Chapter 117
x49Egg3Lucian observed Lothier in silence. A knight’s oath of loyalty was something that, once spoken, could not be undone.477EK
7FHHIf he had already said it out loud, it could be considered a sincere sentiment, free of deceit. However, there was one problem with accepting his loyalty so easily.O2kE
5VP5gn“Don’t you already have a lord to whom you swore loyalty?”cGir4dj
OYHHKHe was the captain of the guard protecting a territory under direct imperial control.MKuo
sRXNormally, he would have sworn fealty to the Emperor before anyone else.6MnAt0E
ZdxAnd yet now, he claimed he wanted to change lords.jMZ
ogaSmpP“That’s strange. Since when does a knight have the right to desert at will? As I understand it, as long as the lord fulfills his duties, the knight must serve him with absolute loyalty.”X28tww
sWI3wRxAt Lucian’s cold voice, Lothier let out a sigh.BRDI
hvsrZYv“Am I not to Your Highness’s liking?”mL8Q
PYnO“Answer my question first.”caMvJa5
0q7Lzb“Your Highness, I am ignorant of political shifts and know little of intrigue. But even someone like me, by this point, can tell how things are developing.”O0Xwp0D
WKLc“What do you mean?”fVfBFMI
MQfbse“Has His Majesty… truly passed away?”UHtDnV
UVqZeNormally, a knight would never mention the death of their liege. Even speaking of it was considered disrespectful.dRjADQO
YrjObZmAnd if it concerned the Emperor of the Empire, all the more so. Yet Lothier asked the question directly.sneOP
UtE7‘He must truly be desperate.’eLln
GQqcQnGLucian considered for a moment and decided to speak the truth. Since things had reached this point, he intended to settle all remaining issues then and there.K1r2
m0JvZ“I don’t know for sure. As you know, news travels slowly to the north. But the last time I saw him, he seemed to be in critical condition.”2Im1
wls“I see…”ssAxw
KSP9nLothier’s face darkened. It was something he had already suspected, but hearing it confirmed by Lucian seemed to solidify it in his mind.MyLNQJ
i6pPcjAs if having made a final decision, he bowed even lower and spoke.aqvdAH1
h0m“If His Majesty has passed, then I currently have no lord to serve. As a knight, I have fulfilled my duty, and now I wish to serve a new lord.”V49tj
8wv“Aren’t there still the First and Second Princes?”7f8Pn8i
rSq0JK“If either of them had wanted me, they would have sent a messenger by now. The fact that no word has come means they’ve forgotten I exist.”IXyy0W
mJV6EnSIn truth, it wasn’t something he could resent. There were countless knights in service to the Empire just in Tibron alone.Aw9
g94mdFor a prince to even remember the name of a mere knight, not even the commander of an order, would already be a generational honor.mBTrNT
CQnThe problem was Lothier’s situation—completely forgotten and isolated in a distant land, with no contact with the capital.3IVY
dOQOWith no one remembering him, and having even lost his position, who would care for them? By the time the chaos in the capital settled, his place would likely no longer exist.dae3frm
2EsH“Moreover, as captain, I’m responsible for the lives of my men. How could I abandon the comrades I’ve fought alongside just to elevate my own honor?”KpTK
jer1X“Anyone would think this is the heart of a battlefield.”tXdaBk1
q1z9GwI“Life is a battlefield—there’s no difference. Dying while wandering and worrying about the next meal, or dying pierced by a soldier’s spear, is, in the end, the same death.”nwwJuMZ
DJdIf the guard collapsed and they were left without means to survive, that too would be his responsibility.eDus0
3NJAt the same time, his words implied that in exchange for loyalty, he asked for the guard’s livelihood to be ensured through wages.vmu
JXliJPIt was bold, but honest—and in response to that candor, Lucian also spoke sincerely.qgkrq
Ubr4L“I can’t trust you. Up until now, your attitude has been extremely lax and uncooperative.”AMguT
s4OI“Even if I had ten mouths, I couldn’t excuse myself. You’re absolutely right.”44nedY
6KWaAm“We also don’t know if the two princes truly forgot you. In the worst-case scenario, you might end up serving two lords.”5OBY54
mCvRz46“That’s also true.”KNp6Boj
QSqcpdR“Then I’ll ask you something. If one of the princes demands answers and accuses me of being a tyrant who forced your loyalty, what will you do then?”7e4s3hD
jky3zbKIt wasn’t uncommon to force loyalty from someone cornered and with no escape.2lE1ss1
ym4kXEven if Lothier wasn’t an exceptional talent, politics could always twist things to make accusations sound legitimate.HpU
Ar0gkIf someone used his oath to suppress a Lucian growing too powerful, the situation could turn problematic later.sxk
8EmUFBS“You wouldn’t lose anything. You’d simply return to the lord you were originally bound to, and likely even receive better treatment. But I’d be left as a wretch who forced loyalty from a man who already had a lord.”dJtf
0BQ“If such a thing truly happened, I would personally declare Your Highness’s innocence.”CHHat
oVBTdq“Then you’d be the one remembered as a shameless man who served two lords, and your family’s honor would be in ruins.”2LLnF
gif“If I cut off my own head to atone for the sin, the family would be spared. After all, the one at fault would be me alone.”0qyo3uo
Pg4ww65“…”t6Lwh
CpcLucian looked at him, slightly surprised. He thought perhaps Lothier was just speaking recklessly, but his calm expression showed he meant every word.I8h
rvr3mI‘At the very least, his sense of responsibility is admirable.’uYLUZ
yKjPcHe wasn’t especially sharp, nor did he possess any outstanding skill, but he also wasn’t the type to speak ill of his lord after pledging loyalty.aSiCsy
SUcC9FEven if something went wrong in the future, he would shoulder the blame alone and leave quietly.7A6w2Xo
uMhgMAfter thinking for a moment, Lucian decided to address the most immediate matter first.OlNqGw
zIMJYk“For now… let’s go see this defensive device you claim to have discovered.”oauX
5zm***ea5
RhM6KeLothier guided Lucian without resistance to the defensive device he had discovered.Ea0d
60ovAlthough Lucian hadn’t given a definitive answer, his words already amounted to a half-acceptance.J71
9AqdWhen he reached the device, Lucian frowned.eaZtx
jTPH“Isn’t this the barrier artifact we saw before?”q4NlTCR
z11vkOn the northern inner ring wall sat a magical artifact composed of multiple fragments assembled into a spherical shape.FwYdwC
BxMfAt a glance, it looked like a strange decoration, but in reality, it was the mechanism that activated Asagrim’s barrier.vdQ3aYa
sm1Ak“Do you remember how to activate it?”ENLg
DXll“Of course.”TXbfeR
qgB“Then, could you show me?”8XT
nDrLucian tilted his head curiously and approached the artifact, following Lothier’s instructions. When he lifted a part that protruded more than the others—HfJh
KsfQF2Clack!locR8
PJPThe artifact trembled.zUV
yCisWoooong—qyRma
C17X0“Good thing there aren’t any citizens living here yet.”FzM3O
w3xqbkLucian clicked his tongue as the artifact vibrated loudly and projected a membrane of energy.M8zFFZ
Uc7It was undoubtedly a useful function, but so noisy that any enemy would notice the moment it activated.zFa
GjV6zpyFrom the White Palace came brief noises, but since it wasn’t the first time it had happened, there was no major commotion.vT11j5h
TKVGfXZ“Alright, I’m done.”AzWNa
0hoF5K“Good work. Now it’s my turn.”pce
NQ9Lothier approached the artifact and began to manipulate it. No—rather than manipulate it, it looked like he was disassembling it quite roughly.22Y8
VZ8d“Hey! If you break it—”z0qMsu
sRySKa“There’s no problem.”Bqp
0c97AOHClank, screech—t3hzY
1EK2Ignoring Lucian’s concern, Lothier kept moving the artifact. The fragments began to shift like puzzle pieces—forward, backward, left, right.UPy
bP2YeAt the same time, the barrier surrounding Asagrim started to show irregularities.tUflEZY
B7mCrackle!BdK
zKpFYhS“…!?”vl9mj
jcJkAThe barrier shimmered with a sound like lightning scorching dry branches. Upon closer inspection, violet lightning flickered around Asagrim’s perimeter.jrS
eLqaAt Lucian’s astonished look, Lothier calmly explained.IFYnN
YhN“This artifact doesn’t just create a barrier to stop enemies. Depending on how it’s handled, it can alter the barrier’s nature. Right now, I’ve modified it—anyone who touches it will burn to death.”Ui9vZ
tZgZH“And how did you discover something like that? From the looks of it, it’s a function that only reveals itself if you’re willing to break it.”8LXHmnY
wta“I tried smashing it on the ground, but it didn’t break. Instead, the barrier changed. After hitting it a few more times and giving up, I decided to learn how to handle it properly.”EGhSG
zYGFg“…”LFHUo
YnbvcJLucian looked at Lothier, speechless.0nz
a1XwEhIf such a high-level magical artifact were to break, no one could predict what consequences might occur—even to the user—and yet he had tried to destroy it.GCg3
wIK“Alright. With that, my role is done.”T1SJPM0
TAMSAfter roughly explaining how the artifact worked, Lothier looked at Lucian.z1boZ
mH4jIt was as if to say he had proven his worth, and now it was up to Lucian to accept or reject him.R6LMP
T84gTvRLucian deactivated the barrier and met Lothier’s gaze.I3qXh
rqaV“Lothier Terman. As of today, you are a knight in my service, and the soldiers you commanded are now my soldiers. As their sovereign, I guarantee treatment according to their loyalty.”tlR
HCV“Thank you, Your Highness! I will serve with absolute loyalty!”5tAqMTH
8bzxLothier fell to his knees, his trembling voice filled with deep relief, like a man who had just escaped the edge of ruin.aXR
2jr57xTLucian watched him thoughtfully.Rt7
fKd‘Now what should I use them for?’8i6Q
EvhYthThey weren’t extraordinary talents, but they were seasoned knights. At a time when any useful hands were needed, there was certainly a place for them.7YE6
XEJ***ZXrKUIg
NT1YD8Lucian decided to temporarily turn the Asagrim garrison into a security force.9JSH2D
3nPy0tiCitizens would soon arrive, and maintaining order would be essential. Besides, no candidates were more suitable.pCm9h
31t‘They know Asagrim better than I do.’S1gS
W2hhThey had patrolled every corner for years, watching for intruders. Lothier, the former commander, had even discovered a hidden defensive device disguised as decoration.aioLB
ytj2YzWhether criminal or spy, there was no one they couldn’t catch if they set their minds to it.OBk
qHCOnce preparations were complete, Lucian allowed the citizens to enter Asagrim.3yo
hR5“My goodness, it’s so beautiful! The pilgrims’ stories were true!”pmI
O8f“I never thought I’d see the White Palace up close…”FX3n
LjiV2s8“Honey, how much did we say we’d make if we resold a house here?”OUa
iN5eBOo“Shh! Don’t say such things where everyone can hear you!”45oit2b
yRu0j5“I had my doubts, but now I’m ready to open a shop right away.”CA27Xl
e9zWAlthough the city had only its reputation, no one seemed worried.KfI
XS13WThe title of Sacred Land of the North had an irresistible pull. But once the inconveniences became apparent, that charm wouldn’t last long.YblSdB
CXnSfYBefore that happened, Lucian poured in the funds he had prepared and launched the urban reconstruction plan.qLedcV
4Nou7“What happened to the merchant caravan that was supposed to arrive?”qPIxk
jvvo4BF“It’s coming tomorrow. Other caravans will arrive in staggered groups.”kdr6
BVSX“Good. Keep trade steady until the market stabilizes properly.”b2N6PE
jCp03D“Some merchants are asking for exclusive rights—”dLLbdI
Fg7gohn“Are they insane? Tell them to stop spewing nonsense if they don’t want to die.”uAaxv
lKEdWhile Lucian signed piles of documents, the selected administrators worked nonstop. The internal affairs department, including the treasurer, barely slept, spending night after night awake.Pwp
XfmpYpk“Why do the number of residents and collected taxes not match at all?”2hPoNA8
KPn6Y9“A lot of new settlers have arrived in the meantime—there’s no helping it.”K2sWAN
BZ2uEn“Of course there is! You should’ve updated the report immediately!”XR1ueVS
G4EN0“Don’t say ridiculous things! I’m dying here from lack of staff!”ViX
4l2xbH“…For now, let’s inform His Highness and recruit new administrators. Or bring in some from the old territories.”fDKZA
hWoNMHrAnd so, lord and subordinates spent three months completely absorbed in work. Fortunately, after that time, the workload began to ease, and they could breathe a little.pugn
RU3Nf8Although everything was new and demanded constant attention, the system was transparent.Lf3
SimV1sThere were mistakes, yes—but no corruption or embezzlement. And once the framework was in place, everything began to flow naturally.OQab
URfHyum‘At this rate, recruiting mages before the year ends will be hard.’fN8
Jfdh9yHMagical research was important, but not more so than properly settling the citizens. First, the territory had to be stabilized.neT0I
kxHCQExhausted, Lucian dropped into his chair with a bitter smile.Sm0
quIxDmt“Your Highness.”9XxuSO0
FN3hp8B“Colin? What is it?”WsM
pe937s0Chief Mage Colin appeared with a tense expression. At first, Lucian thought he had found something among the treasure hall books—but what he said was completely unexpected.ShGH
pK7F“A colleague of mine wishes to see you.”wvvs
Q1LI“Your colleague?”6Kdb
1rXxuV“Yes. She belongs to the same school of celestial astrology as I do. Her name is Helen, and she studies astrology.”UYhb
7oZILucian blinked involuntarily.SswY
CxMRdZAstrology?TU3mzj
S3JgrRight now, what he needed was magical research—not fortune-telling.1f4
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