Chapter 143

The Order of the Blue Rose Knights couldn’t fully grasp Lucian’s words, but they decided to set off to deliver the command.

Deciphering the hidden intent behind an order wasn’t a knight’s virtue, but a strategist’s.

As knights, their duty was to obey faithfully, regardless of any underlying motives.

“Understood. Then I’ll deliver the orders just as we received them to the acting lord.”

“I appreciate it.”

“However, I’ll remain here. His Highness may not need my guidance, but I brought a horse, so I could be useful if an urgent matter arises.”

“That’s true as well.”

Lucian nodded at the proposal of the knight who introduced himself as Moritz. The fact that he had brought a horse meant he could deliver messages quickly if needed.

Although Lucian didn’t require a knight’s strength, it was wise to leave someone as a liaison, just in case.

Once the members of the Blue Rose Order departed and Moritz was left alone, he watched the tribe preparing for migration and let out a quiet exclamation of awe.

“By the way, on the way here I observed the surroundings, and everyone is impressively built. Are these the former countrymen beyond the wasteland Your Highness mentioned?”

“That’s right. They’re the ones who split from the founder of the northern royal house more than a thousand years ago.”

“They all seem to be preparing for migration. It looks like you’ve already brought them all under your command.”

“In many ways, I was quite lucky. Thanks to that, I’ll be able to return earlier than expected, so it’s a relief.”

Lucian said it casually, but the more they spoke, the darker Moritz’s expression became.

At a glance, it was clear that just putting weapons in their hands would make them far superior to any ordinary elite soldier.

Maybe individually they weren’t at a knight’s level, but if they all took up arms, they wouldn’t be inferior to an average order of knights.

‘We’re no longer an essential presence to His Highness.’

That thought left a bitter taste.

The Blue Rose Order was directly subordinate to the imperial family.

As long as their loyalty lay with the emperor, they would eventually have to complete their mission and return to the imperial palace.

However, at the same time, part of him wanted to put down roots here.

‘This is so much better than those days when we only cleaned up after other imperial orders. Not only do we have His Highness’s trust, but we were also given a treasure like this.’

Moritz’s hand unconsciously moved to the armor on his chest.

It was high-quality armor issued by the imperial palace, but it couldn’t compare to the treasures of the ancient northern royal house.

On top of that, being treated as a close aide to the new sovereign of the north—for any knight, that was something the heart couldn’t ignore.

‘If things go well, maybe we really could settle down here.’

Betraying the lord he had sworn loyalty to as a knight was a grave dishonor, but in the current chaos, it wasn’t entirely unthinkable.

The emperor, his lord, was missing, and it wasn’t even clear who the successor would be. Add to that the blatant neglect of the Blue Rose Order.

Under such circumstances, quietly switching sides seemed possible. He thought that if Lucian sincerely asked, he might accept without too much regret.

But.

‘There’s no way he would even ask…’

Moritz flinched when he heard Lucian’s voice interrupting his thoughts and quickly bowed his head.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just once again admiring Your Highness’s ability to subdue them.”

“You flatter me too much. Anyway, the migration will take place in five days, so until then, feel free to look around. Once we leave, we won’t return to this land, so it will be a valuable experience.”

After saying that, Lucian walked off to oversee the progress of the migration, leaving Moritz behind. The knight followed his back with a conflicted look.

‘When I return, I’ll have to tell the others.’

That if they truly wanted to settle down here, they couldn’t just wait for Lucian to make the offer.

Maybe it should be them—the Blue Rose Order—who begged to be allowed to serve him.

***

A large-scale migration was rarely completed without setbacks.

Depending on the distance and the makeup of the population, material losses and even human casualties almost always occurred during relocation.

After all, it was essentially a massive move — and the reason there were often casualties beyond material losses was simple.

‘Not all migrants are healthy adults.’

When a group had put down roots and lived in a place for a long time, it was natural that its makeup would be diverse. Elderly people, those with disabilities, the sick — many lacked the physical endurance needed to survive such a migration.

Having to travel for weeks or even months made deaths inevitable.

However, the tribes of the tundra were free from that problem.

“With weather like this, they could keep moving for years, not just weeks. A few days is like taking a nap.”

“Still, there must be some people with weak constitutions.”

“It’s not that sickly people aren’t born, but among those who remain, there are none left. They died long ago.”

The tundra was such a hellish place that the weak simply couldn’t survive long.

Even if they had family to care for them, if their bodies couldn’t withstand the cold, there was no way they could live for long.

Frozen lungs with every breath, shortened life expectancy — none of that could be overcome with dedication alone.

“Everyone migrating now is naturally strong. Unless they kill each other fighting, there’s no need to worry about deaths from exhaustion.”

“In that case, that’s a relief.”

— Skreeee!

While speaking with Gunstein, Lucian’s eyes widened at the distant roar of a beast.

When he asked what was going on and sent someone to check, a member of the tribe who had been at the rear came forward shortly after to explain.

“A snow leopard appeared. It seems it tried to attack some children who had fallen behind.”

“Were there any injuries?”

“Eh? The children caught it on the spot.”

“…”

Lucian was speechless at the tribesman’s expression, as if asking what was so strange about that.

To them, a predator like a snow leopard seemed to be little more than a particularly aggressive weasel.

After that, just as Gunstein had said, the migration advanced surprisingly smoothly.

Though the cold had lessened, the road was still covered in snow. Even so, not a single person caught a cold while sleeping outdoors.

The astonishing endurance shown even by ordinary tribe members made Lucian’s group click their tongues.

“These people — in terms of physical stamina alone, don’t they surpass most knights?”

“Could be.”

With such vitality, it wouldn’t be surprising if, even during an epidemic, only other regions were wiped out and they returned unscathed.

What started as a half-joke gradually turned into a strange conviction.

“Your Highness, Laugrad is in sight.”

“…!”

At Raymond’s whisper, Lucian lifted his head.

The entrance to the tundra, and at the same time the northernmost tip of the territory, appeared before his eyes once again after so long.

Crossing from the tundra lands into the empire’s territory, Lucian smiled.

“We’ve finally returned.”

In that instant, the titles of Marquess of Asagrim and Duke of Grimaldi — which he had set aside until now — once again settled upon his head like a crown.

***

Although they had returned to imperial territory, they couldn’t head straight to Asagrim with all the tribe members in tow.

Not just because of the time it would take, but because, after so much hardship, they needed at least a brief and proper rest.

“Physical strength is one thing, but the mental fatigue must’ve built up quite a bit. It’s best to ease it.”

“You’re right. The problem is which territory to visit. If we show up suddenly with all of them, there’s not a single lord who’d be happy.”

“Of course not. Just feeding and housing them would cost a fortune.”

It wasn’t for nothing that people said armies were endless money pits. They produced nothing and only consumed.

For a group even larger than the average army to appear out of nowhere demanding food and shelter, it wouldn’t be strange if the local lord clutched his neck and collapsed from shock.

“So we need someone who can afford it willingly — or someone who doesn’t mind bearing a grudge.”

“The first one seems unlikely. Any lords of the second kind around here?”

“Of course.”

Lucian smiled and pulled out a list he had prepared in advance before leaving the tundra.

It wasn’t long, since he wrote it from memory, but one thing was certain — every name belonged to someone who had once had quite a close relationship with the house of Count Calix.

After reviewing it again, Lucian decided to visit, in order, the closest territories along the way to Asagrim.

“Y-Your Highness! What is the meaning of all this?”

When Lucian appeared leading the tribe, the local lords rushed out, terrified.

Even though they were a ragtag crowd, just putting weapons in their hands would make them look like they could take a castle instantly.

It was impossible not to be scared.

Lucian gave them a calm smile and spoke.

“No need to panic. These are countrymen who separated from the royal bloodline of the north a thousand years ago. I suppose you’ve at least heard why I traveled beyond the tundra.”

“So these are the ones Your Highness mentioned…?”

“That’s right. They’ve come to serve me, along with the dragon’s heart. They will be my subjects — and my army.”

The lords’ expressions darkened.

The elite forces of the White Castle, including the Blue Rose Order, were troops loaned by the emperor.

For political reasons, their use could be limited — or even withdrawn by imperial decree.

But if Lucian recruited his own subjects and formed a permanent army, the situation changed completely.

He would have military power he could command at will, without any outside interference.

For those who had once been close to Count Calix’s house, it was terrifying.

‘Damn it. I thought he was delusional with his hero fantasies, but there really were monsters like this beyond the tundra.’

‘And on top of that, they’re all taller and bulkier than any regular man. Where were these giants hiding?’

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

At Lucian’s quiet remark, the lords flinched and bowed their heads immediately.

“W-we’re just so impressed by Your Highness’s achievements that we were left speechless! We beg your forgiveness!”

“Haha. No need to flatter me that much. Without some luck, even I wouldn’t have managed it.”

“It’s not flattery! It’s sincere praise! Your Highness’s achievements will be remembered throughout the empire!”

“You think so? Then allow me to help you take part in this achievement as well.”

“Huh?”

Lucian smiled coldly and got straight to the point.

“As you can see, the people I brought are many, but we lack food and places to sleep. We need a bit of help.”

“…!”

“We’re not settling here, just staying briefly. During that short time, I hope I can count on your hospitality.”

Understanding what he meant, the lords’ faces turned pale all at once.

Feeding and housing all those people for several days?

Even if temporary, the expense would be enormous. As the lords opened and closed their mouths, unable to respond, Lucian finished.

“I trust you won’t refuse. You may one day meet again those who will become my army. And, if possible, wouldn’t it be better to remain in their memory as grateful benefactors?”