Chapter 79
fMyLKwKLucian hurried to grab the knight who was about to cut off his arm with his sword.hdkFMi
aKf4It wasn’t just a threat—the blade had already sunk into his skin, and blood was pouring out.ZKMqS
9Z2Had he stopped even a little later, with his enhanced strength, it would’ve reached the bone.eQNBH
cBJr‘How much must this lunatic hate Calix?’HTCG7
b0X9DLdThe sword is the symbol of a knight. The moment his body is injured and he can no longer wield it, for a knight, it’s practically the end.isv7
ka1un1And yet, he was willing to sacrifice an arm just to destroy Calix.jbr7zGM
pVU“First, calm down and explain yourself. What did Calix do to drive you to this?”bFjVc84
r49PR“Their crimes don’t even deserve to be listed! They shamelessly usurped the name of Grimaldi and divided the northern lords, so their sins—!”3Vwl
zqNA96“Let’s not talk about fighting for the cause. I may be young, but I’m not so naïve as to believe that.”qoda1
Gjs32Lucian’s cold voice startled the knight, who had been ranting for some time.EtYX
wOszTn8It was clear he didn’t want to reveal the real reason and was trying to use the greater cause as an excuse.V4G
IDF2Np2After hesitating for a long while, the knight let out a deep sigh.qZKwtt
oge3jEL“There’s a grudge.”LdQ
41brL“I don’t know what that grudge is. Is it personal? Or is it your lord’s grudge?”9qH
HbUe“Both. Those Calix bastards did something to the lord I serve… eh.”87Kka8
KWMThe knight hesitated again and again, glancing at Lucian as if struggling to speak.GgVHP5Y
2qmBut if he stayed silent now, not only would he fail to gain trust—he’d deepen the suspicion. In the end, as if giving up, he opened his mouth.S2YpcW6
fdy6“They instigated a rebellion in the territory. We managed to suppress it somehow, but many died and were wounded because of it.”1fPCB
y4a6“A rebellion? Don’t tell me someone without succession rights rose up in arms? That would be practically treason against the Empire.”8eSb5zQ
YQYvW“No. It was the second son of my lord—no, the one who was the second son—who started the rebellion.”MFPX3M
CYSW5“I see.”BA7HULx
wWPHearing the knight’s dull voice, Lucian nodded. Even if there was outside instigation, the one responsible for the rebellion was still a member of the lord’s family.dHyj
ROwJIt was a scandal that happened within the territory itself—a situation far too shameful to tell others.iExa3
MIPMTTo have suffered such serious damage from a family rebellion meant, both as the head of the family and as a lord, a lack of capability.DSVr4
QOaB‘So they didn’t just target Baron Harald. Looks like they dug into every territory with the potential for rebellion among the most radically opposed lords.’uZnfYNK
SpTiyA crime so serious that it would not only make them public enemies of the North, but could even lead to an extermination order with imperial approval.Rttlh1d
CXMiYAt this point, it was clear they had crossed the line by far.4XMt2RV
895ESeeing Lucian’s reaction, the knight, who had been bowing his head, burned again with fury and shouted.2ljPy56
bPR8“Their sins have reached the heavens! Not even the Eight Gods will grant them mercy anymore, so only punishment remains! We will support whatever you wish—so please, in the name of justice, punish Calix!”tIL
uZhNBbC‘Aha.’Y6WA1Km
hOVfCX6At the knight’s cry, so fervent it bordered on desperation, Lucian smiled inwardly.pVmCU
KE0pxlHe was starting to understand why they were clinging to him so desperately.BORTW2
7ka‘They want to take revenge using my name as a pretext.’Be6
usHc4wNo matter how much they had instigated a rebellion, without proof, it was impossible to mobilize a large-scale army.8CviAL
GGSAgZA territorial war might be something the imperial family would find troublesome, but if the scale was too large, they wouldn’t let it slide.PEThXj
VFpauAnd if they fought in a conventional way, one by one, they’d be crushed by Calix’s military power.rkQYg3V
KWHFQ‘They plan to raise an allied force and use me as the justification to wipe out Calix. After all, there’s no better foothold than me.’0xACovF
albXWEven for Calix, trying to kill the third son of the Grand Duchy of Valdeck was extremely troublesome.e1xOdcN
sMQxGuMoreover, Lucian had a legitimate claim to the name of Grimaldi—far greater than Calix’s—and connections that could inform the imperial family of the internal affairs without it seeming like rebellion.C6IcAo
F3r4WFor them, clinging to Lucian was the only way to carry out their revenge.CpWgIJ
Fkvwe8L“I understand how you feel. Calix has committed too many atrocities to be forgiven. It’s about time they paid the price.”2fI
ri0l“Does that mean…?”ivYSXTM
ItbLNs6“But not yet. I haven’t reclaimed the name of Grimaldi. Only when I punish them as the legitimate heir of Grimaldi can it be said that justice has been restored—don’t you agree?”iWrz
uoT“Of course! If you ever need support, say the word at any time!”WMkLGy
K2Epx0sAfraid Lucian would change his mind, the knight urgently pledged his support.ctLTv
GdZzbHe didn’t stop at words—he even handed over a personal letter from his lord stating that, as long as they received permission from the imperial family, they would immediately come with troops to support him.bnSily
MGfLucian kept the letter and suppressed a smile.EcxEjOH
kIXs0Ub‘With this, military strength is secured.’UQ1a
ttq5d6ZEven as he thought that, he had no intention of starting a full-on war with the house of Count Calix.2xTr
KvyHe had gained reliable allies, but the enemy’s power wasn’t something to be underestimated either.cuoX9
rlUEven with imperial permission, charging ahead with half-baked strength could end in disaster.NIy6ac
bt0pke‘The important thing is that now there are those who desperately need my existence, and who, if necessary, would be willing to raise armies for me.’P9jzh
GYUWMU7Lucian had the strength to protect himself.kuZWEr
hkjuZCOHe also trusted the abilities of Felicia, Raymond, and Hugo. But no matter how strong someone is, it’s hard to block ten attacks with one hand.sGM
XZlUmtHe needed another hand—strong or weak—and they had come, offering to be that hand.22dhtyW
SOjv‘Considering their circumstances, they’ll do everything they can to protect me, even if it’s just for revenge.’onCo
DmAuvcUFor the house of Count Calix, who might have even considered kidnapping or forced repatriation as last resorts, the situation had become extremely uncomfortable.nnBq
2MLy2x4From now on, the only option left was to face Lucian directly, in a fair confrontation.usm
VLUvTkAnd if it came to a head-on clash, Lucian was confident he wouldn’t lose to anyone.U636I2
ucsb11***OeODPmS
KNFMA few days passed since then, and Calix sent another emissary.ou9lb
cQV1Ki“Greetings to young lord Lucian. My name is Marcel Herscher, I serve the house of Count Calix.”488T
kWFo43iThe knight, with a lean build and a somber gaze, gave an impression completely opposite to Palmir, who had overflowed with arrogance.UZiQlv
MahAs soon as he finished introducing himself, Marcel got straight to the point.YQmKbvc
Z5Vm8G“I’ll be blunt. The count wishes to engage in a legitimate contest with you, wagering the name of Grimaldi.”zSJ
wmZi“A legitimate contest?”c3YC6V8
cQMLucian tilted his head with a mocking smile.w7Lr
wmN“What nonsense. A contest is only necessary between people with equivalent rights. Isn’t it absurd that someone would try to compete with me, the maternal grandson of the former Grand Duke?”0Bmoy
Xba“But you are not a northerner, young lord.”hIv
y4zMarcel replied without flinching.EVy
06i4“We’ve said it many times, and we’ll keep repeating it. You know it as well as we do.”S5UaN
HcaDamIAt such shamelessness, Lucian’s retainers, including Harald, all furrowed their brows at once.aQynAa
DhNzGFfIt was clear that, unable to give up the name Grimaldi, they were clinging to any excuse possible, no matter the legitimate rights.oY70l
vc7TScornful gazes pierced Marcel, but he stood firm, as if wrapped in invisible armor.iQkx2VC
p1ZfJqh“As you know, many things have already happened in the North. Some have won, others have lost. If you now intend to annul it all, regardless of your reasoning, no one will accept it willingly or step aside.”SWE
IqTxue“And if I win this contest, they’ll just accept it? In a competition with no legal authority? That’s hardly convincing.”BKvyeg
oMTGSl“It will be a contest held before the eyes of all the North. If Calix proposes it and then backs down, who would ever follow us again?”drGbRjE
V3FAk3fIn other words, whether they liked it or not, they would have to abide by the outcome.5Z1Kpsv
oU0It wasn’t a flawed argument, so Lucian gestured for him to continue.ATw
en6“Furthermore, this contest will follow an ancient northern tradition. If the young lord possesses northern blood, he won’t reject it, will he?”6kh4
cR5u“An ancient northern tradition?”0BjI
8eq“The Hundred-Day Hunt.”CnWPQoL
M0KoBang!jiFT
OZikZq8“Those damn bastards!”qTk
deQ9pWith wide eyes, Harald slammed the table hard.RtdCu6
eAC9RN0Wood splinters flew in all directions as Marcel calmly bowed his head.s6KmteH
voFb0“I ask you to remain calm. I’ve only come to deliver the terms.”UW3
rIY“Shut up! Those slithering bastards don’t even bother to hide their tricks anymore! If you’re so eager to die, I’ll cut off your—!”CTekGAa
dPIRez“Baron Harald.”sYL
w6BojHarald, who was about to grab his axe, stopped at Lucian’s voice.q8s
rYkEaWith a trembling hand, he forced himself to release the weapon and spat out his words in anger.sgguB
Y9DQqI“If you weren’t a guest of young lord Lucian, your head would already be rolling on the floor.”HPlzz
9FRHu“I will keep your lordship’s consideration in my heart.”LwN
p0sEThe tone, far from grateful, made Harald flare up again, but at Lucian’s glance, he reluctantly sat back down.Kyv1
lPv3ZOnce the situation had calmed, Lucian looked at Marcel.iEopD
L9o“What exactly does this Hundred-Day Hunt involve?”sGm
4dZltWMarcel gave a cold smile.ty2BwC
hNkAW“As I said, it is an ancient tradition of the North.”k9J1Ub
dX2o***eV7G
mn5“For fifteen days, participants must survive in the snowy northern mountains. The one who returns with the most valuable bounty will be deemed the winner. A maximum of five companions is allowed, and bringing provisions is strictly forbidden.”wlue
oJp9After sending Marcel off to continue the discussion in private, Lucian reflected on what he had just heard.rmPP
N5kokOriginally, the hunt lasted one hundred days, but due to its extreme length and danger, it had been reduced to fifteen.M4W
KklxDS“It’s an interesting tradition. Stripping away all background and measuring only individual ability. The North is growing on me more and more.”6Yl
NOwcX“Now is not the time to be so calm!”OiT
3qqsVHarald looked at him furiously.JF3l
2PPrwRr“Do you really think those guys are aiming for a fair contest?”lvSU
Tt7“Of course not.”XCUI
S8LYOWLucian shrugged while studying the map. The mountain range Marcel had marked as the contest site was marked in red.l75v
spFRVrP“The proposed range is near Calix’s territory and surrounded by allied domains. Even if my supporters keep watch, it’s their backyard—they could set traps in secret.”Ppl9NsH
PMxz3Zp“Then you must reject the proposal.”aHX
3WL1Z“I can’t.”E5aq
8dd6“Why not?”b5U
ECVjez“Because they’ve invoked tradition. If I back down now, the image I’ve built with the people will collapse.”yj19Uz
r0tJR8Harald fell silent.MUqC
VY2rIf Lucian rejected a northern tradition, even those who had hailed him as a hero of royal blood would feel disappointment.IAkQEs
R6Y“At worst, all the recognition I’ve earned until now could vanish. They’d soon say that, in the end, I was just another southerner.”LPVGD
m4O“So you’ll accept the proposal knowing it’s a trap?”P8x9Qjf
MG52“Yes.”qX8
iYG“What…!”mKrYFr
Uh18f6Lucian’s confidence bordered on arrogance, and Harald let out a disbelieving laugh.eV7
dnDz9bLucian added calmly.71YdA2v
mxLZx“I’m not accepting it blindly. They also won’t dare to harm me directly and provoke Valdeck’s wrath. At most, they’ll try to harass me indirectly.”4yay
3c0o7UP“Just because your life isn’t in danger doesn’t guarantee victory. If you lose, you’re just handing them a favor.”5bSp
SQXP7“It doesn’t matter. As long as I accept the contest, the result is irrelevant. What I need is the recognition of the North, not theirs.”7Prgup
512n9“…?”wRD4K
rWYjNhLucian smiled at the confusion on Harald’s face.uQFwFRb
dTy7sMA“What does it matter whether they recognize me or not? Under imperial law, the rights to the Grimaldi inheritance belong to me anyway. As long as the North as a whole accepts it, their protests are just noise.”LQm
2IdRHarald blinked, stunned.yz6
HnYT“Seen that way…”AFmqVm
K8VIt wasn’t a flawed interpretation. Even if the North maintained some distance from the imperial family, it was still part of the Empire.wWZtHG
cSFJaULegally, the lands and assets of the former Grand Duke belonged to Lucian.DPXu1J
6aOgSGIf the majority of the North acknowledged him and he claimed the inheritance, the house of Calix would look ridiculous even mentioning Grimaldi.WGhU1
dwNcU“But even so, they won’t give up their claims without resistance. Even if they acknowledge him, they’ll find excuses not to hand things over.”gt9DdsA
0NwVHM“Then it’ll be enough to resort to public authority.”Z0g6
pbW“Public authority?”6G28Xs
ZKz“My lord.”jplCZ
6F2Just as Lucian was about to respond, Felicia’s voice came from outside.AG4yJqb
UTPq“The inspector has arrived with an edict from His Majesty the Emperor.”rk9
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