*** Thirell Duchy - Farsen ***

Justinian's carriage continued smoothly, and with the ball being dismissed early, he now had extra time he hadn't accounted for.

The time that he decided would be best used to monitor the rest of his duchy.

Other than his three main lands that he personally rules, he had left the rest to the devices of his own vassals.

It would be a good idea to take a firsthand account to see how the rest of his duchy was doing, after all, Elberich was vaguely described as the economically richest of his vassals.

"My lord, should we take entry into Lord Elberich's mansion?"

"No, just circle his capital. I only want to take a quick look."

As the carriage began to move, Justinian quickly assessed the status of Farsen, Elberich's capital, the economic powerhouse of Thirell.

And after a quick look, he deserved it.

His entire capital was thriving, compared to Snowkeep's cold stone architecture; Farlen's was welcoming and filled with merchants and foreigners.

Elberich had mostly earned his wealth through trade and exterior means, something he had full freedom to do when the rebellion was still at large, capable of initiating trades and deals with all sorts of nations and groups without needing Justinian's permission.

One of the reasons why he chose to join, Rhyne, the immediate prosperity of his lands was enough for him to swear loyalty to the rebellion.

At least, before Justinian and Matthias managed to cause him to turn sides.

"It's bigger than my capital in every way..."

Justinian didn't know what he was expecting; the novel had barely described Elberich other than the fact that he was a small economic powerhouse and cowardly ruler.

But after seeing his lands up close, it definitely felt like an understatement.

Even in outward appearance alone, it was far grander than Ferlain, albeit Justinian only saw it while it was already in rubble.

As the carriage began to move, some of Elberich's citizens began to notice the regal-looking carriage being escorted by more than eighty elite guards.

A sight to cause worry to most, it only meant it was the Duke, having a visit to a former traitor's lands.

"The people are quite tense here, my lord."

Justinian nodded. "They must think that I came here to punish them."

"I would think the same if I were in their shoes." The carriage driver joked.

As they continued to move across the city, the main square had a completely different feel as hundreds of red banners surrounded it.

All bearing Justinian's family crest and propaganda, it seemed like Elberich had already prepared for a sudden visit, hoping that the sight would at least amuse or satisfy him enough.

"This feels less like a square and more like a cult gathering..."

But despite the less-than-pleasant design of the main square, it was still bustling and thriving, akin to Snowkeep when it had its festival, but unlike Snowkeep, this was Farsen at its normal state.

Completely blowing Justinian's old capital before the construction projects out of the water.

"My population as well is lacking; I should start to plan to relocate some people to my capital."

It was definitely strange, seeing a vassal having a much bigger population than his liege, one that Justinian plans to talk about with Matthias once he returns.

"Never knew he was this competent."

Justinian laughed, crossing his legs.

"I've seen enough, let's head back."

He ordered the carriage immediately, moving to leave the city, and as they did, Justinian could feel the collective amount of relief every single one of Elberich's citizens felt when he did.

'Seriously... I'm barely that terrifying.'

*** Snowkeep ***

The moment they arrived back at the capital, it was already fairly dark, the detour to Farsen taking more time than Justinian had expected.

But despite that, he left the carriage with a satisfied smile; he now had a better overview of his entire duchy's status.

'Bjorn and Elberich are joint ruling Rhyne's former lands... I shouldn't worry about it much.'

"My lord, you've arrived earlier than expected."

Matthias spoke, currently speaking with Martin and Feryll just in front of the throne, and surprisingly enough, the throne room was livelier and more crowded than usual.

Most weren't even faces he recognized, yet they all held an inexperienced charm to them, like they came from a fairly new and aspiring group of barons and counts.

They were a mixture of various nobles and merchants roaming and mingling around.

"What's with this?"

Justinian looked around, seeing a once very cold and oppressive throne room turn into an actual place of royalty and discussion.

"We just received them a few hours ago, my lord, according to them, it was you who invited them over when you talked with their liege's back at the capital."

"I trust you'll put them to good use."

Justinian had remembered, they were likely the courtiers of the nobles who were part of a cooperation he had talked with back at the ball, the ones he had easily coerced into allying with him.

"No need to even ask, my lord."

"Hey... I trust that you're fine?"

Feryll spoke, interrupting Justinian when he began to walk off.

"Are you still worried about me despite knowing I tricked you?"

"Oh shut up! I'm just... grateful for helping us out back then."

"Then let's celebrate in the future once things get less busy."

Feryll smiled, nodding as he returned to listen to Matthias and Martin's future projects for the city, this time the scope being far less than the previous ones, mostly aimed to improve the quality of life within the duchy.

*** Snowkeep Palace - Duke's Office ***

"How are you doing?"

"Better than expected, my duke... I've already finished most that needed fixing, all we need to do now is wait and thrive."

On Darius' desk was a surreal amount of bowls, each one filled with food that was cooked with Justinian's own recipe, and it was visible through Darius' face that he absolutely loved it.

The only person in his court who was weird enough to accept a job through food payment alone.

"I'd like for you to add some new reforms."

"Hm?"

Darius straightened his sitting position, grabbing a piece of paper and a quill, quick on the uptake as always.

"How many houses do we have that are left unused?"

Darius was caught off guard by his question. He hadn't even considered it, already thinking their current stability was enough; he had hoped that the problem would be solved in the future, once people started to immigrate and start having stable lives.

"Most of the capital is forty percent empty, my lord... according to ledgers, most died during last year's winter famine."

Darius grabbed a scroll that held the information; it was still during a time that the original Justinian had ruled.

That was the event that had sparked the start of the rebellion; it was the event that signalled to everyone that House Thirell had finally crumbled.

"Tell me, compared to your own lands... how can you describe mine..."

Justinian asked, leaning towards the desk, his eyes locked on Darius. In Justinian's perspective, he had been doing a great job, but now that he was at peace.

He needed to start grabbing other perspectives.

"...Eh...? I mean... It's doing impressively well, my lord."

Darius scratched the back of his neck, giving a halfhearted laugh. It was a question that really had no good answer.

Both subtly imply the other is lesser than the rest.

An answer that would get most other people executed.

"Not what I'm talking about, I need brutal honesty."

Justinian pinched the bridge of his nose, an action that made Darius even more concerned and stressed.

Despite working for Justinian for a few weeks now, he was still just as terrified and cautious when they first time they met.

But it was a good trait for any ruler to have, and Justinian couldn't blame him for it.

Darius hesitated, tapping the quill against the parchment, eyes darting anywhere but Justinian's face.

"If I'm being honest, my lord... your duchy feels like a fortress first and a home second."

Justinian raised a brow, intrigued.

"A fortress?"

"Yes, my lord. Everything here is strong, walls, soldiers, order, but it's cold. The people are safe, but not... alive. Compared to mine, it feels different. Chaotic, but full of movement."

Justinian leaned back, fingers curled. It wasn't criticism, it was observation. And he appreciated that more than flattery.

'Cold, huh? Not exactly wrong.'

He remembered the people's faces when he'd passed through Elberich's streets, smiles, trades, and laughter. Meanwhile, Snowkeep was quiet, efficient, and obedient... but mostly joyless in the usual day-to-day.

"Then we'll change that."

"My lord?"

"I'd like you to launch a census early tomorrow morning."

Darius nearly dropped his quill. "A... census?"

"Yes. Something to show the people that we've survived. That the duchy isn't frozen in the past anymore." Justinian turned, a small smirk forming. "Besides, it's about time I do something else for the duchy than just act like a living god."

"That's... certainly new."

"Good. I like new."

Justinian's tone softened as he gazed out the window, the faint moonlight reflecting against the glass. The cold blue hue made the city below look like a frozen painting, beautiful, but lifeless.

"I'll also be staying here for a while. I plan to make an educational reform."

Darius blinked, unsure whether to be amazed or horrified, a duke himself planning the education of his territory instead of leaving it to the priests or the academic union?

"What about the academic union?"

"It'll take a few months until they decide my capital is safe enough to re-establish contact with, I'd rather not wait and let my capital stagnate."

Darius understood Justinian's message and concern, but there was one big issue with Justinian's plan, one he couldn't quite understand...

A duke isn't exactly a teaching expert...

But at this point, Justinian was already half divine, and he'd rather not question him unless he wanted to get struck by lightning.

"I see..."

"Finally realizing that I'm not exactly conventional?"

Justinian smirked, seeing Darius' reaction as he began to plan out the logistics for the census. "I've known that for a long time, my lord... but it isn't exactly easy to come into terms with."

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