A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 37

Chapter 37

“Sorry‌⁠ to bother you.”‌

“Don’t‌⁠‌ worry. It’s Felicia’s‍ etiquette class hour⁠ anyway, so I had nothing else‍⁠ to do.”

Although‍⁠‍ the Swordmaster had recently accepted a disciple, that didn’t mean he couldn’t⁠⁠ teach others.

No⁠ matter how talented‍ a disciple was,⁠⁠‍ they were still‌ human and couldn’t‍ train twenty-four hours‌ a day.

On‍ top of that,⁠ Felicia also had‍ to learn noble‌‍‌ etiquette, so it‌‍‍ was even more‍ impossible.

“I’ve‌ got free time‍ right now, so‍ being able to‍ help the young‍‌‌ master is an⁠⁠ honor. If you‍‌‍ truly needed me,‌‍ I’d even squeeze‌‍ nonexistent time to‌‍ come.”

It⁠ wasn’t sarcasm, but‌ a tone full of sincere gratitude.⁠‍

Ever‍ since Lucian had⁠ introduced him to‌ Felicia, Eisen felt‍⁠ a deep debt‍‌ toward him.

Sometimes‍ it even seemed⁠‌ like he was⁠‍‍ more grateful to‌⁠ Lucian than he would be to‍ someone who saved⁠‍⁠ his life.

“I‍‌ appreciate you saying that. By the‌‌‍ way, how is⁠ Felicia lately?”

“Her‍‍ enthusiasm for learning‌ etiquette is no‌‌ less than when‌ she practices swordsmanship.‌‌ Though the motivation‍ seems different—and that’s‍ a little unfortunate.”⁠‍

When⁠ mentioning Felicia’s situation,⁠ Eisen spoke with a bitter smile.‍

Unlike‌ swordsmanship, which she‌ enjoyed purely, her‌‌ passion for etiquette⁠ seemed more like‌ accumulated resentment from⁠‍‌ her years as‌ an illegitimate daughter.‍‍‌

“It’s⁠ inevitable. Just seeing⁠ how she cared‌‍ for her older⁠‌⁠ brother shows what⁠ kind of treatment she received at home. The invisible⁠ wounds must run‌‍‌ pretty deep.”

“Don’t⁠⁠ worry about that part. I intend⁠ to make those‍‍ who ignored the⁠‌ value of that‌ jewel shed tears⁠ of blood with‍⁠ my own hands.‍ When Felicia sees⁠ that with her⁠ own eyes, maybe‍ her resentment will‌ ease a little.”‍⁠

“Haha.‌ Those are promising⁠ words.”

At‌ Lucian’s statement, Eisen‍‌ stroked his beard‌⁠ and smiled coldly.‌

A marquis who, instead⁠‌ of nurturing a talent destined for‌‌⁠ the history books,‍ tried to bury‍⁠ it in the‌ shadows.

Beyond⁠ being a master‍ or a father,‍‍‌ as a swordsman,‌‌ he wanted to‍ strike back if⁠ he had the‌ chance.

“Well,⁠‌⁠ I’ve gone on‌‌ long enough. Let’s⁠ see the sword‌⁠ now. Show me‍⁠‌ the Lionheart Sword⁠‌ I taught you‌‌ last time.”

“Yes.”‍

Lucian‌ performed all the‌‍ stances of the‌ Lionheart Sword he‌‍‍ had recently learned.

In‌‍ truth, it was‍ still time to‍ focus on fundamentals,‍‌⁠ but Eisen decided‍ to overlook that‍ point.

Lucian’s foundation was so solid that even⁠ without correction, he‌ constantly refined it⁠‌ himself.

If‍‌ half the power‌⁠ of a technique‌ came from its⁠⁠ fundamentals, it could be said he had already completed‌ half the training.‍

The⁠ problem was the⁠⁠ other half.

“That’s‍‌ everything.”

“Hmm.”‍

When the Lionheart Sword⁠ demonstration ended, a faint murmur escaped‍‍ Eisen’s lips.

After‍‍‌ thinking for a long moment, he looked seriously at⁠⁠ Lucian and spoke.‌‌

“From‍‌ my point of‍‍ view, young master’s body has been⁠ blessed by the heavens. Your energy‌⁠ is pure, and‍ the destructive force⁠ it releases is‍‍ extraordinary. Your fundamentals‌ are flawless, and⁠ your ability to⁠‌‌ read your opponent‌‌ is outstanding.”

“Uh…⁠‌ thank you?”

“Also,‌⁠ the Lionheart Sword‌‍ suits your nature‍‍ very well. It’s‍ a technique focused⁠‌ on destructive force.‌⁠‍ It’s not inferior‍‌ to other styles,‌‍ but sometimes it’s‌‍ best to focus‌⁠‌ on what one excels at.”

At‍⁠ the sudden praise,⁠⁠ Lucian tilted his‌ head.

He‌ wondered where this long speech was⁠ going.

After continuing with his‍ analysis and explanation,‌‌ Eisen smiled slightly⁠‍ and pointed to⁠‍ the path Lucian‍ should take.

“That’s‌‍‌ why, in my‍ opinion, it would⁠ be better for‌⁠ the young master‍‍ to focus more⁠ on instant destruction‌⁠ than on refined‌ technique—making the most of your body’s‍ exceptional advantages. Just that alone would‍ send most knights‌‌ flying like autumn⁠ leaves.”

“…Sir‌‌ Eisen, if it’s‍ not just my⁠‌‍ imagination, it sounds‌⁠ like you’re telling⁠‌ me that since‍‌ my technique is⁠‌‍ mediocre compared to‌‍‌ my strength, I should just go‌ all-in with raw⁠ power.”

“Haha.”‌

“Don’t⁠ laugh like that,‍ I’m serious.”

“Hehaha.”‌⁠

Eisen‌‌ only laughed and⁠ changed the subject,‌⁠‌ but he never‌ denied it.

Shortly‌⁠ after, with a genuine smile, he‌ added.

“Even‌ so, what I said came from‍ the heart. Most⁠‍ knights wouldn’t be⁠ able to stand⁠ against you with‍⁠ just that. And‌‌⁠ above all, there’s‍‍ no single path⁠ to reaching the‌‍ highest level. There⁠ must also be‍‌ a path to‌‌ becoming a Swordmaster‌‍⁠ through destruction instead‍ of technique.”

“A⁠‌ Swordmaster with a powerful sword but⁠ no technique. Doesn’t sound very elegant.”‍

“There’s‌⁠ no need to‌ see it only‌‌ negatively. If the⁠ young master, with‍‍‍ that body, reaches‍⁠ the peak of‍ the sword…”

“If⁠‍ I reach it?”⁠⁠

“You‌‌ might even be‌ able to fell‌⁠⁠ a legendary dragon⁠⁠ with a single‍⁠ strike.”

At such an exaggerated⁠‌⁠ statement, Lucian flinched‍‍ and looked at‌‍ Eisen.

He‌ thought he’d laugh‌ again and brush⁠‍‍ it off, but‌ his expression was‍ completely calm.

As‍‍‌ if—whether Lucian believed‍ him or not—he‌ had simply stated⁠ the truth.

***‌

Lucian‍ decided to follow‌‍‌ the Swordmaster’s advice.⁠‌‍

Leaving⁠⁠ aside the matter⁠‍⁠ of dragons, it‌⁠‌ was undeniable that⁠ this was the⁠ most appropriate direction.⁠

“If‌ you don’t have‍‌ natural talent for⁠⁠⁠ technique, mastering it‍ takes an eternity.‍‌ It’s much better‍‍ to focus on‌ strength.”

And‌‌ in fact, the increase in the‌⁠ destructive power of‌ his swordsmanship was⁠ no small matter.‌⁠

Having‌ more strength also⁠‍ meant greater speed,‍ making it even⁠ harder for the‌ enemy to block.⁠

If even an obvious⁠⁠ attack trajectory couldn’t⁠ be stopped, wasn’t⁠ that essentially a lethal blow?

“In‍ my past life,‍ I nearly died‌ several times to⁠ attacks like that.”‍‌⁠

Precisely⁠ because those attacks‍⁠ were so simple,⁠ the Lucian of⁠ that time didn’t⁠ even have a way to respond.⁠‌

At‌ the very least,‌‍‌ some strength and⁠⁠ speed were needed⁠‌ to do anything.‍‍

This‍ time, he didn’t‍‌ mind being the⁠ one who inflicted⁠ that feeling on his opponents.

With‌‍ this blessed body,‍ it wasn’t difficult‍‍ at all.

Two‍‍ months passed like⁠ that.

“Fuuu…”‌⁠⁠

After‌ completing the circulation,‌‌‌ Lucian exhaled deeply‍‌‍ and looked around.‍

Empty‌‍ medicine bottles and‌‌ remnants of ingredients‍ used to make‍ the degraded nectar.‍

Everything‌‌ else was still‍ plentiful, but the most important—moonlight herb—had been completely depleted.

“Tsk…⁠ they say they⁠ can’t get any‌ more, and I can’t exactly demand‍⁠ it from them.”‍

No matter how much⁠‍‌ he pressured the⁠‌‌ herbalists, all he⁠‍ got were lamentations⁠⁠ saying it was⁠ no longer possible.‍⁠

The‍‌ price was high‍ compared to the‌‌ difficulty of obtaining‌‍‌ it, and there‍ were few buyers,‍ so when stocked,‍‍‍ it usually lasted‍⁠ a while.

But‌ now that the reserves of nearby‌‌‌ territories were exhausted,‌‌⁠ getting more wasn’t‌⁠ easy.

“If‌‌ I had the‌‌⁠ complete nectar recipe,‌⁠ I wouldn’t have⁠ to compensate with⁠‌ quantity like this.”‍

Lucian⁠⁠ felt a renewed⁠‍‌ sense of regret.‍‍⁠

The⁠‍‌ potion he was‍‌ taking now wasn’t‌⁠ bad, but compared‍‍‌ to the original,‌⁠ it was very‌⁠ diluted.

If⁠⁠ he used it‍‌‍ all to strengthen‌ his own body, there would be‌⁠‍ none left.

‘It’s a pity. If⁠⁠ possible, I’d like‌ the leftover to‍‍‍ be taken by⁠‌‍ the others too,‍⁠‍ but there just‍ isn’t enough…’

“Young⁠‌ master.”

Hans’s⁠ voice pulled Lucian‌‍ from his thoughts.‌

After‍‍ hurriedly putting on‍ his clothes, he‌‌ pushed the bottles‌ and materials into a corner and‌‌⁠ stepped outside.

“What is it?”

“T-the⁠ grand duke is calling for you.‍‌‌ He says it’s an important matter‍‍‌ and that he’s convening a family⁠‌‌ meeting.”

“A‍⁠⁠ family meeting? Does‍⁠ that mean all‍⁠⁠ the wives will⁠‌ attend too?”

“Most‍ likely.”

Lucian’s‌ expression turned serious.‌

Unlike‌⁠ before, when it was disguised as⁠⁠ a breakfast, this‌ time it was⁠ openly called a family meeting.

That‌ could only mean⁠⁠‌ it was something‌ of great importance‌ to Grand Duke‍⁠⁠ Sigmund and the⁠⁠ Valdeck family.

Something⁠ that could involve⁠‍ all members of‌‌ the clan.

“Could it be…?”

A thought crossed Lucian’s‍‍‌ mind.

The⁠ nearest historical turning⁠⁠ point—and the event‌ he had been‌ preparing for.

There was still time‍ before it happened,‍ but if the⁠ high nobles had‌‌ started moving in‌‍ preparation, the timing⁠⁠ fit perfectly.

“Get⁠‌ ready right away.‍‌‌ Let’s go.”

After‍ quickly getting ready,‍‌‍ Lucian headed to⁠⁠‍ the lord’s mansion.⁠‌‍

For⁠ the first time⁠‍‌ since learning the⁠ Lionheart Sword, his‍ heart was pounding.‍‌‍

If‌ his guess was‌ correct, getting involved—or‍‌‌ not—in this event‍ would be the‍‍‌ deciding point that‌ shaped the future.⁠

***‍

Lucian wasn’t the only‍‍ one who reacted‌⁠ to the words‌‍ “family meeting.” The‍⁠ others arrived at‍‍ the mansion almost‌‌ at the same‌‌‍ time.

The⁠‌⁠ three brothers and their respective mothers, the three wives.‌‌‌

And‌ Lucian—the only one‌ whose biological mother‌‍ had already passed away.

Seven⁠ gazes crossed in‌⁠‍ the air at‌ the same time,‌ and a peculiar‍⁠ tension settled over‌‌ the place.

“Now⁠ that everyone is here, sit down.‍ Ladies, take your‌ seats.”

Fortunately,⁠‌⁠ before the tension⁠ could build, the‍‌ grand duke’s appearance‍⁠⁠ dissipated it.

At‌ Sigmund’s deep voice,⁠ the family members⁠‌ sat in silence.‍‍ Thinking it would⁠ be pointless to‌ drag things out,⁠⁠ the grand duke‍‌ got straight to‌‍ the point.

“A‍ rebellion has broken‌ out in Krephelt.”‍

“What?‌⁠ Don’t tell me…?”⁠

“Yes,⁠ that same Krephelt‌⁠‌ with the greatest‍ power in the‌‍⁠ East. It’s also‌ the vassal state with the most⁠‌‍ formidable military force.”

When⁠‌‍ his suspicion was‌ confirmed, Lucian unconsciously‍‍ clenched his fist.‍‌‍

The‍‍ Krephelt Rebellion.

Though⁠‌ it didn’t yet‌ mark the beginning⁠ of chaos, it was the sign‍‍⁠ heralding its arrival.‍⁠‌

The‍⁠ event that most‌ contributed to the⁠‍ Empire’s downfall had‍‍ finally begun.

“To‌ be precise, war‍ hasn’t broken out‌ yet. But it will soon. They’ve‌ rejected the imperial‍‌ tax collection and⁠‍ issued a conscription⁠ order.”

“That’s‍‍ practically a declaration‌ of war. If‍‌ it’s Krephelt, it‍ seems hard for‍ the Empire to‍‍ suppress it alone.‌⁠ Father, are you‍ going to intervene?”‍

Jordi⁠‌ asked the question‍ as if it⁠⁠⁠ were a given.‌

When‌‍‍ a rebellion reached‍ national scale, it⁠‍ was normal to‌ form a coalition⁠‌ of feudal lords.⁠

And‌‌ to command it, someone with authority‌ equal to or‌‍‍ close to the‍‍ emperor was needed.‌‍⁠

If‍‌ it wasn’t a personal campaign by the emperor, there‌⁠ was no better‌⁠‍ candidate than Grand Duke Sigmund.

“No.‍‍‌ It won’t be‍ me.”

However,‍ the grand duke‌ shook his head and named someone⁠⁠ completely unexpected.

“The‍⁠⁠ one who will⁠‍‍ command the suppression‍‍ of the rebellion‌⁠‍ is His Highness,⁠‍‍ the First Prince.”‌

“What!?”‍

Not‌‌‌ just the brothers,‌ but the wives‍ too, opened their‌ eyes wide in‌‌⁠ shock.

The‍‍ First Prince certainly‌ had authority, but‍‌ he had almost‍ no battlefield experience.‍

And‍‌⁠ yet he was‍‍ being placed in⁠ command of a rebellion of such‍⁠ magnitude?

“T-then…‍‍ will Father support‍‍‌ His Highness as⁠⁠ an aide?”

“Neither.⁠ His Majesty wishes that one of‌⁠ you go.”

A heavy silence fell⁠‌ over the room.⁠‌ In place of the emperor—the First⁠ Prince. In place of the grand‌ duke—one of his‍ sons.

It‍ was too blatant‌ a political maneuver.⁠‌

“So‌‍ he wants to‍ reinforce the First⁠‍ Prince’s authority and,‍ in the process,‌⁠ bind us to him.”

“Damn‌⁠ it, isn’t that‍ too much? Why‍ us and not Father?”

The⁠ emperor’s intention was clear.

The‌‌⁠ grand duke was‍ loyal—but his sons⁠‍⁠ could go in⁠ any direction.

Taking‌‌ advantage of this⁠‌ occasion, he planned to tie them‍‌ to the First‍ Prince by force.⁠⁠

Once‍ connected, the world⁠⁠ would see them‌‍ as his faction—whether⁠ they liked it‍ or not.

The‌⁠‍ problem was, none‍⁠ of the grand‌‍ duke’s sons wanted⁠‍ that.

“It’s well known even‌ in high society that the First⁠⁠ Prince isn’t fit‌‌ for the throne.⁠‍⁠ If we’re tied‌‌ to him now,‌ it’ll be a burden forever.”

“Maybe I’d gain the‌ emperor’s favor, but what matters to‌‌‍ me now is⁠‍ the position of‍ the next head⁠ of the family,‌ not imperial favor.”‍

“If⁠ he asks for⁠‌ my support when⁠‌ I’m the next‍ head, then I’ll‌‍ consider it. Why‍‌ would I bow‍ now?”

Faced‍ with the three‌ brothers’ reactions, the‍‌⁠ grand duke sighed as if he’d‌ expected it.

“Just‌ in case, I’ll⁠‍ ask. Is there‍ anyone willing to⁠‍ volunteer?”

“Is‌ it really necessary‍ to ask for‍ volunteers? It seems‍‌ we already have‍ a suitable candidate.”‌

Just‌‍ as the question‍ ended, one of‌⁠‍ the wives—who had⁠ remained silent—spoke up.‌ It was Veronica,‌ the beautiful red-haired‍ southern woman and⁠‍ Tristan’s mother.

Facing‍ the grand duke’s‌ questioning look, Veronica‍‍ spoke while looking‌ at Lucian.

“Send‌ the third son.”