Chapter 177
XOaJOs1After the topic of the restoration of the Kingdom of the North came up, the attendees at the funeral in Asagrim split into three groups.l9Rg
NN1BeThe first was composed of the lords who supported the restoration of the Kingdom of the North, led by Lesta and Harald.XAT3SLJ
0WIh9The second consisted of the lords who opposed said restoration, with Hermann at the forefront.ehItB
aYnrPAThe third was made up of attendees from external territories, with no connection to the north.wAoJxR
gAgBGV5Depending on their circumstances, these three groups gathered whenever they had the chance to discuss among themselves.HjtsW
cQPlThe matter of restoring the Kingdom of the North was too significant to pretend they hadn’t heard about it.7t73sJ
s64ZQHowever, the atmosphere between the groups was entirely different.rnAtT
vpD4nt“Lord Lesta, doesn’t it seem like the duke’s reaction was exactly what we feared?”wpHnCX5
QHhC“Could we be receiving criticism for having done something unnecessary?”tQOoZe3
TSTGWuUnlike their initial zeal, the first group couldn’t hide their unease at Lucian’s lukewarm response.3Cx301
11KCwFUThey had acted to earn his trust, but now feared they had instead left a bad impression.Hbc6Nrk
awgP“I’m sure he changed his mind after seeing that very few of the lords responded.”dTtvCJD
mylJ“That’s why I said from the start that everyone should come out in support. Why did they insist on postponing it?”wBY
ztawmi“Weren’t they the ones saying earlier that it was a pretty good idea?”bCs6d
xxfKa“We believed it was a plan based on fully understanding His Excellency’s will, and look at us now.”PIl8
2HFTheir original plan was simple.2qY3D2
cYeFFirst, to show that at least half actively supported the restoration of the kingdom.3Bz
cEAABLucian, surely, wouldn’t accept it immediately and would take a few days to think about it.EBqJOMh
GoDlMTIn that time, the other half would appear, saying that on further thought, it wasn’t a bad idea, and would begin persuading the rest of the lords.cAOwVZp
VPxThey would pretend not to have been allies from the start, as if they had changed their minds upon hearing reasonable arguments.ofz
bLPSeeing the growing number of supporters, even the neutral lords would be swept up by the tide.7PYTdV
ZLF2“That was the plan—to gather more than half as supporters of the kingdom’s restoration…”GE0
C3l“But with the duke’s attitude, not only will we not reach half, even our firm supporters might abandon us!”zu0
7Wg“Lord Lesta, Lord Harald, say something. What are we supposed to do now?”j6GJAhc
0l4RybVThe gazes of the house lords all focused on the two leaders.ly5DW
U0R9RHowever, despite those reproachful looks, Lesta and Harald clicked their tongues without flinching.lym
XbPjHfP“You know one thing, but you don’t know two. Do you still not understand the duke?”2Kb9d
Doa1BD“What do you mean?”HGy79
cxZIF“If he really didn’t want the kingdom restored, he would have flipped the table. But he didn’t; he gave us exactly three days of leeway. What do you think that means?”dbrkGM
bpND“…?”JAGfy
Qrc“That he needs three days to move forward with this matter. Until then, there’s no need to force it.”BFb2
qdieplRUpon seeing Lucian’s ambiguous attitude, both came to the same conclusion.mwOw
f0r9sb7What he wanted wasn’t to lean toward one side, but to keep the matter suspended.vKXuo
3nceNot giving a clear answer to prevent the house lords from formulating concrete countermeasures.6doB51
fMSa“That’s why we don’t need to do anything. Just wait until His Excellency finishes preparing everything.”0gY
H6lmdg“Hmm.”7v4YT
rq81wQ“If that’s the case…”zeJwx82
Fn8OAlthough there were some complaints at first, the calmness of the two leaders once again soothed the house lords.uRF7C
hTLu9qAfter all, the words of Lesta and Harald, who had dealt with Lucian more than anyone, carried a different weight.TnP
SRrK0UYHowever, the other group couldn’t let the matter rest so easily.ZDPL
FO3RS“What is the duke’s true intention? Why does he react so mildly?”G935vz
lnaWtvJ“How should I know? Everything ended without incident, so let’s leave it at that.”lMQ
dic99z1“Leave it at that? What if he does something unexpected later? You’re being too relaxed!”71GA
5Y0V670“Then what do you propose? Without knowing his true intentions, we can’t plan anything!”fd1
zPTHKq2The opposition group, led by Hermann, was mired in confusion. Until now, Lucian had squeezed every possible benefit.PZDB
McaagrQA man like that wouldn’t reject the restoration of the kingdom just to save face.Jxn2N
S3qIt was clear there was a hidden plan, but not knowing it was deeply frustrating.KdBR5
LtyzpPIn the end, their discussions went nowhere, and they gave up even trying to deliberate further.o2Qhw2
SGa“In any case, it’s a relief that the duke doesn’t openly show ambition.”duyX
XKS3a“Let’s hope everything passes without further incident.”LPpkYrY
NRRIn practice, they had decided to stop thinking and leave it all to luck. It was baseless optimism, but they had no better alternatives.pOXR1h7
qR1QThe third group, however, couldn’t remain as calm as the other two.c0D
gERAN2I“If the Kingdom of the North really is restored, it’ll all be over.”eisvkE4
8Dyoq0L“It won’t happen. It’s not that simple.”if41
duAXU8t“You can’t be sure. More than ten responded enthusiastically.”lBQlS
f0CiQC“If by some miracle, the north really does unite…”k4KK
SqToqfKThe noble who had come as an external guest couldn’t finish the sentence and closed his mouth.G0m0d
yw5MippIf the Kingdom of the North truly resurged, it would become a force more powerful than any other.1tEHT
XOLNaAEven before their own lord achieved hegemony, the fate of this chaotic era could be decided.k86opt
2wvMJIt was a future so terrifying he didn’t even want to say it aloud.9Gf6
n1FUnable to bear the anxiety, one of the nobles looked at Tristan, who was beside him.AUrqlN
Dd5lA9“Does Lord Tristan know anything about this? After all, he’s a relative of the duke.”d179Psx
Lpb“…Are you kidding me?”C4D
TGO7gX“S-sorry. It was a slip of the tongue.”oa7phn
Nb9GAt Tristan’s glare full of hostility, the noble immediately shrank back.UVxN
kazIn truth, the most disturbed among them all was Tristan himself.IYS8wfG
ZA2PIf Lucian ascended to the throne and controlled the north, that power would reach even Valdeck.C9M0rXR
mbdaJpIn other words, there would no longer be any need to keep Tristan as a figurehead.gCr
h67Lucian could simply take over the house and rule it directly.patJr6z
Kfn“So that meant he could take House Valdeck even without me…?”snQGau
rLrKTristan clenched his teeth, recalling the words Lucian had said some time ago.4ig
ZNtraIt was too much of a coincidence to be called chance.1Yh04WW
tQz9He wanted to stop it at all costs, but as an outsider, he could do absolutely nothing.JYWUU
avX1All he could do was entrust his fate to the eight gods of the sky and await the outcome.d2g4HcG
OYsnjWhile the three groups struggled with confusion, the three days passed, and the farewell banquet was held once more.5GK
biFyH***SBx
FoEL“I will declare the restoration of the Kingdom of the North.”zfPWvyv
cHL7YO“…!?”TW6J
OD00wfoAt Lucian’s blunt statement the moment he appeared at the farewell banquet, the heads of the houses were horrified.QBE
aaHtHe hadn’t even listened to anyone else’s opinion and was already speaking as if the restoration of the kingdom were a settled matter.6M0UmA
OyBsiThey couldn’t understand where the cautious attitude he had shown until now had gone.ytzre
ilVwU“D-Duke, as I told you before, it is essential that His Highness the First Prince, the legitimate heir of the Empire, grant his approval…”jin
uRJ“I have received it.”0Qu5
MKe“What did you say?”yEnwpO
4mHX69u“His Highness the First Prince has approved the restoration of the kingdom. On top of that, he says he himself will grant me the royal title. It is truly an immense honor.”DQIPGl
xFUevYg“…!?”XCx
4QD2“There is no need for further explanation. Since he is here, see it with your own eyes.”s3M0yeU
cWRgLucian turned his gaze away from the utterly stunned heads of the houses and gave a slight nod.hcf3
qaZAt that instant, with a loud crash, the firmly closed doors of the banquet hall were thrown wide open.Z54iJ4
kBkKQlWhen they saw the figure that appeared belatedly, those who had previously visited the capital cried out in surprise.Q5B0
rwJUD“I-It’s His Highness the First Prince!”Ur0Aq
rHQNko“It’s the First Prince!”JoZxPnA
x5Od3uSeeing the First Prince’s face twisted in a foul mood, people felt their legs give way.AD9
x3ebThe First Prince, who was supposed to be living confined in Tibron—how had he arrived there?Wj15Sq
1ZYINWhile the heads of the houses opened and closed their mouths in shock, the First Prince advanced, escorted by retainers.1Pmv
lYSijctThe knight Hugo and Raymond, Felicia, who had recently become Swordmaster, Marius, appointed court mage, and his disciples.4ehiP
hveISeeing all of Lucian’s closest associates gathered around the First Prince, the heads of the houses swallowed hard.BoUX9
VBcv3Ah“What are you doing? Kneel before the legitimate heir of the Empire!”AEA
6wQf6oAt the First Prince Claude’s sudden order, the northern lords hesitated for a moment, but eventually knelt.px1
tfmIt wasn’t that they felt respect for the imperial family, but Lucian had already declared his support for the First Prince.iWoENpt
tAyAFailing to show courtesy at that moment would have meant directly opposing Lucian.mCpCI
YkXyClaude watched the scene with satisfaction, then frowned as he looked toward a corner.ZUM
ZndMg“And why aren’t you kneeling?”UGao
wWN“……”avos
iQvThe external attendees pretended not to have heard Claude’s reproach.SMM
ECNGTbTheir lords did not support the First Prince, so they could not kneel there.g8hf
IQkO95Seeing that they still did not bend the knee, Claude was about to explode, but Denis, who was beside him, hastily whispered.RwtBh
DUUNz“Your Highness. They are traitors who do not recognize your right of succession. Even if you give them orders, they will not obey.”lJKMQno
J28“…Damn it.”y2Hiv2
DohAfter hearing the explanation, Claude clenched his teeth but said nothing more.wJdvQc8
54xaJHe knew there was no point arguing with those who openly disobeyed.9fN
TxjUuv7Snorting in anger, he stepped onto the platform, and Lucian knelt on one knee and spoke.GoOJYF
gz63WD“Your Highness the First Prince, I beg you.”bMHPu
dMYk2jR“Hmph.”wik
oZSfHRrAt Lucian’s words, Claude let out a mocking laugh and twisted his lips in contempt. Then he shouted loudly before the other lords.csSFyjE
0qjyS“Listen, loyal subjects of the Empire! I, who in the past was captured by the traitor Cedric and suffered countless hardships, managed to escape after great difficulty and took refuge under the protection of Duke Lucian.”U0jZd
zrImOKI“……”tjH3
vkH3“However, despite the grace of the late Emperor, the duke confined me, concealed my existence, and demanded the restoration of the Kingdom of the North and a royal title! How lamentable! What would His Majesty the late Emperor say if he could see this from the heavens?”CzSFms3
HcaKe3g“…!?”LGNB
huoJSaThe words spilling from Claude left everyone present in the hall stunned.bwR9R
ldC8NThey couldn’t understand what he was saying.152dQ
1CGF1Instead of speaking about the restoration of the kingdom, he was only denouncing Lucian.4cg
P8VlfWhile everyone was too bewildered to react, Claude delivered the final blow.lXIJ4
ezb“He has imprisoned the rightful owner of the next throne and demanded compensation—this is treason! Therefore, I strip the traitor Lucian Grimaldi Valdeck of all his titles! Loyal subjects of the Empire! Defeat this traitor at once!”u9QI4p
wTjWhen Claude finished his declaration, the banquet hall froze.X2OL
3oPThey hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of his sudden appearance, and now he was confronting the duke head-on the moment he arrived.fmVfo
fkSkNTheir minds went blank, unable to decide what to do.K3Ai
k47Then Lucian stood up and shouted to the heads of the houses.PVt6yi
k170P“Did you hear the words of His Highness the First Prince? Here and now, he has approved the restoration of the Kingdom of the North and granted me the royal title!”Z03
apH3s“…!?”BV7
Ooa0BbH“Therefore, I declare the restoration of the Kingdom of the North! May the Empire be eternal! Long live His Highness the First Prince, the legitimate heir!”Jpr
IAajHyAt Lucian’s absurd response, not only the heads of the houses, but even Claude, showed expressions of disbelief.Kvx0W5V
AiMdNnUHe had branded him a traitor—why was he now saying such nonsense?mkWw
euo9e“You’ve completely lost your mind. What the hell are you saying all of a sudden?”MF0ZlT
q2g“Understood. From now on, I will guarantee the safety of His Highness the First Prince, so please rest peacefully in the palace.”33d
qFc0“What…?”N08
Gun“Good, what are you all doing? Follow me, everyone! Long live His Highness the First Prince!”AAF
srfNzCmSeeing Lucian shout like a buffoon, Claude let out an incredulous laugh, but the heads of the houses could not laugh.9tQ
YCtOThey understood perfectly what Lucian’s actions meant.lEqVT
waLPWHe had been declared a traitor to his face, and yet he was going to treat it as if the restoration of the kingdom had been approved?LREy
nYSdThat meant he no longer cared about the First Prince’s will and would simply use him as a seal to legitimize his cause.2TL2j
auIgZThe First Prince had branded as a traitor the greatest force supporting him, and the duke had openly declared that he would use that very First Prince as a puppet.btky4Nu
TKMmTvFaced with such an unprecedented situation, everyone was paralyzed.mlJR
HJREza7“…Long live His Highness the First Prince for approving the restoration of the Kingdom of the North!”FTABG
iGrynY“May the Empire be eternal! Glory to the legitimate heir to the throne!”t2RYkg
mu9t4ALesta and Harald rose from their seats and sided with Lucian.7Ore8l
fM34sThen the northern lords who already supported Lucian began to join in.7iiG3c
Zi1A5“Long live the Kingdom of the North! Long live His Highness the First Prince!”6cJ5
npHf4“Glory to the legitimate heir of the Empire!”4gsJ2
OxXui0LFrom the beginning, they supported Lucian, not the imperial family. If Lucian turned his back on the imperial house, it was natural for them to side with him.8cN
lq3vF3As the cheers continued, even the opposing faction, led by Hermann, rose from their seats.39uKs
OXvF“Long live His Highness the First Prince!”sij
NrRg“Death to the traitor Cedric!”H61mS
PgOo8“…!?”NLThV
bujm0Seeing that even the opposition supported Lucian, some were surprised, but on reflection, it was logical.lIR3f
j7ft8wEven those who opposed Lucian had never had any real interest in the imperial family.fNCJNXk
AVgLaw and the like were irrelevant; what mattered was the nearest fist. A massive fist, capable of crushing an entire house and erasing it from the map.Ms849f
KQz8vSiding with the First Prince there meant a fight to the death with that fist.WSxX
hl9EYRather than protecting with their lives an imperial family to which they weren’t even loyal, it was better to acknowledge the restoration of the Kingdom of the North and let it pass.i6I21EQ
GUZ0“Ahem.”LW4
R8SoI“Uh-huh…”FWK4Z73
QTCaphThe visiting external nobles pretended not to have seen anything.f5UPwo
fI3SEven if Lucian was manipulating the First Prince, they had never recognized his right of succession.jQaqD8O
dhPfIn fact, they had treated him worse than Lucian, who at least gave him a title, even if as a puppet. Protesting now would be ridiculous.Er1xjl
VczMoreover, they had come only as attendees at the funeral.xxPGmdI
iQpIConfronting Lucian in the heart of Asagrim would be practically begging to be killed.Obuyx19
SQGqRFThe best course was to stay out of it and pretend they hadn’t seen anything.epqI
FBmiQ5“Long live His Highness the First Prince!”GVISB
umnrwxa“May the Empire be eternal!”RPp4gs
QCsL“What the hell are you all saying!? This man is a traitor! Kill him! I said kill him!”9J6
xKPCRCSeeing everyone ignore him with a single will, Claude was on the verge of madness.PAoCMdU
PSBmbIt was as if he had fallen alone into a world of the one-eyed; a suffocating terror pressed down on his entire body.Z3gI
5eA0DGIAs he desperately pointed at Lucian, his finger was caught with a dry snap.isY8h
s30“Your Highness the First Prince, you seem fatigued. Your finger is trembling so much—how can you handle affairs of state like that?”DADUkF
rxcL“Y-you…”4EqDtKM
Aszhga“Please go and rest well. I will prepare hot tea and a soft bed.”zTnfrex
eSyAsTTLucian smiled broadly as he spoke to the trembling Claude, who could barely articulate words.IEqgW8l
vzx“From now on, I will take care of all the difficult matters in your place.”U2muzcH
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Fernando
Qi RefinementClaude, literally alone without any soldiers, thinks he can threaten anyone, especially since he’s known for being incompetent.