Chapter 73
1kB9Aa“….”6hFe5I7
FdmGLucian was momentarily at a loss for words. He had asked how to form a power base, and suddenly he was being told to defeat him.POf
Yil5w“Excuse me, are you saying this as some kind of metaphor? Like, to prove wisdom or something…?”X0HBewL
zzvFB“Wisdom, my ass. Of course not. I mean we fight for real. With fists or swords, whichever you prefer.”AfKiVG
wMx8kyB“Hmm.”eht6QhS
hKnIt didn’t seem like he had misheard. Harald was completely serious when he said he wanted Lucian to defeat him.lEUvBy
toIjQLWhile Lucian hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond, Harald poured himself more beer and spoke.XMYisw
wHE“It’s been centuries since the north came under the Empire. The value of tradition has become lighter and lighter, and every day the desk games of those pale-faced types become trendier.”If9Js
xz1BU4G“…”vD8r6
322N“But no matter how much it’s weakened, tradition is still tradition. There are still many who cling to the old ways and respect warriors.”qXdd0k3
3toLy“So, you’re telling me to prove the strength I possess? Not power or wisdom, but raw brute strength.”6m5AQP
ZVH“Now we’re speaking the same language.”GYb
O8w6BFcHarald smiled, emptied another mug of beer, and wiped the foam from his mouth. Despite all the drinking, his eyes still shone with a fierce sharpness.1awbosh
DHeXt“Of course, not everything is solved with strength alone. Even if a foreigner has power, they’ll be seen as an enemy, not someone worthy of respect.”HMqsr0Q
wQYvj“But I’m not a complete outsider. I’m the last blood descendant of my maternal grandfather, who was once respected in the north.”kDs
vYo3z“Exactly. Even if you didn’t grow up here, if the grandson of Duke Klaus values northern traditions, no one will deny your right. However…”GzAW
2vwwhHarald stopped smiling and looked at him with complete seriousness.ppqm2l
SEhfmO“If you can’t even prove that, then even as Duke Klaus’s grandson, there’s no reason to respect you. Northern matters should only be decided by northern hands.”6wMHabX
uinnDk“Hmm.”ZWp1jw
0gabFaced with that cold gaze, Lucian nodded silently.FEfZp
ohnHIt wasn’t the look of someone grateful for having been saved during a rebellion, but that of someone observing an outsider who had come from afar.ap0
itqbIf he didn’t pass the test, that look would never change. And not just Harald’s, but all the northern lords’.NvSS
KO4N“If I defeat you, will I gain the north’s recognition? From what I can see, you’re a formidable warrior.”ahC
xZEYpPU“Hahaha! I appreciate the compliment, but beating an old man won’t earn you the recognition of all the north. I just want to see if you’ve got at least the minimum qualifications.”FrC
aAhVgIf he couldn’t even beat an old man like him, he’d have no chance against the house of Count Calix.jXTyn
8on8Lucian fully understood what didn’t need to be said and calmly nodded.D1lq
2j2“Then I’ll gladly prove it to you.”QI4z0
dZdOE6“Heh, I like that direct attitude.”cOAvsU
WdKYa5As expected, they didn’t go out to fight right away. This duel was both a test and a way to publicly display Lucian’s strength.hUOg3
Pa6It wasn’t something to be rushed, but something to prepare well and carry out almost like an event—ideally, one that would be spread by word of mouth.ZPlqU
qklc0U“Besides, right after suppressing the rebellion, there’s more to clean up than it seems. If some straggler’s still alive and decides to attack us from behind, it’d be a pain, so better to tidy up everything first.”Dj1
qwbN“That’s the right call.”rtW
RL8CFor Lucian too, it wouldn’t be ideal if, after such an important duel, the outcome got overshadowed by another incident.DhATYj
zSe6And even though Harald had used a potion, his body wasn’t fully recovered yet.61qf0h
YCdV0f9It was better to wait until he was healed than to hear rumors that he only lost because the viscount wasn’t in shape.7zoI
P8mhB“Don’t worry about me—rest properly. If you forced yourself just to match my schedule and something went wrong during the duel, that’d be more of an embarrassment to me.”ivRi0f
8eN“Wow, confident, aren’t you? You’re not even considering the possibility of losing?”Rqu
r7gm5Lt“What good would that do? Better to think about what I’ll do after winning than to imagine slumping back home looking pathetic.”wdWGjA
dysq“…Not a bad argument.”5F7govr
vpYRHarald smiled, though his brows twitched slightly. As a warrior, it seemed the competitive spirit in him had been awakened.Qfz
R6jy0n“Alright. Like you said, I’ll rest well for a week while I finish tidying up the territory. The duel will be after that.”L6MeAR
JuXel“Will a week be enough?”sc0jut
OAocpfm“Honestly, three days would do, but the cleanup will take a bit longer.”OldQA39
nmb2“Then there’s no helping it.”d0FEPut
4EYWM“Hahaha.”dHsUv7O
X9AMzP“Hahaha.”AEqUI6
pu4JWith dry laughter and a bit of verbal sparring, the conversation came to an end. Then Harald stood from his seat.WPd
r4VsIPl“Stay here for today. Tomorrow, when the cleanup’s done, I’ll formally invite you to the lord’s residence. I’ve already spoken with the innkeeper, so he’ll give you anything you ask for. And the prisoners we captured earlier…”Ko3PIa1
txM“Take them with you. I leave their punishment to your judgment.”9fs
uDkU6“Thanks.”63JyY
gSedvWith a bitter smile, Harald walked down the inn’s stairs, his shoulders slightly slumped.76E
VVrnGIt seemed that not even a warrior so robust could avoid being shaken by his own son’s betrayal.Ny7hkNj
RSfOjLn***hIw
LPgCCoLucian immediately gathered his vassals on the second floor.nVNDWqN
2QTAfter informing everyone except the decena—who were common soldiers—about the plan going forward, Raymond spoke with a serious expression.iqI9BU
YClP“Proving one’s worth through strength. It’s the orthodox path. There’s no more reliable method to be recognized in the north.”G8mK6
nPDB“For someone saying that, you don’t look too pleased.”C7pNKK
1MsCA“Because I don’t think this is going to end with just one round.”x4Ueh
gffPRaymond let out a deep sigh and continued.1DdRK
7zLG0YP“While we waited downstairs, I gathered some information through other relatives. It seems the house of Count Calix is making some serious moves. From what I heard, they’ve also visited this place multiple times.”cG76NUT
OeAIjh“If they’ve already extended their reach to here—the gateway to the north—then we must assume they’ve meddled in most of the houses.”QqqFmO
XUJO00“Yes. And they’ve probably already recruited quite a few families. Otherwise, they would never have dared to meddle in another house’s internal affairs and incite a rebellion.”Gmq
YdEyG1dAccording to what Harald had said, the three knights who were with Torik were unknown outsiders.mDp
vPftSince they had never sworn loyalty to the head of the house, they had no shame to worry about and drew their swords without hesitation.Up2z86o
8RvGIf they could provide three knights for a rebellion in another family, their influence was no small matter. Even without interrogating Torik, it was easy to see the house of Count Calix was behind it all.PhW
X1h1“If their power was small, a few simple demonstrations would be enough. Picking fights would only attract disapproval. But if their power is great, the story changes.”Timhli
DC58H0“They can use their strength to force senseless absurdities on others.”0Dxg
EF0cSy“Exactly. To make that kind of people shut their mouths, we need to accomplish something so undeniable that no one can find fault with it, no matter who comes.”ksf
Pax8“In other words, that means I’ll have to suffer quite a bit.”NOM
MIxkF“That’s right. So wouldn’t it be better to return to the house at this point?”DLJgae
lLxg0“What are you saying, Raymond?!”dXnad
1EvAFelicia raised her head, indignant at Raymond’s sudden suggestion.P1sp
Il4R9If they returned now, Lucian’s honor would be stained.BGv
kZUHow dare he suggest such a thing? However, Raymond held his ground and continued.LHT
kjxGiI“The test of strength is something that can always be picked apart. Baron Harald is favorable to you and only wants to test you sincerely, but others might push you into the snowy mountains and demand that you slay a giant or something like that.”V6V
g8vjMIY“We just ignore such blatant nonsense!”e32hH
3D8jIsZ“Curiously, in Imperial politics, that kind of blatant method has worked quite well. Lady Felicia’s biological father was also infamously known for things like that.”yWeLm
ZhW“…”HZA
V6PKIFelicia fell silent and looked away. Even she knew her father was perfectly capable of such behavior.FdeU7v
yCjyxThe amazing part was that there were so many people like Marquis Bernhardt.53qp5z
5v4“When several powerful figures band together, they can make even a hero of the era look like a fool. If you let your guard down, you could go through all sorts of hardship and come back with nothing.”K6IB
JZK“So you’re saying we shouldn’t waste time and return soon?”UtbN
R4qnpl9“If you withdraw now, no dishonor will fall on you, my lord.”zbo
GTMgP“I get how you feel, but you’re jumping to conclusions. Are you worried something will happen at the house while I’m away?”ROWz
NvL“…”eiY
MUDtD4bRaymond flinched at the precisely hit sore spot. It seemed Lucian wasn’t the only one who’d sensed something strange about Jordi. Lucian smiled faintly and shook his head.3yU3k
HgC“I appreciate your concern, but I don’t intend to go back like this.”w6b6a0m
9ZNsa“My lord.”nUU
uGX“It’s not out of pride or shame at returning after making bold statements. It’s because I see a high enough chance of success.”wv1
ObK0“A chance of success?”zCxcPl
gSaoyJr“For starters—”ctu
YTFYOBang! Crash!emfaA
BeF1zPJust before Lucian could reply, a loud noise came from outside, as if someone were rushing upstairs.1nrDH
w2JIlFEveryone in the room grabbed their weapons, just in case.HGH
zeU0Gk5Bang, bang, bang!6MWcq
acl“M-my lord! Are you still awake, my lord?!”ZXjwmu
DpNbKmThe innkeeper was banging on the door and calling for Lucian. After confirming there were no other presences, Lucian responded from the other side.zkU0g7
tNaGA“I’m still awake. What’s going on?”uAax
QO3j“Ah, thank goodness! You must go right away to the lord’s manor!”HgLK8ow
ZH3“What are you suddenly saying?”KSihxr
CEU7D“The men of Calix just arrived! Our lord says he wants you to come and see their faces with him!”M51Dl
aUgRV“…!”aci9POr
XuhIJo***Jz8
A5gbzVThe delegation sent by the house of Count Calix was modest. They brought no gifts—just a knight and ten soldiers. Barely the minimum to qualify as an official envoy.M7co
SJ5Depending on how one interpreted it, it could even be seen as an insult.wCbO
jDBXrN‘Doesn’t seem intentional. Did they not expect the rebellion to be suppressed?’dCo1nJ
PDOZ2QOThe knight envoy was trying to keep a straight face, but he couldn’t fully hide the confusion leaking out.5ih23m
WQifHe had probably intended to act high and mighty in front of Torik, who was supposed to become lord thanks to his help—but things hadn’t gone as planned.jLzZjnM
2Nf0Under a downpour of hostile glares, the knight stepped forward and bowed his head.sIt8
bb2C“Dane Huscarl greets Baron Harald. I see you are still in good health.”5h6
JvbP1a“Must be a disappointment to you that I’m doing so well. I suppose you thought you could seat my son as a puppet and control him at will.”SsY
PkPAt Harald’s open hostility, Dane’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he quickly bowed his head again as if not understanding.ey9Hpq
WUeDLp“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve heard there were disturbances in the territory, but the house of Count Calix has absolutely nothing to do with that.”n8IVh
mbdy“Even though there were three knights under Calix’s command?”385J
nbmTLJT“How troubling. If they acted on their own without any orders from the lord, we’ll have to punish them severely when they return.”24tz
DZW5DZ“Pathetic.”jQry
Ij7RA sincere scoff of disdain fell on Dane, who kept denying everything.7qrVgsK
AYl“They’ve always been like that. Where’s the proof I did it? If you want proof, bring evidence. They cover the sky with their palm and then laugh, saying the sun has vanished.”dGH9
8YA7Ag“Let me repeat that—”XVJYK
f9zBoom!FIGk8
A7LwBefore he could finish, an axe flew and struck the ground right beside him. Dirt and stones burst from the impact, and Dane staggered back in terror.ZmDF
cN2“What is the meaning of this?!”nc8K
2SsmP“Do you want to die?”5JWN
jUH4“…”UKW5
JUfWg“Seems like, hiding behind your lord’s power, you think you’re on my level. But right now, I’m in a foul mood. I don’t have the patience to entertain the jokes of an insolent messenger.”hah1Y
Svsh2NEAt Harald’s fierce threat, Dane shut his mouth. At the very least, he knew it wasn’t a good idea to provoke a father still seething from his son’s betrayal.3gB2Kz6
wM6H“Say whatever you want while I still have patience—then get lost. If it runs out, I’ll cut off your head right here.”l8D
tjX“…Then I’ll just ask one question. Do you still refuse to join the house of Count Calix in restoring the glory of the north?”pgNoyB
m5hIR2l“Ha.”pcT
XSc5Harald let out a mocking laugh and rested his chin on his hand.eFAhq
iMw“The glory of the north? What nerve. Since when can Calix represent all of the north?”k6exV
7OCM“My lord, the only one with the right to inherit the name Grimaldi is Calix. If not Calix, then who else could represent the north?”SbeVVN
s2lS6Lucian, who had been silently listening, stepped forward and said.TUpIZ0w
vFW“What if I could?”Uwu
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