Chapter 52

“Why the hell are those guys here?!”

The ones surprised weren’t just the Alliance.

The king of Kreppelt, Erich, shouted in astonishment as he watched the approaching Red-Winged Squadron.

“Why has the imperial guard come all the way to the border?! No, more importantly, how the hell did they get here so fast?!”

“This is no time to analyze that, Your Majesty! You must retreat immediately before they arrive!”

“Your Majesty? Did you say Your Majesty?”

At those words, Erich’s eyes sharpened.

It had already been several months since he declared independence, and yet they still called him that.

The noble who had suggested retreat realized his mistake and hastily corrected himself.

“F-forgive me… Majesty… it was a slip of the tongue…”

“No, that’s enough. It’s been hundreds of years since the Empire humiliated us. It’s only natural that you’re used to living under their heel.”

“That’s not what I meant at all…!”

“I will not run.”

“Majesty!”

“Silence! No matter how famous the imperial guard is, they’re still just a handful of men! Are you telling me to flee just because a mere order of knights has appeared?”

No matter how legendary they were, they were clearly a minority compared to Kreppelt’s army.

If they retreated now, the rumor that they cowered before imperial authority would spread uncontrollably.

On the other hand, if they defeated them here, they would prove Kreppelt’s military power to the entire continent.

“Right here, we’ll defeat the Red-Winged Squadron and capture the First Prince! Prepare yourselves!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Kreppelt’s royal guards responded with high morale.

Their fame might not compare to the Red-Winged Squadron, but those gathered were also Kreppelt’s absolute elite.

If it were equal numbers, there might be doubts—but with over ten times the force, they didn’t believe defeat was possible.

“They really plan to fight like this? They don’t know their place. Then again, if they’d had brains from the beginning, they’d never have started a rebellion.”

The knight leading the Red-Winged Squadron let out a mocking laugh from inside his helmet.

They were less than a tenth the size of Kreppelt’s army, yet his voice was full of absolute composure.

“Everyone, ready your halberds. Activate the Dragon’s Fangs.”

Uuuung—

With that brief order, a red mist began swirling around the entire Red-Winged Squadron.

Dozens of runes engraved on their armor and spears lit up clearly, their glow intensifying little by little.

When the light became strong enough to be clearly visible to everyone—

“Break formation.”

Fuaaaak!

The red glow tore through the center of Kreppelt’s army.

***

“…!”

The Alliance’s high command, including Lucian, stood in stunned silence.

No matter how powerful a cavalry charge was, it always slowed when facing enemy resistance.

But the Red-Winged Squadron tore through the enemy army like ripping through paper, splitting it in two.

That wasn’t just brute force—it was a feat that clearly defied the laws of physics.

“Magic…?”

It wasn’t a spell cast, but magic engraved into their armor and weapons.

An ancient legacy that, at times, allowed a simple iron sword to surpass even an adamantium weapon.

Lucian had heard much about it, but seeing an entire order equipped that way surpassed imagination.

‘Now I understand a little better why the Empire has always feared mages so much.’

Precisely because they understood the true power of magic, they feared it so deeply.

And it wasn’t just their destructive force.

The Red-Winged Squadron turned in an instant and launched a second charge.

Once again, they pierced Kreppelt’s cavalry on a diagonal line, splitting the army again.

“T-this… this can’t be…!”

Erich could barely manage a groan.

If it had been infantry crushed like this, though miserable, he could understand it.

But this was a cavalry force.

And still, they were being massacred as if they were mere foot soldiers.

“Y-Your Majesty! You must retreat! Quickly, flee!”

“This can’t be… this can’t be… how can my elite fall in such an absurd way…?”

“Forgive the rudeness! Protect His Majesty! We must get out of here!”

Erich’s attendants rushed to pull him from the battlefield.

The Red-Winged Squadron did not pursue the completely shattered Kreppelt army and halted their charge.

Soon after, the red mist dissipated completely into the air.

‘Does the magic’s effect not last long?’

Seeing the glow vanish from the knights, Lucian’s eyes gleamed.

If such powerful magic could be maintained indefinitely, no one could ever defeat them.

After repelling Kreppelt’s army, the Red-Winged Squadron headed toward the Alliance.

The knight, still hiding his face behind a helmet, stopped in front of the First Prince.

Without dismounting, he removed his helmet and looked down at them.

“I’m glad to see you’re all safe.”

As the face under the helmet was revealed, the nobles’ expressions went pale.

Moments later, the first to react was Marquis Bernhardt, who dropped to his knees and shouted.

“I pay homage to the ruler of the Empire and rightful heir of the Great Dragon, His Majesty the Emperor!”

***

‘What? The emperor?’

The young lords and heirs who had come as representatives, and who didn’t know the emperor’s face, were horrified.

Lucian was among them.

Throughout his past life, he had never once seen the emperor’s face.

“G-greetings to the emperor!”

Following the marquis, the nobles of the Empire all fell to their knees.

Lucian also quickly knelt and bowed his head.

After a moment, the emperor dismounted and calmly addressed the nobles.

“We’re still at war. Why cling to protocol and neglect vigilance? The greetings can wait until we cross the border. Everyone, rise.”

At that serene yet commanding voice, the nobles slowly stood.

After scanning the area, the emperor approached the First Prince, Claude.

Claude opened his mouth awkwardly in front of the emperor.

“Father… Your Majesty, it’s just that… this war…”

“That’s enough. I more or less know what happened.”

“H-how do you know? The messenger was only sent two days ago…”

“There are ways to know everything. For now, let’s be glad you’re still alive.”

In a bitter yet gentle voice, the emperor placed a hand on Claude’s shoulder.

Unable to meet his gaze, Claude deeply lowered his head.

After giving him a few pats on the shoulder, the emperor turned his attention to Cedric.

“Cedric, you also worked hard to support your brother. I heard you rode on the frontlines. Are you hurt?”

“Thanks to the protection of the Eight Gods and the Great Dragon, I am unharmed.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

The conversation didn’t differ much from before, but the tone clearly did.

Toward Claude, the emperor’s voice was filled with affection; toward Cedric, there was barely a hint of concern.

After checking on his two sons, the emperor stopped in front of the marquis.

“Marquis Bernhardt.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Quick and decisive action. It was sound policy.”

“Your Majesty, that…”

“The war will continue. Even if there are no battles, as long as no one admits defeat, it’s not over.”

In other words, while the war continues, you will continue to bear the cost. Unless you want to take full responsibility for this defeat yourself.

Understanding the hidden meaning, the marquis lowered his head, hiding a bitter expression.

“That’s true. As long as the war continues, the house of Marquis Roglan will spare no support.”

“A fine response. I expect the same going forward.”

After responding coldly, the emperor kept walking.

As expected, the next person he stopped before was Lucian.

Lucian slightly lowered his head and waited for the emperor’s words.

‘A rebuke or praise? Which will it be?’

Either was possible. As Lucian prepared to respond based on what the emperor would say, the emperor spoke.

“I sincerely thank you. As emperor of the Empire and as a father, I express my gratitude.”

“…!?”

The sudden gesture of the emperor bowing his head in gratitude made everyone’s eyes widen in shock.

***

Lucian looked at the back of the emperor’s head with an uncomfortable expression.

He had thought he might receive praise, but he had never imagined the emperor would bow his head.

“Your Majesty, this is too much. I don’t dare accept it. Please raise your head.”

“You saved my son and, beyond that, the future of the Empire. You have more than enough reason to receive my thanks.”

“I merely did what was expected of a vassal.”

“No. Nothing is ever simply what’s expected. When a ruler offers trust, the vassal responds with loyalty — that is the duty between sovereign and subject. However, even after Claude withdrew his trust, you rushed in without hesitation. For that alone, I am deeply grateful.”

The emperor continued praising Lucian, but Lucian’s expression grew slightly more serious.

Beyond gratitude, he could sense the emperor’s intent to make clear that he knew exactly what had occurred on the battlefield.

‘He doesn’t seem to be hiding it. This must also be a warning to the other nobles.’

A subtle way of saying that even what happens out of his sight — he knows.

Even so, the words of gratitude toward Lucian carried deep sincerity.

“If I didn’t bear the dignity of the Empire on my shoulders, I would gladly kneel. It saddens me that all I can do is bow my head. I hope you understand.”

“Understand? Just hearing your words is more than enough, even too much. Please raise your head. If you continue like this, I’ll feel uncomfortable.”

“If it makes you uncomfortable, then it can’t be helped. It would be a problem if, in trying to thank you, I ended up repaying a favor with resentment.”

With a gentle joke to ease the tension, the emperor lifted his head.

Seeing his skill in conversation, Lucian felt conflicted.

‘The last sovereign of the Empire, Karl von Bey Astria.’

He had never seen him in person, but in his past life, he had heard countless stories about him.

The assessments varied too much to define him clearly.

Some called him an incompetent tyrant who initiated the fall of the Empire; others said he lacked talent but had great moral integrity.

There were also those who claimed he was a great monarch trapped in the wrong era, doomed to be remembered as a tyrant.

The only certainty was that, regarding succession, he had made mistake after mistake.

‘I myself thought of him as a tyrant, but seeing him in person, he doesn’t seem like one at all.’

The emperor Lucian faced was worthy of the throne. From afar, he had grasped the battlefield situation, and by arriving in person, had restored the imperial authority that Claude had lost.

Moreover, he subtly hinted to the nobles not to underestimate the imperial family, then generously showed gratitude as a reward for loyalty.

‘There will be criticism for moving so freely, but even accounting for that, he’s a good ruler. If this weren’t such a chaotic era, perhaps he’d be worth serving with true loyalty.’

Then why had such an emperor handled the succession issue so poorly?

Instead of answering that question, the emperor smiled and made another proposal.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to you about a few things. Would you accept?”

“If it is Your Majesty’s wish, I will gladly accompany you.”

Lucian accepted immediately.

Beyond his family’s interests, it was a personal opportunity to form a connection with the emperor — there was no reason to refuse.

The allied army, still shocked by the emperor’s arrival, began preparing the retreat more calmly than before.

Soon after, Lucian was riding at the front beside the emperor, conversing with him.

“I’ve heard much about your reputation. At just sixteen years old, the rumors surrounding you are uncommon.”

“They’re nothing but baseless exaggerations.”

“You said my gratitude was excessive, but your modesty is no less so. It seems the rumors have already proven themselves.”

The emperor laughed, continuously showing his goodwill toward Lucian.

Perhaps due to the good first impression, everything seemed to please him.

When they approached the Horsen River and the attention around them lessened, the emperor lowered his voice and whispered.

“I’d like to ask you something. Are you interested in the position of family head?”

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but matters concerning my family…”

Lucian trailed off with an uncomfortable expression.

Even for an emperor, intervening in the succession of House Valdeck would cross the line.

The emperor quickly waved both hands.

“Forgive me, I phrased that poorly. I don’t intend to interfere in the ducal succession. When I said family head, I meant something else.”

“Something else?”

“Would you be interested in the title of frontier marquis, instead of duke? Someone like you could make a name for yourself as the founder of a new house.”

“…!”

At that unexpected and bold proposal, Lucian’s eyes opened wide.