Chapter 121
Zb2nyYJHelen withdrew her objection and decided to keep unchanged the group that Lucian had chosen. Once the party was set, everything progressed quickly.bO2
dqjbNyAlthough it was kept secret from the outside, preparations had already been underway for quite some time.KdnHvR
NVWAfter explaining the situation to his close aides and defining the plan in detail, Lucian immediately announced his journey.RKCP
EJyhNcV— I shall return with our ancient brothers from beyond the glacier—and with the heart of the dragon they possess!jyYh7Wy
paJKfQAt Lucian’s sudden declaration, the people were bewildered. Ancient brothers? Dragon’s heart? What was he talking about?QMkLwkE
HCm“Your Highness, we don’t understand. Are you saying there are people living beyond the glacier?”A1Gj
wx4“To understand my words, you must first know the hidden history of the royal family of the North.”RDrMAqV
RL3oLucian calmly explained to the confused administrators that over a thousand years ago, the founder of the northern royal family had emigrated from beyond the glacier.xnlsfa
eOfNThat, due to perpetual blizzards, contact had been lost for centuries and they had never reconnected with their brethren.zvbFVjw
wq0vfAnd now, thanks to the help of a mage, it was possible to open a path and bring them once more under his rule.qxRRP
HM08“Furthermore, they possess the heart of a dragon. If such a treasure exists, isn’t it right to recover it and use it for the prosperity of the Empire?”l8UEtxD
Uex5xk“…”EEkp3q
PLR91RNo one could hide their confusion at Lucian’s words. It was strange enough to bring up matters from over a millennium ago, but the content seemed far too implausible.dGTOC
Pdv3AtIt could be an invention of a mage, and yet Lucian believed it without verifying anything.GVS6E
OvQ3v9p‘Is His Highness ill?’lxZm
mt1‘He’s very young… he’s at that age where one falls into heroic delusions.’jVSInL
F2hud‘Someone should stop him.’QORsR
pD99Oa‘And who would dare?’0VcXdtW
CeXV8To oppose a ruler’s decision required significant political weight.GZmc
Sk5z6Even if not a close confidant, one would at least need to be a trusted vassal.lMK
XTA1yBut there was no one in that position willing to stop Lucian, so there was no alternative.WpCgYy
Hr38VLucian’s declaration became a fait accompli, and soon even the departure date was set.iDrILZ
KKJ“Your Highness, was it really necessary to announce it so openly?”r6J
qn4Paradoxically, the one most surprised by Lucian’s boldness wasn’t his inner circle—it was Helen.ONMwa
jy6Sa9Even though she had been the one to push for it, she hadn’t expected him to reveal everything without reservation.unM3
4QolBZA“You could have used another pretext without telling the truth. This way, you’ll only become a laughingstock.”u3By
DcfrqRO“That may be true—until I succeed. But if I think about the moment when I return triumphant, telling the truth from the start is the right choice.”oxKm8
lsPLucian replied casually to Helen’s concern.vaA5VCQ
xYvVF“So what if they laugh? If I succeed, they’ll be the fools. What matters isn’t the ridicule now, but the consequences after success. If I explain it now, I won’t need to justify anything when I return with an army.”Gic
MH8YaUTMoreover, revealing the truth would raise his prestige even more if he succeeded. What Lucian was about to do was a grand adventure worthy of legend.rsZjHh
oHoKQZpRight now, they called him mad—but the instant he returned victorious, it would become an epic tale.bNTlDs
dcPxJRTo disguise the start with an excuse would only tarnish that story.km0
j2rQf“It’s better to declare from the beginning that it was a planned adventure. If I use another pretext, no matter how much I dress it up, people will always think, ‘It wasn’t his intent, he just got lucky.’”anf
Vd2“That’s true, but…”DdF
ajrea“And so you too will do everything in your power to make sure we don’t fail. Right?”RJBfW
HA5At those meaningful words, Helen swallowed hard. If this failed, Lucian wouldn’t be the only one seen as a fool.kPm
RqTQNThe mages, including herself, would be seen as “snakes who deceive rulers with sweet words.”pToxH
Tw7sYvIf she truly wished to become a proper advisor, she had to ensure Lucian’s success—no matter what.HHUd
Ra2Q9“I’ll keep that very much in mind.”SeFN8eP
QKetNB“That’s enough. By the way, did you say that once we enter the glacier, we must reach the other side within fifteen days?”thvY
F1Abz“Yes. We can’t exceed that limit. My master will close the path once the time is up.”6Ga
MNH“Your master…”0kW
B41S1Helen and Colin’s master. A mage who lived in the lands beyond the glacier.ChmsF
V5U83XHSomeone capable of temporarily suppressing a cold so harsh even knights couldn’t withstand it.8ptc
4MjfCuriosity stirred again in Lucian, but he chose not to ask further. He would soon see it with his own eyes.dsTq
TXoIXJB***UgBu4
Bi8PlBefore departing, Lucian called upon Gareth, commander of the Order of the Blue Rose, just in case of any unforeseen events.C87xzpW
0L7Gareth, summoned abruptly, appeared before Lucian with a stiff and tense expression.mtGJT
E0v“I was told Your Majesty summoned me.”XW6
MAb“That’s right. But your expression isn’t exactly reassuring. Is something wrong?”npk33
gARo“…Your Majesty, I’ll speak frankly. I cannot send the Order into that frozen land.”qW3UVbE
bUUw“What are you saying? I have no intention of bringing them with me.”SQeF1R
wNO5F2D“Huh?”1rl
1iexGareth and Lucian looked at each other for a moment, both with surprised expressions. Upon realizing the situation, Lucian burst into laughter.isxaDa0
z1Iqowb“Hahaha! Did you think I was going on an adventure with the entire Order of the Blue Rose? Sorry, but from the beginning, I planned to go only with a few of my closest allies.”lVyZeC
Qzo“Ah…”IdfK
7UHCGareth’s face turned red as he realized his mistake.D6ZhsT
vujHe had been worried about how they would survive in the tundra—when Lucian had never planned to bring them in the first place.TJbrl
7dPcvt8“Well, I understand how you felt. From the outside, it must look insane, so you didn’t want to send your subordinates to certain death.”yYeQkZ
7P7Kc“I… I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty.”fAJ2n
DIy“Why apologize? It’s only natural for a commander to want to protect his troops. If you were my direct vassal, that would be different—but you’re not.”95OW
IDKn8aPThe more Lucian spoke, the deeper Gareth bowed his head. No matter how gently it was handled, what he had attempted bordered on direct disobedience.BmQB
XejWatching him with amusement, Lucian then pulled something from beneath his cloak.wo9ABS
PnK57“Anyway, I’m glad it was all just a misunderstanding. Actually, I called you because I wanted to entrust you with this.”tHIF
vCJihp“Th-this is…?!”DW0m9L
cIXzvGareth paled at the sight of the object Lucian produced. A white suit of armor, engraved with runes between its plates. It was the same type Felicia had worn in her duel.sxL
uBST“H-how could I be entrusted with something like this?”8Lo
AsytJ“To be precise, I don’t want to entrust it just to you. I want to lend this armor to every member of the Order of the Blue Rose.”R2FKffz
Gc8E1G“…?!”Bqqy
OQIThe fact that several of these armors existed was shocking enough—but to lend them to the entire order? Gareth nearly fainted. Lucian, however, spoke with complete calm.d2j8T5Q
GKCQaQ“I don’t know how long this expedition will take. I plan to return as soon as possible, but it could take longer than expected. Mountains without a master attract wolves. I want you all to drive them off using this armor.”3qpK
wlzMZS“How can you trust us to such a degree…?”knXCmsQ
fWSQ“Though it might not seem like it, I have a good eye for judging people. Those I’ve seen in the Order of the Blue Rose have lived without staining their honor. If I’m lending equipment to knights of honor, why would I worry about not getting it back?”ZJbEe
xtLgv2Lucian spoke, mixing truth with flattery, his tongue as smooth as silk. While he did trust Gareth’s character, he trusted even more in the agreement he had with the emperor.qYxuDt
X3liwIf an order sent by the Empire were to steal Lucian’s treasure and flee, they wouldn’t just be labeled as dishonorable thieves—they’d be marked as traitors who broke the bond between the Empire and Lucian.PtvbrxG
I4s7m“Y-Your Majesty!”sjCL
2toCkQTaking Lucian’s words with utmost sincerity, Gareth burst into tears.iFFb
1cdThen he knelt before him and cried out in a firm voice.yke
bLRjM“I swear before the Eight Gods of the heavens that until the day Your Majesty returns, not a single wretch will set foot in Asagrim!”rE2Q
AXT3rra“Hahaha, how reassuring to hear. I’ll leave it to you.”McftMpV
u2mWgLucian patted Gareth lightly on the shoulder.iWO5ocj
leuZFeeling the faint tremble in the man’s body, Lucian’s smile deepened even further.xq9sEK
7RDM8SHe could clearly sense how the heart of the Order of the Blue Rose was growing ever more loyal to him.mqtCEW
dTB6***2MOrcx4
BaVHThe day of departure finally arrived. Lucian left Asagrim accompanied by his closest companions.L0307
CiSIO1Shortly after, the Order of the Blue Rose, fully equipped with white armor, followed behind.2jhk
xlxThey couldn’t go beyond a certain point, but they would at least escort him as far as possible.vqaW5
L2YTheir imposing presence was enough to leave even those who had come only to mock the expedition speechless.Khv
8qncqRY“What’s that armor? It clearly isn’t ordinary.”eMeQq
gB2pX“Is he really going out to recruit more soldiers even though he already has a force like that?”xgXg3
TPwX5V“I get that they’re not his direct troops, but trusting in legends is too much.”cfYer
Rsqbgv“I don’t know what kind of sweet talk that mage whispered in his ear. That’s why you can’t trust mages.”azJY
HzyUiLucian ignored the murmurs and pressed on toward his destination—Laugrad.gOhfk6
edocEven in the North, where unnatural cold reigned year-round, that place was known as the ice hell. No one who tried to cross it had ever returned alive.C6cvy
XAHE4DThat frozen end of the North was Laugrad.Pt9
tRP“Damn… this is brutal.”KcY32tU
Bkp9gDays later, upon entering Laugrad, the curse escaped Lucian’s lips. Even with heat stones warming his body, the cold pierced to his bones.2MbmxR9
TVGSVThe curious onlookers had long since turned back, and even the Order of the Blue Rose, who had marched out so gallantly, was nearing their limit.QNwQu
Cxcd“Y-Your Majesty… I’m sorry, but it seems this is as far as we can go…”esBML
r4qDzlLucian looked at Gareth with sympathy as the man chattered through his teeth. He wanted to pat his shoulder, but feared the blizzard would slip in through his sleeve.o7z
LbWmO“Helen! How much longer are you going to make us wait?”Z8q0E
5fpm“Please, just a little more. Almost…”IhaR
WyjEHvsAs Lucian’s irritation reached its peak, Helen clasped both hands tightly, as if waiting for something. Soon after, sensing a signal, she raised her head and shouted.y5LbS
lCLq“It’s opening!”lcwHUl5
mOOfWhoosh.d79ui
maze“…?!”q0xlIn
T86The knights of the Order of the Blue Rose looked around in astonishment.EYzj
Jg5RAll around them was still wrapped in an impenetrable snowstorm—but directly above them, the wind and snow had completely stopped.sAai6
zgtGtyAs everyone stood speechless at the miracle, Lucian spoke.rU1Ldo
8re“Thank you all for escorting me this far. As I said before, I now set off to bring back our ancient brethren from beyond the tundra.”V3nl
ZR6Y“We wish you good fortune, Your Majesty. Please stay safe.”yLm
hC3yrTD“And protect Asagrim well while I’m gone. Even if the regent makes mistakes, be understanding.”gaNs
OtZnx“We will. We’ll give it our all.”1mwYIHI
L4g3dRSatisfied with Gareth’s immediate reply, Lucian turned and headed beyond the tundra.88Lur4
EUHzThe figure walking a windless path through the storm looked like a hero straight out of a legend.tmphI
tseOnly when his silhouette had completely vanished did the Order of the Blue Rose begin their return to Asagrim, determined to fulfill the vow they had made—to drive away any wolf that dared approach a land without its master.BDlIy
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!