A weary historian dies and finds himself in a different world awakened in a life as the notorious young Duke of a southern state. His nation is weakened, his army underfed, and his neighbors revolve around his lands menacingly. No one believes his land is going to hold out until winter.

But this newfound duke is no naive simpleton his enemies recollect. He carries with him the experience of centuries of war and empire, of starting and ending monarchies. From Caesar to Napoleon, from the Mongols to world wars, he has learned from each of them—and his strategy is to make history his very own arms.

He organizes his smashed levies into well-trained formations, rebuilds his castles, and turns his villages into supply centers. Where others see defeat, he senses opportunity. As he triumphs, rumors spread: of a pennant red as winter snow that shall not go to ground, of a bloody duke who writes his name in gore and flame.

Is he a savior who's constructing a new empire, or a tyrant who's going to bring the world to endless war?

The sound of a pickaxe meeting stone is undoubtedly the most stereotypical way of showing hard labour that Justinian could think of.


Swinging a pickaxe wasn't that much different from swinging a sword; the only difference was the target, and a stationary object was far easier to hit than a moving target that also wanted to kill you.


This was, in Justinian's opinion, a really easy trial.


But for Maria, it was the complete opposite; contrary to Justinian's expectations, she didn't whine or even complain once while mining; it seemed like she meant every single word of her speech to the tribesmen.


She genuinely will offer her work, faith, and effort in this task.


And if they wanted Mithral's attention, there was no better bait than the literal gods' favourite golden girl working in the mines with sheer focus and effort.


Justinian smiled, redoubling his efforts.


Chapter 131 - The Ring of Wealth