Chapter 56

That each candidate for the next head of the family formed their own faction within the household was nothing new.

To take the lead in the competition, there were too many things to do—gather information, hinder rivals, respond to emergencies when the head was absent, manage small tasks and favors.

At this point, competing alone without a faction was practically impossible.

‘But forming a separate faction within the family also draws the disapproval of the family head. After all, the true master of the house is the head.’

Even so, there were two reasons why the head allowed these power struggles between his children to go on in silence.

First, because it was an opportunity for the heir to learn how to manage people; and second, because, in any case, the head’s authority was something no one could even dream of challenging.

No matter how many factions the candidates formed, a single gesture from the head would be enough to scatter them like sandcastles.

It wasn’t something they would stop doing just because it was forbidden; besides, it served as a learning experience and posed no real threat, so the head usually turned a blind eye.

However, even if it didn’t pose a danger, the head was still human.

‘Watching everyone fight among themselves while ignoring the true leader must be annoying for anyone. That’s why the usual thing is to not recommend it and just pretend not to see the formation of factions…’

But now, Duke Sigmund was going one step further—he was directly advising Lucian to form a faction.

While Lucian hesitated, unsure how to respond, the duke spoke again.

“Don’t get confused. I haven’t decided to hand you the family yet.”

“…”

“But you’re also one of the candidates. If after choosing you as the next head, someone stole the position from you right before my eyes, wouldn’t that be a disgrace? At the very least, build a faction strong enough to withstand someone trying to take the title from you.”

The tone was cold, but his voice was full of sincerity. Even if it wasn’t a definitive decision, it meant he saw Lucian as a very serious candidate.

“And just in case—forget about relying on me. A faction built on someone else’s power is like a castle made of sand. The companions by your side must be gathered solely through your own strength.”

“I’ll keep that very much in mind.”

“Good. You may go now.”

Lucian bowed deeply and closed the door silently behind him.

Left alone in the office, the duke leaned back in his chair and sank into thought.

‘Am I rushing things too much? The others haven’t shown their full potential yet.’

The eldest, Tristan, was excessively principled and tended to give up easily, but in return, he showed an emotional steadiness and a quick decisiveness.

The second, Jordi, treated his subordinates harshly and frequently broke their trust, but thanks to a cold calculation of gains and losses, he always managed to minimize damage in times of crisis.

The fourth, Joshua, had yet to show anything outstanding, but he hadn’t shown any glaring flaws either; he was someone who needed to be watched and evaluated over time.

‘They’re all immature, but precisely because of that, they still have room to grow. The normal thing would be to observe their development before making a decision…’

However, too many unforeseen things were happening to wait calmly.

If the storms of the world passed by quietly until his sons matured completely, there would be no problem—but that wasn’t going to happen.

Even if he didn’t declare it openly, he needed at least one candidate he could choose immediately if the situation demanded it.

‘Lucian.’

The third son, who until just a few years ago couldn’t even hold eye contact with his brothers and blamed others for his mistakes at the first opportunity.

But something had happened in just one year—he had awakened and transformed into someone else.

He was bold, even reckless at times, but all his actions followed a clear logic, and his understanding of the broader picture was on a level far beyond that of his brothers.

While the others still needed time to develop, Lucian was already complete as a noble.

“They say extraordinary times call for extraordinary decisions.”

The duke murmured with a bitter expression as he stared at the ceiling.

As always, the world seemed to have no regard for human circumstances.

***

Lucian returned to the family mansion, but he barely had any time to rest.

Unlike before, when the knights approached him cautiously, now they came up to him without any hesitation.

“Young master, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”

“Do you remember me? We crossed paths once a while ago.”

“Please remember my name. We’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

Their approaches varied greatly.

Some came with impeccable courtesy, while others feigned familiarity just because they had once brushed shoulders with him.

Among them, the most ridiculous were those who acted as if their meeting was fated and dressed themselves up as extraordinary talents.

“They’re supposed to be part of a great family, and yet they don’t even have a bit of pride? Using such childish methods…”

Lucian let out a dry laugh, brushed off the knights, and gave Hans an order.

“From now on, screen out all those nobodies before they get to me.”

“Huh? Young master, they’re knights!”

“So what?”

“I’m just a servant. If the knights try to force their way in, how am I supposed to stop them?”

“If any of them are stupid enough to try that, I’ll personally kick them out, so don’t worry. Besides, if they had even a bit of judgment, they wouldn’t even think of doing something like that.”

In the Empire, status was absolute, but power wasn’t always determined solely by rank.

Hans was Lucian’s personal servant and one of his most trusted men, someone who had remained by his side even when everyone else looked down on him.

To Lucian, a half-joking request from Hans was worth far more than the desperate pleas of a knight whose face he didn’t even recognize.

Looking down on Hans just because of his low status was a clear sign of someone completely lacking political sense.

With people at that level, even talking was a waste of time.

Though uneasy, Hans followed the order and began turning away the knights on his own.

Fortunately, perhaps because they’d learned from observing the followers of the other brothers, none of them dared to belittle him.

“Gaining fame is nice and all, but at this rate, I’ll be spending forever separating wheat from chaff.”

Sighing, Lucian looked out the window at the knights retreating.

Then he recalled what Sigmund had told him earlier.

“A faction, huh? It wouldn’t be bad to have one. And right now, I could form one without too much trouble. But making a faction with guys like that? I’m not interested at all.”

More precisely, he didn’t want a faction that was large but hollow inside.

He had seen too many groups rot in the places where their leader’s eyes couldn’t reach.

At the very least, every member needed to be someone he wouldn’t be ashamed to stand beside.

What Lucian sought was an elite force—small, if necessary, but solid and well-formed—completely different from those of his brothers.

“The problem is, what can I offer in return? Real talents won’t come just for my name or vague promises about the future.”

The knights approaching him now were nothing but opportunists, drawn solely by the potential benefits down the line.

True talents, those who knew their worth, would never sell themselves short.

They knew that anyone with a good eye would be willing to pay the right price for them.

The problem was, Lucian didn’t currently have any reward in his hands attractive enough to draw people like that.

“Hugo and Felicia swore loyalty because they were in situations where they couldn’t prove their worth without me. But I can’t keep using that method forever.”

Not all talents lived trapped in unjust circumstances.

As he pondered, an idea flashed through his mind like lightning.

There was a treasure—one of the most valuable—that had once influenced even the imperial family, and that still remained hidden.

If he could find it before anyone else and claim it in secret…

“There’s barely any information, so the odds of finding it are low, but even so, it’s better to try than do nothing.”

With his decision made, Lucian immediately went to see Sigmund.

***

“You want permission to go to the capital?”

“Yes.”

Sigmund blinked at the sudden request. Going to the capital, now, when he was so busy forming his faction?

“First, tell me why. What business do you have in the capital?”

“I want to assess the atmosphere after the defeat and, while I’m at it, search for talent.”

“Talent? Do you have contacts there?”

“Not exactly, but I recently heard a rather interesting story, and I want to check it for myself.”

Lucian avoided going into detail.

He couldn’t exactly say he was searching for the creator of an elixir that hadn’t even emerged into the world yet.

After watching him silently, Sigmund nodded.

“I suppose you don’t do anything without thinking it through. Do as you see fit. Just avoid revealing your official status as much as possible.”

“Of course. I won’t be receiving honors, so I’ll move discreetly.”

“I’ll assign Raymond as your escort. Lately, he seems to think highly of you—always volunteers for anything involving you.”

Raymond… Since their first meeting, they’d developed a certain affinity.

Now that he thought about it, Raymond was also a remarkable talent. Was there a way to recruit him?

As if reading his mind, Sigmund casually added.

“Just so you know, the Black Lions aren’t bound to serve for life. Once they reach a certain age, they can retire, and if they accumulate enough merits, they can even change affiliations. It’s just that the process usually happens quietly.”

“…”

“Raymond will be leaving the Black Lions soon. I don’t know where he plans to go, but someone of his caliber deserves treatment worthy of his ability.”

The duke’s words fully awakened Lucian.

Unlike Hugo or Felicia, who were still developing, Raymond was a fully formed talent.

Whether he could offer something suitable would depend entirely on Lucian’s own ability.

“This isn’t something I can half-heartedly attempt. Even if I have to turn the capital upside down, I must find it.”

With firm resolve, Lucian bowed his head.

“You’re right, Father. Anyone who can’t offer something worthy of someone’s talent doesn’t deserve to have them.”

“Exactly. I’m glad you understand.”

Satisfied, Sigmund smiled.

A lost talent was extremely hard to recover. Rather than giving up due to lack of ability, one had to have the determination to force themselves to meet the standard.

Just as the conversation seemed to be ending, Lucian hurried to add.

“I’m very grateful for your permission to go to the capital, but I’d like to ask one more favor.”

“What is it?”

“Only if you have the time…”

After hearing the request, Sigmund burst into laughter.

After laughing for quite a while, he also granted that second request without difficulty.

***

Seeing Lucian prepare to leave again so soon after returning, Hans was surprised.

“Young master, are you going out again?”

“Yes. This time I’m going to the capital.”

“To the capital? So suddenly? What for?”

“Something’s come up that I need to take care of. Take good care of the house while I’m away.”

Hans’s expression darkened.

Before, as his personal servant, he had always accompanied his master. But now, with more people gathering under Lucian and more matters to manage, the time they spent together had naturally decreased.

That meant his master’s position had grown—but for Hans, it was impossible not to feel anxious.

“They say distance makes the heart grow cold…”

Hans thought of Hugo and Felicia, who had joined recently.

Even though he had been by Lucian’s side much longer, both now held higher positions than him.

Hugo was still a commoner, but if he were knighted, the tables would turn completely.

“What if I’m the only one left behind? What if I slowly become irrelevant, and the young master eventually forgets me…?”

The very thought made Hans’s body tremble.

As he prepared to leave, Lucian observed him and smiled slightly.

“What are you thinking about, trembling like that?”

“Eh? No, nothing… I just spaced out for a moment.”

“I don’t know what you’re imagining, but now’s not the time to be distracted. I asked my father to start your training as a butler beginning tonight.”

“…!?”

Hans’s eyes flew wide open at those words.