Since King Rodney XVIII officially issued the decree granting the vast and strategically important Yellow Earth Land to Duke Hal, he has been restless every night.
Duke knew the importance of this place. It was located in the northeastern region of Aldor, guarding the gateway from the heart of Aldor to the interior, and was the main rear base of the former Watchers Fortress.
But this is also where Marquis Paul Greiman began his swift recapture of lost territory and rebuilding of the border. Today, every inch of peace in this land is imbued with the military resources and strategies of Lakeheart Town.
On the other hand, without the support of Marquis Glaeman, Sentinel Legion would have long been wiped out by the orcs, and without Marquis Glaeman's funding, the fortress walls would still be filled with orc soldiers.
Hal Duke was well aware that all the glory and power he had gained today were due to the influence of Marquis Glaeman.
But what worries him even more is why the royal family has chosen this particular moment to put him in the spotlight.
The Duke has realized that the Crystal Radiance court has developed a certain wariness of Paul Greiman.
A powerful lord who rises on the frontier, with a strong army and self-sufficient finances, needs to be checked and balanced by the royal family, regardless of his true loyalty. The royal family needs to establish a pillar of royal power in the northern lands of the kingdom, which is overshadowed by Alda.
This is the regime's instinctive reaction, and he, Hal Duke, is the chosen pillar.
He wrote to the Crystal Radiance court three times in succession, earnestly declining the hot potato of a fiefdom, saying that his talent and virtue were insufficient to rule a duke's fiefdom, and that he only wanted to continue serving the kingdom as the commander of the Sentinel Legion.
However, each time the king replied in his own hand, his handwriting gentle but his tone firm: "This is something I have already decided and announced widely, so do not refuse any longer!"
In his letter, the king wrote: "I am not merely granting you the Yellow Earth Land, but also entrusting you with the administration of this land in place of the Sentinel Legion. The Legion's century of dedication has earned this land its due, and as its leader, you are obligated to take responsibility."
What made it even harder for Hal Duke to refuse was the persuasion from Sentinel Legion's former subordinates.
Centurion, one of the veteran generals in the legion with gray hair and a survivor of the bloody battle for the fortress, came to persuade him upon hearing the news: " Lord Duke, can't you see clearly? The fortress fell because the Bradley Family, the lords of Yellow Earth Land, colluded with the orcs and attacked us from behind. If this land had been in our own hands back then, none of those things would have happened."
"Now that the Marquis of Glaeman has reclaimed the land for us, who can guarantee that history won't repeat itself if it falls into the hands of outsiders again?"
"You accepted the fiefdom not for your own sake, but for the future of the Legion. You are the only one who has both the support of the Legion and fought alongside Lord Glaeman. There is no one more suitable than you."
These words struck Hal Duke's heart like a hammer blow.
He knew he was standing at the eye of the storm, torn between Paul, who had given the legion new life, and the royal family, who had bestowed a great reward; between gratitude and loyalty. Alas, the Yellow Earth Land was both a reward and a test.
If he accepted, he would become a pawn in the royal family's efforts to check Paul, but if he refused, he would disappoint everyone in the legion and even be seen as disrespectful to the monarchy.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, he made a decision.
A few days after making his decision, Hal Duke rode alone into Lakeheart Town. He wore only a traveler's cloak, had no attendants, and gave no prior notice. He crossed the stone bridge to the gates of Lords Manor, presented his calling card to the guards on guard, and requested to see Paul.
He waited for less than fifteen minutes in the Lords Manor's drawing room before Paul strode in with a very warm smile: " Duke, what brings you here?"
Duke rose solemnly, gave a respectful knightly salute, and then sighed, saying, "I have something to tell you, just to put your mind at ease."
Paul asked him to sit down, and the Duke, without beating around the bush, recounted in detail how he had been granted the title of Yellow Earth Land, how he had repeatedly declined the title but failed due to the king's insistence, and the various reasons why his legionary subordinates had persuaded him.
When asked about his assessment that the royal family wanted him to check Paul, the Duke said in a low voice, "I am loyal to the kingdom, but now I fear I have become the knife that will be used against you."
After the count finished speaking, he looked up and stared directly at Paul: "If Lord Glaeman feels that the royal bestowal is inappropriate, I am willing to ask the king to withdraw this decree again, and even resign as commander of Sentinel Legion, rather than damage the friendship between Alda and the Watchers."
Paul burst into laughter after hearing this, leaving Duke momentarily stunned.
"My dear Duke," Paul stopped laughing, his eyes shining with admiration, "I knew you were straightforward, but I didn't expect you to be this straightforward—to go all the way to Lakeheart Town just for this?"
He stood up, walked to the map on the wall, and pointed his finger heavily at the location of Yellow Earth Land: "You say the royal family wants to use you to counterbalance me? Yes, anyone with eyes can see that, but I understand His Majesty the King's actions. I would have done the same if I were in his shoes."
There was nothing Paul could do; what could he say in front of Duke? He couldn't very well launch into a tirade against Crystal Radiance.
He continued, "But you can rest assured that if Yellow Earth Land were given to someone else, I might be angry, but if it were given to you, I would support it wholeheartedly."
Duke was taken aback.
Paul turned to look at him, his tone very sincere: "You are the soul of the Sentinel Legion. Aldor almost lost that land because of betrayal, but it will become truly secure under your rule."
"With a righteous, loyal, and highly respected veteran of the kingdom like yourself in charge, what is there to worry about?"
Duke was speechless for a long time, his eyes welling up with tears. He finally understood that Paul did not see him as a threat, but as a close companion.
The room grew warmer, and the firewood in the fireplace crackled. He slowly rose and gave the Watcher the most solemn military salute.
Then, with his right hand on his chest, he spoke solemnly:
" Lord Paul Greiman, with the Father as my witness, I, Hal Duke, hereby swear this oath today—"
His tone was calm and his words were clear:
"As long as you remain loyal to the kingdom, as long as you continue to protect the people of the Northwest, and as long as your actions do not violate the oaths your ancestors made to the royal family, I will never betray you and will never respond to any order that seeks to harm you or shake the foundations of the Northwest."
He looked Paul straight in the eye: " The walls of Yellow Earth Land will forever stand alongside Lakeheart Town. My sword will not be pointed at you, nor at the people you protect. If Crystal Radiance ever forces me to do something immoral, I will retire rather than become a knife to you."
Without a doubt, this is a vow of immense weight.