Vladimir had never underestimated "Victor."
Or rather… in the current entirety of the "Hand of Winter" organization, Victor was the sole enemy that Vladimir had to face seriously.
This middle-aged man, appointed by Duke Ivan, had inherited the "right thumb ring" left by Vladimir and with it directly commanded the entire "right half" of the Hand of Winter.
He, along with Zorgen, represented the visible and the hidden facets of the Hand of Winter.
They respectively guarded the "Duchy of Winter" and the "Duke of Winter."
Unless ordered directly by the Duke, Victor would never leave the Duke's mansion. His presence was to prevent the re-occurrence of the old incident where Vladimir had stolen the Frost Beast… and also to deter the escape of prisoners held in the dungeon below the mansion.
And Zorgen would forever stay by Annan's side, concealed within his shadow.
