Raising the Northern Grand Duchy as a Max-Level All-Master

Chapter 18.2

His gaze shifted to me and the golden carriage.

“A supply-laden carriage, appearing in the middle of a barrier and labyrinth? What a joke.”

His incredulous look grew sharper as he added, “And you, firing absurdly powerful magic arrows—secret weapons of the Grand Duchess, no less. Though it’s all meaningless now.”

His final glance landed on Arina, who lay bleeding on the ground.

With that, his tirade ended, leaving only the bitter reality of his betrayal.

A smirk played on Doyle’s lips as he looked down at the Grand Duchess.

“Pour all the potions you want—it won’t matter.”

Beside Arina, an aged knight knelt, frantically tending to his wounded liege.

“Please... Please...”

Balzac was pouring every potion he had onto Arina’s gaping abdominal wound, as though trying to stave off the inevitable.

The tide of the battle shifted again.

What had been an overwhelmingly favorable situation for Renslet had now evened out—or perhaps turned against them. A grim and oppressive atmosphere hung over Renslet’s side, while on the other side, the imperials exuded elation and triumph.

On the gray battlefield, these two extreme emotions clashed.

“What about the other Frostblades who went scouting with you? Did they also betray us?”

In Balzac’s stead, Sir Eote, another high-ranking knight, questioned Doyle.

It seemed only Arina and Balzac had been using aliases; the others were direct and formal.

“You mean my squadmates? Hmm, where could they be, Sir Eote?”

“I’d appreciate it if my name never left your foul mouth. It’s revolting.”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Whoa, relax. If you must know, they’re all inside the bellies of monsters. By now, they’re just bones and flesh wandering the labyrinth.”

“At least the betrayal was yours alone.”

“Indeed, what a relief. It means I get to enjoy the rewards all by myself.”

“Why did you betray us? Did Her Highness make some grievous decision against you?”

“The North! I hate this cursed, wretched North! It’s unbearably cold, always leaves you hungry, and offers nothing satisfying. I despise this accursed land!”

“If you hated it so much, you could have just left. Why do this?”

“Do you think you would’ve let a Frostblade knight just walk away? Hmm? With the knight’s oath still binding me? At the very least, I’d have been crippled—my energy core destroyed or an arm taken.”

“......”

With permission granted, I immediately checked her condition.

‘It’s bad—very bad.’

As expected, Arina’s condition was critical. The potions had kept her alive, but only barely. Without them, she would’ve succumbed long ago.

‘With the herbs and tools I have, I can’t save her.’

The diagnosis was grim. Moreover, we were deep within the labyrinth’s treacherous depths, far from any proper facilities.

“Can you save her?”

Balzac’s voice came softly from beside me, laden with hope and fear.

“Hmm...”

I hesitated briefly before answering.

“Yes, it’s possible.”

Balzac’s eyes widened in shock.

“Huff... Huff... I... can... live...?”

Arina, still conscious, gasped out the question in a faint voice.

“Not only will Your Highness survive, but you will wield your sword again.”

“......!”

Tears welled in Arina’s eyes. She must have been bracing herself for the worst—for the complete destruction of her energy core and the end of her swordsmanship.

“However, I will need you to retrieve a few items for me.”

“Tell me! I will bring them at any cost, even at the expense of my life.”

Balzac’s eyes burned with determination, his faith in me unshakable after everything I’d done thus far.

“The Sigma mages should have high-grade potions used by the imperial knights. And the warlocks from the Warlock’s Den are likely carrying rare and sinister medicinal ingredients.”

I glanced toward the remaining enemies.

“Bring me all of it—every last bit!”

Before I could finish my sentence, Balzac had already vanished.

Whoooosh!

The frost winds howled as the Frostblade surged forward, leaving a trail across the gray battlefield.

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