The Matter of How Only a Political Rival Duke, Not My Own Family, Recognized My Worth After I Was Disowned ~When I Turned a Remote Frontier Territory Into the World’s Greatest City, the Noble Lady Assigned to Supervise Me Became the Best Fiancée~ - Episode 6: The Price of Victory and the Tail of the Mastermind

Episode 6: The Price of Victory and the Tail of the Mastermind

After the flash faded, a moment of silence followed.

My decision took less than a second.

“—Don’t pursue them! Everyone, back to your positions!”

My shout was almost a roar. It echoed across the night battlefield.

“Reform the units and wipe out the stragglers! Check for the wounded! Securing safety takes top priority!”

Those who had been momentarily distracted by the fleeing Hobgoblin snapped back to reality and quickly reassembled their formation.

Without their leader, the remaining Goblins had lost all coordination. They were no longer a threat.

Frightened by our counterattack, they scattered like spiders.

Soon, the battle was completely over.

We had protected the village.

All around, cheers of victory and sighs of relief could be heard.

But I did not lower my guard.

“Tighten your helmets after victory! A battle isn’t over until the cleanup and follow-up are done!”

Finishing a project includes clearing the site and confirming safety — a rule carved into my bones in my previous life.

“Injured to the square! Those who can move, treat the lightly wounded!

Gather the corpses in one place! We’ll burn them all at dawn — don’t let them become a source of disease!

Duncan! Work with the dwarves and inspect every piece of equipment the enemy left behind! Anything — no matter how small — there must be some clue!”

At my rapid-fire orders, those who had been celebrating victory straightened their expressions and immediately began moving.

Watching it all in silence was Isabella.

◇

After giving out all the orders, I returned to the temporary tent.

Isabella was already there, waiting.

She poured water from a pitcher into a cup for me. She then spoke softly.

“…That was remarkable command. You looked like a seasoned general who’s fought a hundred battles.”

Her voice no longer carried the sharpness it once did — it was filled with genuine admiration.

The mask of ice had melted completely. It was replaced by the respect of one person for another.

“I’m no general. Just a site supervisor. Trouble’s a natural part of any project.”

I answered curtly and downed the water in one gulp.

“More importantly, about the mastermind — this attack wasn’t just a monster rampage. Someone’s clearly pulling the strings.”

“…As I thought, you believe it’s…”

“Yeah. My family — the Silford House.”

I let out a bitter smile.

“Apparently, casting me out to the frontier wasn’t enough. Now they want to crush this land completely. Typical of them, really.”

“…”

Isabella silently listened. But fury glimmered in her eyes.

This was no longer a matter of her father’s political games.

This was her own anger — toward those who tried to sabotage the important project she’d worked on, and the man she had come to acknowledge.

At that moment, a clear common enemy was born between us.

“In that case, we must make an appropriate return gift,” 

She said quietly. Her voice carried the strength of steel.

A reliable partner, indeed.

I smiled faintly.

Just then—

“Lord Noah!”

Duncan burst into the tent, out of breath.

In his hand was a mud-stained, crude sword.

“Please look at this! There’s a strange mark on one of the Goblins’ weapons!”

“Let me see.”

I took the sword and held the hilt up to the lamplight.

There, engraved clearly though small, was a mark — crossed hammer and anvil.

Isabella’s eyes widened in shock.

“This…! It’s the seal of the Brau Weapon Workshop in the royal capital! I’m certain of it!”

“Brau Workshop?”

“Yes. Their craftsmanship is second-rate. But they’re known for mass-producing cheap weapons in large quantities. And moreover…”

She spoke with absolute conviction.

“Their two largest clients are House Valenstein… and House Silford.”

—Bingo.

This wasn’t just circumstantial evidence anymore.

It was solid proof leading directly to the enemy’s identity.

I gripped the filthy sword tightly.

The signal for counterattack had already been lit.

Next time, we strike first.

Quietly, I steeled my resolve for the coming battle.