Chapter 150

After the meeting, the blacksmiths decided to teach their techniques to the foreigners.

However, just because they agreed to teach didn’t mean the process had to be easy.

After all, they themselves had learned while receiving all kinds of scolding from their own masters.

Now that they had become masters, they planned to repay exactly the same injustices they had once suffered.

“That’s how learning has always been.”

“If they came to the Empire, they’ll have to follow the Empire’s ways.”

“If they don’t like it, they can leave. We don’t need disciples like that anyway.”

It wasn’t territorial hostility; rather, craft learning had always been that way.

To learn under a master as imposing as the sky itself, treated as little more than a servant, watching from behind.

If the foreigners had decided to learn a craft, they would have to follow the same method.

But the blacksmiths’ resolve wavered violently the moment they came face to face with the foreigners.

“Nice to meet you, Master! It’s an honor to meet you!”

“You’ll be teaching us the technique? Thank you so much!”

“If there’s anything we can help with, just say it! We’ll learn with all our strength!”

The foreigners bowed again and again, expressing their gratitude with complete sincerity.

Not only were they not rude, but their attitude was that of exemplary disciples.

The problem wasn’t their behavior—it was their appearance.

‘They look even bigger up close. Wouldn’t they snap my neck with just one hit from those hands?’

‘Those calluses aren’t from farming. They come from wielding weapons.’

‘Why doesn’t a single one of them lack scars? What in the world were they fighting in the tundra?’

No matter how tough a blacksmith’s life was, it couldn’t compare to that of a soldier who had truly been to war.

Yet all the foreigners, without exception, gave off the thick aura of veterans hardened by blood.

The blacksmiths, who deep down had expected some clumsy hunters, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.

“Is this really okay? Just by looking at them, they seem like guys who’ve already sent several to the afterlife.”

“I don’t think so. They say the tundra has a low population and they hardly fight each other.”

“Oh yeah? Then where did all those scars come from?”

“They say ferocious beasts are everywhere up there—so much that even the children tear leopards apart like breakfast.”

“Damn it, they should’ve said that from the start!”

People who are used to getting blood on their hands react differently to conflict. If their anger flares, they’re always ready to kill again.

And they were planning to scold and humiliate those kinds of people using the old method?

“Ahem… cough. Well then, welcome, everyone. We’re a family now, so let’s get along.”

“The relationship between master and disciple is like that of father and son. We’ll raise them like our own children.”

“Of course, we’ll be living together. No need to be so stiff.”

The 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.

***

“Without anyone rushing them, they’re doing very well. It seems there’s nothing to worry about regarding their adaptation to this land.”

Lucian smiled with satisfaction as he received the reports on the movements of the foreigners in White Castle.

That they were striving on their own to give back what had been given to them was worthy of praise.

The more they grew, the sooner he would recover his investment.

“And those we sent to other territories? Are they adapting well?”

“Yes. At first, they seemed to have some complaints, but now they’re very satisfied.”

“The standard of living, including food, clothing, and housing, increased dramatically. It’s too abundant to complain.”

“However, in other territories, they prefer to keep living as hunters rather than learn new techniques.”

“It can’t be helped. From the start, hunting was their only way of life.”

In fact, the ones in Asagrim were the rare case. People tend to continue doing what they’re used to.

If Asagrim hadn’t received an overwhelming influx of population, they likely would have opted to remain hunters too, just like in the other territories.

“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.”

“Are you sure? That would mean opening almost all the hunting grounds under your ownership, my lord.”

“It doesn’t matter. Better they be used so people have a way to live, rather than letting them go unused.”

After all, those grounds had originally belonged to Count Calix’s family.

He 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.

It was better to open them up so that the inhabitants who became hunters could pay taxes.

“By the way, sir Eisen still hasn’t shown any improvement?”

“It’s not an illness, but rather a natural process of aging. There’s not much that can be done.”

“Felicia must be taking it hard. At least we could give him some tonic to strengthen him…”

“My lord.”

Lucian turned his head at the voice beside him. The official who had called him stammered, his face completely pale.

“A moment ago… someone who introduced himself as an imperial inspector has arrived.”

“…!”

***

Lucian had anticipated enormous chaos within the imperial family following the emperor’s fall.

The foolish first prince, the brilliant second prince, secrets known only to a few, and the second prince’s ambitions.

To anyone’s eyes, it was a situation where a peaceful power transition seemed unthinkable.

However, no matter how great the chaos, it always ended up being controlled eventually.

The imperial inspector who had come to see Lucian was precisely explaining how the power structure had been reorganized.

“Casval, member of the Order of the White Flame Knights and imperial inspector, greets the lord of Asagrim and heir of Grimaldi.”

Lucian’s gaze swept over Casval, who bowed respectfully.

Despite not seeming very old, he showed none of the typical vigor of a young knight.

His expressionless face instead revealed the coldness of a seasoned noble.

‘He seems more skilled in politics than with the sword. Was he carefully chosen for that reason?’

After briefly evaluating his counterpart, Lucian nodded and responded.

“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.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve come purely on official duty, not to receive hospitality. Your consideration is more than enough.”

“Hah, I appreciate your words.”

Lucian clicked his tongue at Casval’s brazenness.

His comment had clearly been a rebuke for arriving unannounced, but the other had dodged it by pretending not to understand.

It seemed he had no intention of explaining why he had barged in so suddenly.

‘Coming on strong right from the start. Does he think he has something on me?’

That kind of person usually acted like this when they believed they had found the other’s weakness.

Since Lucian had no idea what that supposed weakness could be, he decided to feel him out first.

“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.”

“The emperor has returned to the embrace of the Eight Gods.”

“…”

“That is truly unfortunate. I received countless favors from His Majesty. May the Eight Gods grant him rest.”

As expected, Lucian bowed his head calmly. After a brief moment of silence in mourning, Casval got straight to the point.

“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.”

“Troubling movements?”

“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.”

At that accusation, Lucian frowned. Bringing in tribal members from beyond the tundra was, politically speaking, a delicate matter.

Depending on the moment, it could be exaggerated into a grave threat or downplayed as something trivial.

Whoever had sent Casval seemed to have chosen the former.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“That what you’ve done could be interpreted as treason.”

“How dare you…!”

Felicia reached for her sword’s hilt upon hearing those words, but Lucian stopped her with a glance before she could draw it.

Then he gave a faint smile and looked at Casval.

“Listen, sir Casval. Allow me to give you some advice.”

“I will gladly hear it.”

“One should not utter the word ‘treason’ lightly. Do you know why?”

“I do not. I would be grateful if you would enlighten me.”

“Because even someone who had no intention of rebelling can end up becoming a real traitor, you idiot who can’t read the situation.”

“…!”

For the first time, Casval’s composure cracked, and he stepped back in shock.

Threatening with an accusation of treason and openly declaring it were completely different matters.

Even so, Lucian continued without blinking.

“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.”

“T-that is true, but…”

“Shut up and listen. If you interrupt me again, I’ll cut out your tongue first.”

Whoooosh.

“Ugh!”

Casval was blown backward by the wave of magical power that exploded from Lucian’s body.

It 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.

He hastily reinforced his body, but the pressure still completely overwhelmed him.

‘I-is this really the amount of mana one person can possess…?’

Faced with that power that defied all common sense, Casval was horrified.

It felt less like a man and more like a dragon in human form.

While Casval struggled not to lose consciousness, Lucian’s voice continued to echo.

“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.”

“Ghk…”

“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.”

Huff.

“Haah… haah…”

Lucian’s mana faded like a candle going out. Finally freed from the pressure, Casval lay on the ground, gasping for air.

When he finally managed to catch his breath, Lucian spoke again.

“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.”

Lucian repeated the exact same words as before, as if they had just met.

Confused by the sudden shift in behavior, Casval took a moment to understand.

‘He wants me to start over now that I understand my place?’

If he acted arrogantly again like before, he wouldn’t leave alive this time. Humiliation washed over him, but he had no choice.

If Lucian decided to go berserk and break the table, he’d be the first to die.

And his lord, terrified, would distance himself saying it had all been Casval’s unilateral decision.

In the end, he had no choice but to respond as Lucian expected.

“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.”

“Hahaha, I’m grateful to hear you say that.”

Satisfied that the hierarchy was now clear, Lucian smiled.

“Then, inspector, what brings you here?”

Now, it seemed they could finally talk properly.