After I died, my personal maid rebelled.

As the first snow of December fell, tranquil bells rang throughout the human kingdom.

The vast expanse of white snow concealed the chaos and disorder of the year. The northern army's autumn offensive had ceased; they had watered the land with the blood of nobles, swallowing up the entire northern part of the kingdom like a whale.

By the time the nobles of the royal city realized what was happening, the Second and Third Divisions of the Northern Territory had already joined forces, their two fangs like those of a giant beast hanging high above the heart of the royal city.

But no matter what, this year is over.

The royal palace, this complex of buildings that symbolizes power and nobility, held no special significance in Lucas's eyes at this moment.

Outside the palace were hungry refugees; inside, in a dark little room, His Majesty the King crawled like a wild beast.

Isolde showed no respect whatsoever when dealing with the king who had lost his mind. She kicked Frank, who was biting her trouser leg, to the ground, grabbed his hair, and forced the holy water down his throat.

Before long, the king stopped struggling, and the thinly dressed Frank curled up in a ball and fell asleep on the floor.

Lucas, standing outside the door, exhaled a puff of white breath. He should have known long ago, but sometimes secrets don't need to be told. The fact that he came here meant that Isolde no longer intended to hide it.

Isolde closed the doors and windows tightly, dusted herself off when she came out, and looked calmly at the silent Lucas.

"You really aren't going to ask anything?"

"Does the goddess want me to know?" Lucas asked rhetorically, leaving Isolde at a loss for words.

Lucas shrugged and stepped into the snow first, with Isolde, wearing a fluffy hat, quickly following behind.

In the chilly air, Lucas seemed to be talking to himself.

"In fact, the Duke of Oswald was a very good leader. He fulfilled all my fantasies about tyrants, and I found that the monarchs that nobles hated were often the leaders that everyone needed."

Lucas didn't know much about political issues.

Lucas was certain of one thing: after His Majesty Frank and Duke Oswald came to power, the kingdom had indeed been revitalized, had it not been for the endless stream of calamities and curses...

The curse proves that humans were not favored by the goddess, and they cannot complain to the creator, because complaining is useless.

"But the goddess doesn't like him."

Isolde put the matter to rest, rubbing her slightly frozen fingers.

What does it matter if you're a duke or a king? The only beings who truly control the world are the gods in the heavens.

With no turning back, Lucas sighed heavily, paused, and looked back. "What are your plans after this? Once this winter is over, I'm afraid the royal city won't be able to hold out."

Upon hearing this, Isolde smiled. "No need to worry about the royal city, Lucas, we're heading to the Eastern Territory now."

Under the same sky and amidst heavy snow, the steaming ice city might as well change its name.

The snow that used to cause distress melts into trickles of water and flows into the sewers as temperatures rise. Once the snow stops, the ice city will immediately return to its usual dryness.

In the afternoon, Elena and Jenny returned from purchasing winter supplies for the Duke's mansion. After inspecting the two junior military academies, Jenny did not stay in the medical department to do research as usual, but instead frequently visited the Duke's mansion.

However, Oswald couldn't possibly have any objections. This life was much better, and he no longer had to listen to Janet's constant scolding.

In her previous life, after Jenny moved into the Duke's mansion, life there could only be described as chaotic. Every time Oswald went to complete a story mission, he would receive a warning look from Jenny that said, "Are you crazy?"

Inside the office, Oswald, who was sitting by the fireplace discussing the development of the pasture with the Marquis of Barton, swirled the wine glass in his hand.

Patton's problem was the same as Oswald's: a lack of population in his territory.

Why are some countries able to stand tall among the nations of the world? It's because they are naturally large countries. No matter how the situation changes, countries with vast territories and large populations always have the foundation to fight again.

A small-time tycoon still needs to rely on gambling, deception, and surprise attacks to succeed, but a great power only needs to solve its internal problems and then press the button for industrialization.

Land and population are like an insurmountable barrier. As our ancestors said, "What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force."

Now that the Northern Territory has defeated the Central Territory twice, it has expanded its territory and population considerably. Patton doesn't care much about the territory; the vast grasslands of their western pastoral region are his most cherished homeland.

The population problem is rather serious; all the young men have gone to fight the Duke. These brats only know how to send money back, and they even say they want to settle down in Broad Valley...

Listen to this, everyone listen to this, is this even human language?

He acknowledged that the standard of living in the western pastoral areas was not as high as in other parts of the northern territory, but that was precisely why the pastoral areas needed you to come back and rebuild your homeland.

The city has been built, and cement roads have been laid across the grasslands. If everyone works hard, with the fertile pastures and the trade routes of the Dwarf Kingdom, the western pastoral area may not be inferior to the southern commercial district and the city of Kuogu in the future.

What does it mean if someone says they're not coming back? Does it mean I'm an empty-nest old person?

"Don't get angry with the young men. They don't think about many long-term issues. Otherwise, how could they say that a good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown?"

Oswald took a sip of his drink and found Patton's sighing and groaning somewhat amusing.

"Here's what I'll do. I'll give Luna an order to select 200,000 households for you. Take advantage of the winter recruitment season and have them work in Kuogu City first. Then, after next spring, they can be moved to the western pastoral areas."

"That's great."

Patton breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Oswald repeatedly. Only now did he truly feel the great changes of the times.

Many things seem to be decided by these old guys, but in the end, the decisions of the younger generation still influence their implementation.

This world ultimately belongs to the young.

Oswald waved his hand, indicating, "Don't be discouraged, Marquis. After the war, we will have a surge in births, so you'd better be prepared."

"Okay, then I'll get ready."

Having resolved his worries, Barton downed his drink in one gulp, bowed, and took his leave.

After the Marquis left, Elena came in and tidied up the office, secretly glancing at Oswald, who was deep in thought.

His Highness always has endless problems to solve, but if you were to ask him what his ideal is, it would be to find a beautiful place after resolving all his issues and live a peaceful life there.

However, Elena is prepared to fight for her entire life.

Ideals are just ideals. The Northern Territory is now replacing the Kingdom and forming a new country. At least, Elena cannot imagine a country without the Duke in charge.