Chapter 73

“….”

Lucian 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.

“Excuse me, are you saying this as some kind of metaphor? Like, to prove wisdom or something…?”

“Wisdom, my ass. Of course not. I mean we fight for real. With fists or swords, whichever you prefer.”

“Hmm.”

It didn’t seem like he had misheard. Harald was completely serious when he said he wanted Lucian to defeat him.

While Lucian hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond, Harald poured himself more beer and spoke.

“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.”

“…”

“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.”

“So, you’re telling me to prove the strength I possess? Not power or wisdom, but raw brute strength.”

“Now we’re speaking the same language.”

Harald 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.

“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.”

“But I’m not a complete outsider. I’m the last blood descendant of my maternal grandfather, who was once respected in the north.”

“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…”

Harald stopped smiling and looked at him with complete seriousness.

“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.”

“Hmm.”

Faced with that cold gaze, Lucian nodded silently.

It 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.

If he didn’t pass the test, that look would never change. And not just Harald’s, but all the northern lords’.

“If I defeat you, will I gain the north’s recognition? From what I can see, you’re a formidable warrior.”

“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.”

If he couldn’t even beat an old man like him, he’d have no chance against the house of Count Calix.

Lucian fully understood what didn’t need to be said and calmly nodded.

“Then I’ll gladly prove it to you.”

“Heh, I like that direct attitude.”

As 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.

It 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.

“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.”

“That’s the right call.”

For Lucian too, it wouldn’t be ideal if, after such an important duel, the outcome got overshadowed by another incident.

And even though Harald had used a potion, his body wasn’t fully recovered yet.

It was better to wait until he was healed than to hear rumors that he only lost because the viscount wasn’t in shape.

“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.”

“Wow, confident, aren’t you? You’re not even considering the possibility of losing?”

“What good would that do? Better to think about what I’ll do after winning than to imagine slumping back home looking pathetic.”

“…Not a bad argument.”

Harald smiled, though his brows twitched slightly. As a warrior, it seemed the competitive spirit in him had been awakened.

“Alright. Like you said, I’ll rest well for a week while I finish tidying up the territory. The duel will be after that.”

“Will a week be enough?”

“Honestly, three days would do, but the cleanup will take a bit longer.”

“Then there’s no helping it.”

“Hahaha.”

“Hahaha.”

With dry laughter and a bit of verbal sparring, the conversation came to an end. Then Harald stood from his seat.

“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…”

“Take them with you. I leave their punishment to your judgment.”

“Thanks.”

With a bitter smile, Harald walked down the inn’s stairs, his shoulders slightly slumped.

It seemed that not even a warrior so robust could avoid being shaken by his own son’s betrayal.

***

Lucian immediately gathered his vassals on the second floor.

After informing everyone except the decena—who were common soldiers—about the plan going forward, Raymond spoke with a serious expression.

“Proving one’s worth through strength. It’s the orthodox path. There’s no more reliable method to be recognized in the north.”

“For someone saying that, you don’t look too pleased.”

“Because I don’t think this is going to end with just one round.”

Raymond let out a deep sigh and continued.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

According to what Harald had said, the three knights who were with Torik were unknown outsiders.

Since they had never sworn loyalty to the head of the house, they had no shame to worry about and drew their swords without hesitation.

If 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.

“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.”

“They can use their strength to force senseless absurdities on others.”

“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.”

“In other words, that means I’ll have to suffer quite a bit.”

“That’s right. So wouldn’t it be better to return to the house at this point?”

“What are you saying, Raymond?!”

Felicia raised her head, indignant at Raymond’s sudden suggestion.

If they returned now, Lucian’s honor would be stained.

How dare he suggest such a thing? However, Raymond held his ground and continued.

“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.”

“We just ignore such blatant nonsense!”

“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.”

“…”

Felicia fell silent and looked away. Even she knew her father was perfectly capable of such behavior.

The amazing part was that there were so many people like Marquis Bernhardt.

“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.”

“So you’re saying we shouldn’t waste time and return soon?”

“If you withdraw now, no dishonor will fall on you, my lord.”

“I get how you feel, but you’re jumping to conclusions. Are you worried something will happen at the house while I’m away?”

“…”

Raymond 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.

“I appreciate your concern, but I don’t intend to go back like this.”

“My lord.”

“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.”

“A chance of success?”

“For starters—”

Bang! Crash!

Just before Lucian could reply, a loud noise came from outside, as if someone were rushing upstairs.

Everyone in the room grabbed their weapons, just in case.

Bang, bang, bang!

“M-my lord! Are you still awake, my lord?!”

The innkeeper was banging on the door and calling for Lucian. After confirming there were no other presences, Lucian responded from the other side.

“I’m still awake. What’s going on?”

“Ah, thank goodness! You must go right away to the lord’s manor!”

“What are you suddenly saying?”

“The men of Calix just arrived! Our lord says he wants you to come and see their faces with him!”

“…!”

***

The 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.

Depending on how one interpreted it, it could even be seen as an insult.

‘Doesn’t seem intentional. Did they not expect the rebellion to be suppressed?’

The knight envoy was trying to keep a straight face, but he couldn’t fully hide the confusion leaking out.

He 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.

Under a downpour of hostile glares, the knight stepped forward and bowed his head.

“Dane Huscarl greets Baron Harald. I see you are still in good health.”

“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.”

At Harald’s open hostility, Dane’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he quickly bowed his head again as if not understanding.

“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.”

“Even though there were three knights under Calix’s command?”

“How troubling. If they acted on their own without any orders from the lord, we’ll have to punish them severely when they return.”

“Pathetic.”

A sincere scoff of disdain fell on Dane, who kept denying everything.

“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.”

“Let me repeat that—”

Boom!

Before 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.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

“Do you want to die?”

“…”

“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.”

At 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.

“Say whatever you want while I still have patience—then get lost. If it runs out, I’ll cut off your head right here.”

“…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?”

“Ha.”

Harald let out a mocking laugh and rested his chin on his hand.

“The glory of the north? What nerve. Since when can Calix represent all of the north?”

“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?”

Lucian, who had been silently listening, stepped forward and said.

“What if I could?”