Viscount Berdiska of Nor resolved to take decisive action to sweep away the obstacles obstructing his path. While Beri Smote was at home recuperating, the Sovereign turned to the courtier’s son, Reryll, for counsel. Reryll pointed out that Dreste still harbored a deep-seated grudge against Nor, yet lacked the raw strength to challenge them alone, forcing him to rely on the power of neighboring states. "The moment they take the bait," Reryll suggested, "Nor's opportunity will arrive."

　　Thus, under the pretext of investigating grain smuggling, the Viscount issued an order to intercept and search Dreste’s merchant caravans along the border. He even dispatched a formal missive to Count Dreste, expressing his hope that the Count would exercise "effective control" over his subjects to prevent such "illegal and disgraceful" incidents. Feeling utterly humiliated, the Count denounced the act as nothing short of highway robbery. Still smarting from his previous military failure, he sent envoys to secure an alliance with Gal and Trewell.

　　The commander of Gal, Minos, was a seasoned noble of warrior stock. Under his leadership, a ragtag band of soldiers managed to hold their own through a grueling battle that lasted from the early dawn. Minos led the charge at the onset of the fray and stayed behind to cover the retreat, only to be captured by three Nor soldiers. Eventually, he was brought before the Nor commander, bound hand and foot.

　　His noble rank and undeniable gallantry earned him the respect of his captors, leading to his honorable release. The three soldiers who captured him were rewarded, and the Nor army returned home in triumph. Meanwhile, a bitter feud erupted between Gal, Trewell, and Dreste. The Count, citing the defeat as an excuse, refused to honor his promises. The Lord of Gal was particularly incensed; his army had bled, and his commander had been taken captive, only for Dreste to betray their pact.

　　Seizing the moment, Nor’s secret agents appeared at the manors of Gal and Trewell. They proposed a new coalition: Nor would join Gal and Trewell in a combined strike against the treacherous Dreste. The Count would inevitably be forced to sue for peace, and he would be made to pay dearly for his duplicity.

　　With these assurances in place, the Nor host mobilized at the border. Without a moment's hesitation, they launched an offensive against Dreste, shattering the lethargic defenders at Felgari. By the time the banners of Nor were planted atop the ramparts there, the southeastern reaches of Dreste’s domain lay entirely exposed. In a subsequent treaty, Gal and Trewell were granted tracts of land that left them thoroughly satisfied. For a time afterward, they were content to sit idly by as Nor and Dreste continued their struggle.

　　According to the terms of the treaty, the victorious Nor army returned Felgari to Dreste. However, the fortress had been so thoroughly dismantled that nothing remained but a thin, crumbling shell of its former defenses. Thus, while the southeastern lands technically returned to Dreste, they remained effectively wide open to the spears of Nor.

　　In the period that followed, the Viscount of Nor calmly arranged his succession—a move that was as much about family as it was about the long-term destiny of the realm. His grandson, Koinneb, was betrothed to Lamoria, the granddaughter of the Lord of Demolay. Thanks to this strategic union, Berdiska’s mild-tempered son, Kadel, was secured as the heir to the Lordship of Nor.

　　During the early days of Kadel’s reign, Nor radiated a strange, vibrant energy that stood in stark contrast to the cold apathy of other lords. At the center of this burgeoning power remained Beri Smote. At seventy years of age—a longevity rare for that era—he continued to serve at his master's side, his sharp mind preserved by a life of discipline and moderation.

　　Though his right arm remained somewhat stiff due to past injuries—at times even hindering his writing on cold, rainy days—Beri Smote remained vigorous. His sharp gaze and cool exterior still commanded an instinctive reverence from all who stood before him. Continuing to wield his vast intellect and capability, Beri held a level of authority second only to the Sovereign. His conduct was so prudent and his dealings so impartial that the Lord never had to fear that this powerful courtier might foster factionalism or private interests.

　　While the late Berdiska had been consumed by the drive to expand Nor’s borders and curb the influence of neighboring rivals—tasks Beri handled with diplomatic ease—the elder statesman hoped the new Sovereign would look inward. Beri believed that anchoring the peasantry to the soil was not only a noble pursuit but a vital one, a foundation that would sustain the grand endeavors of war and peace in the years to come.

　　For a long time, the newly conquered territories had served as a dumping ground for convicts and prisoners of war. Loath to see such fine land go to waste, Beri petitioned Berdiska to allow his own descendants to move south and till the earth. It was under this same old counselor’s guidance that Nor’s new Lord issued a proclamation to his people.

　　In his decree, Kadel reminded them that both the lords and subjects of Nor had once been mere servants of the King, forging weapons for the Royal host. It was only through their valor in repelling barbarian incursions that they earned their freedom and their current prominence. Thus, ensuring that merit was met with reward was the very cornerstone upon which Nor was built.

　　Kadel then formalized a detailed system of rewards and punishments by law, granting honors to those who had distinguished themselves in the campaign against Dreste. This allowed many who had earned their freedom to break away from the shackles of their old masters and become direct subjects of the Lord of Nor. Naturally, this stirred a current of resentment among certain nobles.

　　When the Lord dispatched surveyors to measure the lands of these aristocrats, they erupted in resistance, cloaking their defiance in the names of ancestral grants and legal inheritance. In a public assembly, Kadel addressed them with solemn gravity:

　　"When the late Sovereign placed the Lord’s sword in my hand, he entrusted me with the power to reward and to punish. You must understand that the late Sovereign’s grants were the fruit of loyalty and sacrifice. You enjoy your wealth and luxury only because of the shade provided by your ancestors. How dare you use the very privileges granted by your Lord to wag your fingers in his face!

　　It has come to my shock and outrage through our investigations that some of you occupy lands far beyond your rank, while simultaneously devising schemes to evade taxes and military service. This is a violation of Nor’s law, a betrayal of my trust, and a disgrace to your forefathers. Those with capability shall be rewarded, but those who enjoy privilege must also shoulder their responsibilities!"

　　Furthermore, Kadel sent a personal letter to Belisars of the Skorn family, seeking the support of this venerable elder for his decisions. He wrote:

　　"My father’s dying injunction was clear: internal stability rests upon the unity of the nobility, while external peace depends on the obedience of the subjects. Now, however, some choose private greed over the public good, seeking every loophole to escape the reach of the law. For a Lord to look the other way is not 'unity'—it is indulgence. It is a Lord dismantling the laws of Nor with his own hands and trampling upon his people.

　　You once commanded Nor’s armies; you, of all people, understand the necessity of order and discipline. Besides, how am I to look into the eyes of the families of those who bled and died in battle? They took up arms for Nor as our subjects, and they deserve to be treated with honor by their Lord.

　　Based on the authority I inherited from my father and the principles of justice and prudence, I have drafted laws for the betterment of Nor. Your house was among the first to follow our cause—you are the founders of Nor and a mirror for our people. Therefore, I look to your venerable wisdom for guidance."

　　A few days later, the land surveys commenced, beginning notably with the Lord’s own kin and the houses of Smote and Skorn. The sight of the Sovereign, his chief minister, and the leading noble family all submitting to the same professional and impartial process silenced the opposition. One by one, they began to accept the new legal order. Yet, even then, a few still clung to their waning power, offering stubborn resistance to the Lord and his officials.

　　The Lord, guided by the laws drafted by Beri, meted out stern punishments to the dissenters. Yet, Kadel did not strip these men of their inherent rights; he left a path open for them to reclaim their honor, status, and rewards through future toil or valor on the battlefield.

　　The new body of subjects—comprising both freed commoners and newly elevated nobles—joyfully accepted their Sovereign's rewards. These rewards came with a fresh mandate: to venture into the southern territories and break the virgin soil. There, they raised homesteads and tended livestock. To facilitate communication with the south and to support future movements, the Lord organized labor to pave roads and establish post stations.

　　The surging population and the sight of robust, healthy children were not only hallmarks of prosperity but also set the stage for a second wave of migration. Monks and scholars took up the heavy mantle of education on behalf of their Sovereign. Temples, academies, and theaters rose as monuments to the Lord's achievements and as splendid ornaments of the land; yet, more importantly, they served as practical pillars of well-being, fostering a loyalty that would ensure long-term stability for his reign.

　　Lord Kadel maintained a posture of profound prudence, humbly listening to the counsel of his courtiers and even his servants. He regarded the devotion of his followers as his greatest honor and ultimate reward. Although the realm enjoyed a prolonged peace, the army of Nor preserved its storied spirit and discipline, infusing its ranks with fresh blood as the new generation came of age.

　　Meanwhile, Ribur, the Count of Dreste, had long felt the sting of shame at being eclipsed by Nor. After Kadel took power, the perceived arrogance of the Nor envoys only deepened his hatred, fueling a desperate thirst for vengeance. The Count confessed to his inner circle that he could not endure being bested by the "descendants of slaves and blacksmiths." He dispatched emissaries to Gal and Trewell, warning the two lords that if Dreste were to fall in a conflict with Nor, the latter would inevitably extend its shadow to their own borders.

　　However, despite his self-styled prudence, Ribur could not escape the eyes and ears of his own servants. These lowly attendants were more than willing to accept gold from Nor in exchange for information. Thanks to these "insignificant" figures, Nor remained intimately informed of the Count’s every move—even down to the minutiae of his daily meals and habits.

　　The Count intended the assassination of the Nor envoy to be the clarion call for his counterattack. But by the time his soldiers stormed the empty residence, the plan had already been rendered a failure. After alerting Lord Kadel to Dreste's military conspiracy, the envoy had hurriedly donned a disguise and fled to the home of a laundry maid for sanctuary.

　　This maid worked in the manor of the Lord of Dreste, washing clothes for the Count and his entire household. She lived in a humble dwelling within the city with her husband and two children. Her husband had been wounded on the battlefield, and had it not been for the aid of a certain "friend of a noble lady and the Lord's wife," he would likely have been left a permanent cripple.

　　Thanks to the foresight of this female subordinate, the Nor envoy—now on a perilous mission—found a safe haven within Dreste itself. Once the danger became imminent, he assumed the identity of the maid's cousin—a merchant seeking to procure bolts of cloth—and vanished into her home, eluding Dreste’s pursuit.

　　Even though he knew the plot had been exposed, Ribur still issued the command to muster his forces for an assault on Nor. When word reached Kadel, he learned that the enemy host comprised not only the troops of Gal and Trewell, but even the forces of Demolay had joined the fray. Facing this coalition, Kadel turned to his subordinates to devise a strategy for victory.

　　Reryll pointed out that the intervention of Gal and Trewell was nothing more than an attempt to scavenge whatever they could from the conflict between Nor and Dreste. "They will swarm like locusts at the scent of profit," he said, "but will scatter like birds at the first sign of loss." As for the timid Lord of Demolay, though he was bound to Nor by marriage, the sight of his neighbors rising against Nor had likely filled him with enough dread to force his hand into this reluctant cooperation.

　　Envoys from Nor were dispatched to the camps of Gal and Trewell. They reminded the commanders how they had previously been seduced by Dreste’s hollow promises, only to be led into a baseless war against Nor. In the end, they had gained nothing but losses and the sting of humiliation when Dreste refused to honor his word. It was also noted that it was only after joining Nor to punish Dreste that Gal and Trewell had finally received land as just compensation.

　　The envoys emphasized that all these grievances stemmed from Dreste's treachery, yet Dreste now harbored a senseless grudge against Gal and Trewell themselves. They warned the commanders to be wary of their so-called ally. Minos, the commander of Gal, saw the envoy off with impeccable politeness and immediately sent a report to his sovereign. While awaiting a reply, he refused to engage in battle, citing a "delay in supplies."

　　Count Ribur, his heart a frantic mix of anxiety and excitement, waited as long as he could before finally drawing up his lines against Nor at Fegarus. Prior to the clash, Minos had insisted on stationing his troops on the flank, claiming his men could either advance or maneuver to outflank the Nor army as the situation dictated. Yet, when the two armies finally locked in combat, Gal’s light cavalry remained rooted to the spot.

　　Minos sent out a small detachment merely to go through the motions of battle within the ranks. Trewell had declared before the fight that they would maintain a purely defensive posture, satisfied as long as their formation remained unbroken. Meanwhile, the Demolay forces on the wing huddled close to their Trewell allies for safety. This allowed the Nor army to relax its focus on the flanks and concentrate its full might on shattering Dreste’s position.

　　The Nor commander led a division to meet Dreste head-on. When he saw the Lord of Dreste approaching with his retinue, he removed his helmet in a gesture of respect. The Lord, upholding the chivalrous etiquette of the Willem era, hastily ordered his men not to loose arrows, cast javelins, or thrust spears at the Nor general.

　　After the battle, the commanders of the defeated coalition gathered once more, though they sat in a heavy, stifling silence. Finally, it was Minos of Gal who broke the tension. He proposed an immediate withdrawal and volunteered his troops to serve as the rearguard. Demolay, who had been hit first and was the first to retreat during the fight, agreed instantly, and Trewell quickly chimed in. Once again, the joint operation had ended in a fiasco.

　　However, the Nor army did not simply withdraw. After a brief respite, they launched a relentless pursuit, forcing the enemy to scatter in a panicked rout. A light Nor detachment, marching day and night, intercepted the retreat of Dreste’s army at an open plain near Lapis. There, they drew up their lines, signaling their intent to fight to the death.

　　The Lord of Dreste sent an envoy, arguing that pursuing a retreating army was a breach of military etiquette and requesting that Nor cease its advance. Though the Nor soldiers sheathed their swords, a rumor that Dreste’s army had been utterly wiped out sent a shockwave of terror through the Dreste populace. It was only when the Lord finally appeared at the border with his troops that the panic and rumors were finally quelled.

　　Back in the capital, the Viscount sat upon his throne—adorned with beast furs and the patterns of ancient weaponry—listening to his general’s report and meting out rewards and punishments according to martial law. Afterward, he intended to forge a formal alliance with Demolay. However, his counselors cautioned that since Nor lacked a royal mandate from the King, a formal pact might breach etiquette and invite condemnation from the Western lords. Thus, an envoy was sent to the capital of Demolay under the guise of an "invitation to a kinsman."

　　Days later, the Lord of Demolay arrived at the Nor capital with his family, greeted by the cheers of the citizens and a warm reception from the Nor Lord. Kadel instructed his son, Koinner, to host a lavish banquet for his in-laws. As both the heir and the son-in-law, Koinner remained at their side, meticulously attending to every detail of the Demolay Lord's stay.

　　When the atmosphere had softened, the two lords walked together into a small garden. There were no armed guards here—only industrious, soft-spoken maids and a collection of exquisite plants. In a gentle tone, Kadel told the Lord of Samolai that this recent unpleasantness was entirely the fault of Dreste’s instigation, which had forced their lands into enmity. He added that even now, Dreste was spreading malicious rumors, claiming that Nor intended to hold the Lord of Demolay and his family hostage.