Chapter 75. Appointed Legion Commander, Meeting the Fiancée
Kroll II’s gaze swept across the three of them once more before finally settling on William. The smile on his face deepened slightly.
“In this Northern Frontier campaign, it was thanks to the unity of the entire kingdom that the frontier was pacified. Among them, many soldiers of the legions performed exceptionally well.”
He paused and raised his voice.
“William, step forward.”
William took a step forward and bowed.
“Your son is here.”
“The talents you sent to the Ninth Legion have proven themselves through real combat. They are all promising individuals.”
Kroll II’s voice carried clear approval.
“Among them, fifty-two soldiers were the first to climb onto the walls during the assault on Despair Fortress. Their contributions cannot be ignored.”
A wave of soft exclamations immediately rippled through the crowd.
No one had expected that those commoners who had chosen to follow the Fourth Prince would achieve military merit in such a short time.
William lowered his head and replied, “It is all thanks to Father and the soldiers of the legion. Your son does not dare to claim credit.”
Kroll II burst into hearty laughter.
“What a fine ‘not daring to claim credit.’ From today onward, the Royal Ninth Legion will be placed under your command as Acting Legion Commander.”
The moment those words were spoken, the entire assembly was stunned.
The silk handkerchief in the Queen’s hand was nearly twisted to shreds, and the First Prince’s expression instantly turned ugly.
Allowing a prince who had not yet reached adulthood to command a legion—such a precedent had never existed.
William himself froze for a moment before bowing deeply.
“Your son obeys the decree.”
Kroll II nodded.
“After the banquet ends, come find me in the Study.”
With that, he led the core nobles back toward the Royal Capital.
Apart from the Royal First Monster Legion, the other legions were directed to the large military camp outside the Royal Capital to rest and reorganize. Meanwhile, the knight orders and private troops of the nobles followed behind the First Legion as they entered the Royal Capital in orderly formation.
Inside a carriage, the First Prince glanced at the Queen and spoke in a hushed voice.
“Mother, should we take that step now?”
The Queen’s eyes instantly sharpened as she rebuked him harshly.
“Be quiet. Do not talk nonsense.”
“Your maternal grandfather has returned as well. I will ask him clearly during the victory banquet.”
“Stay calm. Now is not the time.”
The First Prince nodded resentfully.
The carriage soon fell into silence, leaving only the dull rumble of wheels rolling over the road.
On the other side, William was still pondering the meaning behind his father’s intriguing gaze.
Had he made a mistake in the direction he was taking with the slaves?
Or had he done something improperly?
Even when the carriage entered the palace grounds, he still could not figure it out.
The moment he stepped down from the carriage, William immediately called out to Tos, who had been waiting nearby.
“Tos, come here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Tos bowed.
“I have a bad feeling.”
William frowned.
“Take the Palace Guard to the Slave Manor right now and conduct a thorough inspection. See if anything unusual is happening.”
“Father’s look toward me carried too much meaning. After thinking about it, the problem must either lie with the slaves or with myself.”
“I can examine myself later, but we must guard against problems on the slaves’ side. I am now both a prince and a legion commander. Too many eyes are watching me—we must be cautious.”
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
“Search everything carefully. Every person living in the manor must be checked. Not a single one can be missed.”
He handed over his personal seal.
“Use this to mobilize manpower.”
Tos accepted the seal with a solemn expression.
“Rest assured, Your Highness. I will search thoroughly and will not disappoint you.”
With that, he turned and left quickly, the clatter of armor echoing clearly through the corridor.
William watched his departing figure, his fingers curling slightly within his sleeve.
He did not know where this sudden unease came from, but his father’s gaze had lodged in his mind like a thorn.
If there truly was a problem, he had to pull it out with his own hands before anything happened.
William had just finished straightening his robes when Vivian walked over, concern evident in her eyes.
“William, did something happen?”
He shook his head.
“It is nothing, Mother.”
Then he raised a hand politely.
“Let us go to the victory banquet.”
The moment the two of them stepped into the banquet hall, waves of noise washed over them.
A group of nobles swarmed toward William like bees drawn to honey, greetings and flattery pouring in one after another.
Everyone understood that for the Fourth Prince William to command a Royal Legion was a precedent not seen in two hundred years. It was obvious that the king had deeper intentions behind this decision.
If they did not seize the chance to curry favor now, when would they?
Just as William was beginning to feel overwhelmed, a middle-aged man wearing the formal robes of a Duke strode forward.
His posture was upright, and his features bore the hardened sharpness carved by the harsh winds of the Northern Frontier.
“Everyone, step aside. Stop surrounding His Highness.”
His deep voice drove the crowd away, the authority in his tone instantly silencing the noise.
“All of you chasing excitement wherever it appears.”
After dismissing the crowd, he turned toward William, his expression becoming more serious.
“I am Duke Tuso of the Northern Frontier.”
He gestured toward the woman beside him.
“This is my wife, Meda.”
Then he looked toward the girl standing next to them.
“This is my precious daughter, Mary.”
At this point, he paused, his tone turning heavier.
“According to the marriage agreement, she is your fiancée.”
Meda quietly poked him in the waist and stepped in with a smile to ease the tension.
“Greetings, Your Highness. Mary, come greet your fiancé.”
The young girl stepped forward.
Her large, round eyes curiously examined William before she suddenly spoke in a crisp voice.
“Hello. Your strength is very weak. You definitely cannot beat me.”
“If you are weak, you should train more.”
William froze for a moment.
Subconsciously, he looked toward the top of Mary’s head.
There it was—the halo of Domain Aptitude.
He had never expected that this nominal fiancée of his would possess such extraordinary talent.
Duke Tuso coughed lightly and glared at his daughter.
“Mind your manners.”
He then turned back to William, his tone gentler.
“This child has been spoiled by me. Please do not take offense, Your Highness.”
Mary, however, pouted.
“But it is true. His Mana Fluctuation is not even stronger than mine.”
Vivian stepped in with a smile to smooth things over.
“Mary is truly straightforward and adorable. William, why do you not greet your future—”
William finally came back to his senses.
He nodded to Duke Tuso and Meda, then turned toward Mary with a somewhat helpless expression.
“Hello, Mary.”
In a corner of the banquet hall, the Queen watched the scene unfold.
The fingers holding her wine cup slowly tightened.