Chapter 64
fErThat a pledge of loyalty would follow immediately after an investiture ceremony was not uncommon.dYe0nwo
6QVGenerally, the newly invested knight would serve as lord to whoever presided over the ceremony or to the benefactor who had recommended them for knighthood.GBED6
QPI9zGBut that only happened when the agreement had already been made beforehand, prior to the investiture.1T2e4E
iDE1Forcing a pledge of loyalty without even asking the person’s will was an enormous discourtesy.Q58
Tfc65‘And yet these rumors are going around… seems like everyone is pretty desperate.’TaRGTq
JQgAvSince she was the disciple of Swordmaster Eisen, Felicia’s investiture would be held with considerable pomp.Fe9
Y9dPdKuIf all three of them showed up at once in front of everyone, people would assume that, whoever it was, she would end up choosing one.6GAs
xK9The one presiding over the investiture would be Duke Sigmund, and since her master also served Valdeck, the ties of gratitude—both direct and indirect—ran deep.owU
EWIPG‘If she doesn’t choose one of Valdeck’s sons, she’ll be labeled ungrateful. Is that what they’re trying to exploit?’k1dHEa
0uiHonestly, what a crude mental game.7E54V
VqXloLucian gave a wry smile and waved his hand toward the still-kneeling guard.FOXe
xtoX“Thanks for the explanation. You may go.”mrKmPF
uA0“Y-yes, sir!”uFimDU6
02GAt the order to withdraw, the guard hurried back to their post.DVqa
S4460APOnce they were gone, Lucian leaned toward Raymond and whispered.BrC
mJCK“What do you think? Will my brothers really try to force Felicia to swear loyalty?”X0pn
BTf“It’s entirely possible. In practice, that kind of pressure happens frequently.”dbI
H49G“And it’s usually the move of minor lords trying to snatch a talent far above their league. If they were confident in recruiting her properly, they wouldn’t even dare.”ApPQYK
DjL9V“That only shows how heavy the name of Swordmaster Eisen is. If it works out, they could turn the succession board over in one move.”asjExE
Wii“When, in reality, Eisen would find it extremely unpleasant.”nOnwbC
OAROA bitter smile formed on Lucian’s lips.xOX
FsYWAnd he wouldn’t be the only one to feel uncomfortable.RfPhV
0x6In the eyes of Duke Sigmund, who had respected Eisen for so many years, this wouldn’t be pleasant at all either.rq5UflU
BLo50jAnd still, they openly showed their greed to the point where rumors had already spread even before they acted.y1B
mmMlGEY“Looks like everyone’s got their asses on fire.”YDv
K9h“The other young masters must be nervous about your movements too, my lord. They probably thought they needed a decisive blow to turn the tide.”NzPHTg
48M“A decisive blow, huh? I was just thinking that something like that would be good for me too.”JvCDL4O
MYKKzAlthough Lucian had gained a lot of political weight in the past year, he couldn’t say he had an overwhelming advantage over his brothers.rDTZB
HPqTristan and Jordi had the foundations they’d built over time, and even Joshua, the most lagging behind, had the support of his mother’s family.feCRdPC
7CN7dWhThanks to the fame earned during the suppression of the rebellion, Lucian had gotten close to the position of heir, but it was still a contested ground.jR31I
46vgcmIf he could use this opportunity to secure a firm and unshakable advantage, it wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.es2
2Fott‘Since they’re the ones setting the stage, maybe all I have to do is grab a spoon.’vk8
ixxHOw***njMkjAL
hV2“Tch.”9Qn
TSmmHSwordmaster Eisen Brightner clicked his tongue as he folded the letter in front of him.O3X
BDaz94Just as he expected, the content didn’t differ at all from previous days.nP1v
3L1B‘That, even if they show up themselves during the investiture, I should grant them my understanding? That I should warn my disciple in advance so she won’t be surprised?’NkJ
rsW1dThe sender changed each time—Tristan, Jordi, or Joshua—but the content was always the same.Cs3Qc
eoAIf they knew it was such a rude act, they should just abstain.awUJas
k8ByfWhat kind of hypocrisy was it to apologize in advance for a discourtesy they were clearly determined to commit?UtbOX
nKZAnd even worse, it wasn’t a matter of life and death, just petty ambition.Zr2J1Vc
UGaou‘More importantly, they’re apologizing to the wrong person. If they really want to say sorry, they should be saying it to that girl, not to me. They only care about my reaction and don’t even consider her will.’q4h4wy
1IUMDid they really think that, just because they got his permission, they could bend her will however they pleased?rNJf
gtTuAZHaving served the Valdeck family for so long, Eisen refrained from cursing aloud, but the discomfort boiling inside him was impossible to suppress.rXlPFxu
fSKN“Felicia.”MaB
X6CFuuung.MKzxW5J
WTCcPc3“Yes, father.”dZ5
O4vFelicia, who had been swinging her sword, straightened her posture immediately upon hearing Eisen’s call.A3oc4R
0d78That balance, unbroken even by a sudden interruption, made Eisen feel satisfied.pdQ
0gbQ“Read it. Even though the letter is addressed to me, it’s practically meant for you.”vF4xhER
ImhRtFelicia took the letter Eisen handed her and quickly scanned its contents.UVq
p9Cl2A moment later, a restrained voice, full of distaste, escaped her lips.CLa0Z
mhPiWnp“They’re still at it. Do they really think that if they pressure me in front of everyone, I’ll give in?”JDtW5
uimto“It’s true that these kinds of methods are common in the world. They probably picked it up from watching others. It’s pathetic.”AZ9Ks
vnTPJordi had always been the type with no qualms about using such tricks, but the other two weren’t like that.e0T6
JnbeTristan detested schemes to the point of loathing them, and Joshua, although he sometimes crossed the line out of ignorance, didn’t do it deliberately.4CSZdK
NGwRJWNAnd yet now, even they were starting to imitate Jordi’s worst traits.AzJk
SD5En7q‘Could it be that, feeling cornered, they’ve decided to momentarily betray their principles to obtain Felicia… or have they changed course entirely and are now willing to use any means necessary?’1fCm
uqrMzEIf it was the former, there was still hope.8iox0jT
GJkRBut if it was the latter, it would be truly dreadful.pxuT
1V6While Eisen held back a sigh, Felicia, who had finished reading the letter, spoke with a firm gaze.8iy
WHLzUcR“I won’t pledge loyalty to any of them. The person I will serve all my life was already decided the moment I became his daughter.”cUtgag
i9znV“If that is your will, do as you wish. Forced loyalty has no value. A knight must choose their lord themselves.”sdwaRs1
QwQbPBkEisen nodded calmly, as if he already knew her answer.IXiz
BLrGn2RAfter all, he knew exactly to whom that loyalty was directed.geITPei
LwMj3w1And probably the duke presiding over the investiture knew it too.HGrH
gEdhA‘And yet he doesn’t stop the reckless actions of the young masters—probably so they learn firsthand how empty all backdoor schemes really are. The duke is, truly, merciless.’xoXc6
gjXThinking this, the corner of Eisen’s lips lifted slightly.RfAm8Bs
YKreHe too would like to see, at least once, the young masters trying to corner Felicia for her loyalty end up drinking water in vain.0OM
mhvMuS“We’ve wasted time on nonsense. There’s still some time before the investiture—let’s resume training.”D6QmD
wbPcb“Yes, father.”jqZyVp
7Ush“Um… Lord Eisen, another letter has arrived.”9uFu
zncVSJust as they were about to resume training, Eisen frowned.Owo
mRd0sWho could it be now?ZjneX
Qz61veWithout hiding his irritation, he snatched the letter and checked the sender.apOxqsv
uMUdra“The third young master…”n3rb
5ZpEo1rAt his murmur, Felicia was startled.M6B
uUGprY8Hadn’t he gone to the capital for pending matters? Was he already back?ds0xs8
g4WAfter opening the letter and reading its contents, Eisen burst out laughing.u6GK3
ZcZVpKv“Well, the third young master is still the same as ever.”FLJM
TdfPq“What does it say?”69Knfl
oR8jN“Read it yourself!”7vrlO1
DZ0DyHStill laughing, Eisen handed the letter to Felicia.I3ZltT
kYiKAtShortly after finishing it, a smile also spread across her lips.BVIAmD
5bvgjThe letter announced the stir that Lucian would cause at the investiture ceremony that very afternoon.fQI8OZ
K4D***VRei
Rc9Lucian called Hugo as soon as he returned and entrusted Ian to him.D9g
pAUhMvIf he kept a newly appeared alchemist so close to himself, it was obvious that it would raise suspicion around him.pa1h
xjipqTo be able to produce the nectar while avoiding unwanted attention, they also needed to prepare another hideout for him.5lZ5ft9
nA39n‘I’d like to get him at least a comfortable house, but I spent everything buying moonlight grass, so there’s no other choice. For now, I’ll have to leave him in Hugo’s care.’9e3
dcFnOwAs soon as Hugo heard the situation, he smiled and replied confidently.8va
66mm“That won’t be difficult. I’ll get started right away.”YLeHkc
aRg6ymr“If you’re missing anything, let me know. I’ll support you however I can.”7XHU
xoHGhd“Don’t you know me already? I’m Hugo—the one who once even tricked the grand duke’s attention to set up an underground casino. A hideout with alchemy equipment is nothing special.”MoD9A6V
K1YxAt that boastful yet confident remark, Lucian smiled faintly and nodded. No doubt, someone with past experience would find it easier the second time.MuG0
YpYW2miIan, the person in question, was also happy to be able to explore a large city for a while. It wasn’t that his passion for research had diminished, but it seemed he also had the desire to see the world.vjxU8D
Ie3zf“I’ll do my best to gather the ingredients, so in the meantime, get used to Kelheim. It won’t take long.”dmLFh
auUYF“Yes, my lord. I’ll have everything ready to start producing it as soon as you give the order.”7EL2
jBjLoIan responded quickly and left. Hans, who had been watching his back, showed an uncertain expression.N3qBNU
MEqnE3yUnlike other talents, Ian seemed like an ordinary boy, which stirred some doubt in him.bmiw
zchYmb“Young master, was it really worth going all the way to the capital just to bring that boy? Are you sure it wasn’t just settling for what was available?”i9n
yJuH2I“It’s exactly the opposite. I was about to bring back a chicken and ended up finding a pheasant. I got lucky. And speaking of that…”1dvQnC
SKwLucian trailed off and looked Hans up and down. It hadn’t been that long, but he was so thin he looked haggard.021dV
ws6zQee“Are you okay? You’re not sick, are you?”uHmh2rr
m4RMi3“Haha, I’m perfectly fine. I just lost a bit of weight because the butler training is tough. I’m learning with dedication, but really—it really is…”glFphr6
mBRvfHans went silent and his body trembled. Just remembering it made his expression worsen.LhSVN5
0SqTsp“If it’s too hard, do you want to rest for a few days? I can say you’re sick.”Glu
gx3V69“No, that’s not necessary.”BK09
iD4yIUAt Lucian’s concern, Hans immediately shook his head.CvVtz9
6EoaQ1“It’s hard, yes, but every time I learn something new, I feel great satisfaction. To stay by your side, young master, this is no sacrifice.”Dc8u
K4NCpFS“You’re so stubborn.”UVCMP
Y19m7NLucian said that while hiding a smile. Both Hugo and Hans were retainers whose attitude toward life he found admirable.DRZzX0N
WZdX6ayAfter chatting a bit more, Hans seemed to realize something.Egpk
kLKB“Now that I think of it, the investiture ceremony is soon. Will you attend as well, young master? If you’re tired from the trip, no one would blame you for skipping it.”4DwQr
8UQaku6“If I were outside the territory, it’d be a different story, but I’m back now, so of course I’ll attend. It’s not every day the heir of Swordmaster Eisen appears—how could I miss that?”3suMd
OVIkZJust watching would be a spectacular sight, and besides, the stage was already set.ZEYDqy
XmmFor Lucian, it was something he couldn’t afford to miss.TjT4T
O0LA97As he headed toward the ceremony location after checking the approximate time—qC2fGn
tjLpBr“…Big brother?”jnQ
FpQ7aCv“Oh, Joshua.”dpYXzw
ZgLLucian greeted Joshua cheerfully, whom he ran into by chance on the road. In contrast, Joshua took a step back with an uncomfortable expression as soon as he saw him.zbyzu4w
9M2e7“They said you went to the capital. I see you’re already back.”zexGu2
QtF“Barely. I almost missed the ceremony.”9ffw
lp6I“I’m asking just in case—you’re not going to tell me that you also plan to pursue Eisen’s disciple, right?”SDM
MO313“And why not? From what I hear, you and our other brothers are trying too.”sQ9x9K
gZEAt Lucian’s response, Joshua let out a mocking laugh and shook his head.VQd
74JpAU“It’s true you’ve made some impressive achievements lately, brother, but this time you’d be better off giving up.”muypC
qxd“And why’s that?”k8BSm
IOna“What need would someone who’s going to be the heir of the Swordmaster have to serve under you? To be blunt, you don’t even have the resources to give a knight of that level the treatment they deserve.”9zcKuc
IWj2“Well, it’s true I’m a bit short on money.”gPC
QPpOf the three brothers, Lucian was the only one without the support of his maternal family, and the compensation he received from Jordi had gone entirely into buying moonlight grass.9WRo8V
zu9z2gISeeing Lucian nod, Joshua continued firmly, as if teaching him how the world works.GXmn
9nC“True talent never comes cheap. Not out of greed, but because the treatment they receive is a form of public recognition. If they accept a deal below their worth, it’s like declaring they don’t deserve more.”ErTg
W7I“Hmm.”4hfa
OkcaJ5I“And especially in the case of the heir of a Swordmaster. What reason would they have to serve under you? Unless you’d saved their life in the past, there’s no reason for them to lower their value to follow a poor lord who can’t even pay them a proper salary.”O4vcCB
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