Chapter 77
JKqXc‘Good.’FgiDj
T44rTiLucian restrained the corner of his lips, which threatened to rise.NzcFm
esdqUoxOf course, he had no intention of giving up Valdeck and remaining anchored in the north, but that would only be in the case where he had to abandon one of the two options.lHPww6
FOmYIf he could keep both, he would do so without hesitation.qZfWjRB
gEkqDS‘Of course, the emperor would never tolerate it. If, in addition to securing Valdeck, I also aspired to the northern throne, I’d lose my head.’KPlIm
qRXIt was true that the emperor felt sympathy for Lucian, but that sympathy only lasted as long as Lucian faithfully fulfilled his role as a “subordinate.”2Iu1F
LptFRIf he were to grow into a force capable of threatening the imperial family, he would be regarded as a potential rebel without the slightest consideration. That was why, for now, it was enough to plant a small seed.zq0dW
PlJ7Ie‘So that when the era of chaos arrives, I can claim my legitimate rights. To place my people now, so that later they’ll willingly join my ranks.’wELPdiB
L4UAAfter organizing his thoughts, Lucian smiled and waved his hand.VNcBvNp
qui8X“My, this is getting far too serious. I was only asking lightly. How could I dare to do anything against the Empire when I live under the grace of His Majesty the Emperor?”yCQ
kIgKbDa“…”OnSI
E35Despite the evasive reply, Harald’s eyes continued to shine intensely, as if trying to discern whether Lucian was being sincere.RlEfGp9
MXRSeeing that attitude, Lucian shrugged and added.dZAWEt
bAQfjyl“Well, even so, no one knows how human affairs will end. Just as you said, Baron Harald, the Empire is faltering. Not long ago, they returned without any real results after suppressing the Krephelt rebellion, losing quite a bit of prestige in the process.”BwOApY
xqeQIt0“What…?”LvD9mLo
WcN“His Majesty is containing the situation by even revealing the hidden power of the imperial family, but no one knows how long he’ll be able to sustain it. When a beast shows weakness, it’s attacked from all sides. From here on out, the situation will only grow harsher.”vFrjY
BO94Oz6“Mmm…”MyL1J
9dqWnoHarald lowered his gaze, his face slightly pale. As expected, due to the north’s isolation and the imperial family’s cover-up, he didn’t seem to know the deeper details.FUNqS
skmdELucian, who had just casually dropped such grave matters, added a few more words in passing.VfsmZO
T8Au3“If arrogant lords begin to run rampant and the imperial family loses the strength to restrain them, that would be a tragedy. If that truly happens, the north will also have to seek its own way to survive. For example, by uniting once more around the old royal family and rising again.”yiC1ay6
7KD8“…!”7uu
f3Y“There’s no proof. Nor can I guarantee anything. It’s nothing more than a dreamlike story that may never come true. Could you believe in it someday and wait?”Nyyb
NYlgW39Waiting wears people down. Even if one makes a momentous decision, if time passes meaninglessly, the passion of that moment eventually fades away.mEDBcT
rhYAm2Faced with Lucian’s question of whether he could endure such empty waiting, Harald smiled.bnqj
Stqlp9“I’ve long since grown used to waiting without gaining anything. After all, I don’t have much life left. I intend to wait until I close my eyes.”j06dT
PVYNThat meant that, at least while he was still alive, he had no intention of betraying Lucian.IoSXG
8xocjHearing the answer he had been hoping for, Lucian’s expression also grew a little more serious.Vd2o9S
cOD4“And what do you plan to do regarding your succession? Aside from that traitor, it doesn’t seem like there are any other sons here.”qqH8uDQ
UR6lZ“I sent my second son to a friend. The investiture ceremony ended not long ago, but he still hasn’t sworn loyalty, so I’ll have to bring him back.”ELj
BJl“Do you think he’ll follow me?”KLg8dr
k1nPU“He’s a lot like me and has a rather strong rebellious streak. He always talked about the greatness of the north and often mentioned the era of the old kingdom. Lately, he’s also complained frequently that the Empire’s interference is excessive.”yru342
OSV“…Even if his temperament is different, there may be points where we fit together better than it seems.”qtOLAg
5RT52At the same time, Lucian understood why that “second son” wasn’t here. If he showed such a rebellious nature so openly, it would be easy for the Empire to mark him as a traitor.KTXeydh
kvaJFHe had probably been sent away to prevent Torik or other rivals from taking advantage of it.YhiUb0
noL4“I think so too. But as I said before, human affairs are unpredictable. He might fit better with you than with me, or he might not fit at all.”l3ZFP
bWSeQIn other words, if possible, he wanted the grand undertaking to begin while he was still alive.9Us
cebbde7Once it began, he would follow it without hesitation, without weighing pros and cons. Seeing Harald maintain a resolute attitude while letting words heavy with longing slip out, Lucian smiled wryly.ySWBJld
lJxa“That sounds rather frightening. I hope Baron Harald enjoys good health and lives many long years.”j3U0Q50
yfL“Or that you hurry a bit more.”nKlYK
58Okc1w“Well, in any case, taking care of one’s health is never a bad idea.”oBV
gCXLucian took a vial of nectar from his pocket and set it on the table. Seeing the bluish glow, unfamiliar to him, Harald blinked.cbhbfbb
kMipA“And what is this?”Op0LLr
V5WoIjn“A medicine that’s beneficial to the body. Try it.”izN
JsAJ“Well… if you’re giving it to me, I’ll take it.”kg5kwz2
jkyf5LnWith a somewhat unconvinced expression, Harald opened the vial. It was an unexpected bribe, but also a clear show of goodwill, so he decided to accept it.esrI52
7sC0JkpIn a single gulp, he brought the nectar to his mouth and sat back down across from Lucian.3ajuKb
JEq“I’ve already taken the medicine. But no matter how good it is, time—”BNVTTvh
vHh8gtMBooom!IcM
TttbHarald couldn’t finish his sentence and froze. He felt a torrent of mana, like an erupting volcano, spreading from within throughout his entire body.pDc
lFeUjDjAn inconceivable medicinal effect wrapped around him like a storm, yet without causing the slightest pain.wUp
3DCeOnly a refreshing sensation, as if every corner of his body were being washed clean.YMFAdl
XaRw49“What… ugh…?”VsW9y
17caHEFHe muttered unconsciously, but closed his mouth again as he felt the mana overflowing.TsCSZ
BTtp6JHe had the strange feeling that if he said something wrong, the mana might explode. After a moment, once he confirmed the mana saturating his entire body, he was finally able to speak again.0ZcmOL
C16sjn2“This… what the hell is this?”NUE
R0IuR1p“A spiritual medicine.”Eel
CzZ“Spiritual medicine? Don’t be ridiculous! This is on an entirely different level!”XAfXul
JKyQz“Yes. It’s an invention capable of turning the world upside down. If you went around telling everyone about it, I’d be finished.”QS5T
5QCLhfl“…!”suTt5
89SLhrHarald’s eyes trembled violently. Just as Lucian said, this wasn’t a simple gift.yWV
YTbtrIt was a dangerous treasure, capable of altering the balance of power across the continent. By handing it over, Lucian was showing absolute trust.45q
0MiP‘I see.’YLr
3q5erFinally at ease, a deep smile formed on Harald’s lips.5R0R72
YOex8The mere fact that Lucian revealed such a treasure to him was practically a promise that, one day without fail, he would rise.W3clnpl
G84JOo“I’ll have to live many long years.”DTKS
OevUntil I can see that day with my own eyes.u7z
2GTeTLJust as Lucian, satisfied after gaining Harald’s complete trust, nodded silently, a voice came from outside.UZDb0
2tqQiW“Baron Harald, my lord. I have something to report.”N1f
03nWIt was Raymond’s voice. Before Lucian could ask what was going on, Raymond got straight to the point.p4miJj
chqJ“Hugo is fighting right now against a knight who came from the house of Count Calix. You’d better go see it.”LKAjXF9
piz***l6FJa30
MbhVLSword techniques aren’t something exclusive to knights.niCK0
uxTSometimes, by the mercy of a knight; other times, by stealing teachings through eavesdropping, fragments of them end up leaking into the world.qvN
sYWRTIf someone comes from a mercenary background and has a bit of fame, it’s normal for them to possess at least a decent sword technique.VwT
4xzjLd2But no matter how many techniques they have, they can never defeat a knight who has been properly trained.lQY
wwjn4The gap in quality between a commoner who learned through crude means and a knight surrounded by top-level masters is immense.nMc
NPCy5cJ‘That’s what I always heard…!’eZC7ITq
TIvV2HClang!PuFyD
ggE9eS‘What the hell is this guy using to block all my attacks?!’MJBiaa
zD8FOnyPalmir retreated, swallowing down a scream that threatened to burst out. The moment his sword was repelled, a sharp pain ran through his hand, as if his grip was being torn apart.PxEu8at
9iPusrHe couldn’t see it through his gauntlet, but it was obvious his palm had been injured. As he clumsily moved his fingers in pain, a mocking voice came from the front.ct8KoH
dBSS“Your attacks are getting weaker. Getting tired?”jBH
uOgn“Shut up!”yPXhAu
AyJJePalmir clenched his teeth and glared at Hugo, but he didn’t dare rush in again.uutFjWi
HjEqVVIf he kept attacking, his hand might become completely unusable. In the worst-case scenario, he’d have to retire as a knight.kGb
nmLZA0W‘But I can’t back down now either…!’ZW2gWQ
Eapu3BAA knight who’d been properly trained admitting defeat to a mere squad captain? And in the north, no less?eOTvc9
e0MIt wouldn’t just be a retreat; he’d have to live the rest of his life in hiding, unable to show his face again.3SEm4G
pYGMGWhile Palmir hesitated, unsure what to do, a familiar voice rang out.RKgTm
JewU0“Quite the spectacle. A knight retreating in fear from a squad captain.”lBIZ
wqEQhKRecognizing the voice, Palmir reacted immediately. As he turned his head, just as he expected, Lucian was watching them.WQN
po6llSeizing the opportunity, Palmir shouted at the top of his lungs.wb0
eXx7s“Young Lord Lucian! How can you allow such disrespect?!”pbdeU
g0xb“….”ECG
6nsqVua“I came to see you, but your subordinate didn’t even announce my visit and attacked me immediately! Is this the will of Young Lord Lucian, the will of Valdeck?!”nkDLJ
TwILAt Palmir’s shout, the spectators began to murmur. Lucian calmly looked around, then crossed his arms.pJrIxu
43ZEthInterpreting that gesture as hesitation, Palmir smirked slightly.j6OM8U
jgrd“Explain yourself! Is this your will? Or was it an arbitrary act by a mere soldier?!”inz
mSNUTw“….”dKaXJ
aEU4yF“If it was your will, then you must take responsibility! And if it was an independent action by a soldier, then he must be punished accordingly!”c5n
jNODespite his triumphant tone, Lucian didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow. He remained silent, watching Palmir with a calm, indifferent gaze.k9zy
B7sAs the silence dragged on, Palmir was about to shout again—HAm8lI
xPt“What are you doing? Weren’t you supposed to be fighting?”kW7
OEjFVdP“…What?”63sVH
X5EE“Weren’t you in the middle of a fight with my squad captain? Shouting is all well and good, but I don’t understand why you stopped. Hugo.”mOeOVl
ZBj7lJ“Yes, my lord.”ybQ0Uy
t0fzWn“If the opponent gets distracted mid-fight, you should cut them down without hesitation. Why are you letting him keep talking? Draw your sword!”f6OX1
tOl“…?!”7OG
OBAuZHorrified, Palmir immediately looked at Hugo. By then, Hugo had already taken a firm stance and was slowly advancing toward him.lpZrjl7
pSBIf he didn’t defend properly, he’d be cut down without mercy.Mx6
5Mt“Lu-Lucian! What is the meaning of this?!”1Z7yK
iDegr“Shut up and fight. I don’t care who wins or loses; the result must be decided. I won’t allow anyone to run away from a duel.”dViY
1m91f8“This isn’t a duel! It’s one-sided—agh!”pYR
KYlCClang!GWhPVx
eUpUPalmir barely managed to block Hugo’s attack and staggered backward.A88
P3Nk1YTThe pain in his palm was unbearable, as if the wound had worsened.5hG1a
opyiC2Suppressing a groan, he was about to speak again when a cold voice cut him off.YkC
WBmCZ6t“If you abandon the duel, I’ll kill you.”YB4
sM0j“…!”MTrrlH
Aiu“Tricks won’t work here. Don’t dream of escaping the result. You either carry your defeat with you, or you get buried here. Choose.”MiI8
v9KVAt that chilling declaration, Palmir felt his blood run cold.lj54
VD7XLHe had thought he found an escape, but it had all been an illusion. His opponent had no intention of letting him go until he chose between an honorable death—or a real one.ZjFnDam
mdENe1A wave of regret spun through his mind.ZxOg1
j3MNI‘If only I’d put my sword away with some excuse… if I’d pretended my illness had worsened and collapsed…’Y5ZZMR
CoccvAmong these thoughts, Palmir came to a devastating realization—none of this would’ve happened if he hadn’t tried to place himself above Lucian from the start.qcTlDQC
2r6Unfortunately, that understanding came far too late.evBDv
dDwylQnClang!TKP
Zwxi“Aaagh!”fOl1dQ
9t0nHis sword was knocked into the air with the next clash. At the same time, a searing pain tore through his hand, and blood began to seep from his gauntlet.BLCLCts
ZZtuyzIt wasn’t an attack from a blind spot or a clever disarming technique—he had simply lost in a head-on contest of strength, unable to even withstand the force of the weapon clash.urJ
Wm7“Ah…”x9L
nIYFhWith a clatter, Palmir didn’t even think to retrieve his fallen sword.T6AD
rEpfLooking around, he saw the spectators watching him with obvious contempt.CKPJs3
wN3tHkzIn a scene completely opposite to Lucian’s duel, Palmir collapsed to his knees, his face etched with despair.oW8oM
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