Saxony is recruiting skilled adventurers.”
“The northern Demon King’s Domain still holds countless labyrinths and artifacts.”
“One artifact could make you rich enough for three generations.”
“Even novice adventurers can start by hunting low-level monsters and gradually grow.”
“Even if you just find a gem in a labyrinth, you could live comfortably for life.”
Following the special orders of the city masters, the seven great guilds began to spread the word of the “treasures of the Demon King’s Domain” wherever they had branches.
Through Guild City’s network, and from the mouths of mercenaries, the story spread.
A land of opportunity where you could risk your life for a fortune. An artifact rush.
The dawn of the “Wild North” had begun.
The following year, Dale’s fourteenth birthday arrived.
Labyrinth City, Labyrinthos.
A city of opportunity built atop the “Great Labyrinth” of the northern Demon King’s Domain.
The streets bustled with adventurers, and around the labyrinth city, these adventurers doubled as “pioneer farmers,” cultivating the frozen land with winter crops.
The church also declared that “developing the Demon King’s land is an act desired by the goddess,” and many pioneering monks joined the cause, inspired by Cardinal Nikolai’s fiery passion, volunteering as servants of the twin goddesses.
People gathered, cities formed, and commerce flowed. No one dared call this place a remote northern outpost anymore.
Major trading companies from across the continent, including Guild City, established branches everywhere. The streets of the labyrinth city were filled with taverns and various facilities.
The Duke of Saxony had once converted a fortress meant to develop the Demon King’s Domain into a city, expanding it continuously.
And on that day, in the “Little Saxon Viscount’s” castle in Labyrinth City.
Dale sat on the throne, officially becoming the “Viscount of Saxony” who ruled the northern Demon King’s Domain.
The title Dale received as his father’s proxy, the Duke of Saxony.
The Black Armor Company entered into a long-term contract with Viscount Saxony—Dale—and became the official guard force protecting the Demon King’s Domain (Saxon Viscounty).
Year by year, Dale’s vision for the northern development project progressed smoothly. By choosing openness over isolation.
It’s not to say the Duke of Saxony’s methods were wrong. In fact, Dale’s choice to open up and bring prosperity to the land was built on the foundation of the Saxon family’s strength, accumulated through years of isolation.
It was the son’s duty to inherit and build upon what the father had established.
The ruler of the Demon King’s Domain.
Even though it was officially named the Saxon Viscounty, the land’s name remained unchanged. Revering the fearsome reputation of the “Black Prince” who ruled it.
And Dale, too, felt no particular aversion to calling his domain the “Demon King’s Domain.”
“Viscount Saxony.”
Around that time, a “winter sentinel” monitoring the Demon King’s Domain reported to Dale.
Having transformed from a mere mountain patrol into Viscount Saxony’s intelligence unit.
“A horde of ghouls is preparing a large-scale attack on the northern pioneer monastery.”
Upon hearing the report, Sir Bale of Baskerville spoke up.
“Shall we issue a summons to the knightly order?”
“How many ghouls are there?”
“Approximately a thousand.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
Dale nodded and continued.
“Sir Bale, summon the knights stationed within the castle.”
“At your command!”
“Sir Yones, request two hundred heavy infantry from the Black Armor Company.”
“As you wish, my lord!”
The adventurers could handle what they could, but it was the duty of the House of Sachsen to protect against threats beyond their capacity. That was why Dale rose to his feet.
As the lord of Sachsen Keep and the ruler of this demon-infested land.
Beside him, a swordswoman clad in black armor followed closely.
Lady Charlotte.
Though her face was hidden beneath her helmet, the armor that symbolized the Raven Knight couldn’t conceal the burgeoning figure beneath. At fourteen, she was no longer the little girl she once was.
Dale was no exception to change either.
His shadowy cloak, disguised as a black surcoat, billowed as he walked. The vassals of the Sachsen domain lined up on either side, bowing their heads in silence.
Dale’s initial vision—to establish his power in this demon realm and build a “City of Opportunity”—had been realized. But that was just the beginning.
In truth, the city’s revival and the influx of adventurers had only begun a few months ago. Conflicts between people, and between people and monsters, were a constant headache for Dale.
In this land steeped in darkness, the threats Dale would face were only just beginning to reveal themselves.
There was a reason the Duke of Sachsen had abandoned the “Demon Realm.”
Thus, having been granted the title of Viscount of Sachsen by his father, Dale’s journey as the lord pioneering the demon realm was only just beginning.