A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 134

Chapter 134

‘This‌‌ damn lunatic!’

With‌ the dragon’s heart‌⁠ in front of‍‍⁠ him, Ivar couldn’t‍⁠ move forward or‌ retreat. He didn’t⁠⁠ know how Lucian‍‍ was holding the‍ heart with bare⁠⁠ hands, but a colossal power still⁠ emanated from it.⁠‌

Now⁠ that it was‍ completely separated from‌ the artifact, touching⁠ the heart would‌‍ mean being unable‍ to withstand the‌‍⁠ force that would⁠ flow into him⁠ and dying in⁠‌ an explosion.

However,‍ in front of‌ all the tribe‍ members, he couldn’t reject Lucian’s proposal without a reason‌‍ either.

‘Damn it… what the⁠ hell am I supposed to do?’⁠‌

For‌‌ Ivar, it was‌ impossible to create‍ a dramatic effect‍‌ like Lucian’s, so the result of‍ this “courtesy” was⁠‍ practically decided.

Still,‍⁠ even if he‍ couldn’t absorb the‌ power of the⁠ heart, he had‌ to prove that‍ he could hold‍ it without dying.

Only‍ then could he⁠ prove that he‍‍‍ had once, at⁠‍ least, been a warrior chosen by⁠ the heart.

But⁠ what if he‍⁠ had held it⁠ without issue before,‍ and now died‌ trying again?

It⁠‌ would be clear⁠‍‍ that he had⁠ never been chosen—that‌ he was nothing‌ but a fraud‌ who stole the‌ heart’s power.

‘If‌‌‍ the lies I’ve told until now⁠‍ come to light,⁠ it won’t just‍ stain my name.‌ Even my sons⁠⁠ could be affected.’⁠

No‌ matter how extraordinary‌ they were, they‌⁠ would forever carry⁠‍⁠ the shame of‍‍ their father.

Any⁠ achievement would be‍ dismissed with the‌ same line, “What‌‌ did you expect,‌‍ with a fraud’s‌⁠ blood running through their veins?”

Worse⁠‍ still, Ainar and‌‌ Brunda had taken‌ the dragon’s power‌ through the method⁠‍ Ivar had taught‌ them.

Since⁠ ancient times, the‌ tribe might believe‌ that the entire⁠ family had knowingly⁠⁠ taken part in‌⁠‌ the deception.

‘Why‍ did this have⁠‌ to happen right⁠⁠ after I revealed‍‌ everything…?’

Cornered‍ with no way‌ out, Ivar shut‍ his eyes tightly.⁠‌‍

At‌‍‌ this point, escaping‌⁠ unscathed was impossible.⁠ The only thing‌ he could do‌ was yield what‌‍‌ he had to⁠ and minimize the⁠ damage.

“What’s⁠‌ the matter? Come⁠⁠ on, hold the⁠ heart. I’m giving‌‍ you a chance.”‌

At⁠ Lucian’s voice, full‌⁠‍ of mockery, Ivar‌‌⁠ took a deep‍‍ breath.

The‍ greatest thing he⁠ could sacrifice to‌⁠ reduce the damage‌ was just one⁠⁠ thing—his own pride.⁠

“I‍‍ appreciate your consideration,⁠‍‌ but I’m fine.⁠⁠ There’s no need‌ to hold the‌‍ heart to know⁠ the result.”

“What‌ do you mean?”⁠

“I⁠ can hear the dragon’s voice. It has already chosen‌‍ its master and⁠‌ tells me not⁠‍ to cling to‌‌ it. At this‌‌ point, even if‍ I held it,‌⁠ nothing would happen.”⁠‍‍

Ivar‌⁠ calmed his trembling‍‌ cheeks as best⁠‍‍ he could and‌⁠ adopted an almost⁠‌ wise expression.

From‍ afar, he looked‍ like someone who‍ had reached enlightenment—a⁠ man with no‍ attachment to the‍⁠ heart.

“Even⁠‍‍ if it is‍ a relic the‍‍ tribe has protected⁠‍ for so long,‌ if its rightful⁠ owner has appeared,⁠⁠ the correct thing‍⁠‌ to do is return it. As‌⁠ a warrior once‌⁠⁠ chosen, I will‌ fulfill that duty.”⁠⁠

“Are‍ you recognizing me⁠⁠ as the owner‌‌ of the heart?”‍‌

“That’s‍‌ right. Take it.‍ From now on,⁠ the heart is⁠‍‌ yours. However, remember⁠ that the dragon’s‌ choice and the⁠ trials for chieftain‍ are separate matters.‍⁠ You still have⁠‌‌ the third trial⁠ left.”

“Oh.”⁠⁠‌

Lucian‌ let out a small sound of⁠‍ admiration at Ivar’s⁠‌ quick reaction.

If‍ he touched the⁠‍‌ heart, he’d die.‍‌ If he refused,⁠ he’d raise suspicion‍‌ among the tribe.⁠

Anyone‍ else would have frozen.

But‌ Ivar immediately gave‍‍ up the heart‍ and turned the⁠‌ situation into a noble tale—not as⁠‌ a rejected loser,‌‌‌ but as a magnanimous man who‍ accepted the natural‌⁠ order.

Moreover,‍‌ by separating the⁠ dragon’s choice from‌⁠ the chieftain trial,⁠ he still maintained⁠‌ an image of fairness.

‘How⁠‌ clever. He gave‌⁠ up his pride‍‌‍ but took everything else with him.’‌

Ivar⁠‌ didn’t react to‍⁠ Lucian’s whisper, as‍⁠⁠ if he wanted‌ everything to end‍‍ quickly.

However,⁠ the words that‌‌ followed shook him‍ completely.

“Alright‍‍‌ then… how about⁠‍ I make the‌‌⁠ same offer to‌ your sons?”

“…!”‌

Ivar⁠‌‌ froze on the‍‍ spot. If Lucian⁠ offered the heart‍⁠ to his sons,‍‌ they would have to either touch‌ it and die,⁠ or acknowledge Lucian as their superior—just‍‍⁠ as he had.⁠⁠

But‍ Ivar’s situation and⁠ that of his⁠ sons were not‍‍ the same.

Acknowledging Lucian as superior,⁠ when they were⁠ still competing for‌ the position of‌‌‌ chief, would be‍‍ equivalent to surrendering.‍‍

They might even be⁠‍ swept up in‍⁠ the moment and⁠ proclaim Lucian as‍‌‌ the third chief⁠ right there and⁠ then.

“P-please…”‍

With‍⁠ heavy breathing and‍⁠ his body drenched‌ in cold sweat,⁠‌ Ivar barely managed‌ to utter those⁠⁠ words. Then, Lucian’s⁠ voice echoed next‌‍ to his ear.‌

“We’ll‌‍ do the third trial fairly. No⁠‍‌ dirty tricks. Understood?”⁠

Ivar‌‍ nodded frantically. Only⁠ then did Lucian⁠ smile, satisfied, lift⁠⁠⁠ the dragon’s heart,⁠‍‍ and proclaim.

“Even‍⁠ the one who‌ was once chosen‌‍ by the dragon‌ has acknowledged it!⁠ How could you⁠ deny my right?‌⁠ I am the‍‌ rightful owner of‌⁠ this heart, and‌ from today onward,‍‍ the dragon walks⁠‌‌ with me!”

“Waaahhh—!”‌

The‍ tribe erupted into‍ cheers for Lucian.⁠

No‍ one showed concern⁠‌ about the relic⁠⁠ being in the‌⁠ hands of a foreigner.

Everyone‌‍ believed, without a shred of doubt,⁠ that Lucian would⁠⁠ be their new‍‌⁠ king.

***‍‌⁠

Gunstein‍‍ couldn’t process the⁠ chain of events‌‍ unfolding like a storm.

Just‍‍‍ yesterday, he had‌‍ been left speechless‍⁠ by the absurd⁠‍‌ level Felicia had⁠‌ reached.

And‍⁠ now, in just‍‍ a single day,‍ even the owner‌‌‌ of the sacred⁠‍ artifact that the‍ tribe had guarded‍‍‍ for generations had‌‌ changed.

‘…After so many shocks‍‍ in a row,⁠‍‍ I don’t think⁠ anything will faze‍‌ me anymore.’

Now he understood a bit better why‌‌ Lucian’s other retainers‌ remained so unfazed.

If‌‍ their lord always brought these kinds of monumental disasters‍ with him, it⁠⁠ was only natural to get used‍⁠ to it.

He⁠‌ thought, with some‍ irony, that in⁠ a way, he‌ too had gotten‍‍⁠ a little closer to Lucian’s other‌ followers.

“Heavens‍‍ above.”

Gunstein‍ exclaimed again, stunned.‌ And no wonder—the‍‍ arrogant Guide was kneeling before Lucian,‌ his lord.

“I,‌‌ Marius, second son⁠ of a farming‍⁠ family, present my‌‍ respects to Your‍ Highness, the rightful⁠‌ heir of Valdeck‌⁠‍ and Duke of‍‌ Asagrim. I beg⁠‍ forgiveness for all‍ my previous insolence.”‍⁠

“…”‍

At‌‌ Marius’s display, not‌‌ only his two‌⁠ disciples, but even‍ Lucian’s retainers were left speechless.

Marius‌‍‌ had reached the⁠⁠ highest level among‍⁠ living mages.

Though⁠ the Empire didn’t⁠ recognize him due‍ to its policy⁠⁠ of persecuting mages,‍‌‌ in ancient times he would have‍‌‌ been treated as‍⁠⁠ the equal of‍ a Swordmaster.

That’s⁠‍ why his arrogance‍ had been tolerated⁠⁠⁠ until now—but for‍‌‌ him to suddenly‍ act with such‍‌ humility was bewildering.‍‌

“M-Master! Why are you‍ doing this all‍‌ of a sudden?”‍

Colin stammered.

Marius‌ remained silent, lips‍‌ firmly shut, as⁠‍‌ if he didn’t‍ dare raise his⁠ head without Lucian’s⁠‍ permission.

His⁠⁠ posture resembled that of a peasant⁠ paying homage to a noble, making⁠‌‌ Lucian frown.

“I⁠⁠⁠ don’t like this.‍‌ Raise your head.”‍

“It‍ is an honor.”⁠

“Honor,⁠‍ my ass. Why’d‍ you suddenly stop⁠ acting like a wise old man⁠ and start behaving‍ like a peasant?‍ Are you mocking⁠⁠ me?”

“No,⁠‍‌ it’s not that.‌ I just…”

Marius‌ opened and closed⁠‍⁠ his mouth several‍‌⁠ times before falling⁠⁠‌ silent again.

He‍‌⁠ recalled how every⁠⁠ time he said⁠ too much, everything‍⁠ went wrong.

Clicking his tongue, Lucian‍‍ sat down in‍ an exaggeratedly disinterested⁠ manner, as if⁠‌ ready to get‍ up and leave‍⁠‌ at any moment⁠‍ if he didn’t‍‌⁠ like the answer.⁠‌

“What‌ are you trying‌ now? Since your plan fell apart,‍ you decided to‍‌ lower your head to get on‌ my good side?”⁠

“I⁠ just realized something.”⁠‍‌

Marius‍ finally spoke. In‌ that brief moment,⁠‍ he seemed to‌⁠ have aged ten‍ years.

“I thought my wish‍ was an obsession.‍‌⁠ One of those‌⁠ you can’t let‌‌ go of even in death.”

“And⁠ it wasn’t?”

“No.‍‌ It was all‍‍ a mistake on my part.”

Marius⁠⁠ smiled bitterly.

“I‌ dreamed that dream‍⁠⁠ because I thought‌ it was possible—because‍⁠‍ I believed it could still come‍ true. If there‌‍ really had been⁠‌ no possibility, I would’ve given up‌ from the start.”‍

He⁠ recalled a mercenary‍ he had met⁠ long ago, someone⁠ who said that⁠ if he couldn’t‌‌ have everything, it‌‍ was better to destroy everything.

That‍ gaining something halfway⁠ brought no joy—only‍ cheap pity that⁠‌‍ left a bitter‍ aftertaste.

Marius‍ had completely agreed‌‌‌ back then, believing‌⁠ himself the same type.

“But‌ when I really⁠⁠ lost everything… I couldn’t bear it.⁠ I’m not someone‌ who can completely‌ give up just⁠‌‍ because my greatest‌ dream fell apart.”⁠‌

“So‍ now that your‌‌ dream of rebuilding‍‌ the magic tower‍⁠ failed, you’re dreaming⁠⁠ of something else?”‍

“Yes.”⁠‍

“Interesting.‌ And what dream is that?”

“Allow‍ me to serve‍⁠ as your chief⁠‌‌ mage, under your‍ command.”

“Ha.”‌⁠

A mocking laugh came⁠ from behind Lucian—it‌‍ was Hugo.

After‌‍‍ failing to rebuild‌ the magic tower,‍ trying to steal‌ his own disciple’s‌ role as chief‌‍‌ mage was simply pathetic.

Felicia‍ and Raymond didn’t‌⁠⁠ hide their disbelief‌‍ either. Only Lucian remained calm, asking‍ in a steady⁠‌ voice.

“You‍ want the position⁠‌‍ of chief mage?”‍‌

“I‍‍ do. But if⁠ that’s not possible,⁠ allow me to serve even in⁠ a lesser role.”‍⁠

“And‌ if I don’t‍‌ accept that either?”‌

“Then⁠ give me magical‌ research. I can⁠ train the next‌ generation of mages.”‍

“And⁠ if I don’t‍ want that either?”

“Your Highness…”

Marius’s⁠‌ voice trembled with⁠ raw desperation.

As⁠‍‍ everyone turned their‌‍ heads, they saw his face was about to break⁠⁠ into tears.

Marius⁠ even stopped bowing‍⁠ by protocol and⁠‌ began rubbing his⁠ hands together like a tenant farmer‌ pleading with his‍ landlord.

“I‌ beg you… I implore you…”

“……”⁠

Faced⁠ with the sight⁠ of a great‌⁠ master begging so⁠ pathetically, even Lucian’s‌‍ followers were left‍ speechless.

Felicia‌ shut her eyes‌‍⁠ tightly. If she‍‌‌ hadn’t met Lucian‌‍ and had grown‍‌ old without achieving⁠ anything, she might⁠ not have been⁠ any different from⁠‍ Marius.

After⁠⁠ watching him silently⁠ for a long⁠‌ time, Lucian finally⁠⁠ spoke in a calm voice.

“For‍ someone so desperate,⁠⁠ you’re not offering‍‍ anything.”

“Huh?”‌‍‌

“You⁠ didn’t say what‍⁠⁠ you can do for me or⁠‌ how useful you⁠‍ are. Until just‌‌ recently, you couldn’t⁠‍ stop talking about that.”

“……”‍‍

“And⁠⁠ that’s exactly what‌ I like.”

At‍‍‌ Lucian’s almost amused‍ tone, Marius raised‌⁠ his head sharply.‌‌⁠

Lucian⁠ was looking at‌ him with a much softer expression‍‍ than before.

“If‌⁠ you had said⁠ ‘use me because‌‌ I’m useful’ or⁠ ‘you must use‌‍ me because I’ll‍‌ help you,’ I would’ve thrown you out immediately. But‍ you’ve changed my‌ mind.”

“Y-Your‌‌ Highness…”

“I’ll‌ value that you‍⁠‌ left everything in⁠ my hands and⁠‌‍ give you one‌ last chance. Don’t‍ disappoint me this time.”

Hot tears rolled down‌‌ Marius’s cheeks.

He had lived his‌‌ entire life running‍‍ like a sewer‍ rat, clinging to‌ a miserable pride that only led‍‍⁠ him to make⁠⁠ bad decisions.

And‍‍‌ now, just when‌‌‌ he abandoned that‌ pride and raised‌ up the other, the path opened‍‌ before him.

Regret⁠‍ for not doing‌‌ so sooner and the euphoria of‌‌ receiving one last‍‍ chance swirled in‍⁠⁠ his chest.

“Thank‌ you, Your Highness! Thank you…!”

“Enough‍‍‍ with the thanks.‍‌ Now that you’ve‌ entered my service,‌‌‍ I have a few questions. Answer‌‌‍ them first.”

“Ask‌ anything!”

Fwoosh.‌‌⁠

Lucian‌‌⁠ lit a flame‍⁠ formed by dragon‌ magic in his‍‍ hand. Then, staring‍⁠ straight at the‌ emotional Marius, he‌ asked.

“How‍ exactly is this dragon magic used?”‌⁠

***⁠⁠

T/N:⁠

I’m‍ not sure whether to use “Your‌‍ Majesty” or “Your⁠ Highness” for Lucian;⁠‍‌ the term may‍ vary so that⁠⁠ readers don’t get‍⁠‍ confused thinking it’s a translation mistake.