A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 102

Chapter 102

‘Did he not even have time to‍ wipe off the‌ blood…?’

Lucian‍ already knew the⁠‌ emperor’s condition.

But⁠ even if it was something he‍ was aware of,‌‍‌ an emperor would‍⁠ never want to⁠ show weakness.

Even‍ pretending to be‌‍ better would have‍⁠⁠ been expected—but instead,⁠ he had openly‍ shown just how‌ much his health‌ had declined.

‘He’s‌ at his limit.’‍‍

It‌ seemed he was⁠‍ still alive, but‌ without a doubt,‍‌⁠ he was on⁠ the verge of‌ death.

He‌ could probably die⁠⁠ at any moment.⁠‌ Otherwise, it wouldn’t‌ make sense that‍ he hadn’t even‌‍ had time to‌ clean the blood‌ from the decree.⁠

“Your‌ Highness, this is‍⁠ what His Majesty⁠ the Emperor promised.”‌

With‌‌ a trembling voice, Glenn handed the‍ imperial edict to⁠ Lucian.

According to protocol, he⁠ should have unrolled‍ and read it‌⁠ aloud on the‍‌ emperor’s behalf before‌ handing it over—but‍ it seemed there⁠⁠‌ wasn’t even time‍ for such a basic formality anymore.

“…Tell‍‍ him I’ve received⁠ a debt I’ll⁠ have to repay for the rest‍‌⁠ of my life.”‍‌‍

Lucian‌⁠ knelt down and‍‍ tried to receive⁠‍ the edict with‍‍ both hands.

Just⁠⁠‍ as the scroll‍‍‍ touched his palms,⁠ Glenn’s deep voice‍‌ came out.

“His‌‍‍ Majesty asked me to relay a message.”

“A‌ message?”

“Don’t‍ forget.”

It⁠ was short and⁠‌‍ simple, but it⁠‌ was soaked with‌‍ a palpable desperation.‍ Still kneeling, Lucian nodded silently.

“I‌ will never forget.”⁠⁠

“Please…”‌

Glenn,⁠ who looked like⁠ he wanted to⁠ say something more,‍‍ gave up in‍ the end and handed over the‍ edict. When Lucian broke the seal‍ and unrolled the⁠‍‌ scroll, his eyes‌‌ lit up.

— To Lucian Grimaldi‍‌ Valdeck, Duke of‌‌ Grimaldi, Lord of⁠⁠‌ Valdeck, and Border‍‌ Marquis of Asagrim,‌ is granted the⁠⁠⁠ authority to absolve‌‌‌ and officially recognize unauthorized mages.

The‌ rest included numerous‍⁠ minor details, but⁠‍ no line was‍ more important than⁠⁠ the first.

It⁠ was a transfer⁠ of authority written‌ in the emperor’s⁠⁠⁠ own hand, granting⁠ him the right‍‍ to pardon unauthorized‌‍ mages.

Just⁠‍‍ making the contents⁠‌⁠ of that edict‌ public would completely‍ change the course‌ of the era.⁠‌

Lucian carefully tucked the‍ scroll into his⁠ clothing and looked‌ at Glenn.

“What will you do‍ now? Will you‍‍ return to Tibron⁠ immediately?”

“I‍ would like to,⁠ but before I leave, I must‌‌ finish what’s pending.‍⁠‌ I also have⁠⁠ to report to‌⁠‌ the Blue Rose Knights and the‌⁠ garrison.”

“You plan to take⁠ Asagrim’s garrison with‌‌⁠ you as well?”‍

“…I’m⁠ afraid that will⁠‍ be difficult.”

Glenn’s‍ expression darkened. Normally,⁠ the troops assigned‌⁠ by the Empire‍‌ and the Blue‌ Rose Knights would⁠ stay put.

They⁠‍‍ had been loaned from the start⁠‍‍ only until the war against House⁠⁠ Calix ended. However,⁠ with the lord⁠ of the territory‌‍ having changed, there‍⁠ was no longer⁠‍ a reason for‌‍ the former garrison⁠‍⁠ to remain.

“The‍ best option would‌ be for the⁠ garrison to return‍‌ individually by land.‍‍‍ They’ll have to‌ arrange their own‌ escort, but the Empire will reimburse⁠ the costs based⁠ on what’s used.”‌‌⁠

Lucian‍⁠ barely managed to‍ suppress a bitter‍⁠⁠ smile. Even if⁠ it was just‌ a city garrison,⁠ it was still a military force.

Every‌ movement involved costs‌⁠ and drew attention.‌ And yet, no⁠ support would be‌⁠ given—they’d have to⁠ fund their own⁠ way back.

‘In‌ other words, they’re⁠ being abandoned.’

Of⁠ course, there wasn’t‌‍ much reason to‌ worry about a simple local garrison‌⁠ that wasn’t even elite—unless you considered‍ how those being‍⁠⁠ discarded would feel.⁠‌

“Your‌‍⁠ Highness, I’ll depart‍‍‍ tonight. If there’s⁠‌ anything else I can do for‍‌ you, please let‌‍‌ me know now.”⁠‌

It‍ was a way‍ of saying that‍‌ since they would‍‌ soon part ways,⁠ any outstanding matters‍‍ should be settled‌‌ clearly.

There‌‍⁠ was no reason‌⁠ to refuse the⁠⁠‍ offer, so Lucian‌‌ immediately made his‍‌‍ request.

“Before⁠‌ I bring the‍ mage out of‍ the underground prison,⁠ I will make‍ public the scope of the authority⁠‍‌ His Majesty granted me. As Imperial‍‌ Inspector, please vouch⁠⁠ for my words.”‌‌

***‍

Lucian‌ immediately informed the‌⁠ feudal lords of‍‌ the contents of‍ the edict. This‍ was to prevent‌ future objections regarding‌⁠ Colin.

Even with an edict, if Lucian were‌⁠⁠ the only one‌‌ announcing it, someone⁠⁠‌ would inevitably accuse‌‍⁠ him of forgery.‌‍

‘But‌ if the imperial‌‌ inspector personally vouches⁠‍‌ for it, there’ll⁠ be no room‌ for whispers.’

As‌‍ expected, when the‌ contents of the‍‌ edict were announced,‍‍ the lords were‍ stunned. Many couldn’t‍ believe it.

“Not‌ only was he⁠⁠ granted a pardon,‍‌ but they even⁠ allowed his official⁠ appointment? Did His‍ Majesty truly say‌ such a thing?”

“There⁠ must be some⁠‍‌ mistake. It’s not‌⁠ that we doubt⁠ Your Highness, but‍ perhaps there was⁠ some confusion.”

Even‌ the more favorable‍ ones questioned the‍ content. Glenn stepped‌⁠ forward and shut‍ down all doubts.‍‌

“It’s⁠‍ an edict I received personally from⁠‍ His Majesty.”

“…..”‍‌⁠

With that single sentence,‍‍ the lords were⁠‌⁠ left speechless.

After the announcement, Lucian‌ immediately brought Colin‌ out of the prison and transferred‌ him to a guest room.

Colin,‌‌ still looking dazed,⁠‌ was led away by the servants, unable to fully⁠‌‍ believe what was⁠‍‌ happening. Glenn, watching⁠‍‍ with a displeased‍ expression, spoke in‍‍ a voice filled‌ with complex emotions.‍

“It‌ seems I’ve done all I can for you.”

“I’m‌‍ grateful for everything‍ you’ve done. I won’t forget your‌⁠ efforts, nor the⁠‌⁠ grace His Majesty⁠ the Emperor has‍ granted.”

“I’m‍‌ glad to hear⁠ that. Then, I’ll‌‍‌ take care of‍‌ my business.”

As⁠‍ soon as he‍ said it, Glenn‌ went to see⁠⁠ Gareth, the commander‌⁠‍ of the Blue‍ Rose Knights, and Lothier, the former commander of the Asagrim garrison.

Upon‍ informing them that‌‌ he had to‌ return to Tibron⁠⁠ and leave them behind, Gareth accepted⁠ without resistance. Aside from still having⁠ a good amount‌‌⁠ of time left‍ serving under Lucian,‌‍ there was a hint of sarcasm‌ in his tone,⁠‌ as if he had never expected⁠ anything different.

“As‌⁠‌ expected. When should⁠‍ we return?”

“I’m⁠ sorry, but that‍ hasn’t been decided‌ yet. It seems they’ll determine it⁠ after observing the‌ situation a little‍⁠‍ longer.”

“I‌ see. Then we’ll‌ remain here, carrying⁠‌ out our duties.‍‌‍ Inspector, you may‌‍ return first.”

“Sir‍ Gareth, this is⁠ not a slight‍‌ against the Blue‍ Rose Knights.”

“Of course not.”

At‍ Gareth’s attitude, Glenn‌‍ nearly said something,⁠ but in the‌⁠⁠ end, he only‍‍ sighed and left.‍

It⁠‍⁠ was clear that‍ no matter what‌‍ he said, it‍ wouldn’t help. At⁠ least it was⁠‌ fortunate that Gareth⁠‌ didn’t protest openly‌⁠ about the treatment.

“W-What‍ is the meaning‌ of this? That⁠ we should stay‍⁠ here?”

Unlike Gareth, who accepted⁠‌ the decision relatively calmly, Lothier reacted‍‍ sharply.

And‍ it was understandable—the‍⁠ situations of the‌‍ knights and the‍‌‌ garrison were entirely‍ different.

“The garrison has no‌ more role here.‍‍ Asagrim now belongs‍ to the duke.‌ What exactly are‌ we supposed to⁠‌ do?”

“There’s‍‌ nothing you need⁠‍ to do. Simply‍⁠ return.”

“You expect us to‍ go from Asagrim‍⁠ to Tibron with⁠ no supplies, just‌‌‌ what we’re wearing? The entire garrison?”‌

“Whether‍‍ together or individually,‌ the method of‌ return is up‌ to the garrison.‍ All travel expenses‌‌ will be reimbursed‍ later as operational‌‍ costs.”

“What⁠ is that supposed⁠‌‍ to mean…?!”

Lothier⁠‍ was dumbfounded. It‌ wasn’t as if‍ he expected to be taken through‍‍ a dimensional portal, but wasn’t this⁠⁠ a bit too‌‍ much?

At⁠⁠ the very least,‍ an edict could’ve‌‌⁠ been issued requesting⁠ cooperation from neighboring⁠ lords and guaranteeing‌ their safety on‌‍ behalf of the‍ Empire.

One‍‍ simple order would⁠ have sufficed—yet they‌⁠ were being abandoned‍ like this.

“We are the garrison⁠ that guarded a territory directly under His Majesty the⁠ Emperor! We can’t‍‌ be treated like‍ this!”

“Do‍‌ you think I don’t recognize your⁠ merits? It’s just‌‍ that the Empire’s⁠ current situation doesn’t⁠‍⁠ allow for more.”‍‌

What‌‌ kind of situation‍ was it that‍ didn’t even allow⁠‌ such basic measures?⁠⁠

That‌⁠ was what Lothier’s‌ eyes were asking, but Glenn had‌ no response. In‌‍ truth, if anyone‍‌ was frustrated, it‍‍ was Glenn.

‘With‌‌ His Majesty bedridden,‍ how could he‍‍⁠ issue an edict?‍‍‌ We already have⁠‍‍ our hands full‌ cleaning up the‌ Krephelt mess after⁠ suppressing the rebellion.’‌‍‍

Though⁠⁠ the emperor was⁠ still breathing, he‌‍ was in a state where he⁠ could die at‌ any moment.

It‍ was unavoidable to⁠ act cautiously with‌ any troop movements⁠⁠ without explicit authorization.⁠

On top of that, after Sigmund’s death,‍ soldiers were out of control, unleashing massacres everywhere. With⁠‍ such chaos, how⁠‍ could they also⁠⁠ spare the attention‌‍ for a garrison⁠ whose role had⁠⁠‍ already ended?

“Please‍⁠ understand.”

“…”⁠‍⁠

For‌ Glenn, unable to‌‌ explain the real‍‍ circumstances, those two⁠⁠ words were all‌‌ he could say.‍

As‍ expected, they didn’t convince Lothier at⁠ all. Glenn turned his back and⁠⁠ left, ignoring the‍⁠ glare fixed on him.

***‌

As‍ soon as he‌‌ finished what he‍‌ had to do,‍ Glenn left without anyone to see⁠ him off. When‌ Lucian tried to‍‍ accompany him, Glenn⁠ even politely refused.‌

“I‌‍ must leave immediately.‌ I’m sorry, but‍⁠ I don’t have‌⁠ time for farewells.”

Though⁠ it might have⁠‍ sounded curt, Lucian⁠‌ understood well how⁠ he felt. When⁠ the heart is⁠⁠ in pieces, not⁠ even the kindest‍‍‍ parting helps.

And‍‍ so, Glenn opened‍ a dimensional portal‌⁠ outside of Asagrim⁠‌ and disappeared alone.

With⁠ everything finally resolved,⁠⁠ Lucian headed to‌‌ the room where‌ Colin was staying.‍

“I’m coming in.”

Creak.‌

“…”⁠‍

Upon opening the door,‌⁠ Lucian saw Colin’s‍⁠‌ dazed face. He‌ blinked as if⁠‌ still unable to‍‍ accept reality.

“Snap‌⁠ out of it.‍⁠ I get how⁠ you feel, but‍⁠ don’t freeze up.⁠‌‍ Do you want‌‍⁠ me to slap‌‌ you?”

“…What’s‍ going to happen‌‌‍ to me now?”‌⁠

This‌ is bad. Lucian‍ gave a dry⁠‍ laugh and dragged‍ a chair over‍‍ to sit beside⁠‍‌ him.

“What’s⁠‍‌ going to happen?⁠‍‌ You’ll take up⁠ a post and‍ start working under‌ me officially.”

“What‍‍ kind of post?”‍‌‌

“I don’t know. Calling‌‍ you a court⁠ mage doesn’t quite‌⁠‍ fit, and ‘personal‍‌ mage’ sounds cheap.‌‍ I’m thinking of‍ something like ‘advisor,’‍‍ more or less.”

“…”⁠‍

“If‌ you can, bring‍ the other mages‍‌ from your school.⁠‌ If they’re capable,‌⁠⁠ I’ll give them positions. If they’re‍⁠‍ useless, I’ll throw them out.”

“Heh.”⁠⁠‌

At Lucian’s casual tone,⁠ Colin smiled. Or‌ rather, his lips‍ smiled—but tears streamed‌ nonstop down his‌‌ face.

Only‌ now did it seem he truly‍ understood what kind⁠‌⁠ of rights he⁠‍‍ had been granted.‌‍⁠

“Did‌⁠ all that suffering‌‍ really end so‍‍⁠ easily? Over three‍ hundred years of⁠‌‍ pain, right here,‍ in this very‍⁠ place? My god,‍‍‍ truly…”

While‌ Colin sobbed quietly,⁠ Lucian said nothing. He couldn’t fully‍ grasp what Colin‌⁠ felt, but escaping⁠‌ constant fear of‍ death—it was natural to be overwhelmed.

And‌‌ not just Colin—the⁠ entire school had been freed.

Only‌ after a while⁠‌ did Colin wipe his reddened eyes‍‌ and lift his‌⁠⁠ head.

“It’s‍⁠‍ the first time⁠‍ in thirty years⁠‌‌ I’ve looked to⁠‌‍ a god. I never thought I’d‍ say ‘my god’⁠‍ again.”

“Sorry⁠⁠‍ to ruin the⁠‌‍ moment, but I’m‍‌ not ending this‌⁠‌ with a ‘and the mages lived⁠ happily ever after.’⁠⁠‌ Just like I did something for‌ you, you’ll have to work hard‌‌ too.”

“Of course I know‍ that.”

“And if you don’t do your job‍ right, I’ll throw‍⁠‍ you out again. I didn’t grant⁠⁠‍ you this pardon⁠⁠ out of pity—I⁠‌ did it because‌ I need you.‍ Don’t forget that.”‍

Despite⁠‌‌ Lucian’s cold tone,⁠‍⁠ Colin’s smile deepened.⁠‍

“My‌ master used to‍⁠ say this. In‌⁠ the beginning, mages⁠⁠ were those who⁠⁠⁠ assisted lords with⁠‍ counsel and magic.‌ Back then, even⁠ a lord’s rank‌‍ depended on the mage’s skill.”

“I‍‍ doubt your master‌‍ saw that with‍⁠‌ his own eyes.”‌⁠⁠

“That⁠ was over three‍‍⁠ hundred years ago,‍ so of course‍‌ not. What matters⁠⁠‍ is that even‌ in the golden age of mages,‌ there were differences‍⁠ in treatment and‌ competence. And of‌‍⁠ course, punishment for‌⁠ crimes.”

That‌ the incompetent receive‌‍ miserable treatment is⁠‌ an unchanging truth. He had no‌ intention of asking‍‌ for special treatment‌ just for being‌‌ a mage or⁠‌⁠ for being persecuted.‍

The simple fact that Lucian had negotiated‌‍ directly with the‍‍ emperor and obtained‌‍ a pardon was‍‍ already a tremendous‍ grace.

“Use‍ them however you want, Your Highness.⁠ If they’re useless,‍‌‌ discard them. If‍‌ they forget their⁠‍ place and rebel,‍ cut off their‌ heads. Just like⁠ the old lords‍ did with their‍‌ mages.”

“You’re‌ okay with that,‌ even if it’s your fellow survivors?”‍

Colin⁠ nodded without hesitation.‌⁠

“What‌ use are those‌ who wouldn’t be‍‍ satisfied even with‌‍ treatment from the‌‌‍ golden age? If‍‍ any of them‍ forget their place‌ and dare to⁠ defy you, Your⁠ Highness, I’ll strike‍ them down with⁠ lightning myself.”