The Northern Mad Dog Is Wagging Its Tail

    “You hold onto Sig’s pants, and I’ll cling to the edge of Tia’s skirt that Sig is hugging.”

 

  “Brother.”

 

  “Are you trying to blame me, fearing that you might catch the mad dog and get kicked?” 

 

  Crave hesitated, but then burst into laughter. “Oh, come on. I’m your one and only brother, Leon. Do you think I would entertain such absurd thoughts?”

 

  Placing both hands over his heart, he looked at Leon and blinked rapidly, asserting his innocence.

 

  Despite his efforts, doubt began to deepen in Leon’s eyes.

 

  “Take a good look at me. I’m weak!” 

 

  Crave finally revealed his true intentions, claiming that kicking Sig would break his ribs.

 

  “That’s true. I can’t help but feel sorry for oppa’s delicate body.”

 

 Leon nodded, glancing over Crave from head to toe as he struggled to get up from his seat.

 

  “Don’t look at a person’s body with such regretful eyes.”

 

 Crave’s mood soured, even though he had claimed to be weak.

 

  “Don’t you think the youngest belittling the eldest is going too far, Philip?”

 

  “Don’t be too upset by Leon’s disrespect, brother. It’s been more than just a day or two.”

 

  “It’s been more than just a day or two, so I’m upset!” 

 

  Crave got angry and kicked up a fuss. But then, he must have exerted too much force as he let out a yelp and clutched his face.

 

  “More importantly, suggesting that the lunatic should take us along… Well, I suppose that’s something that person could do.”

 

 Leon slowly spoke, imagining Sig kidnapping not only Britia but the entire Lockhart family.

 

  “Can we survive and live there?”

 

  “What are you talking about? Do you think Sig would let us starve? Are you suggesting there’s something in the North that we don’t know about?” 

 

  Crave stared at Leon, his expression filled with questions.

 

  “There’s the Violet Mine!”

 

  The Violet Mine was an ice mountain where wizards could mine the violet magic powder called “Flu,” which was essential for using magic.

 

  It existed in only two places in the Empire, and it was the sole source of Flu. Although Flu could be obtained from monster carcasses, the amount was minimal, and often not collectible at all.

 

  Because of this, Flu was highly valuable. In an era where possessing purer Flu meant a competitive advantage for nations and families, it held even greater importance.

 

  “Look at Devon, considered the second wealthiest after the Emperor. Where do you think all that money comes from?”

 

  Devon, together with Sig, led the Devon family, which owned one of the only two violet mines. Lockhart had also been the person with the most accumulated debt in the past.

 

  “Even if Devon holds 80% of the Flu market, it’s unlikely that it’s extracted in such large quantities from the mines in the North. Nevertheless, it would still be challenging for a few more of us Lockharts to make a living,” Crave confidently stated, though he had never asked Sig.

 

  Leon, who had been observing his pretentious behavior, couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

  “I know that even mad dog can have a lot of money.”

 

  During a joint training session, there was a time when she lost the leather strap that held her sword, and a Northern knight had lent her a spare. Since then, he had been using that leather strap and realized how excellent it was.

 

  After developing a desire for better equipment, Leon had planned to buy a new leather strap, but he was taken aback.

 

  The price was about twenty times higher than regular equipment, indicating its exceptional quality.

 

  Sig had been providing such equipment to his knights, even to the lowest ranks and apprentices.

 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Read from the original site [ https://moonlightnovel.com/ ]

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

 

  It was a stark contrast to the reality in Balenderg, where no matter how damaged the equipment was, it could only be replaced three times a year.

 

  But the difference didn’t end there.

 

  The wages of apprentices there and her wages as a fully-fledged knight with three years of experience were at the same level. At that moment, Leon regretted why she had initially chosen Balenderg instead of the North.

 

  And when he discovered that there was a twofold difference compared to the lowest-ranking knights, he even contemplated moving to the North right at that moment.

 

  However, if he were to move, he would be too far away from his family, so in the end, he decided to stay in Valenderg. But occasionally, Leon felt a profound sense of regret.

 

  “What I mean is, can we endure there? Altheim’s winter is unimaginably harsh, and sist easily catch a fever.”

 

  “That’s true, Lenny.”

 

  In response to Leon’s concerns, Crave smiled confidently.

 

  If Britia even showed the slightest sign of feeling cold, do you think Sig, who always closely observes her complexion, would just stand by quietly?

 

  “Wouldn’t Sig recreate the Southern summer in the Altheim castle for Tia’s sake?” 

 

  “Sig mentioned something like that before. He made the castle too warm, and when everyone complained about it being too hot, he stopped doing it.” 

 

  So it wouldn’t be an impossible task for Sig to recreate the Southern summer.

 

  “It’s like saying it’s cold outside when you take one step out of the castle.”

 

  “You fool. Then just don’t go outside.”

 

  Crave confidently declared.

 

  “Why are you stating something so obvious and simple?”

 

  “How can a person not go outside at all during the winter?”

 

  “Sorry, Lenny. I’m human, so I can’t quite understand the mind of a baby wild boar who wants to run through the snowy fields with a runny nose even in the middle of winter.”

 

  “Brother, do you know why mold grows well in winter?”

 

  Leon narrowed his eyes at Crave’s mockery.

 

  “If you keep staying inside and never go out, mold will grow in that filthy mustache of yours instead.”

 

  “Don’t touch the mustache!”

 

  Crave affectionately stroked his mustache.

 

  Leon was about to say something more, but he paused when he heard a voice from behind the tent.

 

  “Duke-nim, I’m really fine now.”

 

  It was Britia’s voice, tinged with embarrassment.

 

  Leon pushed aside the entrance of the tent and locked eyes with his sister, seeing the embarrassment on Britia’s face, causing him to stutter.

 

  Leon couldn’t hide his mixed feelings as he looked at Britia still clinging to Sig.

 

  He thought he had finally become accustomed to the sight of Hailey and Crave calling each other names or acting cute.

 

  But now, he had to endure his sister doing the same.

 

  “Well, that worked out nicely.”

 

  Unaware of Leon’s thoughts, Sig, coincidentally having the tent pulled back by him, entered the barracks while holding Britia.

 

  “Leon and Earl Lockhart are both here. I have important matters to discuss regarding the future…”

 

  As Evry tried to enter with a wide smile behind him, Leon swiftly closed the tent. It was evident that he wanted to talk about his sister, but Leon wasn’t interested in hearing it.

 

  Leon had anticipated that something like this would happen eventually, considering the news about Sig’s feelings for Britia. However, experiencing it firsthand was far from ideal.

 

  Leon was tormented by the feeling of his family being taken away by someone else.

 

  “Now I understand why Leon was surprised and why Philip spoke with such sincerity.” 

 

  Crave muttered as he observed Sig carefully helping Britia down onto a chair. Upon hearing the sound, Sig finally turned towards him and examined his friend’s appearance closely.

 

  “Did you lose your ability to speak again?”

 

  Sig asked with genuine concern in his voice, causing Crave to straighten up.

 

  “No! But there’s something important I need to discuss. It’s crucial.”

 

  Crave looked at Sig with a serious gaze.

 

  “Our Tia is sensitive to the cold. Even a slight breeze can make her temperature rise like that of a child with a runny nose.”

 

  “Wait, when did we start talking about this?”

 

  Britia raised her head and looked at Sig, denying it.

 

  “It’s a story from when she was young. A long time ago. It’s not like that anymore.”

 

  “Even if she doesn’t get as feverish as before, she’s still sensitive to the cold.”

 

  Crave raised his hand, gesturing for Britia to wait a moment.

 

  “So remember, if Tia feels cold, don’t just leave her like that and let her catch a cold. Hold her and keep her warm.”

 

  Just like what happened just now.

 

  Britia was taken aback by the sight of the mischievous twins laughing. She still had unresolved grievances to address, but Crave tried to move on without resolving them.

 

  “No matter how annoying it may be, just hold her. Got it?”

 

  Crave averted his gaze from the piercing look directed at him and encouraged Sig to continue.

 

  “Whenever you have to leave the castle, you must always embrace her.”

 

  Sig, puzzled, asked, “Is there a reason why you would find it troublesome?”

 

  Britia’s face flushed with embarrassment in front of the siblings due to Sig’s straightforward words. However, she didn’t feel bad. It was somewhat prideful to be loved like this.

 

  “Britia, I still have unfinished business to attend to, so I will go,” Sig said as he attempted to leave.

 

  Britia felt a sense of regret but nodded her head. She couldn’t keep holding him back.

 

  As they walked toward the camp where the prince was waiting, having parted ways with Britia, Sig spoke up, “Crave and Leon got hurt.”

 

  His once gentle demeanor had now become fierce.

 

  “It’s strange that two people who were only in the camp got so badly injured when the hunting hadn’t even started,” Evry, who followed behind, agreed.

 

  It was evident that something had happened, considering how they evaded answering when asked about the reason for their injuries.

 

  Britia wasn’t surprised to see the two injured. She knew that before entering the forest. So why did she still head towards the forest despite knowing about their injuries?

 

  Sig didn’t ask about the reason, as it seemed that Britia didn’t want to talk about it. But it bothered him.

 

  “There’s Huate hiding in the forest. Robley is probably also searching for him. Don’t let him escape; capture him first,” Sig instructed.

 

  “What if there’s a clash with Robley?”

 

  “I haven’t given any specific orders. Just handle it as you usually would.”

 

  It meant that any obstacles should be eliminated. Just to be sure, Evry asked with a gentle smile and nodded his head.

 

  “Should we treat Earl Huate with respect?”

 

  “Just enough to get an answer.”

 

  The man shot by Britia was undoubtedly Huate, and Robley was searching for him.

 

  It was clear that something unknown was happening between Lockhart and them.

 

  “Make sure to investigate any recent issues involving Lockhart. Don’t disregard any matters, whether big or small, particularly those concerning Huate and Robley.”

 

  If Britia was facing any problems and in need of help, Sig couldn’t simply remain passive. Sig Turas was the kind of person who would go to any lengths to solve problems, akin to a determined dog.