After I died, my personal maid rebelled.

As night fell, Green Canyon City was bustling with activity.

This small town is the gateway to the Northern Territory, situated in a river valley with low hills on both sides.

After the patrol times were assigned, no one knew who started the diving competition. In any case, every time it was time to change shifts, the sound of splashing water amidst cheers would rise near the encampment.

"Oh no! Squad leader! The squad leader has been swept away!"

"Squad leader, old squad leader!"

Splash, splash, in the darkness, figures jumped into the river, swimming and shouting as they went.

"Found it!"

"Quick, feed it air!"

"No, the class monitor will slap me..."

What I fear most is the sudden silence.

Federico, wearing only his underwear, popped out of the water, running frantically towards the shore while shouting, "Hey, we're all brothers, what's wrong with a couple of kisses...?"

Clusters of torches lit up, illuminating the ashen face on the shore.

Those who were still spitting water, those who were hurriedly putting on their pants, and those who were completely naked and particularly conspicuous all froze on the spot.

Kate stood with her hands behind her back, the veins on her forehead throbbing.

"I remember, my order was to shower and return to camp immediately within ten minutes..."

"Fei Sanbian, it seems your company went over time, right?"

As the evening breeze blew gently by, Company Commander Federico swallowed hard, realizing that he couldn't escape this fate.

Back at the camp, the night finally quieted down. Outside Kate's tent, there was a group of naked male guards, each with a face redder than their buttocks, yet they stood ramrod straight.

"Hey guys, I've never asked you for anything in my life."

A weak voice rang out, and everyone turned to look at it. They found it was the successor of the Crotch-Covering School, and immediately understood. They all turned their heads away.

Underwear is not to be lent out.

After the group finally quieted down, Kate put down the report brought by the scout and was about to turn off the oil lamp and go to bed when Federico walked in, looking around.

"You little brat..."

"Commander, I have something important to report, Commander." Federico looked around and finally found his target. He strode over and then turned around to salute.

"Sir, someone is looking for you outside!"

Kate watched his clumsy performance silently, a twitch at the corner of her mouth. "Alright, let that person in. You, get out and stand still."

"yes!"

Federico quickly went outside the tent, returned to his position, and then secretly threw a rolled-up piece of cloth at the feet of the disciple covering his crotch.

The disciple covering his crotch quickly picked it up, shook it open, and found it was a towel.

He quickly tucked the towel into his clothes, instantly relaxing and giving Federico a grateful look with teary eyes.

"Company Commander..."

"Don't make a sound. This is the division commander's washcloth. Remember to return it before dawn."

……

Kate sat up straight and noticed that the visitor was a businessman, which immediately put her on high alert.

Businessman: Why are there always people trying to ruin our reputation!

"Who are you, and what business do you have with me, the commander?"

The man, however, remained arrogant, brushing the dust off his clothes and replying dismissively, "I didn't come here to see any commander. Take me to see Lady Elene immediately; I have important military matters to discuss with her."

Oh dear, this kid's really going after me.

Kate hadn't seen such a brave person in a long time. He clapped his hands. His Highness the Duke had long ago instructed that when encountering such suspected spies or lobbyists, one should never be led by the nose. If there's anything to say, beat them up first.

As the applause subsided, to the merchant's horrified gaze, a group of naked, burly men suddenly rushed into the tent, instantly engulfing him in a sea of ​​muscles.

When Kate left the tent and arrived at the city lord's mansion, which had lost its master, Eleanor was still drying her hair while studying the map.

She glanced at the businessman who was slumped on the ground, clutching his bruises and crying pitifully, and asked him a question indifferently.

"Who sent you?"

The man was speechless, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Your Excellency, it was Duke Dale who sent me."

"Why are you looking for me?"

"The Duke of Dale said that you, sir, are a close advisor to the Duke of Oswald and have direct access to him."

Stopping her hand from drying her hair, Elena keenly sensed that something was amiss. She walked blankly to the map on the wall, leaned closer to examine it, and drew a heavy line between the Eastern Territory and Green Gorge City with her finger.

It seems that things have taken a turn for the better.

……

"There are other experts?"

After putting down the second letter from Eleanor, Oswald found it all incomprehensible, then suddenly laughed as if speechless.

He had made all the preparations to fight the Central Army, but instead of mobilizing a single soldier, Frank sent the Duke of Dale to fight him in some kind of noble war.

In modern terms, Frank also learned the tricks of proxy warfare.

If that were all, it would be fine. In a power struggle between two dukes, the one who always benefits is the king, who sits on the sidelines and watches the tigers fight.

But the Duke of Dyer was a master strategist; he actually tried to bribe Oswald to put on a show for him, pretending that he had won the war of nobles...

What exactly are these people trying to do?

Furthermore, the Duke of Dyer promised that, should Oswald agree, he would immediately send the five thousand gold coins awarded by the King, plus another five thousand gold coins he had prepared himself, to the Northern Territory as a deposit.

However, after his "victory," Oswald was required to return three thousand gold coins as his "spoils of war."

The two split the profits 30/70, plus Dale's reputation for winning the Noble Wars—it's fair and reasonable, and everyone has a bright future.

The Duke of Dale was remarkably sincere, or perhaps he was just too rich; he insisted on sending the 10,000 gold coins ahead of time, seemingly unconcerned that Oswald would renege on his promise after receiving the money.

To be honest, Oswald was somewhat tempted. Trading his reputation for time to develop the Northern Territory and the lives of his soldiers, what was there to hesitate about?

Not to mention that you get paid for acting.

As the saying goes, "If you don't take it, you're a fool." This isn't like receiving a red envelope from a relative during Chinese New Year, where you have to pretend to be polite. Besides, it's rare that Oswald, in this other world, is enjoying top-tier celebrity treatment with top-tier pay.

However, the Duke of Dale is still a bit too overpowered in this world of gods and humans.

The woman I love is the Queen, so I must earn her respect, make the King value her, and secure her position as Queen...

Oswald was speechless. What kind of behavior was this from her ex-husband?

Perhaps the only correct choice Dale made was knowing that he wouldn't gain any advantage over the Union army.

"Your Grace, the Holy Knight Commander has come to visit," the old butler announced from outside the door after knocking.

Paul?

Well, here comes another simp.

Oswald tidied the documents on his desk, cleared his throat, and said, "Please let him in."

The system seemed to have a telepathic connection; as Paul appeared, a sad song began to play in Oswald's mind.

Time has passed and will never return; the past can only be reminisced. I remember my childhood sweetheart, the two of us inseparable day and night… But you are about to change your mind, just as time cannot be turned back. I can only be with you in my dreams…

It was so bitter, so incredibly bitter, that Oswald couldn't help but want to cry whenever he saw Paul's resolute face.

There was a man who was always composed and serious in front of everyone, but he would only act silly and amused in front of that one girl, simply because he had always made her happy in that way since they were little...

There was a man who was both scholarly and martial, quick-witted and wise. He could have been high above others and enjoyed the admiration of thousands, but in order to shoulder the responsibility that belonged to that girl, he traveled around and became ill from overwork.

It was a starless night. He stood amidst a horde of monsters, coughing up blood while laughing forlornly; the girl lay in bed, similarly bleeding while laughing with pleasure…

"Lao Luo...cough! Mei Li Ge...cough! Paul, you're here."

"Greetings, Lord of the North."

Paul bowed respectfully, stepped forward, and handed Oswald a letter.

"This is from the archbishop to you."

Oswald took it, and tears welled up in his eyes again. "Thank you for going to all this trouble."

(That's enough, System, stop the background music right now.)

Upon opening the letter, Archbishop John remained unchanged. Aside from thanking Oswald for the bearskin gift, his primary concern was the movements of the demon army.

The archbishop was a staunch human supremacist, and the Northern Territory, as the front line of the fight against the Demon King's army, naturally received a lot of his attention.

Incidentally, Archbishop John was also Oswald's father, and thus the Duke's godfather.

The old man had experienced too much in his life and had seen all kinds of storms. Therefore, at the end of the letter, he changed his tone and warned Oswald that he should not start a civil war at this time.

Oswald understood what the old man meant.

He did not oppose Oswald taking further steps. At the same time, he astutely pointed out that Oswald was merely putting on a brave front, and that the Northern Territory's current strength was insufficient to annex the Central Territory.

Oswald: So your good saint never told you about time reversal? Who's holding on now is still uncertain!

As for Princess Diana, the old man only mentioned it casually.

"Did the archbishop send you to take the princess away?"

Paul bowed again. "Yes, Your Grace, please allow me to."

"Is he trying to get something for nothing from me?"

Oswald looked at the letter over and over, and even shook the envelope, trying to find gold inside.

Oswald didn't believe the king hadn't given the archbishop a reward. That old glutton couldn't possibly eat the meat and not even give him a sip of the soup, could he?

Paul remained silent. Why? Why did the archbishop shake the envelope when he received the duke's letter? Was it some kind of mysterious ritual?

Seeing that Paul remained silent, Oswald conceded defeat. If he didn't give him face, the old man would truly become shameless.

"Go outside and wait a moment while I finish writing my reply to the Archbishop. Then take my transfer order and go to Green Canyon to find Elene. The princess is there."

Upon hearing this, Paul finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although this mission could only be undertaken by the strongest, he could sense that Oswald's strength far exceeded his expectations.

In particular, there is no information that mentions Duke Oswald possessing such surging magical power!

"Yes, I thank the Duke on behalf of the Archbishop."