Chapter 113
xpGLucian, who had been about to smack Colin on the back of the neck, stopped and let out a sigh as he muttered.D0YEj
k9b“I guess recreating it is impossible.”WJX3L2
LnEsBSi“Huh? What do you mean…? Ah.”43Z
2sUPZgxOnly then did Colin remember a fact he had overlooked. Dragons had already been extinct on the continent for a very long time.6yl
IlVThere are numerous records in historical documents, and some weapons made from their bones and scales are still preserved.UEencVW
i6EwHowever, the last sighting of a living dragon had occurred a thousand years ago, so they could be considered long gone.6JeEv
AKi‘And the other materials are even worse. What did you say—giants and mermaids?’IZxU2bO
N9lGiants were creatures that existed even before the era of dragons. In fact, even in times when dragons ruled the world, the phrase “giants already extinct” appeared. So even when this book was written, seeing one must have been nearly impossible.LEGWns
X1CwMermaids were even more far-fetched. Unlike dragons and giants, who at least appeared in history books, mermaids only existed in stories and legends.WzP
mPBhYIn a way, this fabrication manual served as proof that mermaids had really existed.79F
4nB9‘The only somewhat possible one would be fairies… but we don’t even know how to find them.’tftPXSa
QvGuA sigh escaped from Lucian’s lips. He had thought he’d found a technique for creating artifacts, but not a single one of the required materials could realistically be obtained.qbkF
EMcr3f“I… I’m so sorry. I got excited without checking the details properly…”upxLF
vZppP“Forget it. We’re talking about an artifact—it’s normal to react like that. Rather, tell me—what about the other books? Don’t tell me they’re all artifact manuals.”pJwNaIr
TMxfjEven if they were all called artifacts, it didn’t mean they had the same effects, and therefore the materials would vary.omAS7E
tuLHowever, considering the power of artifacts, it was expected that they would all be similarly difficult to create. If all the books were only about that, there wouldn’t be anything usable.ibMtw
aZ05jpVLuckily, Colin gave the answer Lucian had been hoping for.m6Adx
P5kjNg“I haven’t gone through the contents thoroughly, but judging by the covers, they look like manuals for making common magical tools. There’s a bit of everything—from weapons to everyday utensils.”v9m2qDt
YhxexxD“That’s a relief—though I guess we’ll know if it really is once we check the required materials.”qUpn
gIolAfter such a disappointment with the artifacts, Lucian now even doubted the common magical tool manuals.pTkcQRv
YtbjAnd what if they also required materials that only existed a thousand years ago?JMpY
i896sNoticing Lucian’s expression, Colin quickly bowed and said,u453RwC
VRyi“Although artifact creation is absurdly difficult, most magical tools are not. Also, the required materials can usually be substituted relatively easily, so don’t worry.”kv40TbC
PYA“Is it really that simple?”Fc9IW
8S5Pj“If the function you want is well understood, it’s not complicated. The books are much more detailed than they seem, so there won’t be a need for too many blind attempts.”14jXY
UOAkfnLAt Colin’s confident response, Lucian nodded. If an expert spoke with such confidence, he had to have reasons.qrK
OwWWhile waiting for Colin to go through the books, a sudden doubt crossed Lucian’s mind.asrxREx
7GP8k8l‘Now that I think about it… what kind of function did that artifact have to require such absurd materials?’Pxa2S6
yn4Lucian had only heard it was an artifact, but not what type of artifact it was.ywX
RIYzUColin, who apparently had gotten carried away by the word “artifact” without reading carefully, hurriedly flipped to the final pages after hearing the question.8WZF
Pxfst“This artifact is a climate manipulation device.”4dJ
Tnw“Climate manipulation?”San
oYF3“Yes. According to this, it can alter the weather in a fairly wide area. However, its function is limited to lowering the temperature, causing blizzards, snowstorms, and turning the affected zone into an uninhabitable place for humans…”4UhAVu
vX8Colin stopped mid-explanation.n3EA
hqOHs4LWith a pale face, he looked up at Lucian.IT1fn
sL50hT4Lucian, who had reached the same conclusion, simply nodded in silence.FCHK
fbv‘Unnaturally low temperatures, permanent winter all year round, constant snowfall and blizzards.’w6q9f1
z4dNAccording to what Lucian knew, there was only one place like that in the entire Empire.KDMP
vtzlxQr‘The North.’z3q
EDdA cold so unnatural people called it a curse.2XL0Fhf
Plq4For the first time, the suspicion arose that perhaps that cold wasn’t a natural phenomenon, but something artificially created.ZwA5lJt
hIKXVr***TQT
lIHCIaThe vassals who emerged after inspecting the treasure chamber were wrapped in deep excitement.7dk
sfs9he3Those who already knew of its existence, because at last that chamber would be opened.x4Q7sJz
Lev5GThose who didn’t, because they realized that with such a treasure, nothing was impossible.ZxCPIf
EdBHowever, the only one who remained calm was the Swordmaster Eisen.Trh3x
eINHv“First, we must gather the right people.”yjTFTj0
bycWith a face weathered by the years, Eisen addressed Lucian. He was referring to deciding beforehand who would be assigned to research that legacy, and only then making it public.5jzW
vuLpy“Unless you want to attract someone specific, there’s no need to reveal the legacy right away. If you do it too early, you’ll only attract flies.”EKrh
U4YLucian nodded at Eisen’s advice.zSdXIG
74CPWhether in business or research, those who offer help tend to demand their share.A4HxPC5
Pt0AJ2If Lucian revealed the legacy just like that, feudal lords would swarm in to stick their spoons into the pot.A2tCaR
0G7OOn the other hand, if the shares were distributed beforehand, no one could interfere later.JxQ8ZF
Qp8HIkoIt wasn’t bad advice—but Lucian had a reason he couldn’t follow it.pkr4ya6
tILt6YW“It’s a good suggestion, but right now I need that bait.”RtMma
OUp“Do you have someone specific in mind?”MutDr
QVLxy7“Not exactly. But mages only gather when there’s bait in front of their eyes.”tOmRW
yshThe vassals’ eyes turned to Colin.ddqiL
vrSLsThey had hired Colin for magical research, and yet Lucian spoke of attracting more mages. Under their gazes, Colin let out a sigh.5YUl5
4AOrL9V“I’m ashamed to admit it, but even if I jump in headfirst, this isn’t a field where I can get results alone. Even with several mages working together, this would take years…”LErHBR
kmQF“Isn’t it enough to bring people from your own school? Doesn’t seem necessary to share the dish with others.”g6z
rhxiAt Hugo’s blunt and cutting question, Colin gave a bitter smile.uJaW
Nu8Th3y“It’s not about sharing. The Celestial School simply doesn’t have enough people.”8MRg9Oo
17boavf“That’s all? For a school, that’s way too little, isn’t it?”Dh4kWIv
3AsAl“Actually, it’s quite a lot. Most schools that still exist today barely have two or three members.”riOs
72xAs Colin explained, increasing disciples carelessly only raised the risk of being caught in a witch hunt.XxU
OFRuEisen frowned, finally grasping the situation.GoK
BXqgsb“I see—so there’s no choice but to announce the legacy’s existence first.”ERFt
8fYyMEe“Exactly. And besides the mages, we also can’t completely do without the support of other lords. The supplies loaned by the Empire won’t last forever.”xGl2
wQGzUntil recently, Asagrim had been an uninhabitable imperial territory. There were no trade routes or infrastructure at all.fPys
IoKalHAlthough the population would grow with time, they would need to wait for rumors to spread and merchants to come.MHp9
YvflGTo speed up the formation of a market and trade, relying on other lords at the start was unavoidable.B8BRq
vqTJTM“Before depending on others forever, we must establish a minimum level of self-sufficiency with as little debt as possible. Once trade picks up, Asagrim will become the commercial center of the north.”rcqD
WwBe“Do you already have partners in mind?”y1TmG
DeiDc4TEisen’s voice was full of concern. The world was full of fools who thought themselves powerful with just a tiny debt; choosing the wrong ally could bring endless problems.04sK9p
hQptJU8But Lucian smiled with complete confidence.8uU2S0k
d3N8J“Of course. Friends who’ll be delighted to lend a hand.”LoaW
5zvRF***0wXX
90TaC7The dispute over the name Grimaldi had come to an end.xFB
OmqcLucian was the absolute victor, and Calix’s fall inevitably led to its extermination.JMJS
M8oThe people of the north sided with Lucian as the tide turned, but there were those who couldn’t, even if they wanted to—the allied lords who had supported Calix with resources and political backing.Ug1fj
Qbu8“So what do we do now?”b7m6W7h
Or6Hermann, head of House Glauber, asked the other lords gathered in the hall. The situation was a dead end, and he hoped a solution might come from putting heads together.8q8A
WF6But no one answered.WSc
XLHAfter a long silence, Hermann slammed the table.LXBm5j
scW4v4“Stop sitting there like mutes and say something! We have to find a way to survive!”Nmv
9lEtStill, no one opened their mouth.wr0
KrBa3kJust as Hermann began to consider ending the meeting—7P6UtC
05enUu“Half useless fools who don’t know what to do, half conformists who think sitting still is enough. Truly impressive.”aoz04i
U2w2BjNThe mocking tone from the entrance made everyone look up in anger.J6ez0
S5Fs“Who dares…?”xPdG
M9N2HCsHermann stood up abruptly—and froze.PnuXKaX
DsQ71CThe speaker hadn’t been invited.PtKZrew
BihRxU“A pleasure. I see familiar faces and new ones. I don’t know if you recognize me.”6dJ
TYj“Of course. Aren’t you the bastard who overthrew his own father and killed his brother to steal the position of family head?”DZVeva
zISBOno“Bastard…?”j2ZmI
1C0JPeBaron Beor’s head, Lesta, let out a short laugh.h1sd
srTCCVo“Aren’t you the real bastards? You destroyed in an instant the glory your ancestors built over generations.”230aJ
meVgX“…!”EbtzUx
COhhERh“Truly admirable. How can you walk with your heads held so high? If it were me, I’d be too busy thinking of what excuse to give my ancestors in the afterlife.”hLRoGx
RQnTvR“Damn you…!”jaKZ
XZKDWhen Hermann lunged, furious, to grab him by the collar—uycGJA
MpDyGOHLesta’s expression turned serious, and from his mouth came an unexpected proposal.4GD5
CsU“Duke Lucian wishes to test your sincerity.”0YlIDEd
OjzEW“Sincerity?”XuTnqb
KmP“He says he needs donations to restore Asagrim’s former glory. Labor or material goods will do—as long as the sincerity is sufficient…”UvfD0qx
Ba7vv“What kind of nonsense is this?!”qeUv
53KZdMtHermann roared.rRqObdT
Rdpb4PG“We cut ties with Calix long ago after the assassination attempt! What right does he have to demand sincerity?”7uybU
QZSMig“You know full well. The crime of having supported a traitor with resources and backing.”XyRPGsY
4xXBjPg“Ridiculous! You’d accuse us of treason just over old ties? Fine! Let him try! Let’s see how grand that young duke really is!”9mX
xl5The other lords nodded with confident expressions.iJB7d
87NThe reason they had remained passive until now was simple—if they all rose together, they would become a force impossible to ignore.LdRokC
PsJsIf Lucian didn’t want another war, he’d have to turn a blind eye.aNto8v
a1zHMSensing that confidence, Lesta sneered.DXyj4mr
9xAeT5“How can you be this slow? Do you really think the duke needs to come personally? He only has to point out who the traitors are.”Xyte
RZ9yGwy“What?”m3ug2GB
qGBY4“If you refuse, he’ll split this group in two. One half will be fully pardoned. The other will be declared traitors and have their lands handed over to whoever exterminates them.”Ap3J3Ku
Ouz3“And then—what do you think will happen?”rMB
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