Chapter 22

Those who learn swordsmanship without a proper master inevitably develop one or two bad habits.

In Felix’s case, when facing opponents larger than himself, he had the tendency to always dodge diagonal slashes by ducking.

That was because, by dodging downward, he could slip into the opponent’s range and counterattack quickly.

But if the same method is used every time, sooner or later others will catch on.

Lucian pointed this out after watching Felix’s fight when they happened to work together.

“I really appreciate it. If not for you, I could have gotten into serious trouble later on.”

Even though it was a technique he had used many times with good results, and it would have been normal to get offended by criticism, Felix sincerely expressed his gratitude.

He immediately began thinking of several alternative responses, correcting his swordsmanship to adapt based on the situation.

Seeing this, Lucian was left speechless in amazement.

There were countless mercenaries who, even knowing their weaknesses, left them as is because they didn’t know how to fix them—yet this one had perfected them completely in just a few days.

He thought that this was truly what it meant to be a real genius.

“As thanks, I’d like to correct your swordsmanship a bit—if that’s all right?”

It was a comment that, depending on how it was taken, could be seen as a grave offense.

Saying he would correct someone’s swordsmanship implied that his own level was superior.

But Lucian gladly accepted Felix’s goodwill.

His self-taught swordsmanship was full of holes, and the one offering to teach him was none other than a genius of the era.

If he could learn even a little, he was willing to show everything without reservation.

“The momentum in your strikes is good, but your stance loses balance too easily. Instead of putting all your strength into one blow, it’s better to flow and focus on the counterattack.”

Felix pointed out many things, but all of them aligned with the issues Lucian had already been reflecting on—like scratching an itch he couldn’t reach.

From that day forward, Lucian’s chaotic swordsmanship finally became something that could be called a proper sword form.

They only worked together a few times under the same employer, but without that brief encounter, Lucian would have died long ago on the battlefield.

‘I said that once I rose in rank, I’d repay the favor—but Felix rose even higher, and it came to nothing.’

From what he’d heard, a few years after they parted ways, a border marquis who recognized his talent officially knighted him.

When Lucian heard that, he thought it was the most natural outcome in the world, though he couldn’t help feeling bitter.

After all, even though several years had passed since that old piece of news, Lucian’s situation hadn’t changed much since then.

Thinking back, it was all ironic.

‘Actually, it wasn’t even that natural. “Recognized his talent,” my ass. That border marquis was blind too.’

For someone of Felix’s level, merely receiving a knighthood was ridiculous.

Even if he had been granted the title of sub-baron and a post as a guard knight, it would still have been too little.

There was no way a border marquis didn’t know that.

And even knowing all this, the reason he had priced him so cheaply was too obvious.

‘Was it because of her gender?’

A bitter smile formed on Lucian’s lips.

After all, a female knight—unless it was a purely honorary title—was something that only seemed possible in fairy tales.

Maybe, if she had been a noble lady, it could have barely been possible. But for a woman of common birth to receive a knighthood was unthinkable.

Just the fact that they had appointed her while hiding her gender was already something Felicia had to be thankful for.

And not just as decoration—they gave her the opportunity to earn merit on the battlefield and rise even further.

Viewed that way, she could also be seen as someone just as unfortunate as Lucian.

Because of her birth, she had to sell at a bargain a talent heaven had bestowed upon her.

‘But that won’t happen anymore.’

In this life, Felicia wouldn’t have to sell her talent cheaply.

Lucian planned to personally resolve every weakness that had held her back in her past life.

Of course, with the condition that she wielded her sword at his side.

“Hugo, take her away.”

“….”

“Hugo, what are you doing?”

“Ah, yes. Sorry. How should we treat her?”

“Tie her up so she doesn’t go wild and keep a close watch on her. But don’t mistreat her.”

“Understood.”

Hugo gave instructions to the other subordinates, and they took Felicia away.

All that remained were the knights groaning on the ground, a maid, and Philip, the marquis’s son.

With his escape route completely blocked, Philip trembled with rage and shouted at Hugo.

“Do you dare sell me out, you alley rat?! Do you think you’ll get away with betraying the house of Marquis Roglan?!”

“Young master!”

The knights, pale, shouted, but it was too late.

Lucian smiled faintly and looked at Philip.

“The house of Marquis Roglan, huh? I was wondering who was behind the drug trade right in Valdeck’s front yard—and it turns out it was you lot. Saved me the trouble of interrogating you.”

“…”

“I, Lucian Valdeck, third son of Sigmund Valdeck, place you under arrest by legitimate right. If you don’t want things to go badly, I suggest you don’t resist.”

Philip’s face turned deathly pale as he finally realized the situation.

This wasn’t just anywhere—it was the very domain of Grand Duke Valdeck—and he himself had admitted that the Marquis’s house was behind everything.

There was no possible excuse now.

“W-Wait, please. That’s not it—this is all a misunderstanding…”

“Misunderstanding, my ass. Try saying that in front of my father. Take him away.”

“Yes, third young master.”

As Philip tried to make excuses too late, the Black Lions approached him.

Realizing he had no escape, Philip gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Wait! I’ll go on my own!”

“What did you say?”

“No matter what crime I’ve committed, I’m still the fourth son of the house of Marquis Roglan. I demand the treatment befitting a prisoner of my rank.”

Now that everything was out in the open, he still intended to cling to his family name?

Seeing Philip’s pathetic intentions, Lucian sneered and said coldly.

“If you won’t walk, then let them drag you. Or if you prefer, I’ll break your shin myself.”

“….”

Faced with Lucian’s cold reply, Philip had no choice but to lower his head.

***

After capturing Philip and his group, Lucian immediately headed toward Kelheim.

At the same time, he first sent a messenger to Grand Duke Sigmund to inform him of the events and request a few preparations.

— Gather the people from the territory and show them the moment when the criminals are escorted. Since the culprits themselves already confessed their identities, we can make it clear that all this was the work of the house of Marquis Roglan.

“That’s a brilliant idea! Bernhardt will be sweating bullets trying to deny this!”

As soon as he received the proposal, Grand Duke Sigmund burst into laughter and immediately ordered the people to be gathered.

When they were about to arrive in Kelheim, Philip’s group was startled by the crowd gathered like clouds.

“Young Master Lucian! Are you planning to put us on display like a public spectacle?!”

“This can’t be! At least allow us to retain a shred of honor!”

“Just kill us! This is worse than death!”

Setting Philip aside, the knights were the ones who protested the most furiously.

It wasn’t about murder—they had been captured for aiding in the production and sale of drugs.

For a knight, that was an indescribable dishonor, and yet they were going to be paraded before everyone.

Desperate, all to protect the honor of their families.

But to Lucian, that attitude was nothing but ridiculous.

“The moment you helped sell drugs as knights, you lost any honor you might have had. And what doesn’t exist can’t be stained, so stop worrying and keep walking. If you were already rotting rags in dirty water, what does it matter to shake a bit more dust off?”

“What…?!”

“Young Master Lucian!”

At Lucian’s words, two of the knights turned red with shame.

Despite having taken part in something like that, it seemed they still had a shred of conscience though only those two.

The rest kept shouting in anger, claiming they were being humiliated.

‘If they’d had even a bit of sense, they would’ve refused from the start.’

Sighing, Lucian gave an order to the troops the Grand Duke had sent from the estate.

“Restrain them so they can’t resist. If they fight back during transport, you’re free to beat them.”

“B-But they’re knights are you sure that’s okay?”

“What kind of knights are drug dealers? Don’t hold back—handle them without mercy.”

Perhaps it would stir up some personal grudges, but in the end, these were low-ranking knights used as disposable pawns.

It would be different if it were the marquis’s son, but people like these could be dealt with freely.

No matter how they were treated, there would be no consequences afterward, so there was nothing to worry about.

“Let go of me, let go!”

“Scoundrels! How dare you treat a knight like this?!”

The knights struggled with all their might, but it was no use.

They couldn’t even stand properly due to the injuries inflicted by the Black Lions.

Soon, dragged by the rough hands of the soldiers, Philip’s group began their march.

“Damn, what’s going on? Why is a knight being dragged by soldiers?”

“I heard they caught him making drugs. It’s absurd.”

“What? A knight? What could he have possibly lacked to get involved in something so dirty?”

“I heard the Marquis Roglan did it in secret because he hates the Grand Duke.”

“And isn’t that young man being dragged his son?”

“My god… making your own son sell drugs? That marquis has really fallen low.”

Hearing the murmurs from all around, Philip’s body trembled with shame.

Curiously, despite all the humiliation, he didn’t resist.

Apparently, he preferred to endure the disgrace silently rather than get beaten.

“They say the one who uncovered the plan and captured them all was the third young master.”

“What? That young deer? No way!”

“What do you mean, ‘no way’? Can’t you see he’s the one leading them in front?”

“I heard that ever since he came back from the dead, he’s been like a different person.”

“They say you can steal gold, but not seeds… I guess he really is the Grand Duke’s son.”

Meanwhile, Lucian’s story began to spread from mouth to mouth.

Lucian suppressed the smile that threatened to escape and straightened his back to look better in front of the people.

One of the reasons for staging such a grand event was precisely to improve how people perceived him.

Rumors always spread from the bottom up.

If he didn’t take this chance to change his image, the bad nickname of “young deer” might stick around for a long time.

“The Grand Duke!”

“His Excellency!”

As they approached the road leading to the entrance of the inner fortress, a small stir arose and the people bowed their heads in unison.

Looking up, Lucian saw Grand Duke Sigmund waiting for him.

Lucian dismounted, knelt before him, and spoke loudly.

“Lucian Valdeck, fulfilling the order of his father, has escorted Philip Roglan and those involved in his crimes. As they attempted to manufacture and sell drugs, I ask that they be punished with the utmost severity.”

At that powerful voice, the townspeople widened their eyes.

Was this determined young man really the infamous “young deer”?

The Grand Duke, sensing how the gazes around him had changed in an instant, narrowed his eyes.

‘What a sly brat so this was your goal?’

‘Just a bonus, nothing more. You’re not going to tell me even this isn’t acceptable, are you?’

When Lucian winked at him, the Grand Duke let out an incredulous laugh.

But only for a moment—he immediately raised his voice so all could hear.

“As expected of my son! You’ve done an outstanding job! You’ll be rewarded later, so go and rest your weary body.”

“I’ll gladly do so!”

At that enthusiastic praise from the usually solemn Grand Duke, the people were left speechless.

Truly, that “young deer” had changed enough to earn the Grand Duke’s recognition!

No further proof was needed—that was the clearest evidence.

After finishing his speech, the Grand Duke patted Lucian on the shoulder in congratulations and whispered.

“Are you satisfied now?”

Lucian smiled broadly and answered his father.

“More than satisfied.”