Chapter 3 The Meeting

Aldric sat in his chamber, staring at the map spread across his desk. Windsor County was a small, isolated territory at the northernmost edge of the kingdom. To the south lay the wealthier noble domains, well-connected to the heart of the kingdom, but Windsor stood apart, bordered by the vast, treacherous waters of the Emerald Sea to the north.

Despite its coastal location, Windsor was not a prosperous trading hub. The seas were rough, and constant pirate raids made seafaring nearly impossible. Merchants avoided it, unwilling to risk their goods for little gain. The kingdom, too, largely ignored Windsor, seeing it as little more than a buffer against northern threats. No reinforcements. No economic aid. No recognition for their sacrifices.

This had left Windsor trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty and famine.

With all their manpower focused on fending off the pirates, there was little room for agriculture, trade, or development. The county relied heavily on Rothstead, its only agricultural city, but the frequent pirate raids often disrupted food production. The people of Windsor barely had enough to survive, and without outside help, their situation would only grow worse.

He turned to Gale, his loyal servant. "Uncle, order the maids to summon the vassals for an emergency meeting."

Gale nodded without hesitation. He, too, understood the gravity of the situation.

Though Windsor was a small noble house, it was supported by several vassal families who had stood by them for generations. These noble households governed smaller regions within the county, commanded their own forces, and served as Windsor's military backbone.

Several hours later, a grand hall within Valoria's keep was filled with these vassals. The large, spacious room buzzed with murmured conversations as armored knights and noble lords discussed the grim state of the county.

The heavy doors swung open, and a guard's voice rang out.

"Lord Aldric Leonhart Windsor has arrived!"

All eyes turned to the entrance.

Aldric walked in with measured steps, his gaze calm and unwavering. If he were still the office worker from his past life, he might have felt overwhelmed by the sheer attention of so many powerful men. But strangely, he was comfortable with it, as if that person no longer existed.

Taking his seat at the head of the hall, Aldric's sharp gaze swept over the gathered vassals.

"Everyone, be seated."

The room fell silent as the vassals obeyed.

"I have summoned you all here immediately after my awakening because our county faces its greatest crisis yet," Aldric began. "For generations, Windsor has been plagued by pirates, a parasite feeding off our lands while we alone bear the burden of defending the northern frontier."

His voice darkened.

The vassals exchanged grim looks. They all knew it was true.

Aldric's fists clenched beneath the table. "And now, my father, Count Sebastian Windsor, has fallen at the hands of these bastards."

A heavy silence settled over the hall.

Aldric's gaze swept over the gathered vassals, his voice steady yet filled with cold determination.

"We shall wipe out those pirates bastards."