Chapter 41

“Don’t tell me the First Imperial Prince isn’t present?”

“No, it’s not that… but… huff.”

Under Lucian’s pressure, Jurgen let out a deep sigh, as if he would almost prefer the prince to actually be absent.

After a moment, he tightly shut his eyes and pulled something out.

“Please accept this first.”

“What is this? A mask?”

Lucian took the mask with a perplexed expression.

At first, he thought it might be some kind of artifact, but it wasn’t.

It was an ordinary mask—thin and fragile—the kind used at parties.

“Why are you giving me a mask all of a sudden?”

“Until all the lords participating in the alliance have gathered, I ask that you wear it. And, if possible, that you don’t reveal your identity.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“It’s a game that has recently become popular in high society. People socialize while hiding their identity with a mask, and at a certain point, they reveal who they are.”

“A game?”

Lucian frowned at Jurgen’s explanation. There was one word he couldn’t overlook.

“Did you just say ‘game’?”

“Yes. I don’t quite get it myself, but they say it’s very effective for fostering camaraderie. It allows people to connect regardless of title rank…”

“That’s not what I’m asking. We’re here to suppress a rebellion, not to enjoy a party.”

With an almost resigned expression, Jurgen nodded.

As if he knew Lucian was completely right, but there was no alternative.

“In fact, it was a direct proposal from the First Imperial Prince, aiming to foster camaraderie among the allied army.”

“From the First Imperial Prince himself?”

“Yes. So please, I beg you. I understand it’s not to your liking, but there are underlying reasons…”

“Ha.”

Lucian let out a dry laugh.

Underlying reasons, my ass.

Everything pointed to the First Prince just wanting to amuse himself.

He probably wanted to watch the lords clash without knowing who was who.

‘Does that man even think? This might work with court nobles, but pulling this kind of stunt on territorial lords…’

Court nobles, without lands of their own, were mere extensions of the imperial palace.

Even if they were the butt of such jokes, they couldn’t rebel.

But the territorial nobles gathered here were a different matter.

They had their own military power, and their loyalty wasn’t absolute.

Under normal circumstances, they should at least be treated with a minimum of respect.

‘Even if I take a hundred steps back and accept this being done to lesser houses, doing it to me, the representative of the Duke of Valdeck, is another matter. This could be taken as a humiliation.’

It could be brushed off as a joke, but it could just as well be interpreted as an insult.

The First Prince’s “game” was treading a dangerously fine line.

Jurgen knew that—hence his pale face.

Clicking his tongue, Lucian took the mask and said.

“Well, easing the fatigue a bit before the war isn’t a bad thing. I don’t know how effective it will be, but if His Highness desires it, as a vassal I have no choice but to comply.”

“Th-thank you! Truly, thank you very much, Lord Lucian!”

Jurgen bowed repeatedly, looking like someone whose life had just been spared.

After all, Lucian had chosen to let something that could easily have escalated into a major conflict over insulting the Valdeck family pass as a mere joke.

“The Valdeck family is truly a pillar of the Empire! With a successor as wise as you, Lord Lucian, the Empire will prosper alongside Valdeck for a long time!”

“I’m not the successor.”

“Not yet, you mean. Just based on what you’ve shown today, it’s obvious. The day the Valdeck family needs someone to lead it, without a doubt, it’ll be you, Lord Lucian.”

Once again, Jurgen continued showering Lucian with compliments.

Lucian nodded absentmindedly and tried to enter, but Jurgen, startled, blocked his path.

“W-wait a moment, please. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Again? Are you going to check if I’m wearing the mask right here?”

“I’d appreciate that. Also, I’ll give you a cloak to further conceal your identity. There are rules—when moving around the area, your identity must be hidden as much as possible, and your escort limited to one person…”

After that, Jurgen spent a good while explaining meticulous rules, sweating the whole time.

As he listened to the never-ending list, Lucian pressed a hand to his temple in frustration.

What a circus the allied army had become.

***

“Is the First Imperial Prince even aware of what he’s doing? This is a direct insult to the Valdeck family!”

After finishing the explanation and setting up camp, Gerard entered the tent with a deep frown, visibly upset.

Unlike Lucian, Gerard couldn’t seem to accept all of this as a mere “joke.”

“Third young master, there’s no need to tolerate the antics of the First Imperial Prince. Even if we flipped the table right here, both the Duke and His Majesty the Emperor would understand.”

“And then the mood within the allied army would go straight to hell. Do you really think someone capable of pulling a stunt like this would back off quietly if his game is ruined?”

“That is…”

Confronted with Lucian’s direct remark, Gerard fell silent.

This was a First Prince capable of playing such jokes on territorial nobles.

Even if things blew up, it was far more likely he’d react emotionally rather than rationally.

“For now, it doesn’t seem like His Highness has bad intentions, so let’s let it go. Besides, this mask game also has its advantages.”

“Advantages? Is there really such a thing?”

“It’s easier to probe each lord’s true intentions. If we were to gather while openly displaying our status, everyone would just put on a carefully calculated façade.”

The Valdeck family was, excluding the imperial family, the highest-ranking house in the Empire.

In other words, aside from declared enemies, no one dared show their true thoughts in front of them.

No one knew what kind of retaliation might come from offending a ducal house.

However, with a mask on—even temporarily—one could conceal their identity.

“Of course, it won’t take long before everyone figures out who’s who, but until then, people can speak more frankly than usual. Since we’ve decided to go along with the First Prince’s game, I plan to make the most of this opportunity.”

“Hmm… is that really necessary? From my point of view, this will only stir up unnecessary conflict.”

“Of course it’s necessary.”

More precisely, not for the future head of the Valdeck family, but for Lucian.

If he became the duke, the intentions of the small and mid-level lords would no longer matter.

Before the head of House Valdeck, they would never dare reveal them.

But Lucian, who had the possibility of acting independently, saw value in using this chance to assess the lords’ inclinations.

‘You never know when it might be useful. The more information, the better.’

“If the third young master sees it that way, then do as you please.”

Having no way of knowing Lucian’s true motives, Gerard calmly nodded.

Since Lucian held full authority, once he made a decision, there was no way for Gerard to stop him.

“However, according to the rules set by the First Imperial Prince, he may only take one escort when moving around.”

“That’s right. Unfortunately, Sir Gerard, you’ll have to wait here.”

“Whom do you intend to take as an escort?”

“Obviously, Sir Raymond.”

Hugo had ability, but as an escort, he was far inferior.

All nobles were accompanied by knightly escorts; Lucian couldn’t be the only one walking around with a commoner.

If he could only take one person, there was no better choice than Raymond, a former member of the Black Lion.

“Well, now that we’re in, why not start observing right away?”

Lucian put on the mask and headed toward the “open-air ballroom” prepared by the First Imperial Prince, determined to see how the other nobles would react to this absurd game.

***

“…There are far fewer than I expected.”

Lucian let out a sigh without realizing it.

Despite wearing a mask and cloak, the nobles present barely made up half of the number of visible banners.

Raymond, summoned as escort, also looked around and smiled bitterly.

“If you think about it, this is normal. There’s no reason to go along with the First Prince’s joke.”

“So, without flipping the table, it’s enough to stay locked in one’s tent and not come out.”

“Exactly. In fact, the fact that half even showed up is impressive.”

True.

A seasoned noble would prefer not to get dragged into unnecessary trouble by playing along with a prank.

Even if the First Prince felt slightly offended, they would likely consider that the most profitable choice.

“Then, those who did come are either weak houses that rely too much on imperial favor, or people without the ability for political calculations. Or else…”

“They’re desperate for contacts.”

The voice that cut in made Lucian and Raymond turn their heads at the same time.

In front of them stood a noble wearing a mask and cloak, accompanied by his escort. From his visible skin tone and voice, he seemed to be around Lucian’s age.

“…Nigel Crayce?”

Upon seeing the familiar scar beneath the lip, Lucian muttered without thinking.

The other man flinched.

“You know me?”

Of course. How could he not know Nigel the Bat, a minor baron who, despite being just a baron, had managed to protect his territory until Lucian’s death in his past life thanks to his diplomatic mastery?

Lucian had even briefly worked under him in that previous life.

‘He had an almost artistic talent for applying just enough pressure to bring enemies to the negotiation table, then retreating.’

He could bluff just enough to dissuade stronger enemies or hint at outside support without ever fully committing.

He lacked military power, but thanks to near-supernatural diplomacy, he maintained independence until the end.

‘But I can’t start mentioning past life stories here.’

Lucian opted for a simple excuse.

“Apologies. I noticed the scar near your mouth and took a guess. Looks like I got it right.”

“Ah… this thing, huh? Seems like something so trivial ended up making me unintentionally famous.”

Nigel smiled bitterly, touching the scar—a souvenir from when a falcon had torn his lip.

The falconry story, in which his brother accidentally tossed the prey toward his face, was well known.

Though rumors suggested that the “accident” might have been intentional.

“Then allow me to guess your identity. Since you got mine right, it’s only fair. Let’s see—House Dampierre?”

“No.”

“Then House Kleist?”

“Also no.”

Nigel listed several house names, but didn’t guess correctly.

He didn’t even consider houses ranked above a county. In the end, he raised both hands with a sheepish smile.

“I give up, I give up. This is embarrassing. I thought I was good at reading people, but I couldn’t even guess your family.”

“I find it more impressive that you know so many houses and their traits. You’re not just naming them randomly, are you?”

“Ah, busted?”

Nigel scratched his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.

Despite Lucian’s initial lack of manners in blurting out his name, their first meeting wasn’t a bad one.

Seizing the moment, Lucian asked about something Nigel had mentioned earlier.

“By the way, you said nobles gathered here either because they need contacts or to prepare for changes in the Empire. I understand the first part, but what did you mean by the second?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. The Empire’s been restless lately.”

As they walked casually, Nigel lowered his voice as if discussing something sensitive.

“The succession issue with the First Imperial Prince, the incitement by the Imperial Liberation Alliance, the movements of the vassal states, and to top it off, even the hidden black mages are stirring. Nothing has happened yet, but no one knows when it’ll all blow up. In times like this, a single contact can be worth its weight in gold.”

“To help each other if something happens?”

“More like because you never know when those contacts will disappear. When a storm blows in, it’s not uncommon for acquaintances to be swept away suddenly.”

I see. Even a paper-thin connection is better than none.

“The veteran lords think this is all exaggerated youth talk, but I can’t shake this unease. If it were just the imperial family, that’d be one thing—but even the Valdeck Duchy is in turmoil.”

Lucian tensed.

“Something happened in the Valdeck family?”

“Haven’t you heard? They say the third young master, who had been retired for a while, suddenly reappeared and started making waves. He uncovered the conspiracy of Marquis Roglan in advance, exposed the Imperial Liberation Alliance’s plans, and even gained the support of Swordmaster Eisen.”

“R-really?”

“That’s not something to brush off with a simple ‘I see.’ Now there are even rumors he came as the duke’s representative with full authority to suppress this rebellion. That alone shakes the entire line of succession. No one can predict what kind of impact this will have.”

“…”

“This might be unnecessary advice, but people like us need to act with caution in times like this. When whales fight, shrimp get crushed. I’ve heard the third young master is quite young—don’t be fooled by appearances. Even young, a lion is still a lion. He may hide a terrifying nature behind an innocent face.”

“That’s… very sound advice…”