A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 101

Chapter 101

‘Damn⁠⁠‌ it, what was‍‍⁠ I thinking? I should’ve let it go—why did I have to step‌‌⁠ into a hornet’s‌ nest?’

With⁠‌ an intense urge‍⁠ to punch his‌⁠ self from thirty⁠⁠ seconds ago, Colin‌ squeezed his eyes⁠ shut.

But‍‌‍ since he couldn’t⁠‍ turn back time,‍ he had no choice but to⁠ fix what he’d‍‌ just said.

“Your‌‍ Highness, as you‌⁠‍ know, magic is—”

“Spare‌‍ me the excuses.‌ It’s not your‍ fault, and it‌‌ doesn’t seem like‌⁠ it was a mage you knew.”

“That’s‍ true, but…”

“It’d‍ be just as‍ ridiculous as a knight cursing all‌ the knights in‍⁠ the world because⁠‍ one killed a family member.”

At‌ Lucian’s words, Colin‍ nodded with an‍⁠ awkward expression. Although⁠⁠‍ he was absolutely‌‍ right, most people‍ weren’t that rational.⁠‍

It⁠ was normal that,‍‍⁠ after falling into‍⁠⁠ the hands of‌⁠ a deranged black⁠ mage, even court‌⁠ mages would be‍⁠‍ treated as enemies.

“If‍ I can’t feel happy right now,⁠‍⁠ it’s because I’m still in mourning,⁠⁠ not because I don’t want to‌ see you. So⁠‌ don’t get nervous‌ over nothing.”

“T-thank⁠ you, Your Highness.”⁠

“Thank‌⁠ me for what?‌⁠ This has nothing⁠ to do with⁠‍ you. Anyway, I’ll⁠‌ have you out‌⁠ of here soon,‍ so wait patiently.”‌⁠‌

“When‌‌ will I be⁠‍⁠ able to leave?”‍

“I‌⁠ don’t know the‌ exact timing, but‍‍‌ it’ll be resolved‍‌ within a week.”⁠

The⁠‍⁠ image of the⁠‌ emperor coughing up‌⁠‌ blood during their⁠‍‍ conversation resurfaced in⁠ his mind. His⁠⁠ health was deteriorating‌‌ rapidly, so he‌⁠ wouldn’t have time⁠ to waste.

As‍ soon as he regained a bit⁠‍ of clarity, even‌‌ at the cost‍ of shortening his‍‌ life, he would‍‍ deal with Lucian’s‍ situation.

After⁠ all, if he‌⁠ didn’t offer proper⁠ compensation, Lucian had‌‍‌ no reason to‌‍ give up the⁠ position of head‍⁠ of House Valdeck.‌‌

“I’ll⁠‌ come back later.‍ By then, you’ll‍ need proper clothes.‌‍‍ You’ll be taking‌ on a position‌ and working at‌ my side.”

“Yes…”⁠‍

Colin still wore an‌‍ unconvinced expression. Regardless‌‌‍ of whether Lucian’s⁠‍‌ words were true or not, he⁠ simply couldn’t process⁠ it.

Centuries‍‍ of witch hunts⁠‌‍ resolved with a single negotiation. Until‍‍ he stepped out‍‍ of prison and‍⁠ exercised those rights⁠⁠⁠ with his own⁠ eyes, he would‍ keep doubting it.‍⁠

‘Well,‍ once he experiences‍‍‍ it himself, he’ll‌ be so happy he might lose‌‌ his mind.’

Lucian‍‌ gave a faint⁠ smile and exited⁠ the underground prison.‌‌ Still feeling uneasy,⁠ he decided to‌ take a morning⁠‍ walk.

‘Now⁠‍ that Father is dead, Valdeck must‌ be in chaos too. Even if‌‍‍ the emperor supports‍ Tristan, there are⁠ bound to be‌‌ brothers who won’t‍‌⁠ accept it…’

Lucian froze. At that moment, he recalled‌ a recent piece⁠ of news—Hans’s letter‌‍ warning of suspicious‍‌⁠ movements from Jordi.‍

When⁠‌ Raymond read it,⁠‍ he dismissed it‍ outright as nonsense, saying that as⁠ long as the‌‌ head of the‌ house was alive,‍⁠ there could be‍⁠ no rebellion.

It‌ only took Duke⁠‍‌ Sigmund returning and‍ saying one word‌‌ to crush everything.‍‌

‘But that’s no longer⁠ the case. The⁠‌⁠ situation has changed.’‍‍

Duke⁠ Sigmund had died‍⁠ without officially naming⁠⁠ an heir. Even if the emperor announced his “will,”⁠ no one would‌‍ truly believe it.⁠

If⁠ there had been‍⁠‌ a legitimate heir,‍⁠ why wouldn’t he‌ tell someone close‌ instead of the‍‍‌ emperor?

No‌‍ one would openly‌ object, but deep‍‍ down, everyone would‍‌‌ suspect it was⁠‍ fake.

‘Sudden‌ death of the‌‌ house’s head, the heir position left‍‍⁠ in limbo, and an external testimony⁠‌ that’s impossible to‌ believe.’

He‌⁠ had seen this⁠‍ many times in‍⁠‍ his past life.‌ In chaotic times,‌‌ it wasn’t rare‌⁠ for a head⁠‍ of house to⁠‍ die suddenly.

And‌ almost always, what followed was the⁠‌ same—the first to‍ act took everything,‍‌‍ launching a military‍ campaign.

“Damn⁠ bastard…”

Lucian’s‍⁠⁠ face twisted in anger. In truth,⁠‍‌ if Jordi seized⁠ power by force,⁠ it wouldn’t be bad for Lucian.‌‍

If‍‌‍ Tristan was pushed‌ aside, Lucian would⁠⁠‌ have the perfect⁠‌ excuse to devour‌ Valdeck without restraint.‌⁠ But if this‌ wasn’t a coincidence—if‍ it was all‍‍ planned…

‘If⁠ Jordi really committed⁠⁠ such an atrocity‌‌ just for the‌ ambition of becoming⁠⁠ the head of the house…’

Then‌‌ Lucian wouldn’t let him die easily.

Lucian‌ glanced southward, where‌⁠ Valdeck was, then‌ turned away.

He‌ had too much‌‍ to do to‍ keep mourning his‍⁠ father.

***⁠‌⁠

Lucian‌‍ returned to his‍ office, and the‍ first thing he⁠ did was summon⁠‍ Torkel.

Judging‍ by his appearance,‍‍ the side effects‍⁠ of the potion⁠ hadn’t been as‍⁠ severe as expected.⁠

“I‍‍‌ was told you⁠ called for me.”

“There’s‌⁠⁠ something you need‍ to do. No—rather,⁠⁠‌ something you and your friend need to do.”

“My‌‌ friend…?”

“The⁠‍⁠ third son of House Beor. I get the feeling⁠⁠‌ that as soon‌⁠ as I see‌ him, I’ll have to give him a job. Do⁠ you think he’ll accept it?”

Nobles‌‍ were, above all,‌ bundles of pride and appearances. Even⁠ if they were‍ entrusted with something⁠ important, if it‌ was forced on⁠ them without proper respect, they could⁠⁠ harbor resentment.

For‌ Lucian, who needed‍ to assign a mission where trust‍⁠ was everything, the‍⁠ other’s personality was‌⁠⁠ a potential risk.‌‌

At‌ Lucian’s words, Torkel⁠⁠ smiled as if⁠ there was nothing⁠ to worry about.‍‌

“If⁠⁠ it’s him, he’ll‍ probably be happy. He’ll see it‍ as a chance‌ to get even‍‌⁠ closer to you,⁠ Your Highness.”

“Good.‌ Then let’s see him first. Can⁠ he come right‍ now?”

“Of‍⁠ course.”

Saying‌‌ that his friend‍ had been ready‌⁠ for a while and was just⁠‌ waiting for the‍ call, Torkel left⁠ the office.

Not‍‍ long after, he‌ returned with a visibly tense young‍‌⁠ head of household.‍

“Lesta⁠⁠ Beor greets the⁠ Duke. It is⁠ an incomparable honor‍ to present myself‍ before you.”

“So you’re Baron Lesta.⁠ I’ve heard quite‍ a bit about‌ you. They say you’re a promising‌‍ talent.”

“It‍‍ embarrasses me to⁠ say, but that⁠ is what people‍‍‌ around me say.”‍

Seeing‌‍ that Lesta didn’t‌ deny the compliment⁠ out of courtesy,‌‌⁠ Lucian blinked. Rather‍⁠‍ than narcissism, it seemed he was‌ deliberately showing confidence⁠‌ to win favor.

Lucian⁠ liked that uncommon⁠ approach.

‘Not⁠ bad.’

Having‌ ambition and wanting‍ to prove oneself‍ meant he would⁠ also approach missions‌ with initiative.

It‍⁠‌ was far better‍⁠‌ than those who‌‍ just tiptoed with‌ half-baked schemes or‌‌ backed out when⁠‍ things became dangerous.‍

“I want to entrust⁠ you with a task. It will‍ require mobilizing troops.‍ Can you handle‍ that?”

“…”⁠

Lesta’s⁠ face tensed. Missions⁠ involving troops usually‍‌ carried significant weight.‍⁠

However,⁠‍ after a brief‌⁠ moment, he bowed‍ his head with a resolute expression.⁠‍

“Please‌⁠ give the order,‌⁠‌ whatever it may‍ be!”

Lucian’s‌ smile deepened at‌‍ the prompt reply.⁠ With that composure,‌ he seemed trustworthy.‌

“The‍‍ task itself is‍‌ simple. Some of‌⁠ my vassals who‍ were in my‌‌⁠ lands will soon‍ arrive in the‍ north. I want you to wait‌‍ nearby and escort‍⁠ them here when‌‍‍ they arrive.”

“…That’s‍⁠ all?”

“That’s‌ all.”

Lesta⁠‌‍ inadvertently showed slight⁠⁠ disappointment.

He‌ had expected something‌ grand and instead⁠⁠ received a dispensable‌ escort mission. But Lucian added a few more words,⁠⁠ as if he‌ wasn’t done yet.‍‌‌

“No‌‌ matter what happens, you must bring⁠⁠ them back safely.‍ Even if it‍‌ means fighting off‌‍‌ pursuers.”

“Pursuers?⁠ Are you saying⁠ someone might be⁠‍‍ after them?”

“Maybe‍ yes, maybe no.‌⁠ But if someone‍ is pursuing them,‌ it won’t be‌‍ a trivial matter.”⁠‌

Lesta’s eyes widened. If‍‍ there were truly‍‌ dangerous pursuers, this⁠⁠‍ wasn’t just an‌ escort—it was a crucial mission with‍ lives at stake.‍‍

If‍ he succeeded, he⁠ would surely earn‌⁠ Lucian’s trust.

“I⁠⁠ will not let‌ a single hair on their heads be harmed, no⁠ matter who comes⁠‍ for them!”

“Good.⁠⁠ I’m counting on‌ you. And since‌ time is pressing,‍⁠‍ can you get⁠‍‌ ready immediately?”

“Yes,‍‌ Your Highness!”

Lesta⁠⁠ sprang to his feet and left‍⁠ the office. Watching⁠ him rush off⁠⁠ to prepare for the journey to⁠ his territory, Torkel‌‍⁠ smiled.

“Your‍ talent for using⁠ people is remarkable. Adding an element‍‍ of risk to‌‍ a seemingly trivial⁠⁠‌ mission to test‍‌‍ his character and‍ at the same‍‍ time build trust…”‍

“It’s⁠‌ not a lie.”‍‌‍

“Pardon?”‍

“I‍⁠ didn’t exaggerate the‍ danger to test‍ him. The possibility‍‍ is real. I just can’t be⁠‍ sure.”

“Then…”

“If‍ things get really⁠ dangerous, he may‌ have to risk⁠⁠ his life. Though‍‌ most likely, it’ll⁠⁠‍ end without major‍⁠ incidents.”

When‌‌ Lucian first heard⁠ the news about Jordi, nothing had‍ happened yet.

Lucian⁠ had arrived practically‍‌ empty-handed, focused only⁠‌‌ on reclaiming the‌ Grimaldi name, so he had no‌ reason to worry about Jordi.

Once‍‍⁠ expelled, even if⁠ Jordi kept the‌ house, why would‍ he care about⁠⁠‌ men serving under Lucian?

‘But‌‌ now it’s different.’‍

Lucian‌‌‌ was no longer‍ just the third‌ son with nothing‍‌ but his own strength—he was Duke⁠‌‌ Grimaldi and border‍ marquis of Asagrim.‌‌ If that information⁠ spread, Jordi would‌‌⁠ certainly change his attitude and try‍ to retain Lucian’s‌ vassals somehow.

Taking‍ hostages from the‍‍ most powerful lord⁠ in the north‍ wouldn’t be a bad move for‍ him.

‘I’d‌ like to send‌‍ Hugo, Raymond, or‌ Felicia, but that‌ would draw too⁠ much attention from‍ the north.’

If‍‌‍ someone hostile to⁠ Lucian realized Hans and Ian’s value,‍ chaos would erupt.⁠

That’s‍ why he chose‍ Lesta, who had‌‍ some military power⁠ but drew less⁠‍⁠ attention. With him‍ in charge, it‌⁠ would be harder‌‌ to connect the‍‌‌ escort directly to‌‍‍ Lucian.

“And⁠⁠ you’ll need to‌ move too, Torkel.‍ Among the northern⁠‌ lords from the⁠‌ beginning, your father‍‌ is the most‍ reliable.”

“…You’re‌ not saying I have to go‍‍ see my father‌ again, are you?”‍‍‌

“Why not? While you’re‍⁠ at it, stop‌⁠‍ by to see⁠ Baron Harald and‍ ask him to‌‌ lend you some‌ troops. It’ll make‍ it easier to‍⁠‍ drive off any‍⁠ pursuers.”

Though‍⁠ his face turned‌‌‍ pale, Torkel slowly‌‌⁠ nodded. Given the‍‌ importance of the⁠ matter, he seemed‌ unable to refuse.‌

Just‍ as Lucian was‍⁠‍ about to dismiss him, he remembered⁠ something.

“Oh,‍‍⁠ before you go,⁠⁠⁠ take this.”

Lucian‍⁠ pulled the nectar‌ from his garments,‍‌ and Torkel’s eyes⁠‌‌ widened.

“Heavens,‌ what is this?⁠⁠ I’ve never seen‍ a liquid that glows on its‌⁠ own.”

“Nectar.”‍‍⁠

“Nectar?⁠ As in the⁠⁠ divine drink from⁠ legend?”

“I‍‍ just borrowed the‍⁠⁠ name. It’s a potion.”

“Whoever⁠⁠ made it must⁠⁠ be pretty arrogant,‍ naming a potion‍ after the drink of the gods.”⁠‌

Lucian‍ gave a bitter⁠‍ smile. In his⁠ past life, others‌⁠‌ had said exactly⁠‌ the same—before experiencing⁠ its effects.

“Then, why are you‍ giving it to‍‌ me?”

“If⁠ the people you⁠ escort doubt your‍ identity, show them⁠‍⁠ this potion. That’ll‍ stop their suspicion‍‌‌ and they’ll follow⁠ you.”

“Seems‍ important.”

It‌‍ is. Very important.‌

Lucian‍‍ kept the rest‍‌ of the words‌ to himself and⁠‌ sent Torkel off.‍ If all went‍ well, they’d soon⁠‌ experience the nectar’s‌ effects for themselves.‌

***‍

After⁠‍ assigning the escort⁠‌⁠ mission to Torkel‍ and Lesta, Lucian⁠ decided to wait‍ for the imperial‌ edict.

Since‍‍ the conversation with‍‌ the emperor, Glenn⁠⁠ had left Asagrim‍‌‍ repeatedly.

Because⁠‍ dimensional portals couldn’t‍ be opened within‍‍‌ Asagrim, he seemed⁠⁠ to be trying⁠ from outside. However, unlike before, the⁠⁠ portal wouldn’t open⁠‍‍ easily.

After‌ days of going‍ out and returning‍‌⁠ empty-handed, Lucian couldn’t‍ help but ask:‌‌

“Sir⁠‍ Glenn, has something‍⁠ happened?”

“No, the time just‌ hasn’t come. I’ll⁠ meet His Majesty⁠ soon, so please‍ don’t worry unnecessarily.”⁠

His‍⁠‌ expression was surprisingly‌ calm, as if⁠ he had some‌‍⁠ idea of what⁠‍ was going on.⁠‌

Glenn‍ wasn’t good at⁠⁠ hiding his emotions,‍ so Lucian chose⁠ to trust him‍⁠ and wait.

And after a week‍ had passed, a dimensional portal finally‍‍‍ opened outside Asagrim.‌

After⁠ receiving something from⁠‌ the other side‌ of the portal—which‍ opened only for⁠ a moment—Glenn returned,‍‌ pale-faced, and presented‌⁠ himself before Lucian.⁠

“Your‌‌‍ Highness…”

“Sir‍⁠ Glenn? What is it?”

With‌ a face as⁠ if his soul⁠‌ had left him,‌ Glenn handed something‍⁠ over.

Lucian⁠ took the imperial‌ edict, clearly stained‍ with blood, and⁠⁠ his body trembled‍⁠ slightly.