Chapter 174
GQxTWiClang!Wd87NRs
P14EZE0“Khg!”9Ohsfi
ZE1OOBefore Lucian’s eyes, another challenger fell to the ground.PI1B
WcvQEMBHe no longer knew what number it was, but once again, it was difficult to call it a proper fight. Even so, the knight’s eyes were filled with joy.3bE
0n1tXAfter all, he had been the only one to exchange sword strikes with Felicia as many as seven times.tiS
mvCc4PkFelicia also praised him with a slight smile.cSEcY
OUc4“Your technique is excellent. If you continue to polish your sword style as you are now, perhaps someday you’ll be able to face me as an equal.”lfo6zj
PTxB“Th-this is too great an honor!”LXD47Np
4O3uF“For today, step down. I look forward to the day we cross swords again.”hhN
nA3Bw“Yes!”tUYyMKK
XjE7UjlThe knight, with tears even welling in his eyes at Felicia’s praise, hurriedly descended from the stage.OGUqY
LuBVYAt a glance, he appeared at least fifteen years older than her, but their exchange resembled that of a master and her disciple.08ohW5
bM24Even so, no one found the scene strange.AST
xMCFor someone who stood at the pinnacle of all swordsmen, age held no significance.RDTsz
89jydRather, the gazes directed toward him were filled with envy and jealousy just for having been praised.ZdOaJbC
EblVf“Next.”tgrZgBY
bNkI3t“…”3f7
X1V9hDespite Felicia’s announcement, no knight was willing to step onto the stage.1Yu
UNWwLLooking at those who had yet to go up, Felicia spoke again.zH7o
BbRKQV“Do you not intend to challenge me?”pdpVuV7
ct3“…We’ve learned that to challenge knowing it’s pointless is not bravery, but recklessness. We withdraw.”gt6ELrW
8YFnd“Then it seems you don’t even have the level to gain anything from a defeat.”mNCtRs
WMKabLThe knight who had spoken of recklessness turned bright red.VMk1F
hSmNwAWhen one reaches a certain level, even a defeat can help one recognize one’s shortcomings and correct them.jn6d
w0NBNzHowever, the fact that they chose to retreat without even trying meant they didn’t possess even that kind of ability.3UgQwr
Dl8NyThose who withdrew wanted to argue back, but no matter how hard they thought, they couldn’t find the words.VmiyRFf
U09KBecause, in truth, they lacked the capacity to learn anything from a defeat.aBbF6p
vAo6tFrom the beginning, the reason they withdrew was that they thought whether they fought or not, they would gain nothing and only lose prestige.bRsZ
1Ku9Qi‘Damn it, I should at least know how I lose to learn something, right?’MspYps
ldpiRX‘All you see is a flash and it’s over—what am I supposed to learn from that?’1afHdvQ
IXY‘Besides, some of the ones who went before were worse than us…’6pajlo
gqbgsqAs if she had read those complaints, Felicia’s cold voice rang out.p12Zd8B
9vbQY“How pathetic. You care more about preserving prestige than measuring yourselves against a strong opponent from whom you might learn something? And you still dare to call yourselves knights?”BGYb
GUmMeA“…!”Ql5
2rcx“If all you want is to sit in a comfy chair and do politics, then take off the sword at your hip right now. A knight is someone who advances to the front lines and wields their sword, not someone who crawls on the ground picking up scraps of prestige left behind.”W3m65r7
KGld4aThose who had withdrawn trembled in shame, but in the end, they could not refute her and lowered their heads.BCB5
nERie9vAfter all, it was they who, despite having the opportunity to face a Swordmaster, fled for fear of embarrassment.G38XCw
ST7QAnd that decision hadn’t been based on the code of chivalry, but on political calculation.M9KnZ
0vLD3jWhen the silence dragged on, Felicia turned without a word and left the stage.mmI
wu85PHcAs the match ended so abruptly, the family heads watching felt bewildered.UhiUhM
Thdm“Is it really okay to end it like this, even if no one else challenges her?”d9JOj
jlO“And what’s wrong with that?”5Xrf7qw
rkf6“Huh?”DYCgA
CmicLucian shrugged as he replied to the blinking family heads.PyIM
j6Tv“Felicia stood here to accept challenges. If no one else wants to challenge her, she simply leaves. I don’t see a problem.”FU6jS
Qhf“B-but still, at least a closing speech…”NW7BB
5FWw“Are you going to ask that of a Swordmaster?”c3YuiPo
f1EIKAs soon as the word Swordmaster was spoken, the family heads fell silent at once.rYwV
03qJ5If it were just the winner of a fencing tournament, it would be courteous to say a few words to the cheering audience.YzM
UajBut when the person is a Swordmaster, the story changes.Gx6oomM
RxyfThey are the strongest swordsman, someone who has nothing left to climb, participating in an event that offers them no benefit.aWe8sxi
xIxBefore speaking of manners, it was already something to be grateful for that she had taken the time to accommodate the challengers.PqML
F5opmJ“By the way, just in case, is there anyone here who still thinks Felicia is unworthy of being a Swordmaster?”xXt
RBRjY“…”u5rK93
FpDQYtZHow could there be? She had faced numerous knights and defeated them easily, without even breaking a sweat.jPTeGdK
a0EIf someone like that wasn’t a Swordmaster, then who would be?OsPw
oO9SITo deny it now would be not only shameless but downright stupid.3aqVD8
94ORTSeeing that no family head raised objections, Lucian stood from his seat.ImIG
GJA“Then let us consider the match concluded. In two days, Felicia will offer the fairy metal sword at Sir Eisen’s tomb. I’d appreciate it if you all attend.”BcKqzS
5lQ“…Yes, Your Highness.”Vcjp5
I0owyVAt Lucian’s declaration, the family heads bowed their heads, swallowing their frustration.M5Rh7V
Q5dHUhyThey had once again realized that the title of Swordmaster, which they had dreamed of even for a moment, was in an absurdly distant place.L75ovC4
25t***7FTlA
stBIV8Lucian left the rest to his vassals and made his way to his office.H5Qzh
EsFFrom afar, someone approached with quick, heavy steps.bgwXNc
MV0ALucian recognized the person and gave a faint smile.ahZ
mdgGhMK‘Denis.’aNV6gFH
CjaXTHe was the head of the spies the former emperor had planted among the servants.0LGJHy
JbLThe man who, even after revealing his identity, had exposed the Second Prince’s schemes and tried to dissuade Lucian from traveling to the capital.qEUIH
mKGMOAnd also the one who had secretly informed him of the First Prince’s presence in the prison and had been tending to him.druMl
jrMTk0yDenis wasted no time with greetings. As soon as he saw Lucian, he approached and shouted.pQy8
k214“Duke! What is the meaning of this?!”ljwK
H3c“What’s the meaning of what? What are you suddenly talking about?”m0nG
R4DkyaAt Denis’s angry words, Lucian shrugged as if he truly didn’t understand. That attitude only made Denis raise his voice even more.4bjf
I7zXLvI“Why is that person being treated like this? If you are truly loyal to the Empire, you should immediately treat him according to his rightful status!”zZbr
XPvUvhbDenis spoke without hiding his anger, yet still referred to the First Prince as “that person.” One couldn’t tell why he avoided using the name, but he was at least trying to align with Lucian’s intentions.IDe
OdhMtNoticing that bit of political calculation, Lucian sighed in relief.tXPR
hbE“Good. It seems I can still talk to you.”LCM29P6
rd9e“Don’t change the subject! What you’ve done, Duke, is—”gLy
tyOS“Hard to consider loyal, I know. But I had my reasons.”thpQmk
u1c3“What reason could be above loyalty to the Imperial Family?”omVmD
3qPhbEven Denis wouldn’t dare say such a thing in front of other lords.ohZE
MXIIt was the kind of outburst that would make even a true loyalist turn away.9Fyons
4u1grJJBut Lucian was someone who had received too much from the former emperor.nQ1r
WsfcS8He had a duty to show loyalty to the Imperial Family—even if that meant dealing with a spy like Denis.IlemYf
0cWFxwN“If you can’t give a proper explanation, I’ll have no choice but to reveal that person’s presence to the others.”2xFq4e
2XD“Go ahead, if you want. But before you do, spend exactly three days tending to him closely.”04s
AF97“…What does that mean?”uthufl
DnDy“No matter what I say, you wouldn’t understand. Experience it for yourself. After three days, you’ll know.”BqVCku
yRr5lZ9Denis looked at Lucian with a puzzled expression, but Lucian’s response didn’t change.3KlsxA
0ZRHe simply repeated that if Denis stayed by the First Prince’s side, he’d come to understand.rF5j
K3yh0CLIn the end, Denis had no choice but to sigh and nod.Idv0Zw
s4O“Fine. I’ll do as you say—but I hope my actions aren’t in vain.”aRy40h
sQ6“Don’t worry. I’m not saying this just to buy time.”gZd
K63EHf0To be honest, Lucian even doubted it would take three days.oe2KQJI
Q4WiR6IWith the First Prince’s personality, he’d likely say everything without considering his audience.Mxz0a
iEWNPJAfter confirming that Denis was headed to the underground prison, Lucian gave an order to a servant near his office.b0ej
6jRN“Call the knights from the Black Lions who were recently appointed.”rq1RTn
iIzThe conditions were already set. It was time to gather testimonies.fuTii
bhYWx6Not to show them to someone—but to prove that Lucian had listened.M9tnzd
GZu***Z72
uP6lVv5The reason Lucian had specifically mentioned three days was simple.SsFqNbX
sJRMHe thought that, after everything he had been through, even the First Prince would be on guard.q47
9IaSEven if he placed someone as loyal as Denis by his side, he believed the prince would at least weigh his words for a day.NW323
LJOqBut that assumption crumbled very quickly.cmI
5jszVWSBefore even a full day had passed, something unbelievable came out of the First Prince’s mouth.avQzq
lg1mD“So the First Prince ordered Denis to kill me?”GWt
tP0C4rz“Yes.”Cf1
EP0ZzVincent, a former Black Lion who had recently joined Lucian’s ranks, bowed his head.ef3a
RL2Qs6Even as he gave his report, he couldn’t hide his expression of disbelief.6hr
bLHym“I didn’t hear it all clearly because I was far away and there was an echo, but I clearly heard him order that your head be cut off and hung on the wall.”aP4E
3g5gi3“Couldn’t it have just been said in a fit of rage? He’s always had a habit of losing his temper and saying whatever comes to mind.”2Eo
ljfNY“If only that were the case. The problem is that the plan was actually quite concrete.”VWrQf2C
1lrEqThe First Prince’s plan was as follows first, he would send handwritten letters to the northern lords to widely publicize his situation.vdM9
ULhtGrOnce the lords demanded explanations, even someone like Lucian would have no choice but to bring him out into the open.c2xSU
rRMThe moment he appeared in public, the prince would label him a traitor and immediately order his execution with the support of the other lords.Kuaw
KHlC1He even said that, even if they tried to pressure him beforehand not to say too much, he planned to ignore it all. That he wasn’t afraid at all of the threats from a traitor.mthuto
CDtH3Ch“…More than being childish, that’s not something you say in the heat of the moment.”HcHJ8M
5wo“I see. Seems like His Highness has been turning this over in his mind for some time.”u166l
qcHzFA sneer slipped from Lucian’s lips.K6Cc0uv
ykqWlExecute him on the spot after publicly declaring him a traitor?MGoTztp
utKrW‘Ridiculous. No matter the justification, there’s no way they could kill me in the heart of Asagrim.’kWqoB
iQtFrom the start, the premise was flawed, but the most absurd part was that point.qi8fA
2FWMOLet’s suppose everything went according to plan and all the northern lords came to Asagrim to pressure Lucian.F4NaV6
pzb2SWould they really, right then and there, side with the First Prince after he declared Lucian a traitor?50Y8F51
doZF‘No way. They’d be massacred on the spot.’QbWV
FVeQBsdTo enter Lucian’s territory, the heads of houses would have to come with only a minimal number of escorts.HDCWlRi
C0TNyMeaning that when the First Prince appeared in public, everyone would basically be putting their lives in Lucian’s hands.6vt2W
TmDMbAt that moment, who would follow an immediate execution order?Y7ot
7YOQ6QGAnd even if someone did obey, they would just return to their territory later to raise an army.3ZACx4
CV3AkqPOf course, after giving the execution order, the First Prince would fall back into Lucian’s hands.ggjt
S4uqDDThere was no need to explain what kind of treatment he’d receive in Asagrim after that.t1g
enle“And what did Denis say to that order from the First Prince?”mVi
MEqKzZ7“He tried to dissuade him a couple of times, but in the end, he gave up. Then he tried to come here directly.”faJVH
ofaT“Tried to?”ZYjtDdm
ewyCg3“He presented himself deliberately and told him he’d come to report first, asking him to wait. He’s outside right now, waiting to see you.”sm9474l
tu3“Well done.”2vahL
nf4kLucian smiled with satisfaction at Vincent’s resourcefulness.eTC
7rAVKAs expected of someone with experience as a Black Lion—he handled things quickly.9Ds
SRMVFNAfter dismissing Vincent, Lucian had Denis brought in, who had been waiting.fXzdCbX
1ERSLlnThere was no trace of his earlier anger; his face was completely pale.Bpv
lsyxTBefore Lucian could say anything, Denis suddenly dropped to his knees and shouted.H2sX
i8OPst“Duke! Please, calm your fury and remember the grace you received from the former emperor!”0qZEBfI
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