A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 125

Chapter 125

The unexpected comment made Lucian’s group turn‍ to look at‍ Gunstein. Faced with‍‍⁠ their gaze, as if asking if he knew anything,‌⁠ Gunstein shook his‍⁠ head firmly.

“I-I‍‍‍ don’t know what’s‍‍ going on either.”⁠

“Do‌ you really have‍‍ no idea?”

“If‌‍ I knew something,‍‌‍ I would’ve said it right away.‍‍ A king? What‌ does that mean…?”‍

His⁠ expression was one⁠ of genuine confusion.⁠ While everyone remained⁠⁠‍ frozen, unable to⁠ understand the situation,‌⁠ the villagers began‌ kneeling one after⁠⁠ another.

“O-our⁠‍ king…”

“Our‌ king…”

Reverence‌‌ toward Lucian spread⁠⁠ like a wave.‍‍‌ Once the mood‍ had formed, even those who hadn’t dared utter the‍ word “king” began⁠⁠ to bow. Just‌‍ as the entire⁠ village was about‍ to fully prostrate—‌⁠

“Stop this instant!”

A furious shout burst⁠‌ from inside.

Upon‍‌ hearing it, the‌ kneeling villagers stopped‌ halfway, uncomfortable.

Turning‌⁠ their heads, they‍ saw a middle-aged‍‌ warrior glaring at‌‍⁠ them in rage.‌⁠⁠

“Who‌ said he’s a king? Get up!‌⁠‌ How can the‍ descendants of dragon‍ blood submit to‌ a stranger they’re⁠⁠ seeing for the‌‍ first time?”

“B-but⁠⁠⁠ the prophecy—”

“Shut⁠⁠ up! What prophecy,⁠‍‍ nonsense! If you⁠‌ say that crap‍⁠ again, I’ll crush⁠ your head first!”‍⁠

The‍ man who had‌ started to speak‍‌⁠ trembled at the‌ threat.

The other villagers, watching⁠ the warrior’s expression,⁠‍ began to stand⁠‍‌ up cautiously.

With‌‍⁠ the atmosphere broken,⁠ the warrior turned‌ to Lucian, glaring‍ at him as‍⁠ if he wanted‌ to kill him.

“Foreigner,‍ you’ve invaded our‌ land without permission.‌‌‌ According to our‌ law, anyone who‌⁠ enters without authorization‌ becomes a slave.‍‌ Serve here until‌ you die and‌ regret ever stepping‍ into this place!”

“Shut your mouth! What‍⁠ garbage are you⁠ spouting?”

The one who refuted‌ him was Gunstein.‌⁠‍ Face flushed, he⁠ pointed over and⁠‍‌ over again.

“Can’t⁠⁠ you see the‍‌ clothes our lord⁠⁠ is wearing? He’s‌ the one who‍ defeated me! According‌ to tradition, he‍ must be treated⁠⁠‌ with the same⁠‍ honor as the‌ chief’s son!”

“There are also ranks‌ among the chief’s‍‍ sons! If it’s‌⁠‌ someone like you, he doesn’t deserve‍‍‍ special treatment!”

“W-what…!?”⁠

“I’m‌ giving the foreigner‍‍ the treatment you‌ should’ve received! Step⁠⁠ aside! You’ve lost your status and‌ have no right⁠ to intervene anymore!”⁠‌

“Damn‌⁠ you—!”

The‌ words had already‍ crossed the line‌ long ago. Gunstein’s⁠‍‌ eyes widened in⁠‍⁠ rage.

Instead‌‌ of his damaged‍‌‌ axe, he grabbed⁠ one from a subordinate and was‌ about to lunge⁠ at the warrior⁠⁠ when—

“Enough.”⁠

Thoom!‌

“Ugh!”⁠⁠⁠

“Urgh!”‍

A short but crushing⁠⁠‌ voice fell along⁠ with overwhelming pressure‍ that forced both‌‍‌ Gunstein and the‍ warrior to their‌ knees.

Feeling‌‍ as if a giant boulder was‍‌ crushing them, they⁠ collapsed to the‍ ground. Unable to⁠‌‍ breathe, they could‍‌ only hear a tongue clicking.

“Tsk‍ tsk… having a hot temper is‌‌ fine, but trying‌ to draw blood‍‌ right away is something else.”

“Master!”‌‍‌

Colin‍‍ and Helen shouted‌‌ at the same‍⁠‌ time when they‌‍ saw the old‌ man who had‌‌⁠ just appeared.

Lucian⁠⁠ looked at the‌ elder, who advanced⁠‍ leaning on a long staff.

From‍ his appearance, it⁠ was clear he‍ wasn’t originally from‌ these lands, but‌ someone born in the Empire.

“Ugh! What’s the meaning‍⁠ of this, Guide?”‍‌

The‍⁠⁠ warrior protested with⁠ difficulty, barely managing‌ to catch his⁠⁠‍ breath under the‌‍‌ pressure.

The‍ elder didn’t respond.‍‌⁠ He struck the⁠‌ ground with his‍⁠ staff.

Thud!‌

The‌ pressure increased even‍‌ more, and the warrior’s body was‍ pressed completely to⁠‌⁠ the ground.

“Shouting⁠‍ first doesn’t make⁠ you win. Why⁠‌ ignore your own‍‌ mistake and come‌ to argue with‍ me? If you⁠ don’t know how‌ to maneuver politically,⁠‌ don’t even try.”⁠

“A-and‌ the consequences—what will‌‍⁠ happen—?”

“I’ll‍ handle my consequences.⁠ You deal with‌‌ yours.”

“Gah!”‍⁠

With a short groan,⁠⁠⁠ the warrior fell‍‍ completely limp. Unable⁠‌ to withstand the‍‌ pressure, he had⁠‍‌ fainted.

Only⁠ then did the‌ old man release‌ the force weighing‌ on Gunstein and‍ the warrior. Watching⁠‍‌ the scene, Lucian⁠‍⁠ couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Impressive…‌ he’s reached the peak through a path different from⁠ Sir Eisen’s.’

A Swordmaster at the‍ peak of swordsmanship⁠‌ held a presence⁠ as overwhelming as‍ a mountain.

However,⁠‌ the old man‌⁠⁠ before him was the opposite.

He‍ didn’t seem like‌ an individual, but‌⁠ a phenomenon fused⁠ with nature itself.‌‌ Though he was⁠‌ there, his presence felt as natural‍‍ as the earth‌ or wind.

“The‍⁠⁠ prophecy has been‍‍‍ fulfilled.”

With the situation now⁠⁠ under control, the‍ old man spoke⁠‌⁠ with a voice⁠ much deeper than‌⁠ before. Ignoring even‌ his two disciples,‌⁠ he fixed his⁠ gaze on Lucian.‌⁠

“From‌ beyond the frozen‍‌⁠ wasteland shall come⁠⁠‍ a foreign ruler.‌‍ In the year‍ the sun changes,‍‍ he shall obtain the right to‍ challenge the heavens.‍‍ He will conquer all in these lands and lead‌⁠ the way to‌⁠‌ glory and peace.‌‌ He shall be‍ our king.”

After‍‌ speaking, the elder‍‍ bowed deeply and‍⁠⁠ placed his staff‌ in front of‌ Lucian.

Then,‍‌ raising his hands‍ in reverence, he‌⁠ proclaimed for all⁠‍‌ to hear:

“The‍⁠ old Guide, Marius,‌ pays his respects‌ to the king!”‌‍

***⁠‌⁠

Marius,⁠‍ the master of⁠‍ Helen and Colin,‍ led Lucian’s group‍⁠‍ to his home.

It‍‌‌ was a house⁠ noticeably larger than‌⁠ the others—spacious enough⁠‍ for the whole group to enter‍ without issue.

“Do‌ not allow anyone⁠⁠‌ to approach. The‍‍ king is to‍⁠ be received.”

At‌‍ Marius’s solemn words,‌ the residents dared‍ not object. After‌ scanning the surroundings‍‌ one last time,⁠‌ Marius closed the⁠⁠ door and knelt‍ before Lucian.

“Allow‍ me to introduce⁠ myself again. I am Marius, master‍⁠ of those immature youngsters and the‍⁠ Inductor of the⁠‌ tribe. My king,‌ ask whatever you⁠ desire.”

“M-Master…”⁠⁠‌

Their‍‍ master’s attitude—one they‍ had never seen‍ before—left both disciples‍ deeply confused. However,‍⁠ Marius continued acting‍ as if neither‌ of them existed.⁠

Lucian‌⁠ watched the strange‌‍‍ scene for a moment and then⁠‌‌ spoke.

“Old⁠ man.”

“Yes,‍ my king.”

“That’s‍ enough.”

“Huh?”‍

“There⁠‌⁠ is nothing in⁠ your eyes that‍⁠⁠ could be called‌⁠ true reverence. No⁠‌ matter how much‍‍ you change your‍ tone or dress‍ up your words—when⁠‍ there’s no sincerity,⁠‌ it shows.”

“…”‌⁠

“You⁠‍‍ said it yourself‍⁠‌ earlier, didn’t you?⁠⁠ That if you don’t know how to play politics,⁠⁠ better not to‍ try. That’s exactly⁠‍ what I want⁠‌‌ to say to‌‌ you now.”

At⁠ Lucian’s words, Marius‌ blinked. He looked⁠ surprised—or perhaps unsure of how to‌ respond.

After⁠ a long silence,⁠‌ a bitter smile‌‌‌ formed on his‌⁠‍ stiff lips.

“Was‍‌ my performance that‌‍ bad?”

“Good‌ enough to fool⁠ someone dull. But‍‍ I’m not dull.‌ That much isn’t⁠ enough to fool‍‌ me.”

Hearing‍⁠‍ the sudden shift⁠‍ in Marius’s tone—no‍ longer putting up‌‌ a front—Lucian let‌⁠‍ out a laugh.‍‍⁠ At last, it⁠‍ seemed they could talk properly.

Marius⁠ shook his head‍‍ as if giving‍‌ up after realizing‍⁠ Lucian wasn’t surprised‍ at all.

“How⁠‍⁠ terrifying, how terrifying.‍‌ This is the‍ first time in⁠ my life someone’s‌‍ seen through me⁠‌ so easily.”

“I‌ assure you, I’m‌‍‌ not the only⁠⁠ one who could.‍‍ You’ve just run into easy opponents‍ and convinced yourself‍ your acting was‌⁠ flawless.”

“You‍ also have a talent for rubbing‍⁠ salt in old‍‍‍ wounds. If you‌‍ keep digging, I’ll⁠⁠ die of shame—so‍‌‌ let’s stop here.”‍

“As⁠ you wish.”

Those‌‍ nearby, listening in,⁠⁠ were completely stunned. It was surprising⁠‌ enough that Marius⁠‍‍ had dropped his‍ act, but what‌ was even more‍⁠ shocking was how‌‍⁠ little importance Lucian⁠‌ seemed to give⁠ it.

To‌ anyone else, it‌‌ would have sounded‍⁠ like a casual‍‍ reunion between old acquaintances.

However, the cordial mood‌ didn’t last long.⁠

“Well,‍ let’s get to⁠‌ the point.”

Lucian‍⁠ wiped the smile from his face⁠‍ and fixed his‌ gaze on Marius.‌‍ Marius nodded, adopting⁠ a serious expression‍ as well.

“Alright.⁠ What do you‍‌ want to know?”⁠

“To‌ begin with, tell‌‍‍ me exactly what‌‌ it is you‍⁠⁠ can offer me.”‍‌⁠

“As Helen said. The⁠‌‌ opportunity to use‌ the inhabitants of‌ this place as‌⁠ an army—and the‍ treasure known as⁠‌ the Dragon Heart.”⁠⁠

“And‌ what do you‌⁠ expect in return?”⁠

“That⁠‍ you rebuild the‍ Magic Tower.”

The‍‍ moment those words‍ left his mouth,‌⁠ the air froze.‍‍‌

The‍ Magic Tower—an organization⁠‌‍ that once included⁠ nearly all the⁠‍‌ Empire’s mages before the rebellion three⁠⁠ hundred years ago.

The‌ center of all‍‌ magical research and⁠ apprentice training, and also the heart of the rebellion.‍

A cursed name that‍ not even the⁠ Emperor dared mention‍⁠ in front of⁠‌‌ Lucian—and now Marius‍‍ had spoken it⁠⁠ without hesitation.

Lucian‍‌ stared at him.‍

“Are⁠ you aware of⁠⁠‍ what you just‌ said?”

“I‍‌ know that, by⁠⁠‌ the Empire’s standards,‌‍ it’s an utterly unacceptable proposal.”

“And⁠ you still say it aloud.”

“It’s⁠ been the desire⁠ of my entire⁠‍ life. A dream‍ that was already‌⁠‌ crushed once. Now⁠ that I don’t‌ have much time‌‍ left, it’s become⁠‍ an obsession. Even⁠ if I want‌ to abandon it—I‍‍ can’t.”

“Even‌⁠ if, as a result, not only‌⁠ do you fail⁠⁠⁠ to achieve it,‌ but also lose⁠ every other dream still within reach?”‌‌⁠

“If I could weigh the odds rationally‌‍⁠ and make a calm decision, it‍⁠ wouldn’t be called‍ an obsession in‍‍ the first place.”‍

“Master!”‍

Unable⁠‍ to stay silent,⁠ Colin cut in.⁠ Having been ignored‍‌ all this time‍‌ and hearing words⁠‍ he couldn’t understand,‍ his built-up frustration⁠‌ exploded.

“What‍‍ the hell are‍ you thinking?! You‍‌ sent Helen in‌ secret to drag‍ His Majesty here,⁠ and now you’re⁠ talking about the‌‌⁠ Magic Tower?! The‌‍⁠ mages have only⁠‍ just begun to—Khk!”⁠

Thack!‌

“Idiot!‌ I’m not deaf!‍‌ And since when‍ are you allowed‍⁠ to interrupt when‌ your master and⁠ your lord are speaking?”

“This‌ isn’t the time‍ for etiquette—khk, khh!”‌

As Colin vented his‍‌ anger, Marius struck him with his‍ staff, causing him‌ to stagger.

Despite‍ the harsh scolding,‌ Colin lunged forward‍ again—but he couldn’t‌⁠⁠ withstand the continued⁠ barrage of strikes.

Once⁠ he had a massive bump on⁠‌⁠ his head, Lucian,‍ who had remained‌‌ silent, raised his⁠ hand.

“That’s‍ enough. Explain it clearly. Not just‌‌ for Colin—I’m also⁠ curious about the‍ old man’s situation.”

“Tsk,⁠‌ there’s no helping‌ it…”

Only‍ then did Colin⁠ escape the rain‍ of blows. Still‌‌ holding his swollen‍‍ head, his eyes‌‍ were filled with‍ resentment. Seeing this,‌ Marius sighed.

“Don’t‌ take it so⁠⁠ personally. I didn’t‌ tell Helen everything‌‌ either.”

“Huh?”⁠‌

“The‌ Magic Tower—that’s also‌ the first time‌ she’s heard of‌ it. If you‌ don’t believe me,‌ look behind you.”‌‍

When‍ Colin turned in the direction Marius⁠⁠ pointed, he saw‍‍ Helen with a pale face, clutching‌ her sleeves tightly.‍

Her expression alone was‌ enough to show‌ how shocked she was at the‌ mention of the‌ Magic Tower.

After⁠⁠ confirming that his‍ disciple’s resistance had‍ calmed, Marius turned‍‌ his gaze to⁠‌ Lucian once more.⁠‍

“Alright,‍‌ where do you‍⁠ want me to⁠‍‌ start?”

“Where‍⁠ your obsession began.”‍

“From‍ the beginning, then.‌ Fine, I don’t‍‍ mind.”

Nodding‍ slightly, Marius began‌⁠ to tell his⁠ story.

“It’s‌ nothing extraordinary. I was born the‌⁠ son of a miserably poor farmer‌‍ in a village.‌ I met my‌ master, became fascinated‍⁠ by magic, and⁠⁠ became his disciple.⁠ When I finally⁠‍ became an independent mage, my master‍‍ was captured by‍ the imperial family.”⁠

The‍‍⁠ Empire’s trackers had⁠‌ been relentless. They‌ didn’t just kill⁠‌ his master—they discovered⁠ Marius’s existence and⁠ hunted him down‍‌ too.

Marius‍ managed to evade⁠ them for a time, but they‌ never gave up⁠‌ and continued their‌⁠ pursuit.

“Fleeing⁠ from them, I kept heading north—until⁠‌ I reached the⁠ edge of the‍ world. And even‍⁠ then, those bastards⁠ followed me there.‍‍⁠ Just when I thought everything was‌‌ over, an ancient‍‌ legacy appeared before⁠⁠ me.”

“An‍ ancient legacy?”

At‌ Lucian’s question, Marius⁠‍ smiled darkly.

“An‌ artifact.”