hapter 9 from the Korean novel:
If they didn’t properly maintain the seal, the northern region could be overrun by monsters even before a subjugation force was formed to stop the Evil God’s resurrection.
Elliot knew he couldn’t protect the North alone. Just as a Hero alone couldn’t defeat the Evil God, he too needed reinforcements to back him up.
A Hero chosen by the gods had a good chance of defending the North.
“I see. But first, I have to return to the capital.”
“Will you reveal that you’re the Hero in the capital?”
“No. Even if I go around saying I’m the Hero, people won’t believe me.”
The rumor that she was cursed wouldn’t disappear so easily. Before she could claim she was the Hero, people had to witness the Evil God’s resurrection and the Hero’s emergence for themselves.
“You should have the Grand Duke’s support behind you.”
“You’re really going to sponsor me?”
“Yes.”
Elliot quickly recalled the current situation of House Barrett. With the eldest son fallen, the family’s status had declined.
Even if the Hero returned to the capital, it would take considerable time to restore the family’s former glory.
“If people don’t believe you’re the Hero right away, it’s best to start by changing public opinion with the backing of House Graham.”
When Elliot finally rose from his seat, Evelyn visibly relaxed and nodded.
“The rumors about me being cursed are false. I need to correct the record.”
When people need to come together as one, doubt can keep them from uniting effectively.
“Will you really help me?”
“Of course. Just having me by your side will start to change how people see you.”
As the dominant power in the North, House Graham wielded authority even the Imperial Family couldn’t easily challenge.
“You don’t get along with the Imperial Family, though. Are you going to the capital just because of me?”
“That’s a misunderstanding. You needn’t worry about it.”
Evelyn thought of how the Grand Duke had treated her like an assassin sent by the emperor. He seemed to resent the Imperial Family, so was this really fine?
But the Grand Duke already seemed to have made up his mind, so she didn’t press further.
The real issue was making the alliance between the Barretts and the Grand Duke unmistakably clear to the public.
“There is one surefire way to convince people of our alliance… hmm.”
Elliot stared at Evelyn with a troubled look, then shook his head.
“If suspicions arise later, we’ll use that as a backup plan. Has your wish been fulfilled?”
“Yes.”
Evelyn smiled brightly. From that confident smile, Elliot could tell the young master of Barrett had recovered.
“Then let’s say the young master recovered thanks to a herb found in the snowy mountains.”
“And you’ll use that as a pretext to sponsor me?”
“That’s right. I’ll say I decided to sponsor you after seeing your extraordinary capabilities surviving in the snow-covered mountains.”
There were many benefits to sponsoring the newly emerged Hero. They needed to offer her an enticing enough bait so she wouldn’t leave the North.
“And I’ll also teach you the swordsmanship of House Graham.”
“Me?”
“It originally belonged to the Hero, so there’s no reason I can’t pass it to the new Hero.”
Seeing her face light up brighter than ever before, Elliot knew his bait had worked perfectly.
“My goodness… Swordsmanship of the Hero…”
Evelyn was overwhelmed by the Grand Duke’s generous and unexpected proposals.
“I feel like you’re investing too much in me.”
The Grand Duke’s actions were exemplary for any noble. Out of love for his territory, he was giving away everything he had.
Evelyn already felt anxious—could she achieve the results he hoped for?
“I prepared all this for this very day, so it’s only natural.”
“You shouldn’t take someone else’s effort for granted.”
Evelyn shook her head. The offer felt far too much, and she was burdened by it.
“Your efforts as a Hero aren’t to be taken for granted either. We’re simply giving each other what we need.”
A deal.
In the end, becoming a Hero was also a transaction. To save her brother, to defeat the Evil God.
“All right. I’ll accept the deal.”
“I will serve you to the best of my ability.”
At the fleeting smile that crossed his handsome face, Evelyn had to look away.
She now understood why the noble ladies in the capital lost their minds whenever the Grand Duke appeared.
“He really is dangerous.”
If she let her guard down, she might agree to everything he said just from being captivated by his looks.
She needed to stay sharp.
And she needed to make sure her parents didn’t get swept up in the Grand Duke’s excessive support.
Resolving to treat everything as training, Evelyn accepted Elliot’s escort and entered the dining hall when the call came that the meal was ready.
* *** ***
“You’re not… proposing to her, are you?!”
To deceive the public, the Hero had departed for the snowy mountains.
Before she left, she contacted the Count’s household through a communication stone and confirmed that the young master had awakened.
The Hero had no time to enjoy the relief; she had to move forward with the next step of the plan.
They had agreed with the Count couple to keep the young master’s recovery a secret and only announce it once the Hero arrived in the capital.
Elliot had a pile of issues to deal with, yet next to him, Albert was gazing with poorly hidden anticipation, making him sigh.
“Albert.”
“Yes, Master.”
“There’s nothing going on between me and the young lady.”
When he stated it firmly, Albert rolled his eyes.
“Nothing going on? You even kneeled, sir.”
Elliot had offered himself up for the North, and now he was being accused of strange things.
He shook his head in protest.
“I’ll be sponsoring the Barrett family under the Graham name.”
“Is that the groundwork for a marriage proposal?”
“Albert, is that all your brain can think about?”
“My only wish is to see you find a beautiful wife and start a happy family.”
Albert said the same thing every time a noble lady came to the North.
“The Lady Barrett is a benefactor who will save the North. She should be treated with more respect than even the duchess.”
“Does this have anything to do with you asking me to bring that sword earlier?”
Dropping his usual playful tone, Albert asked quietly.
Elliot nodded.
“Then I’ll need to be extra careful.”
“Move discreetly so no one notices.”
“Then I can proceed with my plan. Hohoho.”
“What plan—?”
Before Elliot could finish, Albert happily marched out of the office.
Elliot let out a sigh and a faint smile, then immediately began compiling the assets and goods to be sent as support to the Barrett family.
If he sent too much at once, the Imperial Family would grow suspicious.
He needed to avoid the Imperial Family’s interference, and he couldn’t let the Hero’s attention shift from defeating the Evil God to reviving her household.
To keep someone committed, you mustn’t let their attention wander.
The Hero’s skills were decent. She had just become a Sword Master and seemed hungry to improve.
With a little more real combat experience, she would grow rapidly.
“I need to use swordsmanship as bait to bring her back to the North.”
But teaching swordsmanship to someone outside the family would raise questions.
Even if the Hero was sponsored by the Grand Duke, it might still appear excessive.
To avoid backlash…
“An engagement, then.”
Truthfully, the moment she drew the holy sword, he had considered marriage as the surest way to keep her by his side.
Noble alliances were always sealed with contracts or marriage. Still, pretending to be generous while proposing felt a bit dishonest.
He knew from all the love letters noble ladies had sent that he was a desirable bachelor.
Leaning back in his chair, Elliot crossed his arms.
He had been shocked when he witnessed what happened to Evelyn Barrett.
She had drawn the holy sword, then vanished and reappeared in a radiant light.
There was no doubt she was the Hero.
Now, the only question was when the Evil God would awaken. And he didn’t want to share that information with the Imperial Family.
Part of him wanted to monopolize the Hero, acting as if he knew nothing. After all, the Empire and the Crown had done little for the North.
But still, he couldn’t keep it all to himself.
If the Evil God returned, the entire continent would be in danger. It needed to be reported before it was too late.
The North couldn’t bear that burden alone.
Still, Elliot didn’t want the Imperial Family to become overly interested in the Hero just yet.
He needed to find a better way to keep her close.
As he picked up his pen to write the support list again, he forcefully pushed the image of those tear-filled golden eyes out of his mind.
What mattered most right now was the North.
