Chapter 38
Xa0KXiRAt the sudden intervention, Grand Duke Sigmund’s brow furrowed.TABe4
asnW“Madam, I said I would accept volunteers. At no point did I ask for recommendations. What do you think you’re doing?”MxI
hf4RG“It’s not a recommendation. It’s just that, by process of elimination, only the third remains. Think about it.”ArCTKyH
9OZx2Not even at the grand duke’s rebuke did Lady Veronica blink.eVe
judOn the contrary, she rose calmly and swept her fan through the air.gdR
jxO“This suppression of the rebellion is not a mission of the appropriate scale to send the boys just to gain experience. At the very least, one must have stepped onto a battlefield before. And in that regard, the second and fourth are disqualified.”P3E
vZS2L2“Hmm.”FFYx6J
5snQThe grand duke furrowed his brow, as if wanting to argue, but in the end, he nodded.0ORn
wKfmyPIt was true that, as a formative experience, the suppression of a rebellion was inappropriate.02kQcy
XYrkIt wasn’t a small skirmish, and safety was not guaranteed.fjK5Et3
VqVrLThough it was normal to avoid the front lines, there was always the possibility of the unexpected.sBfrRj
2SrnViOFor that, at least some experience was necessary.UTDtnA
PGNu7I4“But by that logic, the eldest would also be a candidate.”eCMidzA
Mo1ooP“Tristan has remained in Bornholm for quite a while under your orders. It’s too short a period to send him out again. Besides, he has accumulated far more merits than the others.”jxIRMyu
Oowgh“Having many merits isn’t reason enough.”Qhm6
CpcA“No, it is. And it’s the most important reason. Do you really want to tie the son who’s clearly in the lead in the succession race to the First Prince, whom His Majesty is backing?”KzUO8pj
16moK“Even if the eldest grows closer to the First Prince, that won’t help in the competition for head of the family.”0wEzA2I
6egtHHr“And what if His Majesty gets the wrong idea? Couldn’t that cause a rather serious problem?”ZcKY4a
SPI8Sm3Hearing them touch on exactly the point that already worried him, the grand duke’s brow tensed.jGlumyl
ViMVWas she implying that the emperor might name Tristan the next head of the family?xJhKo5
46NlXiS“I am the head of House Valdeck. And I’m also the one who decides the next head. His Majesty may be the ruler of the Empire, but don’t forget that I am the master of this house.”lC0
mDdbe“Everyone here knows that better than anyone. The problem is His Majesty’s will. It’s not right for a sovereign to interfere in the family matters of a vassal, but lately His Majesty has been making rather excessive demands, don’t you think?”Vm1Tyv
f406Mb“…”mixFOL
7k4SWith nothing to refute her, the grand duke fell silent.ik29wi
HwD9The very fact they were holding this family meeting was a direct consequence of one of the emperor’s excessive demands.j76
mB2Z8OMAnd, seeing his recent behavior, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.uc1
ct3Jo“If His Majesty is trying to tie one of my sons to the First Prince, it’s to prepare for the future. He may see the others as backup, but if he sends Tristan, who is leading in the race for head of the house…”mz8t
ii0KIf it all ended with a simple misunderstanding—that the future head of House Valdeck supports the First Prince—it would still be bearable.oe86gO
lUV2EWxIn the worst case, they might even assist externally in raising Tristan to the head position.58s
XbH3yEven if the grand duke firmly objected, the emperor might take it as confirmation and push forward. A breakdown in the sovereign-vassal relationship would be inevitable.MEHmun
ulv“Aren’t all of these logical reasons? Send the third.”bstu6xP
cJ8qeG“I… I also think the third is the most suitable…”cDJtKSK
c5J6pI4As the grand duke hesitated, the other two wives sided with Veronica.F6l4
ZO7Seeing that, the grand duke’s face contorted completely.P1F
hcjZ3WThough their arguments made sense, it was clear to anyone that their real aim was to hinder Lucian.LxSpYOF
bysKrAnd the fact that the wives got involved—not just the rival brothers—made it even worse.sCBPl
1lCN5WI“Ladies!”txxLvKl
ItBh1DpJust as the grand duke, furious, was about to raise his voice at the three of them, someone spoke.Okx
XaKtMI“She’s absolutely right. Who, aside from me, would be the most suitable in this situation? Send me, Father.”Fa9pUdS
9YjPG“…!?”hrZFDKz
Rj0Y3AnEveryone opened their eyes wide as Lucian suddenly stepped forward.c44KNxq
wVG3WbI***WXauuna
rvRBThe first to react was Grand Duke Sigmund.XdZmmP
Y3GivHQWith a stunned expression, he shouted at Lucian.Ufz
YdiATS“Lucian, do you even know what you’re saying right now?”jtA
Ojwp5G“Of course I do. Isn’t it about leading the troops in your stead and helping His Highness, the First Prince, suppress the rebellion?”Kplc
cUPm“No, well, yes, that’s true, but…!”lZVg
z8Rp4m7There were many things he wanted to say, but they got stuck in his throat.m1bOlq
IqkUPd4How could he say it wasn’t appropriate to volunteer, when he himself had brought up the matter?cVTUnP
BVktNcEspecially when one of his sons had to go anyway.l9f
XUWCkLucian smiled as he saw the grand duke at a loss for words.nOP
tovKikj“Don’t worry so much. I understand the situation well. I have no intention of cozying up to His Highness just to win his favor, so you can rest easy.”ywmH6
6L3yVThe glances around him grew even stranger.yhQGA7D
WukhKwNEveryone knew the hidden political intent behind this matter. And yet he volunteered?kdx6SYN
aawU8Veronica couldn’t help but ask Lucian.crXe4wa
bH4hED“What are you plotting? Do you have some kind of plan?”WZlZ
hBDNO“Plan? That’s an odd thing to say. Weren’t you the one who proposed me in the first place? It’s only been a few seconds—have you already forgotten?”qLmup
0k189XAt Lucian’s jab, Veronica narrowed her eyes but couldn’t respond.0TbLoM
L4OJShe couldn’t back out after dumping the problem on him and seeing him accept it so readily.B5M
VgyrBAfter leaving her speechless, Lucian calmly added.nMSH
4XXD“Just as you said. I’m the only one suitable for this. The eldest brother could cause misunderstandings with His Majesty, and the second brother and Joshua have no war experience. In that case, shouldn’t I take it on willingly? However…”05UVez
UymDO4“However?”X1POmGl
BMqFeNx“I have one request, Father. Grant me full authority for this mission.”0XJaJd
ZCRjLc“Full authority? You’re already going as my representative. That already makes you my plenipotentiary. What more full authority could you possibly want?”AAzIrq7
EBNThe grand duke blinked, as if thinking he was hearing nonsense.b171S
64U9gMRBut Lucian didn’t back down and looked at him with a meaningful expression.Nly
gf8LGS“Is that really the case? Isn’t there going to be another actual commander, just under the name of ‘advisor’? I mean in case I mess things up or make a command error due to inexperience.”kIofFQx
l6xup“…”TQslUF
QEGSwThat direct blow to the heart of the matter made the grand duke pause.kCzocs
worR8riIndeed, he had considered sending someone like that.NHEKYc5
9yO7WKRTo be honest, he couldn’t entrust all military decisions to a boy who hadn’t even turned twenty.ztxt50e
3wxCOn the battlefield, a single grave mistake could cost lives.6LA
TsxPqEjAt the very least, a minimal safeguard was needed—someone reliable who could advise and take over if needed.ZyMqO
vue“…They would only intervene if things went terribly wrong. As long as you don’t make a serious blunder, command remains yours.”L9k
SrSA“So that means, in the worst case, I could be stripped of command.”r2Awm
tA69“I’ll say it again—only in an emergency.”cFDyf
VP4WqP“And the one who’ll decide if it’s an emergency will be the advisor, right?”iNTig
XuxUK“Whoever I send will have far more experience than you. Are you saying you can’t trust the judgment of someone like that?”VUkBfN
UbxU027The grand duke’s expression turned stern, but Lucian did not yield.hyowupS
PsZzSwjThis wasn’t just any mission—it was the Krephelt Rebellion. Even as a precaution, Lucian needed full authority.ucoYe
XsM“It’s not a matter of trust. It’s a matter of authority. If I’m the commander, the right to strip command from the advisor must be mine. The reverse cannot be allowed.”TJ7
C1n“Huh.”8ZysO
Iou5oSA dry laugh escaped the grand duke’s lips.MHT8E
sssdZqIt was an excessive and dangerous demand.DZ7gq
MhmxzwjAt that age, how hot-blooded could youth get?gRCE
HGN3GQ0Reckless plans for the sake of fame, or rash charges, were daily occurrences.AE5eF2
aw1HsIf he really granted full authority, there was no telling what might happen.bGM8zc3
mgNV“I want to shout no, but the situation is too unclear.”eDGfRN
ifPlqdNEven while the wives pressured him unilaterally, that boy had volunteered without hesitation.9GmP
sHY6dmDenying him even that condition would make it seem like even his own father, the grand duke, saw Lucian as nothing more than a scapegoat.q7SmGRo
0bAvXt‘I could still reject it and send one of the other sons, but whoever it is, they’ll obviously refuse to go…’0jfg
DiiThere was no way around it. The grand duke sighed and nodded heavily.Olj6rt
SMA4GG“Fine. I’ll grant you full authority.”G3z
3L2z5“Thank you, Father.”bhnCe
eE3Qjz“But since you lack experience, I’ll assign you an advisor. With full authority, it’s up to you whether to follow their advice or not—but don’t dismiss it lightly.”dqnj
ZSTwk0“I’ll keep that in mind.”L9iYL
6jTZhTILucian nodded with a smile.XMaDB0F
RS0fFThe other wives and brothers also showed rather satisfied expressions.RHVz1e
KFGPBcsUpon hearing his demand, they seemed to think he was obsessed with glory and ready to do something reckless.LDbVM9
IBze“Well, that’s not entirely wrong either.”JuyEw
KmCJ8He desired fame, and he also intended to do something risky.H6RY
KWTVhnrThe difference was that Lucian knew he would succeed.3xh1A6
rRIbCZAnd that, as a result, the future of the continent would change drastically.8o5OMxF
Oqb4leRThough they wouldn’t find that out until much later.dmad
0UhM***xpGCsvu
PCD— Departure will be in two months. You won’t return until the rebellion is suppressed this time, so get plenty of rest.kNiyA
OSaY“That’s quite a while, more than I expected.”BEL16J
aEt7t0GLucian smiled bitterly at the time frame mentioned by the grand duke.fSHh81S
7d0S7ZCome to think of it, before the era of chaos, it had always been that way.O4L
4L1vXLegions were formed, supply routes secured, troops gathered, and only after the final ultimatum was delivered did war begin.19wVc
KJHCompared to that era, when everyone was constantly ready to stab the standing armies in the back, this felt almost formal.nSz
108“But that ends with this rebellion.”Jir2eea
0bvPEThe Krephelt Rebellion wasn’t just a signal of the Empire’s collapse.pMjPSI
baeFIt was the signal of the downfall of the existing order.waeuJx
sx58ArThe beginning of a chaotic era where dishonor became normal and betrayal an everyday occurrence.eFz
GJoaLucian planned to delay that beginning, even if just a little.vwJX
MzmWR“I still need time.”IpdNn
M9yvFor an Empire that had already reached its limit, stopping the approaching chaotic era was impossible.eY7f4
h5pvirBut when that era arrived, he still wouldn’t be ready to become a ruler with true power.4rdd
eb7LSnHHe needed to win just a little more time to prepare thoroughly.lT5E66y
8HrwKJust as Lucian finished his thoughts and was about to look for Hugo and Hans—torq
npTZ“I’m curious what you’re thinking about so deeply. Did you come up with some trick?”JP8d1
4kYkbb“Brother?”HaLRjxv
Io72bXLucian turned his head at the voice beside him.6oZ8Smm
gdBpJordi had approached without him noticing and was staring at him with sharp eyes.3XJkHz
WEwj3“You seem in quite the good mood, considering you’ll soon be heading to the battlefield and getting tied to the First Prince.”D305CCG
GM1“I don’t know. Turning a crisis into an opportunity depends on the person, doesn’t it? Some people can only see a crisis as a crisis.”fp2
KmK2goLucian shot back at Jordi’s provocation with equally sharp words.wx539WL
6y6After saying it, he waited for the explosion that would surely follow, but strangely, Jordi remained silent.rR8xJ
wJnNWAfter watching him for a long moment, he spoke coldly.iOn
vSTNXN“Do you know what it means to break away from the family?”o1IF
6nc2“To leave the family you belonged to and found a new one? Do you take me for a fool?”jfrKm7c
pd59i“No. But it seems you don’t know how shameless that act can be.”X7SJ
LCaSuddenly, Jordi looked Lucian straight in the eyes, as if he desperately needed to understand what he was thinking.VOz
91RQqjp“You have no inheritance rights, so you found a new family. Sounds good. But most of those types are worthless. That whole ‘self-made’ thing is a joke. Most of them suck the original family dry down to the bones.”mVY9nNA
pVx“…”g0jv
RrJB62“They lean on blood to claim legitimacy, wave around inherited rights, and seize inheritance. They steal what rightfully belongs to the legitimate heir, then call themselves founders of a new noble house.”7sxq8g
9XGu“What a way to put it. Do you know how many family heads have emerged after separating? And besides, if you’re not an heir, what exactly are you supposed to steal? You wouldn’t even have the right to take anything.”YzMAgN
agUU“No! Anything gained through that blood is theft.”Txn673
tB6dqWThe until-then silent Jordi exploded, clenching his fist.FPwiQKv
YWIA“From the moment you’re born, you build connections with the family’s talents, exchange favors, and in the end, steal those relationships to take with you. Because you were born with that blood, you’re acknowledged as noble and considered worthy of elevation to ruler. You even claim rights over the ancestors’ inheritance! If that’s not stealing, then what is?”L59u
MJlBastards, thieves, miserable wretches who should be torn apart.0Ksd0
4CMpmORJordi spat insult after insult onto the ground.kXN69
ZJxJViqLucian listened in silence and crossed his arms with an indifferent expression.TKFy
ImcOh“So? What do you want me to do about it? If the heads of breakaway families are all bastards. To be honest, I don’t even know why you’re telling me all this.”99bH9
EEIFak“…Tying yourself to the First Prince is a crucial matter for this family. If it goes well, there’s no problem, but if things get messy, you might end up as a discarded tail for the sake of the family. Getting involved in the throne struggle is dangerous, even for the Valdecks.”oPxU
iVERKJ“Well, you’re right about that.”qIA
Aqs“And yet, you didn’t seem worried at all. As if you didn’t care about being abandoned by the family. As if, even if you don’t become head of the family, it’s fine to go somewhere else.”69dmn
Ld657QZBefore Lucian could say that was a misunderstanding, Jordi grabbed his shoulder firmly.WFmXSKP
gB4sVQNot hard enough to hurt, but precisely because of that, it felt heavier.KE5f0Bh
X7XKBJordi leaned in and whispered.gfcW7xN
sK7“Burn this into your memory. You are a Valdeck. So am I. Our older brother, Joshua—we’re all Valdecks. We live with the Valdecks, and we die with the Valdecks. Except for the one who becomes head of the house, everyone else falls to the bottom.”SIO5
kcX“…”Fr9Q
eHfbITv“If you fail, you fall with us too. Don’t even dream of plucking feathers from the family to build your own wings. I don’t forgive theft. You either take everything or lose everything. Those are the only two options.”YH2
jBdBkAs soon as he finished speaking, Jordi shoved Lucian roughly and walked away.o2jC7E
RuVwdDIThen, as if he had nothing more to say, he quickly disappeared around the corner.O0rkx
3sMLucian was left alone. He soon let out a dry laugh and muttered.saB
qYK3SV“That guy…”pXgCPR
XLKHe’s damn perceptive.eaqq
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