Chapter 23

The grand duke turned his gaze away from Lucian and fixed it on Philip.

Under that icy stare, Philip’s body began to tremble.

“Y-Your Excellency. Please, listen to me. What really happened was…”

“I don’t need excuses, so shut your mouth. No matter what you say, you won’t receive the slightest bit of respect.”

“It’s a misunderstanding! Are you really not going to hear a single explanation!? Are you determined to make an enemy of the house of Marquis Roglan?”

“Make an enemy?”

At Philip’s words, the grand duke let out a mocking laugh.

“You still don’t understand the situation. I’ve been enemies with that Bernhardt for a long time. All I needed was a pretext to attack him openly. You just gave us that pretext, so all that’s left now is to strike that bastard.”

“…!”

“Pray that Bernhardt doesn’t abandon you. If he decides to cut you off, you won’t just lose your position in your family—you’ll have to worry about your own life.”

“Y-Your Excellency! Your Excellency…!”

When the grand duke moved his head slightly, the knights behind him grabbed Philip by both shoulders and dragged him off somewhere.

Philip screamed desperately as he was hauled away by rough hands, but no one heeded his pleas.

After that, the other knights were taken in the same direction.

Perhaps because they had already been utterly humiliated, unlike before, they no longer resisted.

“Good work. Let’s go inside.”

Once everything had been settled, the grand duke patted Lucian on the shoulder while mounting his horse.

Just before heading back to the territory lord’s mansion, he suddenly remembered something and looked back at Lucian.

“By the way, why did you separate just one maid? Don’t tell me…”

“I’ll explain that when we return.”

“Ahem, fine. After all, you are a man too.”

At that attitude, as if he were deliberately avoiding digging into a possible secret of his son, Lucian let out a bitter smile.

It seemed that once they returned, he’d have to clear up a rather strange misunderstanding first.

***

Lucian immediately headed to the grand duke’s office with him.

They were going to talk about the “reward” the grand duke had mentioned earlier.

“I’ve already received a general report from the Black Lions. The job was flawless.”

“It’s only thanks to the support you gave me, Father.”

“No need to be so modest. Is there something you want as a reward? As long as it’s not excessive, I’ll grant it.”

“Hmm.”

Upon hearing the word “reward,” Lucian paused for a moment in thought.

In truth, there was nothing he needed for himself at that moment, but there was one subordinate he needed to look after.

“For Hugo to be knighted…”

“That’s not possible.”

The grand duke cut him off immediately, not letting him finish.

Unlike before, his tone was absolutely firm.

Lucian had already expected that response, but he couldn’t just back down.

Now that he was his lord, he had to try to fulfill his promise to the end.

“Hugo has merit.”

“But he’s the one who initially conspired with the marquis to sell the drug. If you hadn’t discovered it, he would’ve gone through with it.”

“That’s only a supposition. And besides, the one who lured Philip this time and provided the location was also Hugo.”

“Even so, that’s not enough to be knighted. At the very least, he should have raised his own honor and achieved merits that no one could deny. Do you think you can proudly declare the merits he earned this time in front of everyone?”

Lucian fell silent.

It was true that Hugo’s achievements were hard to reveal to others.

After all, they were results obtained through power and connections built in the underworld.

“If he wants gold, I can give him chests full of it. If he wants, I can even prepare him a new clean identity. But he cannot become a knight. Not because of his origin, but because his achievements don’t justify such a high honor.”

At those entirely reasonable words, Lucian nodded.

Even so, he had done everything he could as Hugo’s lord.

“My father’s words are correct. I’ve made an excessive request.”

“If you understand, then tell me what you want instead. This time, something less unreasonable.”

“Please allow the maid I captured to receive instruction from the Swordmaster.”

“…What?”

At that completely unexpected request, the grand duke was left with a stunned expression.

***

Lucian left the grand duke’s office and immediately went to see Felicia.

Although she had been temporarily held at Hugo’s establishment, once Philip’s group was captured, she was moved to the underground prison.

However, even though it was underground, it was a cell prepared for noble prisoners, so the facilities were surprisingly good.

Even so, the moment Felicia saw Lucian, she held a sharp metal fragment to her neck and shouted.

“If you lay a finger on my body, I’ll take my own life right here!”

“…”

At that absurd declaration, I looked over at Hans, who was beside me.

Even though a guard had been assigned, I had ordered him to watch her in case anything happened.

“What exactly is she saying?”

“What else? She says you’re planning to do something terrible to her and that she won’t let herself be caught so easily.”

“And who said such a thing?”

“If she thinks it, how am I supposed to take it out of her head? And to be honest, the reason you gave doesn’t sound very…”

Although he trailed off, it was clear that Hans didn’t believe Lucian’s explanation either.

And honestly, Lucian wouldn’t believe it himself in her place.

Lucian sighed and looked at Felix… no, at Felicia.

“I don’t know what misunderstanding you’ve got in your head, but I have no intention of touching your body.”

“…”

“You’ve got a face that says you don’t believe a word I’m saying.”

“Of course I don’t. Why else would you separate a worthless maid and keep her locked up? If you’re not after my body, then what else could you want?”

“Your swordsmanship.”

“What?”

“Your swordsmanship is what I want. Would you like to stay by my side and fully display that talent?”

Felicia’s expression twisted.

Rather than believing him, it looked like she thought he was trying to seduce her to keep her close.

Lucian then pulled out his secret weapon the permission he had received from the grand duke.

“I’m going to recommend you as a disciple of Swordmaster Eisen.”

“…!?”

“I already have my father’s permission. And I also sent a messenger to Sir Eisen himself. If you want, we can go see him right now. What do you say?”

She wouldn’t believe it.

How could a mere cleaning servant be given such an opportunity?

But it was too tempting a bait.

Even thinking it might be a trap, no one who had learned swordsmanship on their own could refuse something like that.

Much less when it was the Swordmaster, the absolute peak of the sword.

After thinking for a long while, Felicia looked him straight in the eyes and said.

“Are you really serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“The possibility that it’s a lie is much higher than the chance it’s true. It could just be a way to stop me from hurting myself.”

“Mentioning Swordmaster Eisen just to stop you? What for? If I wanted to convince you to live, it would be enough to promise you freedom. There’d be no need to make something like this up.”

Unable to refute it, Felicia pressed her lips together.

She would rather die than be defiled, but she wasn’t someone who despised life either.

And even if he had simply said he would let her go safe and sound, she would probably have doubted him.

But mentioning the Swordmaster—that proved he was serious.

“…Wait a second. When did I ever say I wanted to learn swordsmanship?”

Felicia suddenly noticed something odd.

She had never said it.

Yet the conversation had been revolving around the sword for a while.

Normally, when faced with a maid who could wield a sword, one would first speak of money.

“You never said it. But it’s not necessary. Anyone can see it. You’re a swordswoman.”

“A swordswoman? Me?”

“Aren’t you?”

At that question, Felicia was left speechless.

And at the same time, she felt something burning inside her.

For the first time, someone wasn’t seeing her as a wayward maid wielding a weapon without permission.

But as a true swordswoman.

“Are you really going to introduce me to the Swordmaster…?”

With a trembling voice, Felicia asked the question.

Lucian looked at her with total seriousness.

“I swear it on the name of Lucian Valdeck.”

A noble who swears by both his name and surname puts not only his honor but that of his entire family on the line.

Finally, Felicia shut her eyes tightly and stood up.

Even though the offer was absurd, for some reason, she wanted to believe this man’s words—just this once.

***

Lucian immediately sent a messenger with a request to Eisen.

he had found the promised disciple and wished for him to meet her.

Fortunately, Eisen accepted without hesitation.

— The third young master is not someone who lies. I will see her.

Upon hearing that Eisen would come directly to the training grounds, Lucian gathered Hugo and Hans to go there.

Hugo, who had been summoned suddenly, was puzzled.

He had been in the middle of dismantling the drug operation, which had only been bait, so he didn’t expect this.

“Do I really need to be here? Even if I go, nothing changes.”

“It doesn’t matter. Use this chance to present yourself to Eisen.”

“That’s exactly why I don’t want to go. What kind of impression will a Swordmaster have of a thug like me?”

“Don’t worry. He’ll see you in a good light. Eisen’s not the type to judge by someone’s past. Relax.”

Despite Lucian’s words, Hugo still looked uneasy.

It was inevitable.

If Lucian recommended Felicia as a disciple, it meant that the merit he had earned would be used to benefit someone completely unrelated.

If Felicia didn’t show overwhelming talent, even if Hugo said nothing, resentment would surely grow sooner or later.

That’s why they had to clearly show the talent that the heavens had granted her.

Just as the group arrived at the entrance of the training grounds—

“…Father?”

“How shameless. You arrive exactly at the agreed time with Eisen. You could show a little courtesy by arriving earlier.”

Lucian blinked, surprised by the grand duke’s slight reproach.

Why was he here?

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I’m doing? This is about recommending a disciple to the Swordmaster. Did you think I wouldn’t be present for something so important?”

And he was right.

Swordmaster Eisen wasn’t just an influential figure in the empire; his status within the Valdeck family was enormous.

It was only natural for the head of the family to be involved in something like this.

Even if it was only an evaluation and not an official acceptance.

While Lucian was trying to process everything, the grand duke looked at Hugo.

“You must be Hugo. I heard you had some merit this time.”

“G-Greetings, Your Excellency the Grand Duke.”

“But from what I also heard, you carry serious faults from the past.”

“I know that… but now…”

“Lucian, even knowing that, asked me to knight you. He said he didn’t want any reward for himself, but asked that I give one to you.”

Hugo opened his eyes wide and looked at Lucian.

Lucian gestured for him to calm down, but Hugo stood stiff as a statue.

The grand duke continued.

“Whether it disappoints you or not, I refused the request. Not because of your past, but because your merits weren’t enough. For a commoner, a knighthood cannot be taken lightly.”

“Those… those are completely fair words.”

“Asking for excessive rewards can even cost you your reputation. But your lord, knowing that, made an excessive request on your behalf. I hope you understand what that means.”

Hugo bowed deeply, and his body began to tremble slightly, as if holding back something about to spill out.

After a few seconds, he lifted his head and spoke firmly.

“What could I possibly give to someone like him? For as long as I live, I give him all that I am.”

“Hmph.”

The grand duke snorted, but a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face.

Though he pretended annoyance, he seemed satisfied with the answer.

But that satisfaction vanished the moment he looked at Felicia.

“This is the woman? The maid you intend to recommend as Eisen’s disciple?”

“That’s right.”

“Greet His Exce—”

“Pathetic.”

The abrupt reprimand left everyone frozen in place.

Then, the grand duke looked back at Lucian.

“Although your first request was rejected, you still had the right to receive a reward. As long as it wasn’t excessive, you could ask for anything. And you used it to present this woman to Eisen?”

“…!”

“If you think rewards come whenever you want, you’re being arrogant. You threw away a rare opportunity on something useless. The day will come when you regret it.”

Felicia’s eyes trembled violently.

She had witnessed the succession struggles in noble houses.

She knew better than anyone how desperately sons sought their father’s recognition.

And Lucian had thrown all of that away for her.

However, Lucian didn’t flinch at the duke’s words.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t regret it.”

“What did you say?”

“Even if it were the last chance to receive a reward, I wouldn’t regret it. Because I used it in the most rightful way.”

“You truly believe this woman is worth it?”

“Yes.”

The answer came without a trace of doubt.

It wasn’t rebellion. It was conviction.

“I don’t know what you saw, Father, but I only see a swordswoman blessed by the gods. An extraordinary genius, with the power to cut the sky and divide the sea, bound by the chains of status and gender, unable even to breathe freely.”

“….”

“Many won’t understand me now. They’ll mock me for doing something so foolish. But those jeers will become praise. They’ll say Lucian Valdeck was the one who discovered the next Swordmaster—someone who was about to be lost in the shadows of history.”

Just as he finished speaking, a tear rolled down Felicia’s cheek.