Chapter 175
Z9xOYSeeing Denis kneeling without moving an inch, Lucian clicked his tongue.YM3
1VB“I haven’t said anything yet.”vWsCM
DOWn“His Highness the First Prince has suffered for a long time under the yoke of the rebels. That’s why his nerves are on edge. I beg you to understand.”PsLDAbo
pvllAfter saying that, Denis bowed even lower, prostrating completely with his forehead touching the floor in front of Lucian.9CzQ
BgiIt seemed he didn’t plan to move until Lucian’s mood calmed down.kvYMCd
6hUpLucian watched him for a moment and then spoke in a flat tone.xLZZnBA
HTGr“The First Prince doesn’t seem to understand how the world works.”t1fyWJ
Gin6D“D-Duke.”bNJ
i5T4“As you yourself said earlier, I received great grace from the former emperor. Beyond duty as a vassal, as a human being, it’s only natural to repay that grace to his rightful heir. But…”jVP4f
MzKj4Lucian sighed deeply, as if to be clearly heard, and continued.tVXexf
Gvc“Even so, everything has a limit.”fbHL
m8BF“…”W9lSYp
Mdu29M“That he wants my head—I could accept that. But to also label me a traitor? To think of razing Asagrim without leaving a single blade of grass, just because he was treated a little coldly…”9Dz
Aeq“As I told you earlier—”B5fl3
i0cUSU“That he was upset and said it in the heat of the moment? For that, the plan is far too detailed, don’t you think?”lRcVniM
PKTAt Lucian’s remark, Denis couldn’t say anything.7Wtp1Wj
NbrEIt would have been better if the First Prince had simply lost his temper and irrationally ordered Lucian’s death on the spot.f0LS40
CRi2TWThen they could have used the excuse that he was not in his right mind. The problem was that it didn’t stop there—he had actually crafted a detailed plan.UlRUU2R
GXriStVRegardless of its feasibility, the moment he showed sustained resentment and not just fleeting anger, there was no escaping it.4Ol
enyZ“Denis, tell me. What exactly am I supposed to do?”E8X
L5wRemember the grace of the former emperor, stay firm, and remain a loyal servant.skd
8bWezThat’s what Denis wanted to say—but he couldn’t.vElH6
ATPnThe First Prince’s plan was enough to completely erase any debt of gratitude owed to the former emperor.MMgEHch
hmdHQSeeing Denis unable to speak, only moving his lips, Lucian continued.9ifp1TA
GI6“Now you understand why I left the First Prince as he is in the prison, don’t you?”vmECfmD
BvUXP“…!”kZ2K4A
ZUssx“What do you think will happen if his presence becomes public? The other lords will try to contact him, and of course, his thoughts will come to light. And what comes after doesn’t even need to be said.”C0o
NKYl8The First Prince didn’t doubt for a second that he was the sole rightful heir and took for granted everyone’s absolute obedience.eeJvLe
ubctIf, even in this situation, he showed no change in character, even the little support he had left would vanish completely.FidZAoJ
UcPEOThey supported him because it suited them—not because they were willing to sacrifice everything for the imperial family.WQp9Nd
JOez3S‘Sure, out of pride, they won’t betray him openly. But that doesn’t matter—there are plenty of ways to feign loyalty while conspiring in the shadows.’YluxII
rOFThey could even maintain the title of “loyal to the imperial family” while switching factions.g62C
3hGoLoyalists who, despite their devotion, fell into an enemy trap and failed to prevent the First Prince’s death.BJlBA
yNeMoved by such supposed nobility, ambitious lords would end up recruiting them after persistent urging.uaP
Jg8SE82Without knowing there was collusion behind it, such a story would sound fairly convincing. If two factions agree, creating a story like that isn’t difficult at all.KVL
jyBAs if he had sensed such a future, Denis—pale as wax—began slamming his forehead against the floor repeatedly.iWsO
qUHv“I’ve been a fool for not understanding the duke’s great intention!”cqggFyo
nIJ8Gs0“There’s no need for apologies. I too have reached my limit.”h6X
X5rd“H-Huh?”b3eM
11RW5“The First Prince treats me as a mortal enemy. Do you think I can be at peace like this? I’ll open the way—take him with you to whatever loyalist he prefers. Go wherever you want, anywhere is better than here.”prc
oe6poDDenis’s face turned completely white.mYSr6pX
dEZcAmong the First Prince’s supporters, the most powerful was precisely Lucian.sI85
drFOJ6PNo—in truth, outside of Lucian, most of them were little more than nobodies.Xe2CD5
V9X8OqAnd now to be outside of his protection and join another faction?FVejbrZ
aEfBEven before reclaiming Tibron or ascending the throne, they’d already be fearing for their lives the very next day.6BqTtwU
hjqFj3T“Duke, please, calm yourself!”uNJzi
h2Fg9o“I am perfectly calm. And I still consider myself loyal to the First Prince. If he needs economic or military support, he only has to ask. I’ll provide it immediately.”2jdYJ
rZYp“That’s not what I meant…!”TUEB
TljvK0O“Then what is the problem?”UGuLnr
g4Ovjm9At Lucian’s question, Denis shut his eyes tightly.vIr
fwcThe simple fact that Lucian promised support even after hearing such words was already a massive concession.Srn
j8n78To ask anything more—even considering the relationship between sovereign and vassal—was excessive.c2OB0i
Gru“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to throw him out like he’s a nuisance. After Sir Eisen’s funeral, I’ll treat him accordingly and give him troops and funds.”5xi0J3v
dvQpN“T-Thank you.”HN8
kmNcDViEven as he responded, Denis kept searching for a way out.Q5jAP
8kiRIf the First Prince lost Lucian’s protection, everything would be lost.iRfsKrA
XiRugHe would have to pretend to accept it for now and find a way to change Lucian’s heart before the funeral ended.OQuWuC
ERt04Q‘If we give him a benefit he can’t refuse, he’ll be forced to keep the prince around. I must convince the First Prince to do something like that. If I must, even on my own…’yHNaT
9P5edqyFollowing the will of the emperor was a vassal’s duty.nJsL
B7siMrBut if the rightful heir to the imperial family lacked all sense of reality, one had to overstep their authority to preserve the dynasty’s continuity.HPYTvir
xwCWTThat was the loyal servant’s mindset Denis had been raised with all his life.SD7b
zGqJZZyLucian watched Denis, whose eyes darted around restlessly, and gave a faint smile.uxw
vA7RIt seemed the time was nearing when he could “negotiate” without involving the First Prince.9Jb2Z
Ji2***HByiM
OOueTwo days after that, Felicia offered the fairy metal sword she had wielded on the dueling field before the tomb of the former Swordmaster, Eisen.YwmMj0h
wfeUh7Though a long mourning period had already passed, the ceremony itself was held simply, but its significance was far from small.WHzI
KlXcNAfter all, it demonstrated that Felicia had received such firm recognition from everyone that no one could object to her being the one to preside over the event.HW4oc
jOTKg9“With this, we conclude the funeral rites of the former Swordmaster, Sir Eisen. I thank you all for coming to pay him tribute. For the great Swordmaster, Sir Eisen!”1uJoiB
TCbkiB“For Sir Eisen!”bUe
zq8IGXKWhen Lucian raised his cup and gave a brief farewell toast, everyone else raised theirs as well.T7sBm6D
IOro0Since all the formal proceedings were over, the banquet itself was rather modest.kQfcUUq
2DyO0QMore than a celebration, it was little more than a gathering to exchange farewells.cUpMc7S
79gVggSensing that the banquet was about to end, Lesta and Harald, mixed in among the heads of families, exchanged glances.lrnT
T5N‘Now is the time.’PiUzK
IVYL‘Isn’t it too sudden?’aNupi
Wt2tP‘There’s no alternative. In practice, this is our last chance.’hemj
LbW‘That’s true—waiting longer would be pointless. All right, you start.’TrH
OWTOWith Harald’s nod, Lesta stepped forward and raised his voice.odqI8
k0W“Duke! I beg your pardon for the presumption, but I have something to say in this place.”EE6b39
lwrx“…?”ziZb
Ej9At the sudden shout, all eyes turned to Lesta. Even Lucian hadn’t expected the move, so he simply blinked in silence.DpRZaQX
2TETaking that silence as permission, Lesta continued.TCWKy
Y144K4“The Empire is facing an unprecedented crisis! Rebels roam freely everywhere, the imperial family has fallen into the hands of someone of questionable origin, and the roads are overrun by bandits! It’s no exaggeration to say that the very foundations of the Empire are shaking!”xR3fo
UI81OJg“Hmph.”YuGvXdp
2OtThe aggressive tone made some mourners and heads of families frown, but Lesta didn’t care in the slightest.ukkR4
hoKu3GIn fact, as if he’d been expecting that reaction, he raised his voice even more.3IcT0
NrT4f“To quell this chaos, it is imperative to restore the authority of the imperial family and enthrone the rightful heir, His Highness the First Prince. However, we in the north lack the strength necessary to accomplish this.”70KO
hmjzx“And? What are you getting at?”I4YZKHG
blGP4At Lucian’s reproach to stop beating around the bush, Lesta smiled and replied.4ObI
z7T“For the peace of the Empire, we believe it is necessary to unify the power of the north. We beg you to restore the Kingdom of the North! Ascend the throne, pacify this chaos, and raise the First Prince to the imperial throne!”XUcl7de
ZS0zhop“…!”sLV51r7
x6sUkA silent shock rippled through the center of the hall.v0Qdv
eJmfXIt was true that this was a time when the ambitious were raising forces under various pretexts.dHRx
eDFWRBut even so, no one expected to hear talk of restoring the Kingdom of the North.k7IU
AcEb‘Is this guy aware of what he just said?’O32q1uM
oBeR‘Restoring a kingdom without royal blood? Unifying the entire north?’QyJEbjg
zlgOpgfCold sweat began to slide down the foreheads of those present.xTk
0AN0S46It was an absurd idea—but if it were to become reality, it would be terrifying.CmgNExL
9lC4bThe entire Empire had turned into a battlefield of the ambitious.vtjZth
veXaoThough there were pros and cons among the great families, no single dominant power existed.Yk69Kx
XcpAnd now a kingdom rising again and taking hold of all the northern strength?ZWOL
Mc72RDThat would be handing over control of the chaos to a single person.erxPfw
egi‘Impossible. Who would want to serve a kingdom that fell so long ago, and without even being the imperial family?’eRSd1
B3sRj‘We acknowledge the ancient glory of the royal house of the north, but respecting tradition isn’t the same as submitting to it.’Kwt7
0VKG‘Unless they’re on the brink of ruin, everyone still has options. There’s no one here seriously supporting the kingdom’s restoration…’cSK7Yx
Xob4“It’s a completely fair proposal! I, too, request the restoration of the kingdom! For the sake of the great cause, I beg you to ascend the throne!”12pT
Sgd90“…!?”IQvpt7I
LjbThose who had just calmed down were startled to see Harald step forward.E75J7b
wcvUAnd he wasn’t alone. Shortly after, several heads of minor families began stepping out among the mourners and raising their voices.2pLm
M0LJ“Restore the Kingdom of the North and ascend the throne!”O7e8f
bx00A9“Pacify the chaos of the Empire and enthrone the rightful heir!”adgnuh
qFMUZAlthough voices of support arose here and there, they didn’t fill the hall.t6bgAtV
j8z3yThose shouting numbered perhaps a dozen at most, and mostly belonged to minor families.Evspiy
VHqbcSince the majority of heads of family remained silent, the ones causing a stir stood out all the more.y4mRFV
TbiChjcIf things continued like this, it would be Lesta, Harald, and the others who ended up embarrassed.gK1coHP
D2uJ6E0It would seem they had made a one-sided proposal without any real backing.q0zDaQT
vxwThe problem was that, from the perspective of the northern lords, that outcome was also unacceptable.hLK88Pa
F1Hkr‘Dammit, what do we do? Do we pretend to support it at least?’H2Ti
WuQPOSS‘Are you insane? What if the Kingdom of the North really is restored?’vMvD
mx9R39‘If we look away and the duke gets angry, it’ll be even worse! He’s no longer hiding his ambition. You think he’ll leave us alone forever?’qi2dRm
KF6pnnLucian’s ambition was already well-known throughout the Empire.fsG
R2zIn other words, when the time came, it wouldn’t be strange for him to try expanding his power by force into other territories.vUp
wQiiLjUntil now, he had focused on strengthening his internal domain, not looking outward, but if this proposal to restore the kingdom was crushed like this, his mood would certainly change.gHHy
vxBmKaIt would be proof that there was no peaceful path for Lucian to rule the north.2wq
1Q39EJRMaybe now he would laugh it off—but when war broke out, no one could expect mercy from him.jat
LY1As everyone hesitated, unable to choose a side—GRgK
Xcx“Enough.”TgJ
MwJRM7ELucian’s low voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.g4EYI
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Fernando
Qi RefinementThat’s great, but he could have given that prince a few slaps.