Never Die Villain

The journey lasted a total of two weeks.

Apart from stopping for meals, changing shifts between the coachmen, and allowing the horses to rest, the convoy traveled with very few interruptions.

A journey that would have taken an ordinary merchant caravan well over a month had been shortened to just two weeks, made possible by the Belozerskys’ relay network, their seasoned escorts, and the northern horses that had carried them tirelessly across Severye’s frozen roads.

Naturally, the journey wasn’t without incident.

The occasional monster wandered too close to the convoy, sudden snowstorms forced them to slow their pace, and more than once they encountered stranded travelers who had underestimated the northern wilderness.

None of it proved particularly troublesome. The accompanying knights had spent years patrolling these roads, and dealing with such inconveniences had long since become part of their routine.

Then, at last...

———!

The walls came into view.

The city was surrounded by towering stone walls, built high enough to withstand not only invading armies but the harsh winters of Severye itself.

Watchtowers overlooked every approach to the capital, and the silver wolf banners of House Belozersky swayed quietly above the battlements.

For generations, every Grand Duke of Severye had ruled the Northern Krai from this city, making it the political and military center of the north.

Unlike the cities of the central provinces, Belozero had been built with survival in mind first and beauty second, with every district planned around enduring winters that lasted nearly half the year.

This was Belozero.

The seat of the Grand Duke of Severye. Ilya’s birthplace. And the city House Belozersky had called home for generations.

The moment the guards caught sight of the silver wolf crest upon the approaching carriage, they immediately stood at attention. Swords were drawn from their scabbards, spear shafts were planted firmly against the frozen stone, and shields struck the ground in perfect unison.

——We greet the Grand Ducal Family!

Their voices rose as one, reverberating across the battlements. There was no inspection or demand for identification.

Within Severye, there was no mistaking the carriage of House Belozersky.

The gates had already begun opening before the convoy reached them.

———!

The heavy doors slowly parted, revealing the broad avenue beyond as the carriage passed through the gates.

Through the window, Ilya watched the rows of guards standing on either side of the entrance, every pair of eyes fixed straight ahead as the Belozersky convoy entered the city.

Only after the convoy had completely entered the city did the captain raise a hand.

"At ease!"

Sherry remained staring out the window for several more moments before finally finding her voice.

"I’d heard that the Grand Duchies were second only to the Imperial Family," she said. "I always thought people were exaggerating, but... it really is true."

Ilya shook his head.

"Not exactly."

"Hm?"

"Within their own territories, the Grand Duchies hold even greater authority than the Imperial Family."

That had been the case since the founding of the empire.

The First Emperor had little interest in trying to govern distant frontiers from the capital. Lands like Severye were simply too far away, and by the time an Imperial decree reached the north, the problem it was meant to solve had often already come and gone.

Rather than ruling every corner of the empire himself, he entrusted those frontiers to the Grand Ducal Houses instead.

In exchange for their absolute allegiance to the Imperial Crown, their duty to defend the empire’s borders, and their obligation to answer the Emperor’s call in times of war, each Grand Duchy was granted extensive autonomy over its own domain.

Matters of governance, taxation, military administration, law enforcement, infrastructure, and succession were left almost entirely to the ruling house, with the Imperial Court rarely interfering unless the Grand Duke violated the terms of that ancient covenant.

The Northern Krai of Severye was no exception.

Within these frozen lands, the word of House Belozersky was law.

To the people who had lived under the silver wolf banners for generations, the Grand Duke was not merely another noble who served the Emperor, but the sovereign who governed their everyday lives, protected their borders, and ensured that Severye continued to endure another winter.

Before long, the convoy reached the Grand Ducal Palace.

Even before the carriage came to a stop, Ilya noticed the long row of carriages already waiting outside the palace grounds. Each bore a different crest, yet every one of them belonged to a branch of House Belozersky.

Though it was hardly surprising.

This time of year marked the beginning of the Winter Assembly, an old tradition that had existed since the earliest days of Severye.

The ruling elders from every subsidiary territory gathered at the Grand Ducal Palace to report on the affairs of their domains, discuss military deployments before the worst of winter arrived, settle disputes between the branches, and attend the seasonal banquet hosted by the Grand Duke himself.

Naturally, they did not come alone.

Their families accompanied them whenever circumstances allowed, bringing with them the next generation of House Belozersky.

Sons, daughters, heirs, and younger siblings who would one day inherit their respective territories all gathered under the same roof, making the Grand Ducal Palace far livelier than it ever was during the rest of the year.

For most members of the family, it was a long-awaited reunion.

For Ilya, it was the one time of year he found himself surrounded by more relatives than he could ever hope to remember.

Stepping down from the carriage, Ilya composed himself before making his way toward the palace entrance.

Sherry hurried after him, taking in the sight of the towering walls, rows of servants, and the countless nobles arriving one after another from every corner of Severye.

"Sherry."

"Yes, Lord Ilya?"

"The maids’ lounge is in the east wing," he said as they climbed the palace steps. "Once we’re inside, tell any senior maid that you’ve accompanied me from the capital. The Head Maid should already be there by now, and she’ll arrange a room for you until we’re ready to leave."

Sherry nodded. "I understand."

Ilya glanced at her before adding one more thing.

"You don’t need to follow me beyond the entrance."

"Hm?"

"The Winter Assembly is a family affair. There’ll be enough people around me already."

Sherry lowered her head in understanding.

"I’ll wait in the lounge, then."

"I’ll come find you once I’m free."

He stopped just before the palace doors.

"Oh, and if anyone gives you trouble because you’re new, tell them you work for my sister."

Sherry looked at him in confusion.

"Your sister? I-I suppose that isn’t technically a lie... But... will Lady Anastasiya really be alright with that?"

"She won’t mind. Besides, everyone already assumes the attendants who come from the capital belong to her. It’ll save you a great deal of explaining."

Sherry slowly nodded.

"...I understand."

The palace doors slowly opened before them.

Without another word, the two stepped inside together, where servants were already waiting to receive the latest members of House Belozersky returning home.

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