Chapter 20

The servants, and even Lucian himself, were left with astonished expressions.

To see the always solemn Grand Duke Sigmund laugh like that, without keeping up appearances.

After laughing for quite a while, the duke wiped the tears that had formed and spoke.

“I don’t remember the last time someone refuted me so directly to my face! Ever since I inherited the position of head of the family from my father, it hadn’t happened even once—and to think I’d hear something like that from you!”

“If I’ve caused you discomfort, I can only apologize.”

“Do I really look upset to you right now? I haven’t laughed this heartily in ages! Puhah!”

After laughing a few more times, the duke finally managed to calm down.

Amid the silence of those left speechless, Sigmund spoke with a smile.

“That was an excellent answer. A man must be confident in the path he chooses. If he’s shaken by a single phrase, he can’t be called a man.”

At those words, Lucian’s eyes opened wide.

“It was a test?”

“That’s right, a test. I wanted to see whether or not you would waver because of one sentence.”

That explained it.

Sigmund couldn’t ignore that it would be impossible for Lucian to handle this matter alone.

Even if it was the fourth son, the opponent was the legitimate son of Marquis Roglan.

To prevent any danger, he would surely assign at least a small but elite escort.

In contrast, Lucian didn’t have a single knight under his command.

If he attacked out of ambition with poor preparation, chances were high that he wouldn’t even recover what he’d invested.

And knowing all that, pushing him with such excessive expectations turned out to be a test.

“Just as you said. Getting blinded by merit and sticking your hand into something beyond your capabilities is nothing but foolishness. It’s something anyone who isn’t an idiot knows. What matters is whether you can deny it when those words come from my mouth.”

“…”

“If someone goes astray without finding their own answer, that’s one thing. But if they change their answer based on a superior’s mood, they’re not even worthy of being called a man, let alone a candidate for head of the family. If you can’t stick to your own words, who would trust and follow you?”

Unconsciously, Lucian nodded.

Someone who lets themselves be swayed by others’ opinions is even less trustworthy than someone who lies on purpose.

The latter at least tells the truth sometimes, but the former can flip their words at any moment.

“I’ve had similar exchanges with your brothers. The eldest moved forward on his path without hesitation. The second weighed several options and chose a middle ground. But you’re the first to refute me head-on.”

With a spirited expression, the duke leaned back in his chair.

“In any case, that was a splendid answer. I’ll provide all the support you want. How much do you need?”

Lucian thought for a moment before answering.

“If we send too many troops, we’ll raise suspicion, so we must move with a small but elite group, flying under the radar. The problem is that the rival’s escort is also likely to be a small elite group.”

“In other words, there’s a risk of them striking back.”

“Yes. In the worst-case scenario, reinforcements could end up worse than having none at all. It would be like setting a trap and launching an ambush, only to be defeated by the marquis’s elite.”

In short, he was requesting the absolute elite forces to avoid that scenario.

Understanding the intent behind his words, the duke narrowed his eyes.

“How shameless. You expect me to hand over my best card just like that?”

“Not at all. I, alone, for the honor of Valdeck—”

“I’ll send you five Black Lions.”

“…!?”

At the mention of “Black Lions,” Lucian’s eyes opened wide.

The shadows of Valdeck that only the head of the family could command.

It was said that a single Black Lion could massacre three knights head-on.

Back in his guard days, his comrades used to talk about the legends of the Black Lions like drinking tales.

But since no one had seen them in person, he always thought they were nothing but absurd rumors.

‘So they really existed…?’

“What’s the matter? Are just five not enough?”

“No, they’re more than enough.”

Lucian shook his head firmly.

How could they not be enough?

Even if only half the rumors about the Black Lions were true, they were more than sufficient.

A moment later, realizing what he’d been granted, Lucian bowed deeply.

“Thank you for your generosity. I will bring back results that will surely meet your expectations.”

“I hope so. And you should also watch closely with your own eyes.”

With a deep smile, the duke added as Lucian was leaving.

“So you’ll understand what kind of power is granted to the master of Valdeck.”

***

One week later, Lucian led his subordinates toward Bestra.

Being the nearest territory, it didn’t take them long to arrive.

“What a mess of a city.”

Lucian clicked his tongue as he looked over Bestra.

It wasn’t unusual for a city that had expanded suddenly to be disorganized.

But Bestra stood out even among those for how disastrous it was.

“Why are there so many half-built buildings? Some are clearly abandoned.”

“It’s because many come here deceived.”

The one who answered Lucian’s question was Hans.

“As you know, even though this place is close to Kelhaim, not a single crumb of that benefit reaches here. But outsiders don’t know that. Those who just look at the map think that being close to a large city, it’ll thrive as an intermediary hub.”

“…Don’t tell me all those houses belong to people who were scammed?”

“Exactly.”

Lucian brought a hand to his head.

No wonder he felt there was too little population for the number of buildings.

Apparently, people were lured here thinking it was a great location, and after realizing the truth, they eventually returned home.

He now understood why there were so many unfinished structures.

If they realized the scam before finishing them, they no longer had the means to continue building.

“In a place like this, even if a few buildings appear or disappear, no one would notice.”

“That’s why I chose this place to build the factory. Although you noticed, young master.”

Hugo, backing Lucian’s words from behind, gave a bitter smile.

He never imagined that a plan even the grand duke hadn’t noticed would be uncovered by that “young master.”

“By the way, are you really not going to tell me how you figured it out? It seems even Hans doesn’t know.”

“I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s focus on hunting the beast caught in the trap. How are the preparations?”

“Perfect. Only the support is missing, but…”

A faint shadow crossed Hugo’s face.

Lucian, already guessing what he was thinking, smiled faintly.

“Does it bother you that we received help from my father?”

“No, it’s just that I know I’m not strong enough. I just regret not being strong enough. If I were, all of this could’ve been entirely credited to you, young master.”

“There’s no rush. I’m only sixteen, and you’re just barely over thirty at most. You’ll have plenty of chances to become a knight. Let’s move forward one step at a time.”

After speaking, Hugo looked at Lucian with a complicated expression.

It seemed to mix mild reproach, regret, and injustice.

Did I say something wrong?

While tilting his head in doubt, Hans gave Lucian a light pat on the shoulder.

“Um, young master.”

“Mm?”

“Hugo is twenty-three this year. Still far from thirty.”

“….”

Lucian looked at Hugo again.

Throbbing scars, thick beard, rough skin.

A face no one would guess was under thirty.

And yet, he was twenty-three.

“Hugo.”

“Yes, young master.”

“There’s no rush. I’m only sixteen, and you’re just barely over twenty—”

“Don’t correct it. It’s even more miserable.”

“Ahem. By the way, the Black Lions are taking their time. They should be arriving by now.”

“Young master.”

The sudden voice from behind made all three jump at the same time.

Especially Hugo, who instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword.

But before he could draw it, another voice was heard.

“Don’t draw it.”

Tap.

“…!?”

A firm weight pressed down on the back of his hand, and Hugo’s eyes widened.

He hadn’t sensed the presence of even one person—let alone two—until they were that close.

But when he turned his head, he didn’t see just two.

The silent shadows that had approached were five in total.

And they were already within striking range.

While everyone stood stunned, Lucian was the first to regain his composure.

“Black Lions?”

“Yes. By order of the Grand Duke, we’ve come to support the third young master.”

“I appreciate it. But if it’s not too much trouble, could you let go of my subordinate’s hand? With that pressure, even if he wants to let go of his sword, he can’t.”

“As you wish.”

At Lucian’s words, the hand pressing down on Hugo was released.

Hugo stepped back with a face like he’d seen a ghost, and at last, the five Black Lions came fully into view.

Their armament consisted of just one sword; for protection, only a light leather armor.

At a glance, they could be mistaken for any mercenary from a big city.

But their gaze was so cold no one could ever confuse them for ordinary mercenaries.

Suddenly, Lucian remembered someone buried deep in his memory.

‘These guys… they’re like the one who cut my neck.’

The slash he hadn’t even seen clearly until the very end.

Were all of them at the same level as that knight?

Unconsciously, Lucian touched his neck.

If they truly all had comparable skill…

“His Highness ordered that once we arrived in Bestra, we follow all the instructions of the third young master. Please give your orders.”

With that, this mission could no longer fail.

A deep smile spread across Lucian’s lips as he looked at the Black Lions.

***

The order Lucian gave the Black Lions was simple.

“Remain hidden at the designated point until the prey appears. As soon as I give the signal, all of you attack at once.”

“Should we kill them?”

“The more mouths left alive, the better, so if possible, capture them alive. Especially the marquis’s son—subdue him with the least amount of damage possible.”

If they had been deployed for such a dirty job, they were surely tight-lipped types.

But there are always exceptions everywhere.

With some luck, one of the survivors might spill information about the marquis.

Of course, that was just a possibility—not something he could rely on too much.

As long as they captured the marquis’s fourth son, the main target, anything else would be a bonus.

“Of course, if the situation doesn’t allow it, kill them. Judge according to the moment.”

“Yes.”

Even with the calm response of the Black Lions, Lucian could clearly sense something.

Not one among them thought they might end up in a disadvantageous situation.

It was a confidence bordering on arrogance, but he didn’t point it out.

Soon, it would be clear whether it was mere conceit or true strength.

— This is the place? Looks miserable from the outside. Don’t tell me you funneled the money elsewhere.

— Precisely because we need to deceive outsiders, the outside must look miserable, don’t you think? The inside is fully equipped, see for yourself.

Hearing the conversation between Hugo and someone approaching, Lucian also hid in a proper spot.

A moment later, with the sound of the door opening, several people entered the factory.

It had to be the fourth son of Marquis Roglan and his escort, whom they had lured there.

Lucian peeked slightly to confirm the target, but when he saw the unexpected scene, his eyes opened wide.

‘Felix, the Demon Sword!?’