Chapter 150
PYS1NAfter the meeting, the blacksmiths decided to teach their techniques to the foreigners.h8OoHnc
VTGV5VHowever, just because they agreed to teach didn’t mean the process had to be easy.Png93cw
tXW2After all, they themselves had learned while receiving all kinds of scolding from their own masters.i2vo1
z6aNow that they had become masters, they planned to repay exactly the same injustices they had once suffered.FklRLJ
JbZ“That’s how learning has always been.”Pwn
FyM“If they came to the Empire, they’ll have to follow the Empire’s ways.”w9u
8DU“If they don’t like it, they can leave. We don’t need disciples like that anyway.”ClZQU
udIIt wasn’t territorial hostility; rather, craft learning had always been that way.tOxS
cS8stTo learn under a master as imposing as the sky itself, treated as little more than a servant, watching from behind.KaFSl
liORLBIf the foreigners had decided to learn a craft, they would have to follow the same method.1gI5A1
uKYLBut the blacksmiths’ resolve wavered violently the moment they came face to face with the foreigners.89N
HFW“Nice to meet you, Master! It’s an honor to meet you!”T9CJ
I2q“You’ll be teaching us the technique? Thank you so much!”EJxstfN
dIWy“If there’s anything we can help with, just say it! We’ll learn with all our strength!”zDtlqFC
baGThe foreigners bowed again and again, expressing their gratitude with complete sincerity.xJw
fDYNot only were they not rude, but their attitude was that of exemplary disciples.2K73m
RQxBp84The problem wasn’t their behavior—it was their appearance.u8T
GRBt‘They look even bigger up close. Wouldn’t they snap my neck with just one hit from those hands?’hXYKJz
UpAij‘Those calluses aren’t from farming. They come from wielding weapons.’0NwHgnz
0Gzr‘Why doesn’t a single one of them lack scars? What in the world were they fighting in the tundra?’TzEW3
AfmbnNo matter how tough a blacksmith’s life was, it couldn’t compare to that of a soldier who had truly been to war.5P5zNcw
ANl5rIxYet all the foreigners, without exception, gave off the thick aura of veterans hardened by blood.hA02nC
2Ep0dThe blacksmiths, who deep down had expected some clumsy hunters, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.BegQ6
MU3SBH“Is this really okay? Just by looking at them, they seem like guys who’ve already sent several to the afterlife.”ubw
Y8HL“I don’t think so. They say the tundra has a low population and they hardly fight each other.”zP4
kO3Q6“Oh yeah? Then where did all those scars come from?”ShE
nqBKC“They say ferocious beasts are everywhere up there—so much that even the children tear leopards apart like breakfast.”p4uEYnT
x4J98“Damn it, they should’ve said that from the start!”kYVU2
HKrTBPeople who are used to getting blood on their hands react differently to conflict. If their anger flares, they’re always ready to kill again.32eOlv5
6yBLhQfAnd they were planning to scold and humiliate those kinds of people using the old method?j1J
drh1“Ahem… cough. Well then, welcome, everyone. We’re a family now, so let’s get along.”dUI
iyF2bYx“The relationship between master and disciple is like that of father and son. We’ll raise them like our own children.”TiitZTU
dE6o“Of course, we’ll be living together. No need to be so stiff.”RB8r
bAHM1The blacksmiths immediately changed their attitude and welcomed the disciples with smiles, awkwardly excusing themselves by saying that the old ways weren’t always right and that it was time to introduce some changes.0Cg
C1PlY***Gyg
NZv“Without anyone rushing them, they’re doing very well. It seems there’s nothing to worry about regarding their adaptation to this land.”TZh
zUyLucian smiled with satisfaction as he received the reports on the movements of the foreigners in White Castle.60CO8Q
rGEcG1That they were striving on their own to give back what had been given to them was worthy of praise.TLS3Q
urCPheDThe more they grew, the sooner he would recover his investment.Is9
i2C“And those we sent to other territories? Are they adapting well?”xPIIw
GVCMfv“Yes. At first, they seemed to have some complaints, but now they’re very satisfied.”tZ56Tsq
WYpRtZv“The standard of living, including food, clothing, and housing, increased dramatically. It’s too abundant to complain.”27u
B7Org“However, in other territories, they prefer to keep living as hunters rather than learn new techniques.”oywfNzY
32XwRvY“It can’t be helped. From the start, hunting was their only way of life.”LIirF
GnYrIn fact, the ones in Asagrim were the rare case. People tend to continue doing what they’re used to.C2AccD6
7shuIf Asagrim hadn’t received an overwhelming influx of population, they likely would have opted to remain hunters too, just like in the other territories.oPoQ
IlUpB“Since the number of foreigners sent to other territories isn’t large, we can incorporate most into the permanent army and grant hunting permits to the rest.”fF91Gm
AZz0wpT“Are you sure? That would mean opening almost all the hunting grounds under your ownership, my lord.”LaQ
E9AEM“It doesn’t matter. Better they be used so people have a way to live, rather than letting them go unused.”HSht
Ri4After all, those grounds had originally belonged to Count Calix’s family.JXxy
pIkHe had acquired them almost by accident, and since he had no interest in hunting, he didn’t intend to use them in the future either.WcH
M2bzwIt was better to open them up so that the inhabitants who became hunters could pay taxes.uuD
7BC1BgA“By the way, sir Eisen still hasn’t shown any improvement?”Ix14
ZzxIrCC“It’s not an illness, but rather a natural process of aging. There’s not much that can be done.”vTNF
lrx5RX“Felicia must be taking it hard. At least we could give him some tonic to strengthen him…”DXguOTr
lBfhQB9“My lord.”UzXq
qbBwYBLucian turned his head at the voice beside him. The official who had called him stammered, his face completely pale.avz
J1wd“A moment ago… someone who introduced himself as an imperial inspector has arrived.”KT8r
RnI“…!”NFe
HYv0***UVfDx
aO4Lucian had anticipated enormous chaos within the imperial family following the emperor’s fall.ZH3EbTo
Y3c0The foolish first prince, the brilliant second prince, secrets known only to a few, and the second prince’s ambitions.yGvikzh
kCOX3To anyone’s eyes, it was a situation where a peaceful power transition seemed unthinkable.3SKTxGx
XbByHowever, no matter how great the chaos, it always ended up being controlled eventually.hziYy
xUkj5cfThe imperial inspector who had come to see Lucian was precisely explaining how the power structure had been reorganized.e5JuZu
nH0c9“Casval, member of the Order of the White Flame Knights and imperial inspector, greets the lord of Asagrim and heir of Grimaldi.”UkoV
wcjJ0Lucian’s gaze swept over Casval, who bowed respectfully.mpQ3yr
xBvDespite not seeming very old, he showed none of the typical vigor of a young knight.kzeHfi
LoI0zaHis expressionless face instead revealed the coldness of a seasoned noble.dmaDDXx
RgcQ‘He seems more skilled in politics than with the sword. Was he carefully chosen for that reason?’ApQZNCZ
D71SSpAfter briefly evaluating his counterpart, Lucian nodded and responded.qu0Khu6
LHLvj5b“Welcome, sir Casval. And I must apologize for the discourtesy of not giving you a proper reception, despite your position as imperial inspector. Had you given advance notice, we would’ve prepared something appropriate.”E2rc
YFO1r“Don’t worry. I’ve come purely on official duty, not to receive hospitality. Your consideration is more than enough.”7EoV
owL0V“Hah, I appreciate your words.”56Jr
alKTLucian clicked his tongue at Casval’s brazenness.FQp
BJuWHis comment had clearly been a rebuke for arriving unannounced, but the other had dodged it by pretending not to understand.sFAm6
jUbxIt seemed he had no intention of explaining why he had barged in so suddenly.uSq
pVBb‘Coming on strong right from the start. Does he think he has something on me?’vTMvR
BqHHTNThat kind of person usually acted like this when they believed they had found the other’s weakness.3dkS
Z3NRSSince Lucian had no idea what that supposed weakness could be, he decided to feel him out first.3RxFT
Ot4G“Then, what brings you here? No matter how I think about it, I don’t recall doing anything that would justify the presence of an inspector.”4ERF
sbxu“The emperor has returned to the embrace of the Eight Gods.”QxfWy
vcUMqF“…”e1raa
lhs“That is truly unfortunate. I received countless favors from His Majesty. May the Eight Gods grant him rest.”N4CoNUI
DWds53As expected, Lucian bowed his head calmly. After a brief moment of silence in mourning, Casval got straight to the point.LDgY
xSb4XCh“Soon, His Highness the first prince will be crowned as the new sovereign of the Empire. However, we have received reports of troubling movements within the duke’s territory.”D2Fe
aFfP“Troubling movements?”mGBFZ6
5Dp“You have brought in people from outside the Empire. Barbarians who don’t even know what the Empire is and who haven’t sworn loyalty to the emperor.”q9cKd
19ej5eZAt that accusation, Lucian frowned. Bringing in tribal members from beyond the tundra was, politically speaking, a delicate matter.6gktW8h
eqbUDepending on the moment, it could be exaggerated into a grave threat or downplayed as something trivial.e47Mk
cqlhcEWhoever had sent Casval seemed to have chosen the former.LZkpO
tv0DJqj“What exactly are you trying to say?”c05S1T
ETbS“That what you’ve done could be interpreted as treason.”nrig
41i“How dare you…!”o77gkb
bb6FjAFelicia reached for her sword’s hilt upon hearing those words, but Lucian stopped her with a glance before she could draw it.RL7jfN
r0LPEThen he gave a faint smile and looked at Casval.1qBCbHm
kl1W“Listen, sir Casval. Allow me to give you some advice.”M9cAt
saEQZ8D“I will gladly hear it.”xfr
wQfkKD“One should not utter the word ‘treason’ lightly. Do you know why?”kyi6P
ERR“I do not. I would be grateful if you would enlighten me.”aJ7Zr
v2Rcrh“Because even someone who had no intention of rebelling can end up becoming a real traitor, you idiot who can’t read the situation.”1QgTQ
ztFrAER“…!”LKBl
Uy4mFor the first time, Casval’s composure cracked, and he stepped back in shock.DsbEGj
SceSuThreatening with an accusation of treason and openly declaring it were completely different matters.3IDa
KYWUOrEven so, Lucian continued without blinking.zz1vSF0
pgGG0K“Do you know the price of treason? The extermination of the family. Total massacre. Elderly, babies, pregnant women—all beheaded, their heads displayed, and their bodies burned to ashes. That is the fate of a traitor.”B1xgdf5
JrFQ“T-that is true, but…”PhyYgw
9OAn900“Shut up and listen. If you interrupt me again, I’ll cut out your tongue first.”5l4O2aG
JotWhoooosh.b9jRx5
lZF“Ugh!”V8dPY
z9JkFtCasval was blown backward by the wave of magical power that exploded from Lucian’s body.qwwXYhZ
zcb3eIt hadn’t been a direct attack—just the collision with the released energy—but the impact was like being hit in the gut by an iron ball.xln
gn64A1pHe hastily reinforced his body, but the pressure still completely overwhelmed him.YwHjGr0
FngPWc‘I-is this really the amount of mana one person can possess…?’KOTf
oYW1AFaced with that power that defied all common sense, Casval was horrified.QKXPzZN
J8iIt felt less like a man and more like a dragon in human form.upC
qoMWhile Casval struggled not to lose consciousness, Lucian’s voice continued to echo.iEgCGI4
1Q1Oh“Idiots abuse the accusation of treason. They think others will obey out of fear of annihilation. Without realizing how many loyal men they’ve turned into real traitors because of that stupidity.”7u8g1
D7ioVg“Ghk…”hkWdrc
emfuh“Learn this well. When you threaten someone, you must leave them a way out. Those who push others to the edge believing themselves superior often end up falling into the abyss with them.”1EHJAg
xqyoGyHuff.ysz8TEW
Duc“Haah… haah…”aDyYn
OTf3tWLucian’s mana faded like a candle going out. Finally freed from the pressure, Casval lay on the ground, gasping for air.QYDUcY
5DDWhen he finally managed to catch his breath, Lucian spoke again.l43ag
30v“Welcome, sir Casval. And I must apologize for the discourtesy of not giving you a proper reception, despite your position as imperial inspector.”GLS
xZGvg“…?”lmI
Rl8“Had you given advance notice, we would’ve prepared something appropriate.”hqUQVau
8PvsRLucian repeated the exact same words as before, as if they had just met.L2z
guUjAQRConfused by the sudden shift in behavior, Casval took a moment to understand.5G6i9eB
oXgGyX‘He wants me to start over now that I understand my place?’SOcg9l
h0ztnIf he acted arrogantly again like before, he wouldn’t leave alive this time. Humiliation washed over him, but he had no choice.4OKWoJr
SjjOUTIf Lucian decided to go berserk and break the table, he’d be the first to die.2rP
0fFO7UAnd his lord, terrified, would distance himself saying it had all been Casval’s unilateral decision.H0gIe5
tZ48In the end, he had no choice but to respond as Lucian expected.oNKcq
eUKcVz“How could it be Your Highness’s fault? I should have announced my visit and didn’t. It has all been my responsibility. I beg that, with your great magnanimity, you forgive my discourtesy.”1gE
eUW“Hahaha, I’m grateful to hear you say that.”w4zShBP
h8USatisfied that the hierarchy was now clear, Lucian smiled.H9A
gjoiCze“Then, inspector, what brings you here?”WBW8X
8KsNow, it seemed they could finally talk properly.fujqLO
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!