A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 100

Chapter 100

“…”‍⁠‌

When‌‍⁠ the emperor’s explanation‍ ended, Lucian closed his eyes in⁠‍‌ silence. A hard-to-describe‌ emotion swirled in⁠‌ his chest.

If‌⁠ he had died amidst the chaos⁠ of battle or⁠‍ from a stray‌‌ arrow, he wouldn’t⁠ feel this disturbed.‌‌

Even⁠ if in vain,‌‍ it would have‌‌ been a death⁠ befitting a knight⁠ fallen on the‌ battlefield.

‘But‍⁠⁠ to die not‌‍ in war, but‌⁠ from the scheme‌ of a mage‌ no one had⁠⁠⁠ ever heard of?’‌‍‌

Death always comes suddenly,‌‍ but this was‌ different. Duke Sigmund‌‍⁠ had, at the‍ very least, the right to die‍⁠ as a general,⁠ as a knight.⁠‍

He‍ should not have‌ been consumed as⁠⁠ a mere piece‌ on someone else’s⁠ game board.

“What‍‍ is my older⁠ brother… doing right‌ now?”

Lucian⁠⁠‌ changed the subject,⁠ as if turning⁠ away from the‍ death of Duke Sigmund.

If‌ his father had‍‍‌ died, the impact‍ on Tristan must‍⁠ have been enormous.‌

The‌‌ emperor hesitated for⁠ a moment before⁠‍ responding.

— He is still‍⁠ swinging his sword.‍‌

“The‌ war is still‌‌‍ ongoing?”

— No. The war‌ is over. There⁠⁠‌ are no soldiers‌ left.

“Then…‌ don’t tell me…?”‍

— He is blinded‌‌ by rage. I couldn’t stop him,‌ nor did I want to. Does⁠ that answer your‍‍⁠ question?

As‌‌ if not wanting‍⁠ to continue discussing‌⁠ the topic, the‌‌‍ emperor shook his⁠‌⁠ head slightly.

It‍⁠ was an ambiguous‍‌ answer, without beginning⁠ or end. But⁠‌‍ even so, it⁠ was enough to‍ understand Tristan’s state.‌⁠

‘Is‌‍‌ he massacring the⁠ city?’

If⁠ the rebellion had‍⁠ already been crushed,‍‌ what remained were‍ defenseless civilians and‍⁠‌ an imperial army‌ overflowing with fury.⁠⁠

Soldiers⁠ already pushed to‍‌ the limit by⁠ all of Krephelt’s dirty tricks. And‍‍ on top of that, the murder‌ of Duke Sigmund, someone deeply respected‍⁠ by all.

The‌‍ moment Tristan gave⁠ that fury a direction, the result⁠⁠ was more than obvious.

“Fuu…”‌

Lucian exhaled deeply, trying⁠‍⁠ to sort out‌ the chaos in‍ his mind.

The‌ end of the‍⁠ war.

The death of the‌‌ duke.

Tristan.‍‍‌

The‍‌⁠ massacre.

Valdeck.‌

And⁠‌‍ the emperor.

Each‍‍ one was an‍ event capable of‍ triggering enormous repercussions.‍ There wasn’t even‍‌ time to mourn⁠‍ Sigmund properly.

“Your Majesty, allow me⁠‌ to ask a single question.”

— Speak.

“Those‍ black tentacles that restrained my father⁠⁠ — what exactly‍‌⁠ were they? Was⁠ it truly a trap set by‌‌⁠ Krephelt?”

— …I suppose so.‍⁠‍ What other explanation‍ could there be?⁠‍

The⁠ emperor nodded after⁠ a slight delay.⁠‍

But‌‌ to Lucian’s eyes,‍‌⁠ it was a lie not even‌ the emperor himself‍‍ believed.

When⁠⁠⁠ they were already‌ defeated and should have been thinking‍‍ of surrender, were⁠‌‌ they really going‍ to take with‍‌ them not the emperor, but the‌ duke? No one⁠‌ in their right⁠‌ mind would ever⁠⁠‍ do such a thing.

‘Someone else intervened. It‌‌ wasn’t Krephelt, nor‌‍ the emperor. It‌ was someone else.’‌‍

The‌ problem was that‌⁠ he didn’t have⁠‍⁠ the slightest clue‌ who that someone⁠⁠‌ could be.

Seeing‍ Lucian lost in‍‍‍ thought, the emperor‍‍‌ misunderstood his silence and spoke in‌ a heavy tone.‍

— I never imagined‌ there could be‌‍ magic capable of‍ bypassing the protection of the runes.⁠ Just in case, I gave him⁠‍ one of the⁠‌ most powerful suits‍ of armor the‍ empire possesses…

Lucian‌⁠‌ gave a bitter‍ smile inwardly.

‘Does⁠ that mean I shouldn’t blame you⁠‍ because you did‍ everything you could?’‍

How‌ ironic. At least‌⁠ half of the‌ cause of his⁠‌ father’s death lay⁠‍ with him.

Or⁠‌‍ rather, with the‍ empire itself.

The⁠‌ indiscriminate purges against‌⁠ mages had left⁠‍ the empire with⁠‌‍ almost no one‍ who truly understood‍ what magic was. Even the knowledge‌‌ preserved by the‌‍‌ imperial house was‍‍ fragmented and limited.‍‌‍

The‌ spells used by⁠ those who were‌‍‌ expelled three hundred⁠ years ago no⁠⁠ longer even existed⁠ in imperial memory.‍‍

‘If⁠⁠‍ they know nothing,⁠ it’s impossible to‌⁠ respond to an‍ attack and impossible‍ to find the‍‍⁠ culprit.’

In a way, Valdeck‍⁠⁠ had become trapped⁠ by the empire’s⁠ karma.

But‍ Lucian was not⁠‌ a rash young‍‌ man who would⁠ voice such thoughts.‍⁠

“There’s⁠‍‌ nothing to be‌ done. Even if‍⁠ men do everything⁠‍ within their power,⁠‍ fate is decided by the gods.”‌

— Thank you for⁠‌ saying that. I feel as if‌⁠ a weight has‍‌ been lifted from my heart. However…‌

The⁠⁠‌ emperor hesitated for⁠‍‍ a long moment,⁠‍⁠ moistening his lips.‌ It was rare to see him⁠‍ so nervous, and‍ Lucian tilted his‍ head in confusion.‌⁠⁠

What‍ was he about⁠⁠‍ to say?

— …I have news⁠ you won’t like.

“Bad‌‍ news?”

— Sigmund came to⁠‍‍ see me not⁠‍ long ago. He‌ said he had⁠ already decided who would be the⁠‍ next duke. That‌‌ it would be⁠‍ Tristan.

Lucian‍‍ froze completely, his⁠⁠ gaze lost.

***‌

“….”‍

“….”⁠

The‍‍ emperor’s explosive declaration‍ caused a heavy⁠⁠‍ silence to fall‌ over the room.⁠

Lucian‍‍ remained rigid, unable‍‌‍ to say a single word, while⁠ the emperor glanced‍ around nervously.

Glenn,‌ trapped between them,‌ was sweating cold‍⁠⁠ bullets, bracing for‍ what would come⁠⁠‌ next.

“Your⁠‍⁠ Majesty.”

It⁠‌ was Lucian who‌ broke the silence.‍⁠⁠ His voice was‍ much colder than‌‌ before.

“Did‌ my father truly⁠ say something like‌⁠ that?”

— Damn it.

“Your‌ Majesty.”

— Please… can’t you⁠ let it go⁠‍ just this once? You know it‌‌ as well as‌ I do.

“Your‍ Majesty.”

— I’ve done everything I could for⁠ you. The ducal⁠‍ title, the frontier‍‍‍ marquisate, Asagrim, elite troops, the imperial⁠ knight order, supplies…⁠ everything!

“Yes.‍ I’ll never forget⁠⁠ that debt, not‌‌ even in death.‌ But Your Majesty also knows this.”‍⁠⁠

— What are you‍ trying to say?‌

“Giving‌⁠ and taking aren’t‍‍ the same. They don’t cancel each⁠ other out.”

“What⁠ the hell…?!”

Glenn⁠ cried out in⁠‌⁠ horror, but Lucian‌‌ didn’t take his‌‍ eyes off the emperor for a single second.

After⁠‌‌ licking his lips‌⁠ for a while,‌⁠⁠ the emperor spoke⁠‍‌ as if he had given up.‌⁠‍

— Then what am I supposed to do? Call you‍ all the way‍‍ from Asagrim and‍‍ strip Valdeck from‍ you? When the‍ north isn’t even⁠‍⁠ stabilized yet?

“…”‍

— I need allies.⁠ I don’t want to destroy Valdeck,⁠ such a solid‍ support, in a power struggle. Tristan‍‌ isn’t a bad⁠ option for you⁠⁠ either, don’t you think?

Lucian‌‍ remained silent.

When‍‌ the silence dragged on again, the⁠‍ emperor let out a deep sigh.‍

— That mage… do‌‌ whatever you want‌ with him.

“…!”‍

— I’m not saying‌⁠ to use him‍‍‍ in secret. I will personally authorize‍‌ it. I’ll grant‌ you the authority⁠ to officially recognize⁠‌ an unregistered mage.⁠⁠

Faced‍ with such an⁠ extreme offer, Lucian⁠ looked at the‌‍ emperor with a blank expression. In⁠ his eyes burned‍⁠ a fierce determination,‍‌⁠ as if putting⁠ everything in order‌ before death.

— You’ve seen the‍ true power of⁠ the empire. And you’re also concerned‌‌ about Sigmund’s death.⁠ Didn’t you think‌ magic was necessary?‌‌‌

“…”‌⁠

— You don’t have‍ to fear becoming‌ a traitor. I give you permission.‍ Investigate openly. In‍‌ exchange, renounce Valdeck.⁠‍ Abandon any thought‌‍⁠ of threatening the⁠‍‍ empire with excessive‍‌ territory.

Under‍ that silent pressure,‌ Lucian closed his‍‌ eyes.

‘It’s a calculated offer. Once chaos begins,‌ mages will appear⁠‌ everywhere, and not‍⁠ even the empire⁠ will be able⁠ to stop them.’‍‍

It‌ was a matter‌ of giving up⁠ the inevitable early‍‍‍ to gain an‌⁠ advantage. Still, the‍⁠ proposal was tempting.‍‍

A right recognized by⁠⁠ the emperor meant⁠ being able to‍ act in the⁠‌ open while others‍⁠ hid. Naturally, mages would flock to‍⁠ Lucian.

“…I won’t give up⁠ my right of⁠ succession. But I won’t object to⁠ my brother inheriting⁠‍⁠ either.”

— Good! That’s more‍⁠ than enough! Finally…‍ khk!

“Y-Your‍‌ Majesty!”

A clot of blood‌ spurted from the‌‍⁠ emperor’s mouth, making‌ Glenn cry out.⁠

Coughing‌ uncontrollably, the emperor‌‍ bent forward.

— The documents… soon…‍‌ Glenn… return…

As‌⁠ soon as he‍‌‍ finished speaking, the‌ magic artifact shut‍⁠ off, as if someone had cut‍‌‍ the connection from⁠ the other side.⁠‍⁠

Glenn⁠⁠ looked at Lucian,⁠‌ who remained deep‌‍ in thought. Under‍ normal circumstances, he‌‍ would have spoken‍ of loyalty and⁠ the emperor’s illness,‌‍ but Lucian had‍ just suffered a tragedy as well.‍‍

“Your⁠⁠‌ Highness, the grand‌‌ duke was an‌‌ admirable man. A true pillar of the empire.”

“Thank⁠⁠ you.”

“…”‍‍‍

“…”

“I…”‍

“I‍ want to be‌⁠⁠ alone.”

“Ah…‍⁠⁠ yes.”

At‍ the clear dismissal, Glenn left the office, face flushed‌ red.

Lucian‌‌ leaned back in‍ his chair, recalling‌‌ Sigmund.

‘Father.’‌

He‌‍ wasn’t the one‌‌ who had fathered‌‌‌ him, nor the⁠⁠‍ one who raised him.

He‍ had simply taken⁠‌ the place of‍‍ his son by‌ chance. And yet,‌‌ for less than⁠‌ a year, the⁠ grand duke had‍ been the most⁠‌ reliable father in‍ the world to⁠ him.

“Father.”‌

When⁠⁠‌ he said it out loud, he‌‍‌ noticed his voice‌ tremble.

He‌ tried to say‌ something more, but‌ ended up closing⁠‌ his eyes in⁠‌ silence. The liquid‍⁠ that slid down⁠ his cheek felt⁠ strangely warm.

***⁠‌‌

At‌‌ dawn the next‍⁠ day, after a sleepless night, Lucian⁠ headed to the⁠⁠ underground prison. It‍ wasn’t the same one where Norvek⁠‍‍ had been held.‍‌‌

The jailer, dozing off,⁠‍ jumped at the⁠‌ sound of footsteps.‍‍

“Y-Your⁠ Highness!”

“I’ve‌‌ come to see‍‍ the prisoner. Step‍‌⁠ aside.”

“Y-Yes,‍⁠⁠ sir!”

Pale as a sheet,‍ the jailer moved⁠ out of the⁠‍‍ way. Norvek had‍⁠ escaped recently; he‍ was likely terrified‍‍⁠ of being punished‌ for falling asleep.‍‌

Lucian paid him no‌‍ attention and moved‌ forward.

“Colin.”⁠

“Your⁠⁠‌ Highness!”

Colin⁠⁠ jumped up and⁠‌‌ clutched the bars.⁠⁠⁠ His quickness made‌ Lucian raise an‌‍ eyebrow.

“I‌ thought you were⁠⁠ asleep.”

“I‍‌ was. I woke⁠ up from the‍‌‌ noise.”

I see. After the‍‌ witch hunt, a good night’s sleep⁠ must have been‍ impossible.

“From‍‌ the way you’ve⁠‌⁠ come, it seems⁠⁠ a decision has‍‍ already been made.”⁠

“Yes.‌‌ Last night I received a clear‍‌‍ answer.”

“W-What‌‌ did the emperor‍ say?”

Colin‌ clenched his sweat-soaked‌‍ fists.

“Good‌ news. Not only⁠ will your life‌⁠‍ be spared, but‌‍ it’ll be as⁠‌ if you committed⁠ no crime at⁠ all.”

“What…?”‌

“In⁠ short, he won’t‍‌ object to you‍⁠ joining me openly under my command.”‍

“…!?”

Colin‍⁠‍ doubted his ears. Lucian’s initial plan⁠ had been a reckless gamble full⁠ of holes — buying time by‍⁠ convincing the emperor⁠‍⁠ of his usefulness⁠ and cutting off‌⁠ the capital. If⁠‌ it failed, Colin⁠ would’ve borne the consequences and been‌⁠ executed.

“…Not⁠⁠ just time, but⁠‌‌ he’s officially recognized my existence?”

“More⁠ like, he granted me the authority‌ to do so.”⁠

“Why…?”⁠‍‌

“A⁠⁠ lot happened.”

Lucian‌‌ ran a hand‍‍ through his hair,‌‌ too tired to‍ explain further. His expression showed no joy.

“Judging⁠‌ by your face,⁠ you don’t look‌‌ exactly happy.”

“I’m‍‌ not.”

“Why?‍ Everything turned out‌‍⁠ the way you‌‌‌ wanted.”

“I‌‍ was also informed‌ of my father’s⁠ death.”

“…”‍

“The‌ cause was a mage. He cowardly⁠ intervened in a duel and killed‌‍‌ him by surprise.”‍

Colin⁠ felt cold sweat⁠‌ soak his back.‍