Chapter 165
Jn60K3bAfter notifying Lucian of his visit, Tristan immediately set out for the north at the head of five hundred soldiers.wQd
9ncNO9IThe feudal lords showed their displeasure when they saw Tristan passing through the vicinity of their territories with an army, and it did not take long for them to lodge formal complaints.TWm
gQfYrxPHowever, Tristan was not the least bit shaken by the protests.9Qf
f631“I’m only passing along the road. I haven’t even set foot in the villages you govern. Why are you reacting so exaggeratedly? If you are vassals of the Empire, show a magnanimity befitting your position.”Dql9yR
lRCbbMnFaced with such a brazen response, the lords were filled with anger, but even so they did not attack Tristan.VM1G
nd6S1BiAfter all, they had suffered no real damage. Mobilizing troops based solely on a sense of threat lacked sufficient justification.ig3nZ
wLzlkXMoreover, it was well known that Tristan, expelled from his house by Jordi, was cornered and full of resentment.vtvd
zNPXProvoking someone pushed to the limit merely out of displeasure could trigger unpredictable retaliation.Wwn
DVrThanks to these concerns, Tristan managed to advance toward the north without anyone daring to stop him.8UW3I
sFzR34“It’s ridiculous. In times of peace, these people would attack me without hesitation. But now, in a chaotic era full of enemies on all sides, they don’t even dare touch me. Is this the contradiction of the age?”DrWb
MduIfR“Be that as it may, for us it’s fortunate, but is it really fine to act with such brazenness?”uOcxv
hHgThe one who spoke with a worried expression was Diego, a knight who had served as his lieutenant for many years and Tristan’s childhood friend.XsYi
Tdu“For now we are safe, but after this the neighboring lords will harbor resentment toward you. This conduct could bring serious consequences in the future.”DOk
eT8h“I know. But we have no other option.”ysYJmo
1t7w7MG“I understand that, having nowhere to station the troops, we must bring them with us. I was just thinking that perhaps we could show a bit more consideration…”KWNy2r
RDcEY“That’s not what I mean.”SyLq9Jl
WRZULsT“Then…?”DmpL
PCh“Tell me the truth, Diego. How do you think others see me right now?”KMoV
SPhoCGhAt Tristan’s question, Diego closed his mouth.cNE0D
wIieGTelling the truth plainly could be humiliating.5F2F
zDsuwBut that silence itself was the clearest answer to Tristan’s situation.5H2
1iI5NH“I’ve fallen into disgrace. All I have left is a minimal chance to recover. And right now, I’m nothing more than a sewer rat begging for patronage while flaunting that small hope before anyone willing to look.”b2Cy
6EvyyHc“My lord!”IIumL
F1oF“I’m not lamenting. Nor have I lost confidence. I’m simply expressing how others see me. Tell me, who, seeing me like this, would consider me the true heir of Valdeck?”hq6G7Z
uBIzHe had no territory where he could rest his body.5huQi0
SpJHis only forces were five hundred elite soldiers, supported by his maternal family.r8vLV
R88dAnd even so, without stable income, he could barely maintain them by selling belongings one after another.1a3uES
O6AXIt was a situation so unstable that a slight push would be enough for everything to collapse.zPGH
uRt5BVy“That’s precisely why I must be brazen. Being brazen even in the midst of desperation is a form of composure, of confidence… and also a sign of potential.”YhB
2Ow8Y8P“…!”QKl
QKiRF“Tell me, Diego. Would you find extraordinary someone who crawls about with a miserable attitude? Or someone absurdly brazen?”58hk
RMJ7EvDiego’s face flushed with shame.qfeEL
gOTbwXoHe had believed that Tristan’s brazenness was nothing more than the pride left over from his days as the firstborn of Valdeck.nKzlY
guyIBut in reality, it was a way of showing the world that he was not finished yet, that he still had possibilities.f3y
uI0Ug“Forgive this fool for not having understood your intention!”liq
rQXfjEJ“Leave it. Most will see me as a rude scoundrel anyway. Only a few will be able to see something extraordinary in me.”CHlg
TBXQPYdBut if he were lucky, among those few might appear someone willing to become his patron.icQAjI
T8wNThat was exactly what Tristan was seeking that patron who might, someday, appear.KlNT5v
4UJQ4Winning the favor of mediocrities was worth nothing compared to obtaining the backing of a single suitable person.0oUc8O
Uboef‘Though it’s possible that that third brother has already seen through all of this…’a9X3Po
LGFlhTristan felt a bitter taste of defeat rise from his stomach and pressed his lips together.d9DMR
JMpZzeHe hadn’t even met him yet, and already felt as though he were losing momentum.slYSO
sFbDThis was no time to falter.AdB
uomRVwEEven if it were feigned confidence, he had to force it and keep moving forward.vedd
YdA‘I don’t have to cling only to the third. Even in the north there will be ambitious people. With a bit of luck, I might also find another patron.’zHVacjp
zIUEEither way, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.wXJ
EKKuUZuIf he let it slip away, he would probably not set foot in the north again for decades.eDKUz
iTWaAsWith the determination to find a patron, Tristan’s eyes shone with intensity.FG346N
6wxxSTo reclaim the place that rightfully belonged to him.PRQq
X7IEQbAnd to expel the traitor who was sullying his family.Bsyu04
j0jNc3t***VB4
w0n“I’d heard that the people of the north were rough, so I was a little worried, but it seems everyone is rather calm. An army passes near their territories and they don’t even protest once…”OaXTxk
hb5It had already been fifteen days since Tristan entered the north.udbOfi
xXkLHDiego spoke to him with, for the first time in a long while, a relaxed expression. The journey had been so peaceful that the accumulated tension had finally dissipated.rMT
a32“Besides, the climate is warmer than I expected. With this, there’s no need to spend a fortune on cold-weather equipment.”aWneW
Kizpn2“…That’s not a good sign.”DZT2Dao
uDqyLHowever, Tristan muttered with a hardened expression, as if that tranquility unsettled him.mDtHKM6
0Sp85pLDiego tilted his head, not understanding his lord’s concern.Z7yPD
KCBlm“Not a good sign? Compared to other regions where there’s always tension, this seems much better.”EalT
hfFCVh“No lord, unless he’s an idiot, would let an army pass without feeling threatened. And the fact that there hasn’t been any reaction at all means only one thing.”9dTO
v5WKQ“One thing…?”YPVd
Mv3“That someone is restraining all the lords of the north.”GoYGpi
ggKEYThere was only one person with enough power to pressure all the lords of the region.mRHnYlE
pjNOgVDLucian Grimaldi Valdeck.Sg0e3r
MEoThe undisputed sovereign of the north.r91
dmpTTristan felt the gap between them become overwhelming.Wi4j5L
5pFIX5m‘I don’t know whether they follow him out of fear or because they truly admire him, but for me, this is the worst possible scenario.’ROJ
5E0llXHe had thought that even if Lucian rejected him, he could still find another ambitious lord willing to support him.uU3IH
pcmd8BOBut now, the entire north trembled at a single word from Lucian.WpWfT
WDPPIn that case, even if someone saw potential in Tristan, they would give up out of fear of Lucian.FIK
xzI‘Fine. If that’s how it is, then it’s better to receive Lucian’s support directly.’qJi
gts5If there were no other paths, all that remained was to carve one open with all his strength.reKRLG
Zy9H3Tristan suppressed any weakness and continued forward.rRVn8n
xIpl3icBut a few days later, upon arriving at Asagrim, the determination he had managed to gather shattered to pieces.ub6Q
5NwbhAx“The… the white wall?”fo8HvV
aEnrjUpon seeing a wall identical to that of Tibron, Tristan exclaimed in genuine astonishment.ESQ
gFaMHe had believed that such a perfect wall existed only in the imperial capital. How could there be something like this in a corner of the north?86oh
L3yzAs Tristan stood frozen, unable to speak, a voice arose at his side.i8h7
yxH“It’s been a long time, First Young Master.”DhHVV
3ipg“…!”jIk
VFCbSEAEveryone, Tristan included, flinched and turned their heads.wyK
YIARecognizing the familiar face on a snow-covered hill, Tristan asked without thinking.F7J63k
0YT“Lady Felicia… since when have you been here?”qRKz3R
6YpA“I was observing from the wall. As soon as I confirmed your arrival, I came immediately.”HvgCEr
ugc“You came running? But the distance from the wall to here is—”ui8bNjh
HsMDD“It seems you never saw my father run in his lifetime.”I8wzTc
NqvF8HTristan’s eyes trembled at the implication of those words.lU9fTR
I60h4WIf it was someone worthy of the title of Swordmaster, that was not impossible.SnH
rChou1And at the same time, it meant that she herself had reached that level.uLXH
1rcfFEisen had only obtained the title of Swordmaster upon reaching middle age.9mUfb8U
OQnVnmTo speak of a comparable level at such a young age—was it arrogance or confidence?Jgsx3
r9u02rThe people around looked at Felicia with stunned expressions.ZIrTf
AkOYy3However, she continued speaking without batting an eye.zS8lu
CR4TT“His Excellency is waiting. Please follow me.”E2hom
SFkE***nMcLwV
00VSOlXFrom the moment he arrived in Asagrim, everything was a constant succession of shocks for Tristan.onL
Jpqf8JuStreets so crowded that it was difficult to find even a single vacant house.4RE
SvdfFnNorthern inhabitants with bodies even larger than those of robust adult men.rTeehuO
vGeqCommercial districts and artisan streets as active as those of a major city.YXRBg
bBvEzkEven compared to Kelheim, the heart of the Valdeck lineage, it did not seem inferior at all.LhS4
xg50J2I‘Was this place really abandoned for almost a thousand years? And to think the emperor granted it to Lucian only a few years ago… how is this possible?’Py5tuO
MWNKsTristan swallowed hard at the speed of development that defied all common sense.i9MEaLd
ciOvwHe knew Lucian was capable, but this was excessive.4JLZ2
rIuP6tNo matter how much imperial support one received, the development of a territory took time.IiHLl
hGIv“We’ve arrived at the audience hall. Please, go ahead.”cG7
wtIbRFelicia’s voice pulled Tristan out of his thoughts.VSXa2j
E0amWhen he looked up, he saw that a massive door had already opened silently.qDjNt
gcidLucian appeared between the doors and, upon seeing Tristan, smiled.mykc8
3Pp0ct“It’s been a long time, brother. Have you been in good health?”OBr
LDbtdTristan inhaled deeply before responding.HCY
4H0F5c“Yes, I’ve been well. You, Third, have become much more imposing than before. If Father could see you now, he would be proud.”R1ks
GbS4Kz“…!”ngdBiak
OYQ29adSuch familiar address made the vassals frown in displeasure.oybe3
2JNg8Unlike Tristan, who held no title, Lucian was a duke and a border marquis.iaEYEZ
swuFor a half-brother to address him that way was a great discourtesy.vDypB
5aMkKBHowever, Lucian let out a laugh and descended from the throne.yVzVEK
ZtRio“You haven’t changed, brother. Come, get closer. Let’s embrace as brothers after such a long time.”srR
OYHEmbrace? When had they ever embraced?a8u
2JRcmTristan smiled bitterly inwardly, but stepped forward in silence.bYiXjM
6MLEISince Lucian had set the tone, Tristan had no choice but to play along.1Tvwkgv
sOyRbiEBut he managed to take only a few steps before stopping dead in his tracks.vyrAG
fwuX8‘…What is this?’QOP0jHf
JKjeNA strange weight fell upon his body.tqo7jqu
zMqIq4LHe tried to lift his foot, but it was as if a rock were pinning him to the ground.pWU
iwIksE“Hngh!”AsLX
Dg0UzKThud!nHDyd
VZROnTristan tore his foot free with all his strength to shake off the unknown pressure.WcGVVP
yhBBut the foot barely moved before slamming back into the ground.XIP
xKws“What the hell… ngh!”36vwU
ck8LThe pressure suddenly increased, causing Tristan to stagger.ngIEYv
gLrXNAt first it was merely difficult to move, but now even standing he felt as if his bones were creaking.YwCKA
utaBcYRealizing the danger, he activated his mana reinforcement, but the pressure increased in the same proportion.mSvh
mWgT2uU‘Damn it… if this continues, my organs are going to burst…’Rgxw
tBAfmUnable even to speak, Tristan endured the pressure on his feet when a voice, tinged with laughter, reached his ears.nKZZv
fL1“Brother, why did you suddenly stop? Come on, get closer. You have to embrace this younger brother.”2iUYs
P9WTristan’s ear, drenched in cold sweat, caught a voice filled with laughter.Q2Y99O
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