Chapter 101
In the North, there was something very important that helped during times of disaster—a manual system. It had been made over many years, filled with data and knowledge from past experiences. Thanks to that, they were able to respond quickly and efficiently to the recent disaster. Without it, they might have been completely unprepared.
Also, all the necessary supplies were already stored in the Duke’s estate. The items had been managed from time to time, so while some were a bit dusty, nothing was broken or unusable. Everything was still in good condition and ready to be used.
On top of that, the people of the North stepped up with great energy and teamwork, which helped things move even faster.
“The tents are already prepared, Duchess. Right now, the knights and servants are setting up large cooking pots and preparing tableware,” reported Rubella.
“Thank you, Rubella.”
“We’ve also received the grains that the noble ladies donated. Once we organize everything, we’ll start cooking porridge and boiling potatoes.”
“What about clean water? Have the cleanliness orders been sent out?”
In disaster situations like this, if hygiene wasn’t managed properly, it could lead to something even worse—an outbreak of disease. That had to be avoided at all costs. They had to stop one disaster from turning into another.
“Thankfully, the water source used for drinking wasn’t contaminated. We’ve prepared the official sanitation notices, and I also sent them to the local newspapers, gossip papers—every media outlet I could think of.”
“You’ve done well, Selua.”
After checking on things with Rubella and Selua and making sure all tasks were in motion, the Duchess finally arrived at the square. A large group of people had already gathered there.
“Good afternoon, Duchess,” greeted a woman in a gentle voice.
These were the women who lived in the North. One middle-aged woman stepped forward with a soft smile.
“I’m Ellie. I used to run a fruit and vegetable shop nearby. I saw the tents being set up and came over. I’d like to help.”
“Me too,” said another woman. “I came because I want to lend a hand. Please let us help, Duchess.”
Hearing their sincere words made her chest tighten a little with emotion. No one had asked them to help. No one had called for volunteers. Yet they came on their own, just to help the North.
The strength of the Northern people, bound together as one, was far greater than she had imagined. No one could ignore or underestimate that strength anymore. It was as if the sleeping power of the North had finally awakened.
“You’re all welcome here. We really need more helping hands.”
“There are also some elderly people who can’t move well. They won’t be able to come here to get food. I think we should deliver meals to them directly.”
“That’s a great idea. But to do that, we’ll need to know exactly where all the residents are…”
“Each neighborhood has a representative, doesn’t it? Duchess, I actually brought them here with me. They should be able to help.”
“Ellie… Thank you so much.”
“No, thank you, Duchess. There are hundreds of children who are starving right now because their homes have collapsed. Even though they survived the earthquake, the days after have been just as terrifying. When I saw the tents going up, it felt like I could finally breathe again.”
The women gave bitter smiles. Charlotte understood exactly how they felt.
Just then, some noble ladies stepped down from their carriages, dressed simply. They clapped their hands to lift the mood and bring some energy to the scene.
“Well then, let’s put up more tents! It seems like we can increase the space for injured people too. Don’t you think so, Duchess?”
“Yes, I agree! Let’s all do our best!”
As large pots were set over fires and the smell of food started to spread, people who had been starving slowly began to gather. They were ordinary folks who had lived their everyday lives just a few days ago—people who had sold meat at the market, children who had played in the square.
Now, they were people who had lost their homes in the blink of an eye. Charlotte bit her lip tightly.
The North was rich and well-resourced, but that also meant it carried greater risks. Fortunately, the Duke’s castle had been built on high ground and was far from the center of the earthquake, so the damage there was minimal. That alone was a blessing.
She suddenly remembered something Cassius had said before:
“The more money you have, the better. You never know what could happen.”
He hadn’t said it out of greed. His expression had been filled with sadness. Now, she finally understood what he meant. The wealth of the Istheria family wasn’t meant only for themselves—it existed for the entire North.
Cassius was already spending that money—buying wood and hiring workers to begin rebuilding the villages. The port in the North had been fully opened, and the normally strict gates were now relaxed, allowing goods and supplies to flow in freely.
Charlotte had no doubts. She truly believed that the North would soon recover and return to the thriving place it used to be.
That is, if only that cursed forest—still glowing faintly with a red, ominous light—wasn’t so close by.
***
As the afternoon wore on, the area grew a little quieter. Injured people were still arriving, but not in overwhelming numbers. Thanks to the support from many noble houses, a large number of doctors and healers had come to help. They rolled up their sleeves and immediately got to work.
“Please sit down and rest for a bit, Duchess,” said Rubella with a worried look on her face.
It was then that Charlotte truly understood the words Rubella and Selua had told her before. That she was the face—the symbol—of House Istheria. Even if she didn’t like social gatherings, there was a reason she had to show up at events sometimes.
People who saw her standing tall today realized something important: Istheria was still strong. The North was still standing. That alone gave them peace of mind and restored their hope.
“The Duchess is here with us! That must mean everything will be alright!”
“Of course! If things were truly bad, the Duchess wouldn’t be out here smiling!”
The thought of her simple smile giving people courage made her feel as though she’d been given new strength.
“I’m okay, Rubella. But what about you? Aren’t you overworking yourself? Selua, too.”
“We’re alright.”
“Then I’m alright, too.”
She knew that both of her aides were pushing themselves just as much as she was. Still, none of them complained.
“Would you like some potato, Duchess? It’s a bit dry on the outside, but still edible…”
“Thank you, Ellie. Have you eaten anything?”
Charlotte smiled softly as she accepted the potato.
“Come sit here, Ellie.”
Rubella kindly made space beside her, and after a moment of hesitation, Ellie sat down. When Charlotte handed her a peeled potato, Ellie accepted it without refusing.
“There are so many people helping… I actually got some time to rest,” Ellie murmured, looking around at the busy square.
“When I was a child, something like this happened too. Our house collapsed… and my younger sister went missing.”
“…Ellie,” Charlotte whispered.
Even after such pain, Ellie had never left the North. She had stayed.
“Strangely… I just couldn’t bring myself to leave. I was starting to forget about it all… but honestly, who doesn’t have a sad story? And just because you leave the North doesn’t mean life gets any better. One of my cousins told me that in her territory, the taxes are so high that they don’t make any profit even after working hard. Another cousin told me their lord had gone mad and was kidnapping women from the village…”
Ellie fidgeted with her potato, her voice quiet and uncertain.
“I really do think there’s no place better to live than the North. But sometimes, life here pushes people to the edge. Still… it was never this bad before.”
Ellie looked at Charlotte with worried eyes. She had spent many years in the North—long enough to sense when something was truly wrong.
“…A war is coming, isn’t it?” Ellie asked.
“That…”
“We’ll win again, right?”
“Ellie…”
Charlotte didn’t know what to say.
Could she really promise victory again?
Could she say Cassius would come back from the depths of hell and save them all once more?
Even if they won, victory always came with a price—a price paid in blood and lives.
And among those lost lives could be Ellie’s family. Her friends. People they both knew.
As Charlotte tried to find the right words to comfort her, a noise from the far end of the street caught her attention. A knight on horseback was charging through the ruined city, dust flying behind him.
He jumped off his horse and rushed toward her.
“Duchess!” he called out in a rough voice, urgency clear in his tone.
Startled, Charlotte stood up quickly. Her heart dropped. Had something happened already? Was it the Gate?
But the knight fell to his knees and bowed deeply before her.
“His Majesty the Emperor has sent knights! He ordered them to assist the North! They are expected to arrive by this evening! You must return to the castle to prepare for their arrival!”
…In a place I had come to think of as hell, a spark of hope began to spread.
As the crowd around us erupted in cheers and joyful cries, I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes. Before I even realized it, a few slipped down my cheeks.
Maybe… just maybe… the world was still worth living in after all.
Finally the emperor has a use~
😊😊😊❤️