Chapter 114
RzjrA ridiculous threat.TSS2
3PbwcLHermann thought that and tried to let out a loud laugh. Even if it was an obvious bluff, being the first to make a bold move was the basis of any negotiation.mq4mPXd
sL0chIpHowever, the muscles in his face, stiff, didn’t move an inch.ZNM3
CXBM‘Damn it, he came with the worst possible card.’ka9CsG
6zZDivide them in two, forgive one half, and declare the other traitors?VgEfQ
TKFEven without seeing it play out, the outcome was obvious.sLxDZf
qOwoThe forgiven ones would stay silent and hidden, while those declared traitors would vanish under the armies that would rain down on them from all sides.1InHge
PX8D“Do you really think such poor words can shake us?”a4CZhcj
8R3Hermann managed to catch his breath and feigned bravery, but Lesta curled his lips in mockery.wFUll
7L9uH“Well. From where I’m standing, you already seem pretty shaken.”hHbyDpG
pLjFr“Don’t jump to conclusions. There’s no fool here who can’t see that your proposal is just simple division.”AEL
ASjV4V5“And even knowing that, division usually works. If falling into it is beneficial, wouldn’t it be even more foolish not to?”zCgRNs
53eMPJ“Bastard!”7ZaD
Sz1MNRmHermann shouted at him, but his voice lacked strength.ZvV
0uO1z2Lesta watched him for a moment before casually looking around the room.7yuY
rGe“If you don’t like the duke’s proposal, why not raise an army proclaiming Calix’s innocence? If you declare vengeance for a blood ally, who would dare deny it?”z8DRYA5
b7j“…”Sttd2
iiHJNYThe lords fell silent.lcIIN
jjITruly unite to defend Calix’s innocence?998
xRd‘Damn it, if that were possible, we would’ve done it already.’b3A
battThey weren’t stupid. If they could have united around Calix and driven out Lucian, they would have done so without hesitation.S50RDR
EkvbThe problem was that Calix had crossed a line that couldn’t be erased.xRvG
ySRdeTAn assassination attempt—that could still be dressed up.NCk3
m9MTBut hiring an unauthorized mage?cgj
UI4Ey‘How are we supposed to cover up a real act of treason? Even protection has its limits.’JWamne
IFTA sigh rose from deep within.XWpka
dEQThe moment they got involved, the label of traitor would be permanent.Hpe0VF
vIdd6Knowing that you could be next, the only option was to stay still.vhGD1q
MWF1b‘And after doing nothing while Calix was annihilated, using that excuse now would make us the laughingstock of the entire continent.’zXeewep
Y9x8w8JBut without Calix, there was no reason at all to raise troops together.0bHwkDU
eUuTfThe only possible excuse would be a direct external threat, and even then—pardon half?mJecvP
2r9The image of the declared traitors falling one by one while the rest silently watched came clearly to mind.78rEUn
10I“…We didn’t know anything about Calix’s assassination attempt.”4JFj18
6fS0qsWith no better argument, Hermann murmured that excuse.o4nnwP
hmyOIt was a step back from his previous stance, but in Lesta’s eyes, it was laughable.0ocLX
KWpeXf“And who do you plan to prove that innocence to? The imperial family? Or the other northern lords?”L2NfQj
YxRjQB“…”nNG
QvWfHermann closed his mouth again.X6scx
OoQ6TThe imperial family was out of the question from the beginning. They had openly supported Lucian.StcU2Ar
kvscpyNo matter how much they cried injustice, they would pretend not to hear and tell them to handle it themselves.52paBa
RF2AThe other northern lords wouldn’t help either. Many had suffered serious losses due to Calix’s rebellion.jVygBWZ
d27Innocent or not, just knowing they had cooperated with him was enough to sharpen their knives.ERq
DwM9v“Come to your senses. This isn’t about justice—it’s about choosing between allies and enemies. You’ve been given the chance to be allies, yet you insist on staying enemies.”fPBMI9J
kcllHKLesta clicked his tongue and turned to leave.1p2ijh
PdRsMAD“I’ll say it one more time. This is the last chance. The duke has clearly stated he will show no more mercy. Keep that in mind.”46T0Va
V2cmBLNWith those words, Lesta left the room.WiMFU
9g71boKSilence lingered even after the intruder was gone.ojt
4QMsH8YHermann, hesitating, looked at the other lords.Iey
Vi7ic“Everyone…”V4RVzI
aDSHe was about to say he didn’t believe they were serious.EEw3UA
KLZ6But he stopped.jSi13
6ydThe lords present began to stand up one by one.TEkkV
c91M4D“Ahem, let’s end the meeting here for today.”difcx5
DeVa6Cn“Doesn’t seem like discussing further will lead to a solution.”4kk
BsxZc“If I think of something, I’ll reach out.”D1V
rIxBHearing those excuses, Hermann shut his eyes tightly.2mpk
VKBdVIt was clear they were going home to seriously consider Lucian’s proposal.wdv
82bwW3E‘It’s over.’mLzu
Nb4Feeling even the last trace of resistance fade away, Hermann nodded heavily.XtQ7bD
3RWM“Since everyone agrees, let’s conclude the meeting.”uiUd2H
YQeHe was the first to leave the room.olIflU
Jp0IJIf no one was going to support him, resisting was pointless.Ref5E
IEFClBThen, the best move was to be the first to show “goodwill” and gain forgiveness.B2cbgbd
ZDfV***VvWjS3
Zy8m“…I’ve never seen such a quick change in attitude.”aw4QDL8
JcCLucian let out a dry laugh at the sight of the mountain of letters piled up.iOan
H1rHe expected it to work, but he hadn’t imagined that absolutely everyone would send letters expressing their “goodwill.”t8ZJ
9rOENI“I thought at least a few would pretend to be loyal and stand firm.”RH4Wzd
wXDj3j“It’s not strange at all. You’re offering to erase a charge of treason with a minimal contribution. At this point, anyone who doesn’t understand the situation and resists deserves to die.”VvfT
fU6jep“I suppose so.”owd
DVhvvaBLucian smiled slightly at Lesta’s words.IKWn
ZIvTo Lucian, it was just a show for appearances, but for them, it was the fate of their houses.Iz3OW
MGJdSNo matter how unfair it seemed, anyone with half a brain had no choice but to bow their head.lfm
usu8“Well done. Now tell me, when do you plan to return? Your territory must be busy.”mit
vS8Lucian’s gaze turned to Lesta, who was nodding beside him.UWOzU4b
2mQTD8kHe had called him to persuade the lords who had once been allied with Calix, but even after everything was over, he didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.L54
nPDCn“No matter how busy my territory may be, how could I ignore a request from Your Highness?”zbWhh
7SJLesta replied with a bow, dodging the question.vCYD7
TE4GySeeing him avoid a clear answer, Lucian gave a faint smile and pushed the letters aside.Qu5i
IE47m“Speak frankly. Do you need something from me?”0UHPBN
unY2qPo“How could I…?”3aUIR
sTGlnY“When the chance comes, say it. I give exactly what I receive. Even if you stay by my side, I won’t give you more than what you’ve given me.”yy9m
1Uh1f6rLike a child whose intentions had been read by an adult, Lesta flinched. He hesitated for a moment and finally revealed his true intention.hX0FT
6GL“It’s true that my territory is stable. My family members know Your Highness trusts me. The attempt to restore my father’s honor has been completely thwarted as well.”HA10onl
Iyp“Then what’s the problem?”lbtylN
LYYK“The other lords nearby. Not knowing Your Highness’s stance, they dream of devouring my territory and then seeking a new backer…”xTywfr
kEUuY“I see.”hMf0K
gTnJhhUAlthough Lesta had aligned with Lucian, he had never made it public.CdktqEj
3CGCAuTo be precise, he never had the chance. He hadn’t arrived in time for the banquet, and after his arrival, the assassination attempt by Calix occurred.MXX
dDwfVWhen he received and escorted the vassals, the name of the Swordmaster Eisen was so dominant that it completely overshadowed him.uJq
hKTwSo, the lords who were unaware of the internal situation had no way of knowing the relationship between Lucian and Lesta.hDXfK
mpjwC2‘Did they think they could use my name freely and didn’t need to worry about my reaction?’Z8k
MvEmPWAUsing the excuse of punishing a traitor, it seemed they wanted to snatch a bit more land before the northern chaos settled.g5r
IeMJyOhNow Lucian understood why Lesta hadn’t returned to his territory and had stayed glued to his side.RS0dT
qAUZWas it to show those opportunists that Lucian was backing him?RvPbf2
Lfh“It’s not like I dare ask openly, but if Your Highness were to say just a word, they…”B83dGUI
cjHEzy“I’ll send Felicia.”7Vdht
2k8hPs“…What?”q4K
9b7“She’ll go to your territory and stay there as a guest for a couple of days. That’ll be enough.”YSC
HakLesta blinked, stunned.UdOYCy
njuTFelicia was the adopted daughter and direct disciple of Swordmaster Eisen Brightner, and also Lucian’s personal guard, famously known for never leaving his side.ENOMiqU
AYBFor her to stay in his territory was equivalent to a public declaration of the trust Lucian had in him.Bzykiy
9D8d0“Th-thank you, Your Highness!”EqQj0Q
qnd3“Don’t overdo it. Just give her a proper welcome. And don’t treat her lightly just because she’s a woman.”lJg
pa6VDkG“If anyone dares disrespect Lady Felicia, I’ll personally cut off their head and pickle it in salt!”dPk
eB4Y“Perfect then.”RpcY
gAD0qBLucian returned to reviewing the letters, ending the meeting. Lesta left the office with his forehead nearly touching the floor, his face lit with emotion.AwiX
ladrl3Shortly after, having reviewed all the letters, Lucian picked up a few and rose from his seat.JE53ZQb
zbmpThe place he headed to was the underground prison.Xarb
VP2Unlike before, when it had holes and security flaws, it was now tightly guarded.O8BhP2X
mBWMzhRHe stopped in front of the cell at the back.uwRrF
u4O“How are the nights in the sacred land of the North?”8Pg
YHokq“Damn you…”zWZ6soN
RlSFrom within, Norvek responded in a weak voice, still full of hatred, but tinged with resignation.yKG7XlG
rS9“Did you come to mock me?”q8AFwU
4DFAbU“No. I came to bring you news from outside.”0Z8f
WhDLucian tossed several letters into the cell.MA9mC
ALkraNorvek picked them up with trembling hands, and as he read them, his body began to shake.GN2nu7l
Tuf“Those damned bastards! Just yesterday they were benefiting from the name of Calix, and now they dare…!”zfea
MgupH“Dare? Were they supposed to sink with Calix? It was an alliance based on benefits. You’re asking too much.”hszkjb2
3xt9mA crumpled letter flew between the bars.0pae8ve
sOPioLucian caught it easily and put it away.uJtW
a3i“Calm down. If you keep that up, you’ll die of rage before your execution day.”HCOaNLY
OE92xG3“Shut up! If you came to mock me, get out!”bcj
gOe“I didn’t come to mock you. I came to ask you something.”pKxlH
WckqK4X“You think I’ll answer so easily?”27yaKB
Ck0VmIgnoring Norvek’s sarcasm, Lucian spoke calmly.tyirl
2vDnL“Why didn’t you back down before it came to this?”US1
zALcAM“What?”uJhzGh
6GuLayl“Literally. You always had the option to surrender. If, when I became lord of Asagrim, you had stepped aside, you could have lived comfortably as the head of a great family. Your son wouldn’t have died.”J93y
MuVBut Norvek never surrendered.WAm
GCsS6Even when the balance was clearly tipped against him, he kept making reckless decisions.URtCkCG
kRBLucian couldn’t understand it.fOoD
uNHIn his past life, Norvek had lived quietly until the end. Why was he now so obsessed with holding the title of lord of the North?XWEOd9
QIc“Why create all this chaos in your final years? Were you trying to fulfill a dream you never achieved in your youth?”BdKSih7
TNagaAt the question, Norvek raised his gaze in fury.Gvk8
ltqkAv“Why? I should be the one asking that. I have royal blood too. Why should I settle for spending the rest of my life as a mere count?”OjjlU6
4rGatw8Lucian blinked in surprise.hVNNGxW
uhLT6zHe hadn’t seen that coming.9CWxf
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